January Recommendations
Don't know what to watch? Recommendations from a few genres will be uploaded every month.
The Witch
A24's twisted producers are responsible for yet another horror masterpiece. The Witch is a beautifully dark and pristine film that focuses on a small family under attack. Robert Eggers takes full advantage of his theatre background by establishing an exceptionally intimate view of morbidity, grief, and spiritual impact on society/family. The film is set up like a play, with the small farm providing a backdrop for the failure of a Puritan family. The setting is a core aspect of the experience, because ancient practices and religious views carry weight. Even the dialogue, spoken in Old English, immerses the audience into this primitive world. It flows beautifully and forces the audience to listen for each abnormality and vocal tremor. The performances are also brilliant, especially from the young actors. Everyhing from subtle happiness to complete demonic possession is portrayed from these young stars. The cinematography adds to the creeping nature of the pace, and the director chooses to use establishing, wide-angle shots to progress the story and invoke a sense of danger. The angles are intentional, and the camera lingers for what feels like ages. This film is quiet but nevertheless bold, and earns every bit of the dread that it conveys to its audience. It combines human drama and supernatural horror to completely convince the audience of a looming, thoughtful evil that I have never encountered before.
8.8/10
The Social Network
Fincher's cerebral drama is biting, dark, irreverent ,and brutally paced. This film feels like it was created by a twisted genius, and every line of dialogue is exquisitely written and executed. Zuckerberg, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, is a hero you absolutely hate. Andrew Garfield's Eduardo Saverin portrays a sharp foil to Zuckerberg's emotionless ambition. Fincher drags his viewer along, hoping he/she can keep up, and the dialogue provides constant drama and humor that is sharply original. The camera work and music assist in establishing the pace, and so does the brilliant acting and narrative twists. He peers into the dark side of ambition, greed, and genius, and the audience comes away with an experience inside the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley startups.
9.1/10
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ben Stiller writes, directs, and stars in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Stiller crafts a fantastical tale that has a straightforward message that carries significant cultural meaning. He invites us into a surrealist version of the LIFE magazine office, where the future is coming fast. His desired aesthetic is almost always used to full potential, with the exception of a few dream sequences. It is, however, one of those films that, when some scenes are poorly executed, you can easily forgive the director because he clearly has a passion for his craft and the story he wants to tell. Mitty is filled with heart and substance, and some dialogue exchanges are memorable long after the credits roll. Stiller himself is adequate in portraying Walter, but heavily relies on a quality script and under acting to cover his less-than-perfect acting abilities. Kristen Wiig is likeable from the start and tastefully plays off of Stiller's Walter. Furthermore, the soundtrack is the highlight of the film, because it does not simply punctuate the narrative from behind the scenes. Stiller's handpicked musical beats step into the forefront and exaggerate the film's themes by becoming a lyrical part of the script. Stiller set out to influence, and that he does. His straightforward and energetic film warms hearts young and old, and provides a nuanced character that takes the audience on a joyful trip around the globe in search for something far more important than a photograph.
7.3/10
Stanton Pruitt