What Katie Watched

Tag: movie recommendation

  • Flow (2024)

    1h 25mins

    8/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Stunning visuals – Adorable characters – Fabulous storytelling

    A cat tries to survive a great flood by seeking refuge on a boat with a number of other animals.

    Truly blown away! This is such a beautiful and moving film. I was surprised by how deeply I felt connected to this cat and desperately willed it to survive the uncertain circumstances it found itself living in. I absolutely loved that it was pretty much a silent film with the occasional animal noises. Such clever story telling through image alone and kept me captivated throughout.

    The animation of the cat was so spot on that it had me shedding a tear for my cat that passed many years ago, leaving me longing to hold her once again and to hear her purring on my tummy.

    Would watch again

  • 28 Days Later (2002)

    1h 53mins

    7/10

    First time watch

    Unsettling – Suspenseful – Post-Apocalyptic

    A man wakes from a coma 28 days after a deadly virus has broken out in the UK and must adapt quickly in order to survive.

    As the film started I began to share my fear with my partner of “If a zombie outbreak were to happen, what would you do?” in that I would not want to “try and survive it” as I would be too fearful of the “undead” and the living. This film then went on to perfectly illustrate this fear.

    The atmosphere in this film had me instantly on edge, fearing anyone that Jim (Cillian Murphy) came into contact with and wondering whether they were trustworthy. Although this is a “zombie” film, I do not feel that is the main factor that is focused on. It was able to build the suspense and horror of living under constant threat without it having to scare us with constant violence and gory blood baths.

    I felt that we were allowed to connect with these characters and follow their stories, as well as being fearful of the post-apocalyptic world.

    I’ve seen that this film was one of the first to make the “undead” able to run which brought zombie films to a new level of scary as they become even more difficult to get away from.

    I found the concept of how easy it was to contract the virus was really clever in adding another level of fear, where in other films it has to come from a bite.

    Would watch again

  • The Outrun (2024)

    1h 58mins

    5/10

    First time watch

    Addiction – Mental Health – Healing

    Saoirse Ronan stars as Rona who returns to her home of Scotland’s Orkney Islands and tries to heal herself after her troubles caught up to her while she had been trying to build a like for herself in London.

    I wanted to like this film more than I did. I thought Saoirse was s fabulous as always. I was interested in the story and thought it showed a raw portrayal of the struggles with addiction. It shows how addiction impacts everyone involved in the life of the person with the addiction. However, my overall final thoughts were that it had some pretty shots, some pretty lines and some nice moments of connection between people.

    A film to say I am happy to have seen, but it didn’t really have a lasting impact on me or anything that would make me want to watch it again.

    Would not watch again

  • Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)

    2h 4mins

    6/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Sweet – Funny – Easy watch

    Bridget Jones is back navigating the ups and downs of love, parenting and personal growth.

    Went in and got what I expected, an easy watching film, plenty of giggles, as well as touching on living with grief.

    I fondly watch the first one, but have to say it is not one of my top picks of 00s Rom-Coms. I have a vague memory of one scene from the second film and have not watched the third, so cannot say I am a loyal fan. However, I do not feel that seeing it’s counterparts are essential to being able to enjoy this film.

    Would watch again

  • Sing Sing (2023)

    1h 47mins

    8/10

    First time watch

    Beautiful – Vulnerable – Heart-warming

    A group of incarcerated individuals come together to stage a production, finding purpose and freedom on this creative endeavour with one another.

    I knew very little about this film before I started watching it and I was surprised at how quickly I became invested in the characters and cared for them.

    I did not know until the credits that lots of the cast had come from the rehabilitate theatre programme and had been playing themselves in the film, adding another layer of love for this film.

    Our human need for connection and to feel free to express ourselves shines through in this film. It highlights how we can feel trapped by others preconceived ideas of us, feeling like we have to fit a certain role that others have placed upon us. Maybe we took on a certain role but don’t know how to come out of it and step into a new one that fits us better as we have grown. Sometimes we need to take on a role for our own survival.

    Lovely seeing adults just play and let loose, especially when these adults are physically trapped in prison.

    A beautiful story of connection, the importance of creativity and not giving up hope.

    Would watch again

  • Conclave (2024)

    2h

    6/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Religious – Thriller – Morality

    Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with leading the process of selecting the next Pope and leaves no stone unturned to ensure the right person takes on this position.

    To be honest, I had dismissed this film when I saw it being advertised as I felt it was not a film I would be interested in. However, after having a number of people tell me how good they thought it was, I thought I would give it a try. Although, I could appreciate it was a good film, it just wasn’t my kind of film.

    I had not seen any trailers for the film, only the movie posters. I expected a film about corruption in the church and saw a film about corruption in the church. Great performances, some beautiful shots, just not a storyline that interested me.

    Would not watch again

  • Anora (2024)

    2h 19mins

    8/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Comedy – Romance – Drama

    A young sex worker catches the eye of a wealthy young man who soon wants her to himself, but will Anora get the happily ever after of her Cinderella story once news of their relationship gets to his parents?

    As this film started I started to wonder if it was going to be our new Pretty Woman, but the happy bubble of the first half soon bursts.

    I loved the use of comedy throughout this film, which could have felt really dark and heavy, but the balance of the comedy gives it such rewatch-ability.

    Mikey Madison has you routing for her character Anora to get the best out of the situation she finds herself in. I loved Yura Borisov’s character Igor who gets brought into Anora’s story and as much as he’s present throughout, he feels like an observer just on the outskirts, who truly sees Anora.

    Would watch again

  • Blue Velvet (1986)

    2h

    4/10

    First time watch

    Dark – Thriller – Unsettling

    A college boy comes back to his small hometown and takes it upon himself to investigate a mysterious nightclub singer who appears to be in trouble and soon discovers that his curiosity may get the better of him.

    I know that this film is a highly acclaimed classic, but it wasn’t for me.

    I spent large chunks of it with a “Huh?!” look on my face while thinking “What on earth is happening?”

    I could tell it was meant to be quirky, but this film’s version of quirky was not one I enjoyed.

    A telltale sign I’m not enjoying a film is when I check how long is left. I did this frequently and felt surprised when I saw only 10 minutes had passed!

    Would not watch again

  • Hook (1991)

    2h 16mins

    10/10

    Rewatch

    Magical – Adventure – Joyous

    A grown-up Peter Pan must return to Neverland to rescue his children from the villainous Captain Hook, but will he be able to reconnect with his childhood spirit in order to save them?

    This film is full of magic (it must be the pixie dust!)

    I can feel the goosebumps of joy spread across me as soon as I hear the music in Hook.

    The incredible sets, props and costumes are a feast for the eyes.

    Robin Williams is perfection!

    I love how Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins have these back and forths like a bickering couple as Hook and Smee.

    A fabulous story of connecting to your joy, discovering what matters the most to you and where you want to focus your energy in life. Use those happy thoughts to fly through your life.

    Would watch again

  • Top Films – February 2025

    I have watched 27 films over February. This has included watching films at the cinema, discovering new films on streaming services and rewatching films I already know I enjoy. 

    I watched 16 films for the first time and rewatched 11 films.

    Top 3 First Time Watches – February 2025

    It’s What’s Inside (2024)

    Your Monster (2024)

    Longlegs (2024)

    Top 3 Rewatches – February 2025

    Pretty Woman (1990)

    10 Thing I Hate About You (1999)

    Bring It On (2000)