Amy Wren Watched What? January 20-26, 2025

Nickel Boys (2024) - Directed by RaMell Ross
Quite simply one of the best films from 2024 that I've seen. Part of it is the inventive cinematography and the creative use of point of view, sure. But what really sets this apart is how the technique is used to tell such an emotionally impactful story. Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, who played the teenaged Elwood and Turner respectively, are both great in roles that are deceptively difficult to pull off, given the nature of how the film was made.

Good One (2024) - Directed by India Donaldson
At first this just feels like a nice walk in the woods, with a young woman going on a multiday backpacking trip with her father and his best friend. There's conversations and walking and quiet scenes of character's setting up camp, using their gear to exist out back of beyond, and doing the things you do when you backpack.

But as the film goes on it becomes clear that the film has more on its mind than some time in nature. It becomes clear that the two middle aged men are putting far too much responsibility on the trip on the young daughter's shoulders. And that's even before the vibes get really bad. Often times this film has the feel of the work of Kelly Reichardt, one of my favorite directors currently working. All in all a good directorial debut for Donaldson.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - Directed by Steven Spielberg
I kind of feel like this film kind of gets lost in the shuffle at times compared to the other Spielberg classics. Like, I know that's a weird thing to say about a film that was a phenomenal hit in its day and has so many references to it that have stuck themselves into our collective pop culture memories. But it still feels like this is somehow underrated? Part of that may be that as popular as it was in its day, it was still overshadowed by the other 1977 film involving spaceships.

I'm happy to report that this film still holds up today, which is a testament to how well crafted and thought out the visual effects were. But it's not just the effects that make this film. It would not work without the performance of Richard Dreyfuss, who conveys how compulsive his obsession is to get to Devil's Tower is, even as he also is well aware this is happening against better judgement. And of course, there's John Williams score. I wonder how angry he was that he lost to John Williams at the Oscars that year for Best Score.

The Last Unicorn (1982) - Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass
I could sit here for hours trying to describe what exactly is happening in this movie. And I'm like 95% certain I'd fail miserably to convey exactly what is up with it. So instead I'm not going to try, and just sit here in witness to it all. I'm not surprised this is like a total fever dream of a film to a generation of people who were children when they watched this.

Other Movies Watched

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Directed by Frank Darabont
One of the most perfect movies to just put on and watch when you stumble across it on cable.

High and Low (1963) - Directed by Akira Kurosawa
An engrossing classic of a police procedural that also takes a keen eye to issues of class. It's clear how influential it is when you watch it.

The Man Who Would Be King (1975) - Directed by John Huston
Like The Road to El Dorado for like 90% of the film, but then it goes in a...different direction at the end. The final shot goes harder than all but a few other films I've seen.

Shampoo (1975) - Directed by Hal Ashby
A good film whose making of story would arguably make an even better film.

Thoughts about this week's movies? Want to share what you watched last week? Join the conversation in the comments!

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