- may :
- everything everywhere all at once ★★★★½ one of the best movies i have ever seen, hands down. you feel everyone's pain no matter what role you identify yourself best as and i think that's magic
- june :
- spirited away ★★★★½ how do i deal with the fact that this might replace howl's and ponyo as my favorites? i'll just say they're even for now... but spirited away is just such a beautiful and captivating movie, everything feels otherworldly in the best way
- july :
- legally blonde ★★★½☆ elle woods' earnest character bleeds through the screen in the best way in this movie. her unbreakable spirit is infectious and admirable, she's a brilliant character. also, the soundtrack is just fantastic—totally captures the feel of the movie. to me, this movie represents the triumph of femininity. the short run time is refreshing but can lead to a few moments feeling rushed, but i think in most cases it adds to the film's 'campiness.' i struggled to decide whether to rate this movie with three and a half stars or not because some of the misogynistic jokes substantially dampened the experience for me, despite the movie's strengths and how much i enjoyed it otherwise. the movie critiques misogyny very well at some parts of the story, yet seems to align itself with misogynistic ideals when it wants to play exploitation of women for laughs. it is a reflection of the time it was made in but it doesn't make it any less unpleasant to watch now and i think it's something that should be examined. a message of female empowerment is undermined by jokes made at the expense of elle, as they seem to directly contradict the movie's main theme. for example, there are jokes about elle being seen as sexually promiscuous for simply being girly, but some of these jokes are framed in a way that seems they want you to laugh at elle and agree with that sentiment (which seems to be the opposite of what the movie stands for as a whole!). i think it's a hard line to walk on. even with this, i understand the social context the movie was made in and i greatly appreciate the messages within this movie, as many movies made even now don't make strides as great as legally blonde. we feel for elle through the entire movie and we get to know her very well, understanding her values and sense of justice throughout. not being taken seriously because you don't fit in a certain box is a great theme done exceptionally well here, while still leaving room for lots and lots of comedy. i love the emphasis of female friendship over men and the relationship between elle and paulette is so incredibly charming. i would want to be elle's best friend too! i will carry her with me whenever i feel the odd one out. what, like it's hard?
- september :
- november :
may 8 2023 ∞
jun 5 2024 +