Going into 2020, I had huge expectations for movies. After last year, with movies such as Avengers: Endgame, Knives Out, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, etc., there was huge shoes to fill. As an avid movie-goer, I promised myself that I would find movies this year that made me think, shocked me, or at least entertained me the whole time. January didn’t disappoint–here are five movies I watched this month that I really enjoyed.
The Grudge- Okay, okay, no one asked for another Grudge movie. But, honestly, it was actually pretty good. The jump scares got me a few times (which is kind of hard, because I LOVE scary movies) and it was just gruesome enough to have the auidence squirming in their seat. While I don’t think it as scary as the originals, the new storyline that mixes different POV’s was pretty interesting. The entire audience sat through the credits, unable to move after the final scene.
Dolittle- Another take on a movie we all know and love. Honestly, it’s probably worth giving a watch for RDJ’s performance alone, but it is a cute movie all around. Plus, RDJ and Tom Holland reuniting so soon after Endgame? *chef’s kiss*
Bad Boys for Life- I don’t know about you, but I would watch anything they slap Will Smith’s name on–and that’s a lot of movies. I think this is a fresh take on friendship, and being there for somebody when they really need it. The plot twist at the end left me screaming internally because I NEVER would’ve guessed, and boy do I always try. Plus, this is the first time I’ve seen Alexander Ludwig in something since The Hunger Games. Why didn’t anyone tell me about his glow-up??
1917- If you are a fan of war movies, you are going to love 1917. If you aren’t, like me, it’s still beautifully shot movie filled with emotions from the moment it starts until the last shot. There is action, there is humor, there is sacrifice. What’s more to love?
The Turning- Did anyone else have to read Turn of the Screw in high school? Back then, I never thought I would go see a movie based on it, but, honestly, Director Floria Sigismondi kinda snapped with this take on the novel. It’s dark, but in all the right ways. (If that even makes sense) It is also interesting to see Finn Wolfhard play such a different character than what we are used to seeing from him. This is also the first I’ve seen of Brooklynn Prince, who plays Wolfhard’s sister, but I expect to see some pretty big roles from her in the future.