Cin Cin Cinema: Movies I Watched This Week

Hello friends, cin cin! This week I watched a total of seven films to round out my Letterbox, so close to 200 films watched this year but not close enough- now standing at 194. I was lucky enough to go see a movie in theaters this week and it felt like a lifetime since I’d been there, even though I went to see The Substance earlier this month. Without further adieu let’s get into the reviews because I watched so many great things this week. As always, grab a drink and get comfortable, there’s a wide variety of genres here so there’s a little something for everyone.

Audition (1999) available on Tubi

A wise man once said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” That man was Bong Joon-ho, the director of Parasite. I was both lucky and proteinous enough to study film in college where I was forcefully exposed to foreign cinema. I have met multitudes of people who just can’t get past the subtitles, and I will safely say that if you are one of those people you’re lazy and lame. The 1999 horror film Audition is a prime example of amazing cinema, it’s rare that horror shocks me and the third act of this film had my jaw on the floor. I will say that when watching foreign films you sometimes miss sarcasm or humor because you’re unfamiliar with the language, but a great film provides that context through visuals and the audition does just that. The finale of this film was hilarious and grotesque at the same time, but not in a scary way… in a fun way. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I think Eihi Shiina as Askami was so insanely talented and layered as a character. The combination of mystery, suspense, and thrill blended together to make a perfect horror flick that’s non-traditional. Please watch this film without any prior knowledge of the plot, like I did, it makes for a greater experience. My favorite scene involves a foot and a window, I won’t say more! Enjoy.

4.5 Olives

Woman of the Hour (2024) available on Netflix

I am a huge fan of suspense and thrill, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the sheer eeriness and terror of a conversation in a parking lot. Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut is nothing shy of shocking, telling the story of a serial killer who ended up on a dating show in 1978. The simplicity of this film truly emphasizes the reality of violence towards women, especially sexual violence. I think she did a great job capturing the essence of fear, I’m sure almost all women know that gut wrenching feeling when you realize you’re in danger. That being said I felt that the costume design was too modern, it looked like someone purchased 70s style dresses from a fast fashion site. The production design and costume design was lacking the authenticity of the 70s which would’ve elevated the story so much more. Daniel Zavotto who plays Rodney Alcala is pure evil, he’s a slow moving predator and plays this role so well I’m worried he’ll forever be typecast as a killer. Overall, the film does a great job not glorifying true crime and the effects of violent crime. I’d highly recommend this film to fans of suspense and thriller, but also to anyone who may not take women seriously when they discuss their fears within society. I look forward to more of Kendrick’s direction and storytelling in the future.

4 Olives

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) available on Hulu

After several years of sitting on my watchlist I finally did it, I finally watched Rocky Horror Picture Show. I frequently listen to showtunes and try to piece together the narrative of musicals, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the absurdity of this story. It is so fun, colorful, exciting, and camp. Everything about this film is enjoyable, from the musicality to the production design. I am obsessed with the specificity of the characters and their wardrobe. I felt like I had been transported to Oz and Frank-N-Furter was the wizard. I can only imagine the energy and excitement watching this show live, and I will not die until I do. I highly recommend you just put this on, you don’t need a preamble or context, just enjoy. Watching movies like this reminds me how fun it should be to sit down and escape reality. Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, everyone is brilliantly talented and fully encompassed in the story. Treat yourself to this classic, what better time than tonight on Halloween! 

5 Olives

We Live In Time (2024) in theaters

I made an entire Tik Tok video about this film so I will keep this short. It is a devastatingly beautiful depiction of true love and loss. Bring tissues, bring a friend or a lover, bring a stuffed animal for all I care. Go see this movie and allow yourself to cry tears of joy and sadness, and laugh because this film is surprisingly hilarious. Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield give a masterclass in chemistry and performance. Go to the movies! 

4 Olives

Hercules (1997) available on Disney+

I have recently fallen back in love with animation and have made it my duty to rewatch all of the old Disney classics, so this week I chose Hercules. Obviously it’s great, it's fun, but more than that it actually has a good romantic plot line. While I was watching this however, I couldn’t help but think of how similar it is to The Lion King. I don’t have much to say on this film, partially because I watched it while nursing a really bad hangover from a Halloween party- but it’s a classic and that’s what matters. I think with Gladiator II coming out in November the talk of a live action Hercules will become more popular, especially in regards to casting Paul Mescal. Though the casting of the lead hero would be important, I’d argue that casting Hades is wildly more important. This film, being that it’s animated, is so rich with colors and details and depth. I hate when an animated film is translated to live-action and it loses its visual spark. Hercules is a great movie to rewatch if you haven’t seen it in a decade, it brings back a nostalgia for the Greek Mythology phase most tweens went through when Percy Jackson came out. Anyway, great flick!

4 Olives

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) available on Hulu

Another devastatingly beautiful depiction of true love, devotion, and separation. This could have been a silent film and you would still completely comprehend the sincerity of the passion these two women have for one another. I haven’t felt such agony on screen in a very long time. Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel give the performances of a lifetime. I can’t express enough the intensity of their chemistry and lack of dialogue. The film does such a beautiful job of tying this sapphic love story to Orpheus and Eurydice, using their story as a motif throughout the story to emphasize Marriane and Heloise’s connection- even their names share that resemblance. The use of blue, orange, and green in the costume design mimics the landscape of the narrative. This film is so rich, it is just a pure depiction of what some would call forbidden love. I think there aren't enough stories or films that showcase women who love women, this is a story about two women who fall in love and yet the use of the word lesbian doesn’t feel necessary. It’s spectacular and raw, it’s devastating and the performances of these two women will stick with me for a lifetime. There is something more tangible and sensual about passion between two women. I wish more people would tell the softer side of these relationships without fetishization and I think this film does that brilliantly. Please watch this movie, alone or with someone who will appreciate the subtleties and the beauty of life. 

5 Olives

That’s all for now, I watched several more but I’m saving them for part two next week cause I’ll be in London and won’t have time for double, or even features. I encourage you to watch films outside of your comfort zone. Surprise yourself, there’s a million and one to choose from you don’t have to watch the same five movies on a cycle. As always if you have recommendations for me please share, till next time go to the movies! There’s so many fantastic movies coming out this fall and winter. Wicked, Queer, Anora, Gladiator II, and so many more. I think my next endeavor will be attempting to watch all the “Austin Powers" movies because I haven’t seen them… Cin Cin!

See you soon,

Paige B