Four of the Wildest Films I've Seen in January

I normally don’t enjoy watching movies during this time of year, as I’m already emotional as it is. I did make an exception however for these four phenomenal films. Here are four of the wildest films I’ve seen so far in January.

Disclaimer: This article will not contain spoilers!

Gangubai Kathiawadi

This film is still resonating with me, even several weeks after watching it. I watched this movie on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day. My best friend’s mother recommended we watch it, and I was a little hesitant after seeing the description seemed a bit rough. I was immediately taken away by the beauty of this biographical drama film. The details, music, dancing, choreography and everything were absolutely marvelous. I loved the acting of Alia Bhatt, as she portrayed Gangubai to be one of the most resilient women of her time. I almost never rate a movie as perfect, but this film would definitely be one. I rate this movie a 5.0/5.0. I don’t believe there is anything more the actors, actresses, directors, or writers could have done more to better portray such a tragic yet empowering story of a woman trying to survive what she is dealt in India.

One of the most beautiful things about the film itself is the sheer accuracy and portrayal of what truly went on during this time. This film does go into precise detail about the different events leading up to who Gangubai came to be in the end. Mirroring her experience with that of the younger girls who are now going through what she has already been, adds another layer of frustration and compassion with Gangubai herself. Is she the hero or is she the villain? This movie brings you to the conclusion that it just may be possible to live out becoming both.

‘Gangubai’ is a 2022 film that was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This film is available on Netflix for streaming.

where the crawdads sing

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ is a 2022 film directed by Olivia Newman. I originally saw this film in theatres when it was first released, although going to see this film was not my choice. The film begins, as it does in the trailer, with Kya being accused of murder. She is portrayed as very small and frail, so it’s almost automatic to think that she may have been framed, because there’s just no way she’s capable.

The film dives deep into Kya’s past; love, abandonment, jealousy, betrayal- all of it. It’s easy to see that Kya has had anything but an easy life and this is why she chooses to live far away from the rest of society. The story begins to unfold and seems to take a turn for the better, as far as Kya proving her innocence, after inevitably taking a turn for the worst. This film seemed to portray the novel fairly and accurately. To me, this film seemed to lack some of the poetic aesthetics needed to carry on a mystery/drama/love story such as this. I’ve rated this film 3.5/5.0, as the plot was steady and accurate throughout, but it was just not a very enjoyable film for me in theatres.

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Black mass

Black Mass is a 2015 American biographical crime drama film about the American mobster: Whitey Bulger. This film was directed by Scott Cooper and written by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth. I will admit, I agreed to watch this film solely because of Johnny Depp. To my own personal displeasure, he is quite literally unrecognizable being in full makeup for this role. This film portrays the cutthroat lifestyle of mobsters trying to maintain their footing, with the FBI closing in on them by the minute.

The main character- Whitey, makes a shocking decision that only provides short term relief and gratification, with a lifetime of consequences. There is a lot of killing in this film, which is exactly what I would have expected. Throughout the entirety of the film, I felt very unsettled just by the actors’ ability to make you feel as if you were there- just as unsafe and unsure. The ending of the film did make me feel very sad for a reason I’m not willing to look back into. I believe this film accurately portrays the actual life and crime of White Bulger to the best it could have been. I rate this film a 4.0/5.0. This film does have quite a lot of humor and memorable moments, but it is first and foremost based off a true story, and I believe the writers and director accomplished this. This isn’t a film I truly enjoyed or will probably ever watch again for fun, but it is a powerful story I’ll never forget.

The Pale Blue Eye

‘The Pale Blue Eye’ is a 2022 American horror, crime, mystery thriller film written and directed by Scott Cooper, in adaptation from the 2003 novel of the same name by Louis Bayard. This film is becoming increasingly popular as it is starring Christian Bale, Harry Melling, and Fred Hechinger.

What drew me to this film was the portrayal of a young Edgar Allen Poe, who did not solve this case, but was living in this area during this time. The movie starts with the main character Augustus being tasked with solving a murder among the American cadets. Based on the way the story develops, watchers will instantly fall in love with Augustus and Poe. Christian Bale and Harry Melling are simply magical on screen and their aesthetic is infectious.

Edgar is portrayed as a poetic soul, moving to experience, feel and see while writing and dictating the words so delicately placed on his heart and mind. Augustus seems to use a more practical approach, while Poe uses wit and literature to get the information needed for Augustus to continue on with the investigation. If you didn’t believe in plot twists, this film will make you into a believer. The story makes you begin to question everything from the very beginning, as nothing is what it seems up until the last moment of the film. I rate this film 4.0/5.0. The ending of the film left me fairly upset for quite a while, but I did love the poetic aesthetics throughout the entirety of the film. The emphasis on literature being the key to many of the clues in this story is also another reason to love it.

‘The Pale Blue Eye’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog article! Be sure to leave a comment, like, and share this content if you enjoyed reading! Please tell me what you would like to see next in the comments as well!

Love,

—H.DENAË

ENTERTAINMENTHannah McClendonJanuary 12, 2023the pale blue eye, where the crawdads sing, black mass, gangubai, Netflix, streaming, movies, movie night, movie theaters, must see, documentary, fiction1 Comment