Happy November! We’re down to the last two months of the year already?? Wow, where has the time gone? Well, after an unseasonally warm October, we finally got our first snow on Halloween. Fortunately, the ground was still so warm that it didn’t stick, so nothing like the Halloween blizzard of 1991 that dropped a whopping 28 inches of snow in 3 days! Fall isn’t quite over yet, 50s are still in the forecast all through next week, woot!
Thanks to the Twin Cities Film Fest, October was a really good month for movie-watching. Of course, the highlight was meeting Daisy Ridley & Tom Bateman as I got to interview them on the red carpet about their psychological thriller Magpie.
Photo Credit: Twin Cities Film Fest’ photographer Elizabeth Peak
Anyway, here’s what I watched last month:
NEW MOVIES
(films indicated with * are directed by women)
Arab Blues*
I saw this one on the plane and I was intrigued when I saw the magnetic Golshifteh Farahani on the poster. I enjoyed her performance in Paterson with Adam Driver and it’s great to see her as the lead in Manele Labidi’s film. After years abroad in Paris, her character Selma returns to Tunis with the dream of opening up her own psychotherapy practice. The film tells the tale of the battle to achieve your goals and become who you want to be. For women, this fight is even tougher, especially in places where gender equality is still a dream.
Iranian actress Farahani is effortlessly mesmerizing as she tries to navigate the local rules and customs while dealing with quirky new patients. There’s a hint of romance with a local policeman that feels underdeveloped but the movie is fascinating and hilarious at times.
The Outrun*
Magpie
We Live in Time
Saturday Night
A Little Family Drama*
Conclave
Nightbitch*
Review Upcoming
Luther: Never Too Much*
Camp RicStar
We Strangers*
Review Upcoming
Unstoppable
La Cocina
Review Upcoming
Band on the Run
Review Upcoming
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl*
Review Upcoming
All We Carry/Lo Que Llevamos*
All We Carry documentary tells the incredible story of the Ramos family as they escape persecution in Honduras and spend months in detention in the U.S. It’s such a harrowing journey and while the family is atop a train, Magdiel’s voiceover says ‘Better to live in danger for a short while in this journey than a lifetime of danger in their own country,’ and that sums up the reality of many refugees face when they come to this country.
After their release, Magdiel and Mirna, along with their toddler son Joshua find support from a synagogue in Seattle and settle into a temporary home while they wait for their asylum decision. Over three years of filming, the family faces a mix of significant and everyday experiences where memories, happiness, and sorrow intertwine. Cady Voge, a freelance journalist who has reported on immigration throughout the Americas, directed this stirring first feature documentary, showcasing the power of resilience and compassion.
Bob Trevino Likes It*
Review Upcoming
Nickel Boys
Review Upcoming
Blitz
Review Upcoming
Venom: The Last Dance*
Review Upcoming
The Woman of the Hour*
Review Upcoming
The Piano Lesson
Review Upcoming
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
While most people are watching some horror movies or out trick-or-treating, my hubby and I opted for a movie night out catching up with a beloved movie that’s eluded us for decades. Neither of us grew up in the US so admittedly, there are some classic Hollywood movies we’ve missed. I have seen a bunch of clips of The Wizard of Oz and even saw the 2013 spiritual prequel Oz the Great and Powerful, but this is the first time I actually saw this one in its entirety, partly in preparation to see Wicked in a couple of weeks.
Well, it was entertaining and that tornado visual effects were quite impressive considering it’s a 35-foot-long muslin stocking, spun around among miniatures of a Kansas farm and fields. The flying monkeys are as terrifying as people have told me, and I also find the munchkin sequence far too long. Can’t believe the Over The Rainbow song was nearly cut out as Judy Garland‘s beautiful singing is one of the highlights of the movie! I enjoy the goofy banter between Dorothy and her two newfound friends the Scarecrow and Tin Man, but I think I enjoy reading the trivia about the making of the movie more, ahah. Let’s just say I’m glad I finally watched this iconic movie, but I don’t think I’d want to see it again.
So by the end of September, I’ve already watched 49 movies #directedbywomen. Well, I watched a total of 10 movies last month thanks to TCFF, which brings the tally of the year so far to 59, woo hoo!! So I’ve already gone over the yearly goal by 7 movies and will likely watch a few more by year’s end.
In case you missed it, here’s my list of 10 best movies directed by women I saw in the first half of 2024. I will do another top 10 list in January!
TV SERIES
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING – S4
Ok so I finally finished Only Murders in The Building and it’s really the weakest season so far. Even though I like that the showrunner honored Jane Lynch’s Sazz Pataki (Charles’ stunt double), there are so many frills and distractions in the middle episodes that I nearly quit watching. Molly Shannon portrays the most annoying character in the history of the show, I wish the show had been more focused on the original trio and the murder case itself. In any event, Téa Leoni has joined Season 5, I sure hope it’ll be as good as the first two seasons!
October 2024 MOVIE(S) OF THE MONTH
These two films couldn’t be more different from each other but they’re definitely two of the best films I saw at TCFF. You can read my review of CONCLAVE (sure to be an Oscar forerunner), and stay tuned for my review of NICKEL BOYS sometime in December to align with its limited theatrical release. Let’s just say it’s well worth a watch in the theater, I sure hope RaMell Ross will garner some awards for this outstanding and important film.
So what did you see in October, and which one(s) are your favorites?
…
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
The Nightingale is the best thing I saw last night as well as the director’s cut of Blackhat, my Blind Spot choice in Rebecca, and last night, I re-watched Lost Highway by David Lynch as I hadn’t seen that film in a long time.
I might revisit Blackhat at some point. I like some of the scenes that took place in my hometown Jakarta but overall I wasn’t impressed w/ it. Where did you watch the director’s cut version btw?
I purchased a Blu-Ray set from Arrow which has 3 versions of the film. The theatrical cut. The international cut (which only a shortened version of the theatrical cut by a minute) and the director’s cut. I much prefer the director’s cut as it shift some scenes in the film to create more suspense.
Ah ok cool! Hmmm, I wonder if the theatrical cut is available to rent somewhere. Yeah, a shift in editing can alter the entire movie. I trust Michael Mann that his director’s cut is better than the theatrical one.
Woman of the Hour feels kinda divided for me, not completely sure if it wants to focus on the serial killer or Anna Kendrick’s character. The back-and-forth approach is different but it’s also a major spoiler.
I actually appreciate the fact that Woman of the Hour doesn’t glorify the serial killer and I think Anna’s character is dealing with some toxic relationship as well before she even encounter Rodney Alcala.
I can’t believe 2024 is almost over with, feels like 2023 was yesterday but it’s almost 2025!! Hope you had fun interviewing the stars at TCFF. I had so many projects to get done at work that I couldn’t find the energy to go see any movies there. Maybe next year.
As usual, I didn’t see any new movies in theaters, just watched one new movie on Netflix, Don’t Move. A neat thriller. Then watched a bunch of TV series, I think I prefer series to movies these days. Finished second season of The Old Man. Then watched the Penguin, didn’t think it’s going to good but it’s a great show. Finished another show on Netflix, Territory.
And I’m almost done with Cauron’s new series on Apple TV+, Disclaimer. It’s one of those stories that would’ve been very cheesy if it’s made by not so talented writer and director. But in Cauron’s hands, it’s a good drama but kind of silly when you really think about it. Lol!
Yeah, 2024 went by really fast, though I think I said that every year LOL!
You kept saying you’d attend TCFF next year but I have never seen you in the past decade, Ted! 😀
I finally finished S4 of SLOW HORSES. It’s so good!! Glad it’s been renewed to S6! They’re even done w/ S5 already, but not sure when it’ll air.
I’m curious about Disclaimer but haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet. Btw his last name is Cuarón 😉
The older you get, the faster the years goes by! I think once I turned 30, every year has gone by so fast!
If TCFF is being held in slower time for me like in December, I would be able to see some movies there. October is just crazy month for me work wise. I’m either have to travel for video shoots or go on vacation. This year, I had to create about 30 videos for our events. I was exhausted by the end of the day. Lol!
I thought this season of Slow Horses is one of the best seasons of any TV series that I’ve watched. This is a rare show that gets better each season. The only ones I can think of are Breaking Bad and Games of Throne, except the last season.
The performances of Blanchett and Kline saves Disclaimer from being too cheesy.
I hear ya Ted, well I’m closing in on 50 so I kind of don’t want time to move SO fast, y’know 😀
Your job sounds quite hectic and stressful! I’m grateful mine is pretty mellow that I could participate in two film festivals per year. But hey, getting to travel to shoot videos is pretty cool though.
Yeah Slow Horses is such an amazing series as it’s consistently excellent and it’s both funny and suspenseful at the same time. Would you be willing to review S4 for me?
Me too, I can’t believe that in less than 20 years, I’ll be in my retirement age. Noooo!!!! Ha ha.
It can be hectic and very stressful since I shoot, edit, animate and design all of the videos. I sometime have direct overseas shoots if I can’t make the trip. But it’s worth it when the videos are completed and turns out, most of the time, the way I envisioned. It’s not a Hollywood production like I dreamed but it’s a “motion picture.” Lol. And yes, it’s great that I get to travel to different places for the shoots.
Yeah, let me know when you want the review by. Remind me with a text since you know how forgetful I am. Ha ha!
I actually don’t mind retirement age, I’d love to be able to retire soon, ahah.
Wow!! You shoot, edit, animate and design all of the videos?? You’re practically doing 2-3 people’s jobs, man, no wonder you are always swamped!
Ok I’ll text you about Slow Horses, no rush, whenever you have time for it is great!
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You saw so many things! I can’t wait for your reviews of Blitz and Night Bitch
Yeah, thanks to TCFF! I should have Blitz review next week and Nightbitch closer to the end of the month.
Your October review is dizzying, in a fab way.
Wow, the Festival really added, and I look forward to your many upcoming reviews.
I’m pretty sure I’m up with all the movies you reviewed, but I’ll have a quick check.
Wizard of Oz might be a bit hokey by today’s standards, but remains a classic. Technically speaking the only movie I can think of that technically still amazes, by today’s standards, is Gone with the Wind.
Congrats on passing your Films by Women goal!
Series…I’ve been watching the new Matlock. I already predict Kathy Bates will win the Emmy for best female actor next season.
Dizzying is the right way to describe my October, mwahahaha! In a good way for sure, and next April I’ll be busy again with the other MN film festival, MSPIFF!
Wizard of Oz is definitely a classic, and though I grew up watching musicals like The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady, I find that the story of ‘Oz’ a bit too kid-like for me. Gone With the Wind on the other hand, is one I’m really in awe of. The technical aspect is truly amazing but also the story, acting, production design, costumes, etc. It’s amazing that Victor Fleming was whisked away from ‘Oz’ set to direct GWTW!
I just got the premium subscription of HULU (not the free version) so I think I can watch Matlock now. I do love Kathy Bates!
I just watched ep. 4. It took them 3 to get a stride. The dialogue was too fast, except for Kathy and older characters.
I think it’s a youth thing.
The youngest 2 at the law firm are still fast talking… there is now medium and slow. I think they are trying to appeal to all age groups.
Also, even though there are individual cases each episode, there is an over arching plot.
Things are finally heating up!
Characters are being defined.
Anyway, I’m loving the new Matlock!
Oh ok now you got me curious to check out the series. I hear ya about the fast-talking, that’s why I can’t watch the recent sitcoms anymore. My fave sitcoms are the ‘oldies’ like Wings, Cheers, the original Frasier and Friends (sometimes), I still watch them from time to time.
But Matlock with Kathy Bates sounds irresistible!
New episode tomorrow night.
WINGS! Love that. I worked with Tim. He’s a doll.
I also worked with his sister, Tyne Daly on a Cagney and Lacey MOW.
I was the Asst. Designer on that.