Happy August, everyone! Boy, Summer is so fleeting, I feel like the warm weather has just started (albeit with a ton of rain) and next month is already the ‘brrr’ month!! Well, I intend to enjoy the last weeks of Summer as much as I can by being outside and attend some outdoor events, glad that there are plenty of art festivals in Minnesota!
Anyway, here’s what I watched last month:
NEW MOVIES
(films indicated with * are directed by women)
I Am Celine Dion*
Young Woman and the Sea
Beverly Hills Cop Axel-F
The Bikeriders
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
After seeing the tremendous Godzilla Minus One, I knew this one wouldn’t be nearly as good. Well I was right, but it was entertaining enough thanks to the fantastic ensemble cast of Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens. Seeing Kong and Godzilla working together is a hoot, though I barely remember much of the story even days later, ha!
Widow Clicquot
Fancy Dance*
review upcoming
Fly Me to the Moon
Dumplin’*
I’ve been wanting to see this for some time but kept getting sidetracked. I quite like Danielle Macdonald, the talented Australian actress I first saw in Lady Bird and Falling For Figaro. She’s got a knack for accents and can disappear into any role, this time as a Texan girl, the daughter of a former beauty queen played by Jennifer Aniston. What starts as a protest soon gains momentum as other contestants join in, shaking things up in the tight-knit Texas town. It’s also a sweet tribute to her late aunt who’s always believed in her.
Twisters
Hillbilly Elegy
This movie had been on my Netflix queue for some time, but I finally watched this after I heard JD Vance was picked by Trump to be his running mate. Based on Vance’s best-selling memoir, I remember this Ron Howard movie was trashed by critics, but it’s not the trainwreck of a movie they made it out to be. The women in the film, particularly Glenn Close and Amy Adams, are the standouts here, while Gabriel Basso is quite convincing as Vance. This movie really sheds light on the harsh realities of addiction and how it can spiral out of control for those who can’t seek help.
Find Me Falling*
Over the Moon
This is an animated musical about a Chinese girl FeiFei who builds a rocket ship and blasts off, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess. The animation starts out pretty engaging and the story seems promising, that is until FeiFei lands on the moon. The whole popstar Chang’e concept looks garish and unpleasant to look at, and the musical numbers go from forgettable to downright irritating. Though directed by Glen Keane, an animator who’s worked on some of my favorite Disney animated features such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty, and the Beast, Tangled, etc., clearly this movie is missing Disney’s musical genius Alan Menken.
It’s disappointing because I was excited to see more Asian representation in animated films, but I couldn’t even finish watching this after about 20 minutes. I’m not going to rate this one as I didn’t finish the movie, but based on what I did watch, I’d give it 1/5 stars.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Dandelion*
The Fabulous Four*
TV SERIES
My Lady Jane
I finally finished the entire season and I enjoyed it! I love the cast: Anna Chancellor and Rob Brydon display their comedic chops as royal parents who use their own kids as pawns as they’re so desperate for power. The young leads Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel are both easy on the eyes and charismatic enough to carry the central romance in this inventive historical fantasy drama where Lady Jane Grey is crowned queen during the son of Henry VIII Edward’s reign.
Created by Gemma Burgess, this series is a clever, funny, and romantic twist on historical fiction based on real events in Tudor England, with a bit of creative freedom thrown in. It tries too hard to be edgy at times but the irreverent alt-history humor is pretty funny. I normally can’t stand voice over but the droll narration by Oliver Chris is quite a hoot. I enjoyed this one so much more than Bridgerton, plus I’m a sucker for English Medieval and Renaissance costume dramas.
SHORT FILM
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
I’ve been wanting to check out Wes Anderson’s Oscar-winning short, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s short story about a rich gambler who masters an astonishing skill to cheat at cards. I love the cast, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade, and Dev Patel–I’d love to see them in a full-length ensemble comedy! The short is amusing enough but mostly thanks to the performances of the cast. Overall it’s a typical quirky, visually arresting but unmoving work by Wes, so I feel like it doesn’t deserve the Oscar win.
I tried watching the other three shorts but was so bored by The Swan that I couldn’t even finish it. Suffice it to say, I don’t think I’ll be watching the rest of the collection.
I watched another 6 movies #directedbywomen, which brings the tally of the year so far to 43. I’ll do a half-year recap later this week and list my favorite female-directed movies so far. At this rate, I’m confident I’ll surpass my goal of 52 by the end of the year.
July 2024 MOVIE(S) OF THE MONTH
It’s another tie for Movie of the Month, one is a documentary and the other is a feature. I’m still thinking of the I Am: Celine Dion doc, especially after seeing Dion’s spectacular LIVE performance at the Paris Olympics! It’s definitely the high point of the rainy opening ceremony!
As for Widow Clicquot, it’s such a sumptuous film, even for someone who doesn’t care for the taste of alcohol. I’m a big fan of Haley Bennett who’s terrific as the Grande Dame of Champagne. Plus there’s Sam Riley in the cast which automatically won me over 😍
So what did you see in July, and which one(s) are your favorites?
…
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
My favorite film last month is Django. If anyone wants to check out what a Spaghetti western is outside of the works of Sergio Leone. It’s the film to see.
I have a huge blind spots when it comes to Spaghetti westerns so I have to check out Django at some point, esp. since it was inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s work.
The only new movie I saw last month was Beverly Hills Cop 4, I didn’t even go see anything at the theaters. I have no interest in any of the movies playing in theater from last month. I thought of seeing Longlegs but then I remember, horror fans are annoying in theaters and I decided to wait till it comes out on streaming. I thought of watching Godzilla x Kong but after Minus One, I kind of lost interest in the American version.
I’ve just been watching lots of TV series. The new season of House of the Dragons, Mayor of Kingstown, Cobra Kai, The Acolyte and The Boys.
I heard from a few critic friends they don’t care for Longlegs so just wait for it on streaming, Ted. I love the cast of the Godzilla X Kong movie but yeah, Godzilla Minus One is much more superior!
I haven’t seen any of those shows. I’m still watching Welcome to Wrexham and looking forward to Slow Horses S4!
I think some people thought Longlegs was this horror/super natural type of film but I heard it’s more of a thriller similar to Se7en and Silence of the Lambs. It didn’t help that the marketing of the film made it look it’s a full on horror. That’s why I wanted to see it, I prefer a thriller/horror instead of full on horror. But I know there will be tons of annoying high school kids in the theater. It’ll be better to watch it on my home theater.
Great recap of movies in July. I didn’t get to see many movies this month but “Longlegs” definitely stood out to me. I am not a huge fan of the horror genre but I absolutely loved this movie. It’s a spectacular serial killer thriller which reminded me a lot of classic detective movies from the 1990’s. For instance, the movie brought to mind the classic movie “The Silence of the Lambs”. If you enjoyed that film, you will love this one. Also, Nicolas Cage is absolutely amazing here and scared the daylights out of me. I believe he deserves an Oscar nomination.
Here’s why I recommend seeing “Longlegs” in theatres:
Hi Hassan! I didn’t see Longlegs but it seems you’re one of the few that liked it… interesting comparison to Silence of the Lambs which I saw years ago and it’s terrifying. I just read your review, oh wow, crazy that your housemaid was killed by a psycho, that must have been a traumatizing even for you and your family! I can’t even fathom that… though a wonderful priest who was a close family friend and was a significant part of my childhood was murdered by local villagers who tried to rob him for money. That’s perhaps the only experience I had where someone close to me was murdered and it still haunted me. That’s why I don’t often like to watch movies/shows about serial killers.
Thanks for the feedback Ruth. Yes, I was very traumatized by the incident and it definitely left a lasting impression on me. Ever since, I have always been drawn to serial killer films. They have become a form of therapy for me to cope with real-life tragedy.
“Longlegs” is definitely worth watching even if you’re not a fan of serial killer movies. It’s more about childhood trauma than it is about serial killers. But it definitely is a dark film which isn’t an easy watch. Not for everyone for sure.
Serial killers involving childhood trauma sounds even more eerie, so probably not for me. Glad you do like it though, Hassan. I can see how seeing certain films can be a form of therapy.
Hillbilly Elegy is held up almost entirely by the performances of Amy Adams and Glenn Close. I wouldn’t call it a trainwreck, more like a mismanaged opportunity to portray a segment of white America beyond cultural stereotypes, and a lack of emotional cohesiveness in the end, as I mentioned in my review at the time.
Yeah, Adams and Close are definitely the standout, though after seeing Gabriel Basso in Netflix’s The Night Agent, I think he did a good job playing Vance as it made me sympathize with his character in the film.
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I haven’t seen any of these. I’ve been watching TV since April.
Of all I want to see Widow Clicquot & I am Celine.
I am Celine came out too late for this years Emmys. It is on Prime and I’m pretty sure it will get noms next year. It only had a limited theatrical release. Of course the limited release cold make it a contender for the Oscars. Then forget Emmys.
Widow Clicquot came out in July, it is on Prime USA and Apple tv in Canada. It’s a theatrical release, so I’ll have to wait to watch it.
Hi Resa! Yeah I know you’ve got your work cut out for you with the Emmy voting process. Speaking of EMMY, I’m wondering if MY LADY JANE would get nominated next year, the costumes and set design are gorgeous!
Well once Widow Clicquot & I am Celine are available, I think you will enjoy watching them.
Okay, will check out “My Lady Jane”!
Just did!
Okay, yes, a next year Emmy possible. Was Released in June this year.
I’d love to see this series. (Amazon Prime)
There is also a movie, “Lady Jane” from the 1980’s.
It’s one of those fascinating stories of European history that we can’t get enough of.
I’d love to see a series about “Anne Boleyn”.
Speaking of European history, I watched 2 episodes of “Mary and George” so far. It’s not flashy like “The Gilded Age”…more realistic in terms of production presentation… and the costumes are fabulous!
(They are in different design categories, and not in competition)
It’s based on a true piece of history. I’m really liking it.
Okay, Orphan Black tonight!
I might get to watch Loki this aft. while I do some mundane work that does not require much attention.
Yahoo!
Yeah, I’m a bit obsessed with historical dramas set during Tudors era, and for a while I was obsessed with War of the Roses, esp. the time when the Plantagenet kings were in power. I often think that Richard III was maligned by history as we all know history is written by victors, and he was defeated by Henry Tudor which birthed the Tudors dynasty. Have you seen The White Queen? That is my all time fave period drama series, I LOVE Rebecca Ferguson on that show!
Oooh, now I’m curious about Mary and George series!
No haven’t seen the “White Queen”.
Mary and George is worth a try watching. I’m going to watch the entire limited series. I watched 3, but need to move on for the moment.
The White Queen mini series is so good! I was addicted watching it a few years ago, not sure where it’s streaming now though.
I have to see where Mary and George is streaming on as I don’t have Starz channel.
What a spectacular month! Awesome reviews here.
Thank you! It was a busy month and thankfully most of what I saw were good ones!