January was full of classics and bangers. We are beginning to work through some of the Oscar nominations, IMDB top 100, and some one-offs I had listed on my watch list.
One Battle After Another
Just like Andor, this movie hits right when society needs it. Whether it’s to show those fighting they are not alone or to hold a mirror up to the fascists climbing to power and oppressing immigrants. This is my current pick for the 2026 Best Picture.
4.5 out of 5
Shawshank Redemption
This is in my top 10 movies. It encapsulates the era, and I love the story. It’s brutal without being aggressively macabre.
4.5 out of 5
Bad Boys 2
A favorite of mine from 2003. Holds up even better now with the Nazi’s getting shot up in the opening scene. Michael Bay is always a fun watch.
4 out of 5
Born to be Wild
A documentary about orphaned baby animals?! Say no more fam.
4 out of 5
Godfather
The Godfather is in my top 10 movies. This was Leena’s first watch. She was less thrilled than I was and had a lot to say on the matter. I, however, still enjoyed it. Super slow burn.
4 out of 5
John Adams
This is my second watch. We need to be reminded how and why this country works the way it does. As it is slowly torn down around us, understanding the history behind it is impactful. Help guide stronger minds.
4 out of 5
Plarabus
Fantastic watch. A super slow burn, but the visuals, sound, acting, and premise make it very compelling.
4 out of 5
28 Years Later
I have heard this movie is decisive. I thought it was a great zombie movie. Danny Boyle is back at the helm of the 28 franchise. Excited to see The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. A female voice in a male-dominated movie is going to have some interesting takes.
3.5 out of 5
Bugonia
I enjoyed this. The acting was amazing, and the story was predictable and meh. Emma Stone shaving her head for the role got it another half rating. Jesse Plemons delivers another fantastic performance.
3.5 out of 5
Marcello Hernandez American Boy
I have never reviewed a comedy special before. It was intended to make me laugh, and it succeeded. SNL alumni have a stronger accent than I recalled but it works particularly well for the special and links to his heritage.
3.5 out of 5
The Menu
I skipped The Menu for a few reasons. First and foremost, I am not a huge fan of Anya Taylor-Joy’s acting. I just don’t think she can carry the lead. I also thought it was a spoof of a lot of fine dining shows I watch. I was mistaken.
This is a Ralph Fiennes movie and pays homage to the fine dining shows like Chef’s Table all along the way. Solid watch, not what I expected.
3.5 out of 5
Missing: Dead or Alive? Season 2
Murder documentary that is shot beautifully. Some great police work and compelling stories of missing persons. A must-watch doc.
3.5 out of 5
Mulholland Drive
I am not sure I understand this film. It does let me reflect about what I do enjoy in movies and that is a coherent plot and good cinematography. This has neither. Naomi Watts gives one of the most compelling scenes in any movie I have ever seen, gripping, but sandwiched between insane over-the-top acting along the lines of a soap opera. This movie is art and after a watch we needed to watch a few interviews with David Lynch and an autopsy attempting to explain something that has no explanation.
3.5 out of 5
Sal Vulcano: Terrified
Solid watch, anxiety-riddled comedy. I do enjoy Impractical Jokers, and this lets Sal shine.
3.5 out of 5
11.22.63
Another Stephan King book turned into a show. This is my second watch, but my wife’s first. My memory was fuzzy, but I remembered enjoying it. I think it is fantastic, other than the last episode. Definitely worth a watch if you know about the JFK assassination.
3 out of 5
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
It pains me a bit that the name of the film is ‘Agatha Christie’; however, I did enjoy Seven Dials. I am unfamiliar with the story, but I really enjoyed Mia McKenna-Bruce as the female lead. It did not follow standard tropes of strong, powerful women having to be brash bitches.
3 out of 5
Bad Boys for Life (Bad Boys 3)
This was my first watch for me and enjoyed it. You don’t get a lot of buddy cop movies anymore, and as much as I dislike Will Smith as a person, Martin Lawrence makes up for it.
3 out of 5
F1
Top Gun with cars is how this was pitched to me. It was a fine film to watch. The story left a lot to be desired. Cameos are lost on me since I am not into F1 racing. A few too many Brad Pitt facial close-ups and the monologues show why he does not usually get them. Constantly licking his lips ala Kristen Stewart.
3 out of 5
Free Bert
I am a fan of Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura stand up. I did not have high hopes for this after Bert’s movie ‘The Machine’ and Tom’s recent show ‘Bad Thoughts.’ Free Bert is a solid watch if you have not watched any Bert stand-up. A lot of his stand-up stories are turned into sitcoms, which is fine, but no shocker(s) for me.
3 out of 5
Parks and Recreation Season 1
Second time watching Parks and Recreation, season one is a little rough around the edges, but it still has some good laughs. Looking forward to it hitting its stride around season 3. Great show to wind down with.
3 out of 5
The RIP
I knew nothing of this going in. My wife was served a few ads for it. It was a fun time. The type of action movie you don’t see much anymore. Copland Wars. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck still got it.
3 out of 5
The Running Man
I enjoyed the grittiness of the lower class inline with The Fifth Element. It was fine, worth watching if you enjoy Glen Powell or are not familiar with the idea of ‘survive as long as you can’ gladiator-style games.
3 out of 5
Shin Godzilla
An interesting take on Godzilla. The story is told from the perspective of the government as they try to deal with a once-in-a-lifetime catastrophic event. Lots of talking, far less Godzilla time. Interesting choice to have Godzilla look like a rubber suit. The music and visuals are an homage to the original Japanese take on Gojira. It’s much better than the Matthew Broderick Godzilla, but there’s something to be said about Kong Vs. Godzilla and just watching Titans battle each other.
3 out of 5
The Smashing Machine
Enjoyed Dwayne Johnson’s performance in The Smashing Machine. About its only saving grace. Early UFC history is not my wheelhouse, and just like F1, the cameos are lost on me. Shot very well, but I do not enjoy the fake documentary look. I was not this movie’s intended audience; personal opinions may vary.
3 out of 5
Squid Games Season 3
We had been chipping away at this season for a while, but finished it in January. It is a fun show, but it waned my interest due to the self-destruction of all the characters. It is hard to root for anyone in the show when they don’t care about their lives. It was a fine ending and put a nice little bow on the series.
3 out of 5
Marty Supreme
1952 New York over confident narcissistic ping pong player. He is manipulative and not likeable but I believe the movie tries to make him the hero, pushing through all the ‘bullshit’ in his way. The ‘bullshit’ is the people around him and the actions he has to take to ‘get to the top.’ It is reminiscent of the “Fishes” episode of The Bear. Manic, troubled, and pure chaos. It is a constant onslaught of noise wrapped in a noir gleam. Same director as Uncet Gems, so that tracks.
2.5 out of 5
Stranger Things Season 5
An enjoyable romp one last time through the Stranger Things universe. I enjoyed how it was released in parts around the holidays. Gave us something to do and look forward to. The ending was not what I wanted, didn’t move the needle, and needed less Holly. This was not made for me, but I didn’t feel I wasted time.
2.5 out of 5
Elevation
I put this on in bed while I could not fall asleep. The movie felt sterile and done many times before. Instead, the monsters can’t go past a certain elevation. So we’d better trek down the mountain and test that theory. Do not watch.
1 out of 5