Happy August, everyone, and say buh-bye to Summer! We’re in the ‘ber’ month already, which means Summer is pretty much done even though we’ll likely still have warm temps for another month or so here in Minnesota. Even today, we have a touch of Fall with temps in the early 60s F. I love it though, I wish we could stay in the 60s-70s degrees forever!
In terms of movies, this has been a month of catching up with classic films, including a beloved Humphrey Bogart detective movie. I am looking forward to Fall movies, so in case you missed it, I made this list of 15 most anticipated Fall Movies last week 🍁🍂
Anyway, here’s what I watched last month:
NEW MOVIES
(films indicated with * are directed by women)
The Instigators
full review
Girl You Know It’s True
full review
Cirque du Soleil: Without A Net*
I was curious to check out this documentary as my hubby and I saw KÀ Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand last year. The doc follows the relaunch of The Bellagio’s iconic show, O, over a year after a sudden global pandemic closed it down, The performers and crew had to navigate a sea of uncertainty while striving to hit their top-notch standards ahead of its big reopening night in Las Vegas. With exclusive access, filmmaker Dawn Porter documented the intense ups and downs of this legendary circus as it fought to bounce back from an incredibly difficult time.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
It’s a heartfelt story about a young guy trying to figure out who he really is. He’s a math whiz, able to tackle any equation, but he can’t seem to solve the puzzle of his own life. Everything changes when he crosses paths with an unexpected mentor who helps him see things differently. This script, crafted by newcomers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, snagged them their first Oscar for writing. And honestly, the standout performance has to be Robin Williams as the sensitive and caring therapist.
Didi
full review
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes*
As I’m not familiar with Elizabeth Taylor’s story, it’s fascinating to learn more about her background and her rise to fame. This documentary dives into a goldmine of 40+ hours of newly found audio interviews to create a close and fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s most famous leading ladies. Her steamy romance with Richard Burton went beyond mere celebrity chatter, as Nanette Burstein’s rich and immersive film reveals, their love story was something truly legendary.
No Hard Feelings
review upcoming
La Chimera*
review upcoming
Babes*
full review
The Idea of You
review upcoming
Beetlejuice (1988)
36 years back, Tim Burton dropped the box office sensation that shaped his career. I finally got around to watching Beetlejuice before the sequel hits theaters this weekend, and I’m really glad I did! It was a blast seeing Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a young couple, plus Winona Ryder rocking that goth teen vibe. And Michael Keaton? He totally reminded me of the 25th clone of his character Doug from Multiplicity, haha! The low-budget practical effects are part of the charm!
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
full review
The Critic
review upcoming
I watched another 4 movies #directedbywomen, which brings the tally of the year so far to 47. So 5 more movies until I hit the yearly goal, woo hoo!
In case you missed it, here’s my list of 10 best movies directed by women I saw in the first half of 2024.
TV SERIES
I’ve been watching quite a lot of TV series lately, here are my reviews of the two you I highly recommend:
SLOW HORSES + BAD MONKEY
I watched The Maltese Falcon in preparation for this AMC series Monsieur Spade that just dropped on Netflix, starring Clive Owen as the titular detective, Sam Spade. Stay tuned for my review later this month.
August 2024 MOVIE OF THE MONTH
I usually hesitate to dive into older films that everyone raves about because a lot of them just don’t live up to the expectations. But I’m thrilled to say that Good Will Hunting is truly a gem. The plot, while a bit far-fetched, is heartfelt, engaging and really captures that ‘triumph of the human spirit’ vibe. Robin Williams was simply astounding and deserved the Oscar for his performance. Matt Damon shines in the lead role, and he’s backed by a fantastic supporting cast, including Stellan Skarsgård and Minnie Driver.
I read that Rob Reiner helped shape the script by Damon and Ben Affleck, encouraging them to ditch the thriller elements and focus on the dynamic between Will and his therapist. The outcome is this touching relationship drama that still hits home today.
So what did you see in August, and which one(s) are your favorites?
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#AUGUST #viewing #recap #Mini #Reviews #Movie #Month
