Over the course of quarantine I took in a lot of content, like a lot a lot of content. This is my movie diary. This list contains every movie I watched during the quarantine. They are in order and I’ll be giving some thoughts on each movie. Some of these I watched for the first time, some I l’d seen before. And yes I did watch all of these from start to finish.
Marriage Story– I was surprised that this was the first movie on the list. I know this may be crazy, but I liked this well reviewed, Oscar nominated film. The performances were good and I thought the story worked. I don’t have much else to say. I would recommend this if you’re interested.
Let it Snow– This movie was not good. It’s a Netflix teen movie that really feels put together by committee. There’s like four separate movies put together in this one movie and at no point does it ever feel that the different threads connect. It’s a Christmas movie, which I guess I should also mention.
Booksmart– A fun, witty, and raunchy teen comedy, what’s not to like. Yes it’s similar to Superbad, but who says that’s a bad thing. This movie was a whole lot of fun.
Long Shot– A rom-com starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, it’s so crazy it worked. Like most movies of the genre it’s about a relationship that is probably uncouth. A politician and their speech writer probably shouldn’t hook up, but the movie’s still a banger.
Goodfellas– I gotta be honest, I know this is an all time classic, but I only thought it was pretty good. I’m just saying it’s like 40% narration and I just wasn’t totally sucked in. Still has great performances though.
When we First Met– This movie sucked. It’s time traveling, romance plot is a dud and Adam Devine is so unlikable in this part it’s impossible to invest. Really bad movie.
The Last Summer– Another mediocre Netflix teen movie with a lot of different stories that come together in the end. To its credit at least I understand how all of the characters in this movie connect. Honestly it’s pretty watchable so it has that going for it.
Laggies– Thirty minutes into watching I realized I’d seen this movie before. I don’t say that as a bad thing because I really enjoyed this movie. Sam Rockwell and Keira Knightley have great chemistry and her weird friendship with Chloe Grace Moretz was perfectly handled. This is a good solid movie.
The New Romantic– I think this movie is about a college journalist who starts getting paid to go out with older men to help her writing. I think this movie was fine, but ultimately not very memorable.
The Other Guys– Somehow I missed this Adam McKay directed, Will Ferrell starring movie when it came out, but holy hell is it funny. Part cop movie satire, part commentary on the evils of the financial sector in America. Mark Wahlberg has never been better used than as an idiot cop who is his own worst enemy. Incredible supporting performances by Sam Jackson and The Rock as arrogant blow hard cops. This movie completely rules.
Always Be My Maybe– I like all the actors in this movie, but unfortunately it never really comes together to create a good movie. That being said, Keanu Reeves is absolutely incredible in his cameo as a fictional version of himself. Watch those scenes at least.
Dodgeball– This is my favorite movie. I basically say all of the lines along with the characters. I watched it twice during the quarantine and regret absolutely nothing. This movie is the king of cameos. If you somehow missed this movie, watch it. If you dislike it we are now mortal enemies. Watch your back.
Support the Girls– For a movie that revolves around a ‘breastaurant’ it has a lot of heart. Regina Hall is incredible as the lead in this movie, that is really more about how America is squeezing out small businesses as chains are taking over. The rich get richer as they say.
Plus One– Another fun rom-com. Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid shine as two friends who start going to weddings together, and look at that they’ve secretly been in love the whole time. Is it formulaic, yes, but it’s still good.
Good Time– The Safdie brothers love tension and this movie certainly is tense. Robert Pattinson gives a great performance as an asshole in a world of assholes. At least he loves his brother? Good movie by the way.
Basic Instinct– I watched Basic Instinct and it rules. Where are all the erotic thrillers? Sex is about more than just hot bodies and nakedness and the movies used to get that. Where did all the horniness go? BRING BACK THE EROTIC THRILLER!!!
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off– Prepare yourselves I’ve got a hot take coming. Are you ready? Here it comes. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a great movie. I know wild opinion, but I’m brave enough to say it.
The Death of Stalin– A great lesson in just casting people and not caring about accents. This movie gives a hilariously satirical take on the events that transpired in the Soviet Union after the death of Joseph Stalin.
Extraction– A super fun Chris Hemsworth action movie on Netflix, hell yeah it ruled.
The Half of It– Cyrano de Bergerac with a lesbian twist, what a premise. Unfortunately the movie does not quite pull it off. If I had one big gripe it was the tonal inconsistency. While it’s not an issue to have multiple tones in a movie it has to make sense. They have to move in concert with each other. This movie doesn’t pull that off, but it has excellent performances and the character dynamics work. This is a good movie and I actually wouldn’t mind a sequel even if I know it won’t happen.
Groundhog Day– Look everyone knows this movie rules and now I do. Bill Murray rules and that’s all there is to it.
John Tucker Must Die– I know this movie hasn’t aged great and the comedy is from a different time, but dammit if I don’t find this movie entertaining. I don’t have a great reason, but I just really enjoy this movie.
Good Boys– This movie was a whole lot of fun. There are few things in this world that are always funny, but kids acting a fool and cursing is one of those things. Absolute banger of a movie.
First Girl I Loved– This was certainly a movie. Was it good? Eh. Was it bad? Maybe. But was it a movie? Yes it was a movie.
End of Evangellion– I’m one of the weirdos that prefers the original ending of the show over the movie, but the movie is still good. If Asuka is your skeez then this is definitely the movie for you. Honestly I’ve seen it twice and I’m still not sure what happened at the end.
The Garden of Words– There are many great visuals in the movie, which is a good thing because the rest of the movie is pretty mediocre. It is pretty short though so there’s that.
Fireworks– This movie sucks. It is a waste of incredible animation. There is just nothing that is holding it together. The story and the characters are a total whiff.
The Social Network– Great movie. Watched it again. Still a great movie. I don’t think you need me to tell you more.
Eighth Grade– I liked the movie, but I wasn’t blown away like a lot of people. I actually kinda enjoyed my eighth grade experience so this movie wasn’t necessarily aimed at me. The performances were great though.
Inside Man– A heist movie starring Denzel and Clive Owen, directed by Spike Lee, yay. Awesome movie from start to finish that is full of clever twists and turns. Happy I finally got around to watching it.
Flavors of Youth– Anime food always looks so much tastier than real food. That’s really all I can remember about this completely average movie.
Independence Day– Every year on July 4 I experience the pinnacle of America. A disaster movie directed by a German guy about the greatness of America stopping an alien invasion, HELL YES! Also a movie that is low key about Jewish excellence. GOLDBLUM!!!
Talladega Nights: TBoRB– One the world’s most quotable movies and a true reflection of the interests of a teenage me. It’s never a bad time to revisit this incredible comedy.
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse– The animation revolution is here and this movie is at the vanguard. Live action could never have such fluid and ironically believable action sequences. This movie is a colorful delight full of out of this world vocal performances. If you haven’t checked it out yet please do.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower– I really enjoy this movie. It really captures a feeling that not many other movies do and despite oftentimes being dark, it is still a fun watch.
Palm Springs– I’m a big Andy Samberg fan and he knocked this one out of the park. Christin Milioti is fantastic and their chemistry is on point. JK Simmons comes off the bench on fire in this one. If you haven’t yet, check it out on Hulu.
Scott Pilgrim vs The World– Super fun movie, even if the cucking of Knives Chow is an unforgivable sin. Every single actor is on point and is totally in sync with this movie’s vibe. It doesn’t get better than that.
Ex Machina– I’m not always a big sci-fi movie guy, but this movie is incredible. This was my second viewing and I was still completely taken from scene one. This was my first time seeing Oscar Isaac and oh my god what a performance. Alicia Vikander slays as the robot Ava that knows more than it (she?) lets on. This movie is astonishingly good.
Girls Trip– Why don’t they set more raunchy comedies in New Orleans? Actually why don’t we just set more of anything in New Orleans? Anyways this was a very funny movie that follows the typical formula, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Kissing Booth 2– Is this movie good? Oh god no. But does it revolve around a fake version of a Dance, Dance, Revolution contest to win enough money to go to college, you bet your ass it does. This movie is way too long and horribly written and I enjoyed every second. Bring on part 3.
Edge of Seventeen– The first time I saw this movie I wasn’t super into it, but this time I liked it a lot more. Special shout out to an all time teen movie love interest, Erwin Kim.
The Martian– That Matt Damon is one good actor isn’t he. For a movie about a guy stranded on Mars it’s a whole lot of fun. Does the science make sense? I don’t know and I don’t care. This movie is fantastic and I should’ve watched it sooner.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven– This movie was fine. I know I’m supposed to have a lot of thoughts about it, but honestly I didn’t think there was much to it. The acting is pretty hit or miss and there’s a lot of Sorkin getting in the way of the story.
Spotlight– Holy shit this was a good movie. Sometimes we should just listen when the Oscars tell us something is amazing. Great performances and a message about how power corrupts both individuals and communities, this movie gets it. Also any chance to dunk on the Catholic Church.
Yes, God, Yes– Oddly enough this was another movie about Catholicism. This was more about the sexual restriction of the Church. It was a good movie that takes place at a teen religious retreat, which is a great setting for a movie. Check this one out if you can.
Happiest Season– A lesbian holiday rom-com about the relationship between Kristen Stewart and her terrible girlfriend. We all know she should’ve dumped her girl for Aubrey Plaza.
Ninokuni– A very forgettable movie viewing experience.
Wonder Woman 1984– Oh my god is this movie bad. I honestly have nothing positive to say. Just an overly long, poorly plotted, tonally wild, and mostly incoherent film.
Soul– An existential thrill ride. This is a Pixar movie, but by no means is it for kids. There’s kid stuff, but this is a film about adults with adult problems. The animation is outrageously beautiful.
Captain America: Civil War
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Endgame
I watched these three movies all in a row on New Year’s Eve and what an excellent decision it was. I’m a big MCU fan and these are the three movies that are the climax of their adventures. Everyone should bring in the new year like this.
Tiger: Parts 1 & 2– The book was better. Although the home videos of Tiger with his high school girlfriend was very cool. Read the book if you’re interested in the story.
Diego Maradona– I liked the doc and Maradona is a fascinating figure. It’s a great look at a certain kind of fame and what was going on in Italy at this period of time.
Children of the Sea– Another pretty mediocre animated movie with dope visuals. The characters were ok, but the story was both boring and a bit incomprehensible.
Judas and the Black Messiah– Daniel Kaluuya gives an incredible performance in a movie that can be quite rudderless at times. I don’t think this movie ever knew who it wanted to be about and therefore what it really wanted to say specifically about the black panther movement. Yes racism is bad, but the panthers stood for more than that and this movie only ever hints at those things.
Malcolm and Marie – I really liked watching the two leads alternate between arguing about incredibly personal things and pretty superfluous things, but as a movie it’s only alright. If you like back and forth dialogue you should check it out.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever– The book is better. I feel like this movie dodged all of the hard questions the book asks to aim for a cleaner ending. I’m not really here for that. All of that being said it’s a good movie.
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!: Take on Me!– This might be my favorite part of the whole story. In a movie the things that bother you are less important and the good things stand out more. The animation is absolutely astonishing and I can’t do justice to how good Kyoto Animation is when it comes to this. If you ever watch anime Kyoto is a studio you can trust.
Fragtime– This was a pretty fun movie about two girls who are on the surface polar opposites, but over time find they have more in common than they thought. There is a supernatural element, but it’s not important. If I wasn’t clear earlier the girls are gay.
Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Arrow of the Orion!– The world’s most 6 out of 10, but watchable anime made a pretty good movie. If you like the show you’ll like the movie, but it’s not necessary for the canon.
Tomako -love story– I can’t believe how good this movie was. It took a pretty average show and made a truly beautiful and emotional movie out of it. This is a movie about discovering what’s truly in your heart and whether it’s better to go for it or try to move on.
Kase-san and Morning Glories– I really liked this movie about two girls who surprisingly find themselves dating in their final year of high school. It’s only an hour long, but there is an ongoing manga if you like the movie.
Justice League: the Snyder Cut– You can read my thoughts on this movie here.
Godzilla vs Kong– You can read my thoughts on this movie here.
Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions!: Rikka Version– If you’re super into the story you can check out this movie to get a new perspective on the first season. If not, don’t watch it.
KONOSUBA- God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! – Legend of Crimson– This movie is just more of what you love from the series, but with more of a focus on Megumin. I freaking love this movie and this series.