When I can, I enjoy watching movies. An escape, or for inspiration or to connect with the themes.
I enjoy a breadth of genre and have quite a few dvds and blurays in my collection.
I don’t often watch tv series, and most certainly not on a weekly release. I catch up usually once the entire season is posted and watch them when I can (read: binge watch them).
If you use Letterboxd you can follow me there.
If you want to listen to people discuss movies, I recommend these podcasts:
Mark’s Movie Collection // On The Subject // The Picture Show with Austin & Phil Rood
Here I’ll list a few of my favourites, and what I’ve recently watched.
Key: 🍿 = worth watching, 💧 = emotional, 🆗 = ok/meh, 💤 = got bored/didn’t enjoy 👎 = do not recommend at all.
Currently Watching:
1899 – I started this… but haven’t finished it.
Want to Watch:
In order to answer this, what I actually want and need to do is catalog all the DVDs I own. Because I got given a bunch from my aunt before she passed away and I also bought a whole bunch in a 98c sale recently… so I need to get a handle on what I’ve got and make a list of films to prioritise!
Want to Re-watch:
Footloose (1984) – My husband started watching the newer version (which I’ve seen before) but I couldn’t sit through it this time. Give me the original for an umpteenth re-watch!!
Dr Quinn Medicine Woman – I recently found Season 3 on dvd at a thrift store – so I had to get it! I remembering really enjoying it, so I’d love to see if it holds up.
Monarch of the Glen – I wish with all my heart that I had the box set of this series!
Gilmore Girls – I found some of the season sets at a local thrift store for a great price!
Recently Watched:
Wonka’s Golden Ticket 🍿
This was a bit brutal. Psychologically, emotionally, and physically for some contestants… wow. Wasn’t expecting any of it but was there for all of it in a binge watch right on time to see the finale. Wild ride.
The Expanse: Seasons 1-3 🍿🍿🍿
I really wanted to buy a box set of seasons 1-6 and you know what happens when you hesitate… things you want sell out.
But I found that my library had seasons 1-3 so I watched them back to back and had the best time! I wanted the refresh to get me back into reading book 6 of the series which is where I’m currently up to and it definitely helped.
The Rookie 🍿🍿
My husband and I have enjoyed the 7 seasons of The Rookie that are available on Netflix NZ.
Lucy Chen!
I missed out on the opportunity to see her at Armageddon and I am sad about that.
S.W.A.T. 🍿🍿
We also have enjoyed watching S.W.A.T. together and sometimes staying up too late to watch “the next” episode.
The Mandalorian & Grogu:
Probably the most disappointing Star Wars related movie I’ve seen. There were some funny moments, but they missed the mark with this movie, and it felt longer than it needed to be. I love the series on Disney + (which I no longer have a subscription for), but the movie fell flat.
Project Hail Mary: 🍿🍿🍿🍿
I loved it! And a local cinema gave me a free ticket to a movie of my choice for my birthday, so I took myself to see Project Hail Mary!
I also loved the book, which is one of few books that I own in multiple different editions. They did a fantastic job with this film, and I teared up when the song Pō Atarau played! In the book there is a character from NZ, and I just felt that the song was a fantastic way of including NZ without running the side story that features in the book. Plus, the song fits the vibes of the movie perfectly.
Avatar Fire & Ash: 🍿🍿🍿
This was darker than the first two films, naturally, but it was really good. Side note: I also really like the Avatar games (on PS5) especially the way they included Fire & Ash.
Wicked and Wicked For Good: 🍿🍿
While these released a year apart, I’ll lump them together. I enjoyed both, I think that these films did will basing themselves on the Broadway show more than the book because it’s a much better way of retelling the book written by Gregory Maguire (because that book and series is messed up). Saw both on the big screen almost on release day and though long, they were entertaining. And can we take a moment to talk about movie merch?! WOWee that stuff is expensive, if it’s even available at your local cinema.
How to Train Your Dragon (live action):
This was ok. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, I had some hope that seeing it would at least be fun. There are a few key lines they left out, however the scene where Hiccup eats the offered fish from Toothless – that was well done! Props to the actor for being totally grossed out.
Prey, Predator, Predator 2, Alien vs Predator, Alien vs Predator Requiem, Predators, The Predator, Prometheus, Alien Covenant, Alien, Alien: Romulus, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection 🍿🍿🍿
I rewatched the entire suite of Predator and Alien films in chronological order, including the 2024 Alien: Romulus at the cinema, and the experience was absolutely FANTASTIC!
I loved it! I hadn’t seen the prequel Prey. I really enjoyed it, and the link to Predator 2. Are all the movies perfect? Absolutely not. Are they fun? Yes.
I want to become more immersed in the stories like I’ve done with the Star Wars universe, by adding to my book collection. I have the Shadow trilogy, and Aliens Omnibus vol 1.
Star Wars Acolyte
This was interesting. It painted the Jedi as less than idyllic, and I think it’s a shame that they are not continuing with the series to dive into the threads that have just begun in the first season.
1883 🍿
This was grim, and amazing. I loved it. I went on and tried Yellowstone but didn’t finish it as I didn’t vibe with it the same as the pioneering saga in 1883.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 🍿
This was a fun movie that I have watched several times now. I read the prequel books before I bought this on Bluray, and would love another D&D movie.
Reminiscence 🆗
This was – not as awesome as I had hoped.
The Empress 🍿
Quite enjoyed this series with the English dub-over. I’m looking forward to season 2.
Wednesday 🍿
Really enjoyed the first season of Wednesday. Fun noir series.
The Mandalorian Season 3 🍿
I love The Mandalorian. It is fun. It’s not perfect, but I have a great time watching my favourite characters.
Star Wars – all of the films and some of the series’… in chronological order 🍿
Haha! I loved re-watching all the films, and some of the series that have been made. There are debates as to which order to watch the saga in, and what is worthwhile and not. So long as you have fun, who cares! And I had a lot of fun. As a friend of mine said, The Book of Boba Fett is really The Mandalorian 2.5. In my opinion there are too many episodes in the various animated series, but I did watch a few from each of the series that were available on Disney+ while I had a month trial period.
The Dry (2020) 🍿
I bought the book in a clearance sale, then spotted the film on Netflix. The suspense and the twist, were well done. I read the book afterwards and found that it lent itself very well to being translated to a film, and the film was a solid representation with a few minor differences, one being the main character’s appearance.
Anatomy of a Scandal (2022) 🍿
This subject matter was not enjoyable, Trigger Warning – rape. It was effective at making you feel uncomfortable. And I’m glad that justice was served at the end.
The Weekend Getaway (2022) 🍿
Really enjoyed this. A few twists and turns. Nice to see Leighton Meester – I think her character definitely gets stronger as the film progresses.
3:10 to Yuma (2007) 🍿
I’m not a Russel Crowe fan… but I did appreciate the choice his character made near the end.
Is it Cake? (2022) 🍿
Really enjoyed binge watching this show recently. Hyper-realistic cakes are incredible and it was cool to see what they created.
The Harder They Fall (2021) 👎
Well the start of this film was horrifying, and instead of wanting to follow the story, I kind of lost interest afterwards.
The Power of the Dog (2021) 💤
Meh. It was a film. I am all for slow-burn films, but this one didn’t hit.
News of the World (2020) 🆗
I enjoyed this. It wasn’t overly exciting. But I did enjoy the premise and the ending.
Money Heist Season 5 🍿
Love this series so much!
Invasion (2021) 🍿
To be fair, I was drawn to this because of Sam Neill. I think Golshifteh Farahani is really good in this series, and I’m interested to see where the series goes.
Foundation (2021) 🍿
I like sci-fi and have so far been interested in this series. I haven’t read the books, not sure if I will yet.
Ted Lasso (2021) 🍿
My favourite tv series of all time. I love the light but also the very dark undertones in this series and have laughed and cried with the characters and enjoyed getting to know them over the first 2 seasons.
The Harry Potter Series 🍿
Recently completed my HP DVD collection and enjoyed the rewatch. I am also reading the books and am currently reading Book 4. Another rewatch will follow after the books are completed.
REC (2007) 🍿
I love the REC series! I first stumbled upon a complete box set for under $7, and while I don’t usually like the hand-held/found footage style, I love these movies. I recently rewatched the first one as I was going to talk with Zach from On The Subject about it. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to in the future.
CODA (2021) 💧 🍿
Loved this film. It has depth and development and I highly recommend watching this one.
The Mauritanian (2021)
I started watching this, and can’t remember what happened.
Stowaway (2021) 👎
This was a waste of almost 2hours of my life that I will never ever get back. I was like “Oh wow, Toni Collette and Anna Kendrick, Awesome.”
Then was like…. “wtf was the point of this film.”
Adrift (2018) 🍿 💧
Based on a true story. I felt that Shailene Woodley did an excellent job acting in this. And I had a laugh when her friend at the beginning was from New Zealand. (Side note – sometimes us kiwis get excited when we see/hear other kiwis in things like films, books etc).
This made me terrified of sailing. So there’s that. But such an incredible story of survival! Loved it.
Little Women (2019) 🍿
I enjoyed this version of Little Women.
Rebecca (2020) 🆗
I watched this film for Lily James. It was interesting, a bit weird, but not a complete loss of time.
Pieces of a Woman (2020) 🆗
I fast forwarded through most of this film. I wasn’t in the mood to watch it. I did like how the protagonist worked through the trauma. It wasn’t easy. It took a long time. She was alone and part of that was pushing people away but also not being able to relate to others and they weren’t able to understand how she was experiencing it.
The Midnight Sky (2020) 🍿
There’s a bit of controversy I’ve seen about whether this film was any good. I liked it. A slow burn. (Edit after having seen Stowaway, this film is worth the popcorn. Because Stowaway is much worse than this.)
I Care A Lot (2020) 🍿
Rosamund Pike was great in this. And it was nice to watch her in this after having re-watched Doom from 2005. Great twists in this story. Fun watch.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) 🍿
Like Soul, I loved this. It was interesting representation of division, brokenness and the finding of common ground and trust.
Space Sweepers (2021) 🆗
This was an ok film. It wasn’t terrible. Had a few laugh out loud moments. But nothing to really write home about.
Soul (2020) 🍿
I loved this. I watched it with others who weren’t as taken with it, but I thought it was an interesting approach to what makes us who we are.
The Merger (2018) 🍿
Such a fun one! I loved the growth in the characters and in the community. A couple of weak lines and awkwardness in a few scenes, but overall I really enjoyed this one. NZ & Australia can both have a laugh at ourselves in comedy films we make. The Merger also addresses the serious issue of racism
The Imitation Game (2014) 🍿💧
My heart – Alan Turing… I really enjoyed this film. But my heart hurts for all those that were and are harmed because of who they are. It would be neat if the apple image was a nod to Turing, but apparently that has been denied.
I am enjoying seeing the characters Allen Leech plays. He does the friend/villain well…
The Dig (2021) 🍿💧
This was lovely and I loved the performance by Ralph Fiennes.. It has been noted elsewhere online about the age difference of Carey Mulligan and Edith Pretty and I agree that casting someone of the same age as the person they are representing is important. The film built tension, and touched on a range of themes. The rescue scene was well done. I loved when they “sailed” the boat at night, it was touching..
Upload (2020, Season 1) 🍿
An interesting take on what might an “after-life” might be like.
A fun one, hopefully the upcoming season 2 holds up.
Uncle Frank (2020) 🍿💧
I didn’t read the description of this movie before watching it, and I really enjoyed the journey. The innocence of Beth, yet her strength. Uncle Frank, and discovering how traumatic his journey had been. I was moved.
The Vast of Night (2020) 🍿
This was a fun one. I liked the style and the development of the story. It did feel a little slow in parts, but overall I enjoyed it.
Hanna (series 1 & 2, 2019) 🍿
This was recommended to me, and I followed the episodes. The pacing in places helped the story, and I though I wasn’t sure at first, I ended up liking the actress that played Marissa Wiegler.
Jungle (2017) 🍿💧
This film (based on a true story) builds tension as you follow Yossi (Daniel Radcliffe) on a harrowing journey through the jungle. Well worth a watch.
The Expanse – Season 5 (2020) 🍿
I love The Expanse, and really enjoyed Season 5. Bring on Season 6.
Ready Player One (2018) 🍿
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one. But I loved how the theme was to look into what pop culture meant to the creator of the virtual world.
Taken 2 (2012) 🆗
I’ve seen this before, but recently picked up a copy on Blu-Ray. I like Liam Neeson.
Hoping to add a copy of the original Taken to add to my collection eventually.
The previews on the disc showed A good day to Die Hard – and I’d love to collect them too…
Waru (2017, NZ) 🍿💧
Found this by chance and while it’s not a nice enjoyable film, it is well done and worth watching. Waru is a NZ compilation of 8 short films by NZ women featuring female leads that are linked by a central theme. Waru means 8. It’s the name of the central character, and also links to the number of short stories. I like to watch NZ films, to experience how storytellers depict the lives and times of various characters. This is similar to Once Were Warriors in terms of the grit and uncomfortable realism.
Geostorm (2017) 💤
Meh. It was ok. The essence of global environmental disasters, Gerard Butler. I enjoyed the bowl of popcorn I ate while watching this one.
Woman in gold (2015) 🍿
First time I’ve seen this one, and I loved it. It’s based on a true story, and like Erin Brokovich’s story, it’s amazing what these women achieved.
The Two Faces of January (2014) 💤
I think Virgo Mortensen must have been hot in his suit while filming. I haven’t read the book, but the film felt like it didn’t develop well. I wouldn’t call it a “tense, psychological thriller” as it self-proclaims. It was a mild ride following a couple and a con man until they are separated.
Serenity (2005) 🍿
I love Firefly and this film Serenity that capped the one and only season (so far). I used to have a copy on DVD, but it has been misplaced, so I found a Blu-Ray for $6.99 (NZ) and then a multi-region Blu-Ray player to watch it on. I’ll rewatch both the series and this film many times over and never get tired of it.