My January 2023 Recap

 Favorite First Time Viewing

X (2022) - 8.5/10

It's so refreshing when a film I've been looking forward to actually turns out to be great. X is the latest from director Ti West - a filmmaker I have very mixed feelings on - and the first in his new trilogy. It's a grimy, sexy, scary, and surprisingly insightful film filled with solid performances, excellent writing, and horrific kills. I liked all the characters, which is a rare feat when dealing with a horror movie. The movie takes it's time setting up the story and characters so that by the time the killings start, you're totally invested, and not just with the victims, but the killers, too. West was obviously inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and freely borrows that classic's aesthetic, which works wonderfully. I also watched X's prequel, Pearl, this month and while I didn't love that one, I'm still excited for the final installment - Maxxxine - later on this year. 

Glass Onion (2022) - 3/10

I liked, but didn't love, Knives Out when I saw it in the theater back in 2019, so when I heard about the sequel, I was cautiously optimistic. This movie has another stacked cast lead by Daniel Craig returning as the world's second greatest detective. Craig seems like he loves playing the character and we'll probably get a couple more installments, but I don't think I'm the right audience for them. The characters in Glass Onion pretty much exclusively annoyed me and the plot - with its various twists and turns - mostly left me bored. For a film populated with talented actors, the performances are rather blah, as well. Between this and See How They Run this month, I guess maybe murder whodunits aren't for me. Oh, well. 

Favorite Rewatch

Titanic (1997) - 10/10

I've watched Titanic probably 20 times over the years, but it never fails to amaze and enthrall me. The only real flaw - for me at least - is the dialogue, but everything else is so well done that I don't have a problem giving it a rare 10/10 rating. I love the magnificent production and costume design, the wonderful blend of practical and CGI effects, the sprawling cast, the perfect pacing, and the terrific score. James Cameron is a balls-to-the-walls kind of filmmaker and no one working today makes better action movies. The fact that he's able to weave a timeless love story with riveting action scenes and combine them into a mostly historically accurate epic is a feat for the ages. I think Titanic is an easy film to pick on because it was so huge and successful, but I've always been a fan. 

Worst Rewatch

Brewster's Millions (1985) - 3.5/10

I've mostly stayed away from revisiting childhood favorites since so few of them hold up upon rewatch once you're an adult, but for some reason, I thought Brewster's Millions might be different. "It could be even better than you remember," I said to myself as I ordered the blu-ray. "It's going to be fun watching this with adult eyes - I bet I missed a bunch as a kid," I thought to myself as I put the disc in the player and settled down into my seat. Well, I was wrong. From the ages of 7 to 10, I probably watched this movie ten times, but in the last 30 years, my tastes have significantly changed. So much of the movie - from the acting, plot, and dialogue to the direction and editing - just felt completely flat and lifeless to me now. And to be honest, it probably doesn't even deserve this high of a score, but I'm allowing my nostalgia to influence a tiny bit still. I should have left this one in the past. 

My month, in watch order: 

    * = rewatch

* Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) - 7.5/10

X (2022) - 8.5/10

Clerks 3 (2022) - 5/10

* Brewster's Millions (1985) - 3.5/10

Glass Onion (2022) - 3/10

The Menu (2022) - 7/10

Scream (2022) - 5/10

High Flying Bird (2019) - 5/10

See How They Run (2022) - 3/10

* Onward (2020) - 9/10

* Matchstick Men (2003) - 9/10

Pearl (2022) - 5/10

* Galaxy Quest (1999) - 8/10

Kodachrome (2016) - 7.5/10

The Woman King (2022) - 3.5/10

* Titanic (1997) - 10/10

What about you guys? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think? Did you watch anything great or really disappointing in January?

Thanks for reading and commenting!