Netflix
Written by Lindsey Cook
I knocked out a few of my Oscar watchlist movies, reminisced about old seasons of The Bachelor when they could travel and not be holed up in a Pennsylvania hotel, and also checked out the Snyder cut. Yeah, I contain multitudes.
Movies
One Night In Miami (2020)
It's a shame that this movie has gotten a little lost in the awards season conversation because I found it to be absolutely wonderful. It's rare that we receive a movie about civil rights leaders and important Black figures that focuses not on their hardships and pain but rather the moments of celebration and joy. True, this movie deals with philosophical conversations about what it means to be a role model and a Black figure in the public eye, but it does so in a way that highlights success, talent, and happiness. I'm a big fan of Kingsley Ben-Adir in all things, but his portrayal of Malcolm X was magnificent.Another Round (2020)
I fired this movie up after seeing it was available on Hulu and was treated to a fun and thoughtful portrayal of aging, masculinity, and alcoholism, all led by the incredible Mads Mikkelsen. I really only know Mikkelsen for playing bad guys and serial killers, so to see him take on the role of a high school teacher and father stuck in a rut was great, and he brings a thoughtfulness and energy to what could be a tired stereotype of a midlife crisis. The ending of this film could have easily steered into after-school special territory as it explores the good and bad of alcohol, but the final scene is absolutely delightful while graying what could have been a black and white ending.Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
Somehow I managed to sit through this in one sitting, and...it was fine? Definitely an improvement over the 2017 version, which I watched at home a few years back because I'm one of those people who, upon hearing that a movie sucks, goes, "It can't possibly be that bad" and forces myself to watch it. This is also how I ended up seeing Suicide Squad in theaters. Yes, the joke is on me.
Anyway, I'm glad the Snyder fanboys got what they want and I had a fun time watching this massive 4-hour thing, but it's kind of a bummer now that the plot points and teasers set up in this movie will go nowhere (although, you know, never say never). Also, I've sat through 2 versions of this movie and listened to multiple podcasts addressing both films, and I still could not tell you what a Mother Box is. Nor do I want to know.