March Movie Roundup
let's talk about what I watched last month
When I started writing this newsletter in 2020 during the p*ndemic, I really didn’t have any idea of what it would be outside of maybe sharing some movie recommendations. I was bored at home, watching movies all day, and wanted a way to connect with other people who were doing the same.
This newsletter has grown in a lot of fun ways that I didn’t expect, but it’s also gotten away from it’s roots. There are some months where I don’t even write one edition of this newsletter and that is, quite frankly, annoying to me. I’d like to write at least once a week tbh, but that is not feasible with my work schedule.
That’s where this edition of the newsletter comes in. Moving forward, at the end of every month, I’m going to recap all the movies I viewed and where you can watch them if you so choose. It gives me a reason to write at least one Working Title a month (ideally more) and hopefully encourages you to check out a movie or two.
Here’s what I watched in March.
Movie: September 5
Where To Watch: Paramount+ or rent wherever you rent
Recommend: Eh. If you want.
This movie was Just Fine™️ and felt like one of those HBO Original Movies that would come on in like 1997. That’s not a bad thing, but I expected a little bit more out of a movie with a Best Screenplay nomination. Not for nothing, I think this movie’s release and topic where a little ill-timed considering what it’s about and the current State of Things, but I also love a journalism movie. If you’re a sicko like me and want to see all the Oscar nominated movies, check this one out.
Movie: Sonic The Hedgehog 1-3
Where To Watch: All on Paramount+, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 on Netflix
Recommend: Sure, why not.
This series of movies has completely passed me by for some reason, even though I grew up playing Sonic games across various systems. I was sick with something to start the month and decided to finally see if they were any good while zonked out on the couch. They’re definitely made for kids, but Jim Carrey is absolutely cooking in these, James Marsden continues to be the most handsome man alive, and the third one ends being essentially a Dragon Ball Z movie for the last act, which gets a big HELL YEAH from me player.
Movie: Mickey 17
Where To Watch: still in some theaters, coming to VOD April 8th
Recommend: I sure do
Not the strongest entry in Bong Joon - Ho’s filmography but still a very enjoyable movie that is spectacular at times and a little middling at others. There were so many ideas stuffed in here and some were more baked than others, but damn if he doesn’t try and we need more filmmakers trying.
There is nobody doing it like Robert Pattinson. One of, if not THE best of his generation.
Mark Ruffalo & Toni Collette also cooking in this. Glad to have this movie in the world finally. Seemed like it was never going to come out.
Movie: Black Bag
Where To Watch: still in some theaters, rent wherever you rent
Recommend: HELL yeah
This isn’t exactly saying much because it’s been a particularly slow spring, but this is currently my favorite movie of the year so far. A sleek, sexy spy thriller with Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender that’s a tight 90 minutes and directed by Steven Soderbergh? This thing rips and while it’s not perfect, it’s still the best thing I watched this month. Highly recommend.
Movie: The Electric State
Where To Watch: Netflix
Recommend: no
This movie is shit from a butt. Nothing good about it. I give it a :(
Movie: The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Loony Tunes Movie
Where To Watch: in theaters (strongly urge you if you can), will be on streaming soon
Recommend: Yes
A real treat, especially if you miss Looney Tunes. So stupid and funny in the best way, some really incredible visual gags and references. Clearly made by people who love what they’re doing and love the source material. If you can see and support this movie in theaters, please do so. We need more 2D animated movies and we need the Looney Tunes.
Movie: Princess Mononoke
Where To Watch: currently doing a 4K IMAX run in theaters, streaming on MAX
Recommend: with my whole heart
A perfect film to me. The definition of cooking. My favorite Miyazaki and one of my favorite movies period. Seeing this in IMAX was transformative, moved to tears on several occasions. While I usually think the dubbed version of Miyazaki’s movies are impeccable, I really wanna vouch for the original Japanese version with English subtitles, I think it fits this particular story much better. Movies can be so special.
Movie: A Working Man
Where To Watch: in theaters
Recommend: If you have like AMC A-List, Alamo Season Pass or any other theater based subscription
I went in to this with very low expectations because I love a dumb action movie and the previous team up of Jason Statham and David Ayer gave us THE BEEKEEPER (which whipped nuts) but this just did not do it for me. Terrible script, weird lighting (there is a section of this movie where the moon is so big it causes a LENS FLAIR) and some flat performances.
Speaking of terrible script, take a look at the writing credits for this movie. Go ahead, take a peek then come back here. I’ll wait.
Movie: Dark City
Where To Watch: it was streaming on Amazon Prime, but now you may have to rent
Recommend: Yes!
DARK CITY had been kicking around in several of my watchlists for a while and I finally pulled the trigger. This movie looks (and is) awesome. It’s like if they filmed The Matrix in an alternate dimension but instead of about Machines it was about [redacted] and instead of Keanu Reeves it starred Rufus Sewell. A perfect mid-budget sci-fi movie and the type of movie I wish we got more of these days. Incredible atmosphere and costumes, really terrific stuff. Snuck this one in on the 31st and was not disappointed.
Pretty good month, IMO! Really looking forward to the theatrical release schedule kicking up a notch as we head into summer and into awards season. Hope this list gave you a fun movie to check out!
You can keep up with what I’m watching on Letterboxd here.
Still haven't seen the Sonic movies, but I've seen around half of these, including The Day the Earth Blew Up (which was great though I wish it was more funny than amusing).
I like Princess Mononoke, but the last time I watched it, it felt so very long. The kids like anime, but it's a slow movie compared to something like Demon Slayer, so I'm not sure if they'd have the patience for it in the theater the way they did at home on Blu-ray with other things to occupy them. Still, I'm glad that this rerelease qualifies for AMC A-List, which is better than most Studio Ghibli screenings.
We enjoyed Mickey 17 yesterday at the last screening in our area because Minecraft needs all those screens.