What Katie Watched

Film Blog

  • Blue Valentine (2010)

    2h

    8/10

    Rewatch

    Romance – Emotional – Beautiful

    An intimate and raw portrayal of a couple’s relationship, exploring both the passionate beginning and heartbreaking unraveling of their love.

    Love watching this film, even if it’s heartbreaking to watch. Seeing a couple who start out with such beautiful promise, it’s difficult to watch what their relationship becomes.

    It’s painful seeing the two in such different places. One who is desperately trying to hold onto who they were in the past and one who sees the relationship for what it now is and doesn’t see it as something worth fighting for.

    The film and both Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams’ performances do an incredible job of having you see it from both sides, hopping between each of their points of view, but not having a strong feeling of one is more in the right than the other.

    Such a stunning film which is a pleasure to watch, even if it’s not the happiest.

    Would watch again

  • Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)

    1h 41mins

    6/10

    Rewatch

    Coming of age – Teen rom-com – 00s

    A young girl sets her sights on a new boy at school and does whatever it takes to try and make him her boyfriend, but will she succeed?

    Easy watch, does what it says on the tin, 00s teen romance. I was just a bit older than the characters in the film when this came out, so didn’t click with it as much as I know others do. But I’m still happy to watch it and enjoy it’s silliness. I think a lot of us are mainly there for a trip down memory lane to our earlier memories of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, which for me are this film and the TV show Nearly Famous (2007).

    Would watch again

  • 12 Angry Men (1957)

    1h 35mins

    6/10

    First time watch

    Prejudice – Peer Pressure – Crime drama

    When 11 men on a jury believe the convict is guilty of murder and the 12th member goes against the majority, frustrations rise as he gets them to challenge their preconceptions.

    I took a little while to settle into this film, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

    A lot of intentionally irritating characters to highlight stereotypes and to help with the point being made around prejudice. Character led without the need of any fancy tricks or special effects to sell the story.

    Great storytelling that all takes place in one room.

    I can understand why it is held as a well respected timeless classic.

    Would watch again

  • Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

    1h 38mins

    7/10

    Rewatch

    Comedy – Playful – Satire

    A girl group, The Pussycats, get signed by a record label and are whisked to the top, but is the cost of their success worth it?

    A fun, playful, easy to watch comedy about a girl group who unknowingly are being used to brainwash the youth of America to “buy, buy, buy” through their music. It’s over the top and doesn’t take itself seriously.

    Some catchy songs that are currently playing through my head as I write this.

    Loved it when I was younger and still enjoy watching it now.

    Would watch again

  • Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

    1h 49mins

    6/10

    First time watch

    Comedy – Action – Sci-Fi

    Eddie and Venom are hunted down by both of their worlds which forces them to confront their shared past and evolving bond.

    Generally, I’ve been Marvel-led out for a good few years, with the last ones I enjoyed being The Avengers (2012) and the Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014 and 2017). However, I do enjoy the Venom films where I feel the comedy stands out amongst the action CGI scenes and I love seeing the relationship between Venom and Eddie played out on screen.

    This was easy to watch, I knew what I expected from it and had a wonderful little giggle to many of the scenes.

    If you like the previous Venom films, it is definitely worth a watch. If you think you dislike the Marvel universe films, the Venom trilogy may have a good chance at being an exception for you. Maybe these films feel different where they are creations of Sony rather than Disney’s Marvel.

    Would watch again

  • It’s What’s Inside (2024)

    1h 43mins

    8/10

    First time watch

    Relationship dynamics – Sci-Fi – Suspense

    A group of college friends reunite for an evening and play a game that will completely change their perspectives on life.

    So glad that I went into this film blindly, with only a vague knowledge that people had enjoyed it, but with no idea on what it was about.

    I was drawn into this film very quickly and felt I was given enough about each character to gain an understanding of who they were and what they were about. You get thrown into the main storyline of the film pretty quickly and the pacing of the film keeps you wrapped up in this world wanting to know what happens next.

    A visually stunning film. I loved how it was shot and edited, especially the way they recapped past events.

    A thoroughly enjoyable watch that I will be recommending to anyone who asks for a film suggestion and can see myself watching it again very soon.

    Would watch again

  • The Monkey (2025)

    1h 38mins

    4/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Comedy – Horror – Cursed objects

    A wind-up monkey toy that causes mysterious deaths when it’s key is turned.

    I went into this film with high hopes as I had been intrigued by it’s trailer. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

    I could see that it was leaning more towards the comedy aspect of the comedy/horror genre, but the bits I could tell were meant to be the funny moments just didn’t land for me. Having said that, it could just be me, as the audience around me were laughing. It also had this intentional awkwardness that I could see was meant to be humorous, but just made the scenes drag for me, where again others seemed to enjoy it.

    I generally found the film boring, where I felt fidgety and found myself checking my watch to see how long was left multiple times!

    The best part of the film for me was the opening with Adam Scott and then I soon lost interest.

    Would not watch again

  • 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

    1h 37mins

    9/10

    Rewatch

    Teen Movie – Romantic Comedy – Playful

    A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, where the beloved Bianca cannot date until her rebellious sister Kat does, but who will be up to the challenge of breaking down Kat’s defensive walls?

    If anyone ever suggests watching this film, my answer is always yes!

    I love Kat’s (Julia Stiles) teen “screw the world” attitude. I love Patrick’s (Heath Ledger) cheeky chappie energy, his gentle side and who doesn’t fall in love with that smile! I love seeing baby Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young loved up Cameron.

    Easy watching, fabulously casted, nostalgia inducing, fun film. I feel that this is one that will continue to be loved for years to come.

    Would watch again

  • Your Monster (2024)

    1h 38mins

    8/10

    First time watch

    Fantasy – Funny – Musical

    After being dumped by her long term boyfriend while recovering from surgery for her cancer treatment, Laura discovers a monster in her childhood home who helps her get back in touch with herself.

    I felt so much rage on Laura’s behalf as I watched how those who were meant to be close to her were treating her. It was a relief to have Monster come onto the scene and express what I was shouting at the screen.

    The comedy in this film was very playful and I liked the fantasy element of the monster. Although you can see where the film is going, this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of watching it. An easy watch that I can see myself coming back to many times in the future.

    Would watch again

  • Legally Blonde (2001)

    1h 36mins

    9/10

    Rewatch

    Girl Power – Comedy – Chick Flick

    Elle follows her ex to Harvard Law School in the hopes of winning him back, but will she succeed in proving she is more than just her looks while constantly being judged by her peers and professors.

    This film always leaves me feeling uplifted. I love Elle’s positivity and her strive to stay true to herself even when others appear not to appreciate it. A story of self growth while staying true to who you are. It shows the importance of being kind to others, even if you don’t fully understand them, it doesn’t take anything to be kind.

    I love the soundtrack in this film. I love its silliness. I love its message of not judging a book by its cover. It’s a great 00’s chick film.

    Would watch again