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I’m combining three months as I’ve not watched as many films to report back on, due to finishing off an MCU-rewatch and during lockdown watching more TV shows (did you know Sex and the City is really good?). Here are the films in these months I definitely recommend:

What Women Want
I wasn’t too hot on the original film, and I wasn’t holding out much hope for this gender-flipped remake, but I really enjoyed it. I can see some of the complaints about it, but I think by necessity it needs to be a different tale than the original, and I think the comedy of it was incredibly well done.

Little Women
I’d never read or seen this, so I watched the 90’s and 10’s versions. Really interesting to compare them, I think the new one is much more for people who know the story, so I was left a little cold on it at times.

Trainwreck
Another film I expected to not like, but I was genuinely surprised. Some moments that weren’t deserved, but overall a really good rom com that gave us some great characters.

Parasite
As good as everyone had said, but no better. Perhaps a victim of heightened expectations, but still a great film that deserved its plaudits. I particularly enjoyed how they turned our attitudes to people as the film went on, a great example of nuanced character stories.

The Old Guard
I feel like everyone’s seen this by now, but just in case, go watch it. At times it’s a little by-the-numbers comic book introduction story, but something a bit different and with sterling performances.

Emma.
It’s hard not to compare this to Clueless, but it does stand alone as a great adaptation of the original story. The lead character is as unlikeable as they should be, without losing any of the humour and good story beats.

Ophelia
I found it hard not to compare this to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead – taking a character in Hamlet and telling their own story. Sadly it’s not as clever or as nuanced, but it might have more in common with Wicked by telling a lot of a known story from another perspective entirely. I do recommend it though, Daisy Ridley was excellent as Ophelia.

Feel the Beat
I’ve said it before that Netflix films often give us imitations of popular properties, and this is like many other ‘begrudging coach learns to love their team’ stories. The final act has some moments that are very poorly done, but the overall character, love, and affection in the film made it incredibly endearing.

Down with Love
Really interesting to watch this having just watched Sex and the City the series – I can see that this is making a classic romcom for the SATC generation. Great performances, some really well put together set pieces, and a core story that was surprising in the end.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
I was worried that this would not have aged well and be a difficult one to talk about on the podcast. But fear not, it holds up very very well, and has so many quotable lines it’s ridiculous!

Buffaloed
I had heard nothing about this film but decided to give it a go. It wants to be something like The Big Short, which it isn’t, but the film thrives on the lead performance of Zoey Deutch. I’ve since seen her in other films and she’s definitely someone I’m going to keep an eye out for, as she’s wonderful!

Bad Education
The last three on the list came within a few days of each other and make fascinating comparisons. All based on true stories, none of which I knew, this first was pretty obvious what was going to happen, but every performance in here is mesmerising, and the writing makes each character somewhat sympathetic.

Misbehaviour
However nothing was obvious in this film, and I could not guess what was going to happen despite it being a real event. They allowed everyone’s argument to be heard and given, so that although it was from particular perspectives it still felt like it came without bias.

On the Basis of Sex
And finally although it was clear what the outcome would be, a Sorkin-esque courtroom drama is something I enjoy very much. Felicity Jones this time giving a great performance that showed as much worry and concern as confidence, and Armie Hammer doing what he always does, which is something I’m not yet tired of!