I’m rounding the bend, I’m coming down the stretch, I can see the finish line… I’m only a couple of weeks away from wrapping up my MovieADay Challenge for 2017. So this should be my last full 25 film check-in post… anything could happen between now and New Year’s, to be sure - like all the award films being released - but I’m also going to be spending Christmas with my family, so I currently plan to meet my 365 films for the year goal and not much else.

This 25… was very eclectic. I started with a very specific plan, as a 10 day holiday in Hawaii had to be buffered. I was going to watch a bunch of Oscar films, and top 100 films, and cross a chunk of films off my to-watch list. That happened… until it stopped. You’ll notice a dip into easy films, things I could watch on planes and while wrapping presents, as the holidays and travel got the best of me. But I haven’t shirked from my goal, and I’m on track as of writing for the year, so let’s get to the shout-outs and full list for films 326 through 350!

(For those keeping track, the full list of 25 films I’ve watched is listed below the reviews. And you can check out what I’m currently watching by visiting my MovieADay list on IMDb.)

‘Song of the Sea’ (2014)

A beautifully animated fantasy tale, complete with faerie folk, an evil owl witch, and a half girl, half seal creature called a selkie. It’s enchanting and heartwarming, with several layers to the message as one often finds in a well-constructed folk tale. Also featuring lovely voice work from several talented actors with lovely Irish accents, I highly recommend giving this film a watch if you haven’t yet.

‘The Glass Castle’ (2017)

I was pleasantly surprised by this film just based on the critical reception it got, and on reflection I think it was rated rather harshly - for me it was an effective family drama that hit the right notes where it needed to. Brie Larson is spectacular, but Woody Harrelson is standout as the troubled patriarch of this nomadic brood. It may be predictable in its course, but I still had to dry my eyes at the end. (I should note here that I have not read the source memoir, but based on a quick summary I have read, the movie differs drastically. Which may account for some of the critical response.) And the costuming is FABULOUS - I want Larson’s entire wardrobe from her time in New York.

‘Carol’ (2015)

I finally got around to watching this film, having missed it during the hype and award season buzz. Still, it didn’t disappoint - it was sensual and luscious in the settings, visuals, costuming, and especially the lead performances. Cate Blanchett is flawlessly wonderful, as she so often it, but Rooney Mara was a serious revelation. She balanced her role’s outer fragility and inner strength to perfect, and at times even stole the scene from Blanchett, which is no mean feat. And yet another period piece where I’m dying to live in the costuming.

‘The Disaster Artist’ (2017)

I must say this in advance: I have NOT seen ‘The Room’. I only recently heard about it, during the ramp up to the release of this film. So my perspective comes from without, rather than as a cult fan of the subject matter. But I loved ‘The Disaster Artist’ - the comedic timing and execution of certain gags is done to perfection, and it also offers a look at the grimy side of Hollywood dreams. To be fair, obtaining cult status is almost as good as A-list status for some people, which is what the ultimate end of the story achieves (it’s not a spoiler, it’s been years now). But the Franco brothers take you through the story of ‘The Room’ with raucous laughs and some surprisingly poignant moments, and I dare you to sit through this movie without cracking a smile.

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (2017)

I have So. Many. Thoughts. About this movie. So many, in fact, that one of my close friends and I scheduled a mulled wine date to discuss things more in depth, because text messaging just wasn’t cutting it. So many thoughts that I considered excluding it from my roundup because a) spoilers and b) how can I do justice to everything I think without spoilers and an Info Hell length paper? (Shout out to any UO JSchool grads - for those outside said demographic, imagine a 75 page paper with a 25 page bibliography.)

But here is what I CAN say - I enjoyed the film. A lot. I think, had the universe not had other plans regarding my Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher, who I cannot write about without tearing up yet, I would be incredibly excited for the final installment in this trilogy. As it is, I am left in wonderment as to the direction they will choose to go, and in slight fear as well. Which feels almost uncomfortably apropos to how 2017 has felt, so maybe this is the most timely movie of the year. I hear the criticism online and I feel compelled to respond in many cases ‘have you been examining this universe you love AT ALL before now?’ While in come cases I also admit I feel the same way, because I’ve spent so many years loving this Star Wars universe and these characters, and it’s hard to see them in the hands of someone else’s imagination. That all being said, ‘The Last Jedi’ is a film that has a lot to give, and is incredibly aware of the climate in which is was created, and I will join the ranks of fans and critics that are choosing to stand behind it.

And if Santa is out there, I would like BB-8 for Christmas. Thanks much.

‘Justice League’ (2017)

Contrary to my feelings about ‘The Last Jedi’, I have no qualms about spoiling this film, because let’s face it, if you were excited to see it, you would have seen it in the opening month with gusto, and if you weren’t… well, trust me, the critics aren’t wrong about this one. Gal Godot is the best part of the film (because Wonder Woman just can’t be diminished, haters), and the best moment in the film is while Bruce Wayne is being a total dick to her, the Flash reminds him that if she chose to kill him right then, the whole group would cover for her. I cheered.

‘Ingrid Goes West’ (2017)

For the entire length of this film, I was in a state of pure, maniacal joy. This film is the commentary on the generation glued to their phones, not bothering to look beyond gadgets for their own personal worth or surroundings, that we need, whether we like it or not. It also addresses an even older tradition of gold-plating one’s life, making things seem so much better than the reality. ‘Putting your best foot forward’, isn’t that how the phrase goes? This film is dark comedy, make no mistake, and it explores how this whole culture we’ve created about our ‘best selves’ can really affect the vulnerable and, well, pretty much anyone. It’s hilarious, too - Aubrey Plaza hits a comedic pedestal here, finding a platform for her sardonic humor that fans of her character in ‘Parks and Recreation’ could only hope for.

It is probably a film for specific tastes - my fiancé was squirming beside me as we watched, while I was laughing out loud, so it may not be for everyone - but if you can get through the ‘awkward humor’ moments and focus on the larger social commentary picture, it’s nearing a ‘1984’-esque takedown of our selfie, social-networking-centered culture.

Extra thoughts… Documentaries should not be discounted, as both ‘The Wolfpack’ and ‘Meet the Patels’ were fantastic to watch… ‘Coco’ is incredibly gorgeous and great, and should be an animated feature front-runner come Oscars… I couldn’t come up with the words to express how fantastic ‘Mudbound’ is, but you must watch it… ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ was truly three movies, and the one that was bad was just SO SO BAD that it overshadows the rest of the story… and my new guilty pleasure might be the ‘John Wick’ movies, as long as you promise me no more dogs die.

All Watched Films: 326 through 350

326. The Third Man (1949)
327. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
328. Song of the Sea (2014)
329. The Glass Castle (2017)
330. The Wolfpack (2015)
331. Life of Pi (2012)
332. A United Kingdom (2016)
333. Meet the Patels (2014)
334. I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015)
335. Coco (2017)
336. Justice League (2017)
337. Carol (2015)
338. Mudbound (2017)
339. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
340. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
341. Follow the Fleet (1936)
342. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
343. Remember the Night (1940)
344. A Christmas Carol (1938)
345. Creed (2015)
346. The Disaster Artist (2017)
347. The Last Jedi (2017)
348. Landline (2017)
349. Ingrid Goes West (2017)
350. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Merry Christmas, everyone! You’ll hear from me again in the New Year… I’ll wrap up my last chunk of films, plus write up a little summary of my year of films. Wishing you and yours happy holidays, and a lovely New Years!