What Katie Watched

Tag: film recommendation

  • 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

  • Longlegs (2024)

    1h 41mins

    7/10

    First time watch

    Creepy – Edge of seat – Crime

    An FBI agent gets assigned to a serial killer case with a series of occult clues that she must solve before he strikes again.

    This film did a fabulous job of creeping me out! It was so good at keeping you in discomfort and feeling on the edge of your seat the whole time.

    A “I need to watch something happy/funny after that” film, where it leaves you feeling unsettled once it ended.

    I was drawn in as the case unfolded and wanted to know more about FBI agent, Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) and her backstory. Nicholas Cage was perfectly unnerving in the role of Longlegs, having my whole body tense up in anticipation of what he might say or do every time he was on screen, without having to say or do very much.

    Would watch again

  • Coyote Ugly (2000)

    1h 40mins

    8/10

    Rewatch

    Chick Flick – Romance – 00s

    A small town gal tries to make it as a song writer in the big bad city, but will she succeed with her dream when she suffers from stage fright?

    A classic, easy watch, chick flick from the 00’s. What’s not to love?!

    Would watch again

  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

    1h 48mins

    7/10

    Rewatch in the cinema

    Thought provoking – Relationships – Emotional

    A woman decides to have a medical procedure that will erase her memories of her boyfriend forever, in discovering this decision, the boyfriend chooses to undergo the same procedure.

    A film that gets you contemplating relationships and the positive and negative impacts that they have on our lives. The moments we share with others build our life experiences and can become a part of who we are. What would happen if you choose to erase every interaction you had with someone in your life, the good and the bad? Who would you be after that? Is it a good thing to remove all our “mistakes” or will we continue to repeat them if we are not left with the lessons we learnt through those mistakes? Can we truly be happy if we delete all those sad and difficult memories?

    This was the first film I saw Jim Carrey in outside of his usual comedic roles and was impressed at how much he got me to care about his character, Joel, and empathise with his pain. Kate Winslet is incredible as always.

    Would watch again

  • Hard Truths (2024)

    1h 37mins

    6/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Depression – Grief – Family

    A woman who shows a lot of hate for the world around her and throws this energy at those around her, struggling to deal with herself internally.

    I enjoyed watching his film and seeing the two sisters who had come from the same household creating such contrasting families for themselves. There were moments of Pansy’s (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) rage that were laughable where it escalated so quickly from seemingly so little, but also moments of real empathy for her deep sadness. This then led to feelings of frustration towards her, where she was projecting her unhappiness on her loved ones, with some moments causing a deep discomfort in the pit of my stomach.

    I loved the character of Chantelle (Michele Austin) who shared love and care for everyone she interacted with, spreading joy.

    Although I enjoyed watching this film, it’s not one I would be drawn to watch again.

    Would not watch again

  • My Old Ass (2024)

    1h 29mins

    5/10

    First time watch

    Coming of Age – Romance – Comedy

    A young girl receives some advice from her future self and has to decide whether to follow it during her summer at home before heading to college.

    I didn’t dislike this film, it’s just that I can see that it was made for a different audience than myself. I think that teens and people in their early 20’s will probably love this film.

    I love the concept of being able to talk to your older self. Would you want to know where your future was headed? Would you follow your future self’s advice or would you want to find things out for yourself?

    I liked all the little bits dropped in by Aubrey Plaza’s character that give you tiny insights into what kind of future world she has come from and was left wanting to know more.

    Would not watch again

  • Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

    2h

    8/10

    Rewatch

    Coming of Age – Friendship – Romance

    Four best friends try to hold onto their friendship while starting their journeys into adulthood and following their own paths.

    I will always have a special place in my heart for the first film, but as sequels go, I really like this one and can enjoy by itself not just as a sequel.

    This film explores first loves and first heartbreaks. It looks at how as you begin to grow up and find your own path in life, you can start to drift a part from your friends where you’re not with each other as frequently as you were when you were younger. It is up to you to put more effort into these friendships and hold onto the ones that matter to you.

    I enjoy each of the girls storylines and the relationships between them all.

    Would watch again