July Movies 2023

In Theatres

Everything I saw on the big screen this month

Oppenheimer (2023) - 4.5/5 🪩

I actually saw Oppenheimer a few hours before Barbie, but I felt I owed it to the girls to put Barbie first. I bought my 70mm Imax ticket about a month in advance because I was NOT playing around. And let me just say that the theatre was PACKED. Most people were respectful audience members, but to the person beside me who was on their phone for 70% of it, maybe three-hour films aren't for you, and that's okay!

I'm so fake because until then, I had never seen a Christopher Nolan film (not even The Dark Knight). But what a great film to start with! I'm so glad I started with Oppenheimer because I was NOT okay leaving the theatre. The Barbie cleanse was much needed.

I know I say this a lot, but the casting was perfect. I was so tempted to pull up the IMBD page literally every time someone new came on the screen, but I refrained. I expect academy nominations for Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and RDJ. If it were up to me, I would love Florence Pugh and Rami Malek (he ATE that court scene) to be recognized too, but I'll limit my greed for now. However, I will be rioting if Mr. Nolan doesn't walk away with Best Director. (Greta has Best Original Screenplay on lock).

Asteroid City (2023) - 4/5 🪩

This movie was SO much fun that I had to see it twice. I went by myself to a late showing the first time and then took my brother before he left for camp (he kept falling asleep because it was late, but he said he enjoyed what he saw). Asteroid City was only the third Wes Anderson film I'd seen, but from what I've seen so far, I'd consider him to be one of my favourite directors.

I didn't completely grasp the movie concept (I'm still working on the meta stuff), but I got enough of it to enjoy it. Not to mention, this was definitely one of my favourite movie casts ever. It just kept getting better and better. We all know that ScarJo is a star, but OMG. I was obsessed with her performance in this film. Adrien Brody also ate. I originally gave this film five stars because of the campy alien, but I took off a star because I felt that it was fraudulent because I didn't completely get it. I'll leave it at four for now, but it might change when I watch it again.

Barbie (2023) - 4.5/5 🪩

As much as I had faith in Greta and Margot, I was a little scared that it wouldn't live up to the promotion (the Barbie rollout had to have been one of the best). Thankfully, I was scared for nothing. Barbie was fantastic! It was my first VIP cinema experience, and I'm so glad I got to go with my mom. Not only because she funded the food and beach ball drinks (love you, mummy!), but because of the prominent themes of motherhood and womanhood in general. Also, it was comforting to have her hand to hold during the "What Was I Made For?" montage. I'm not sure I loved it as much as I wanted to upon first watch, but I'm planning to see it a few more times, so I'll keep y'all posted!

Joy Ride (2023) - 4/5 🪩

Literally, the only thing I knew about Joyride was that Stephanie Hsu was starring in it, so I had to be seated. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, but that ended up being for the best. I love a good road trip romp, and Joyride had all the fun but also enough depth to make it a memorable film (Well, it's impossible to forget a film with a K-pop "WAP" performance). I'm glad there's more mainstream media with East Asian representation because I like watching things from new perspectives. I don't want to say too much about the film because I need y'all to watch it, but in summary: I laughed, I cried, I learned.

Something You Said Last Night (2022) - 3/5 🪩

A few months ago, Paige Evans, one of the actresses in this film, came into my work for an event. I had the pleasure of chatting with her about her career so far and how excited she was for people to see Something You Said Last Night. I had already planned on seeing the film, but when she said it was kind of similar to Call Me By Your Name I was sold. The run was super limited at the Bell Lightbox, but I was able to make the last showing with my mom. Something You Said Last Night was pretty good, especially for a debut feature-length film. It was one of those 'nothing happens' films which I can appreciate, but there were a few times when I wasn't sure if I was reading too much into something or not reading into it enough.

The Rest

Other movies I watched this month (scored out of 5 🪩)

• The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) 🪩🪩🪩

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