What Katie Watched

Tag: movies

  • Wicked (2024)

    2h 40mins

    10/10

    Rewatch

    Musical – Emotional – Magical

    Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, going back to how Elphaba became “The Wicked Witch” and Glinda became “Glinda the Good”.

    Still fills me with so much joy watching this, even if some scenes bring me to tears.

    My review from 20th January 2025 still applies:

    I felt like I came floating out of the cinema the first time I saw this. I felt so light and full of joy.

    I held off going to see it for a while where it had been so hyped and I love the theatre show (seen 4 times). I always have lots of reservations about anything I love being remade as I am not a fan of change. I went to see it by myself so that I could leave if I was hating it and not worrying about the opinions of anyone with me.

    Within the first few minutes I knew this was not going to be a problem. I felt the goosebumps creep up my arms and spread up my neck. I was hooked into the magical world of Oz. The music was beautiful, singing epic, dancing fantastic, sets mesmerising, costumes stunning and acting superb.

    I cried multiple times as I was pulled in and swept away in this beautiful story.

    It stayed pretty true to the original musical, no changes that made me recoil with it being “too different!”.

    I loved how grand it was and all the musical numbers having the epic scale like old musicals do.

    My only complaint is that I have to wait until November for the second half, Wicked For Good.

    I wish I could give this film a hug for all the joy it has brought me.

    I’m still listening to the soundtrack on repeat.

    Would watch again

  • Another Simple Favor (2025)

    2hrs

    6/10

    First time watch

    Kitsch – Playful – Mystery

    Stephanie reluctantly agrees to travel to the island of Capri to be Emily’s maid of honour, but keeps her wits about her as she is sure Emily is determined to get her revenge.

    I absolutely loved how over the top this film was!

    Are the costumes insane? Yes and that’s all a part of it’s charm!

    Is the storyline far fetched and chaotic? Yes, but I would have been disappointed had they tried to go down a serious dramatic thriller of a mystery story. That is not what I have come here for!

    It’s witty, it’s playful, it’s an enjoyable easy watch with a fun bit of mystery tied in.

    I prefer the first, A Simple Favor (2018), but I would still this one again.

    Would watch again

  • The Green Mile (1999)

    3h 9mins

    7/10

    First time watch

    Period Drama – Tragedy – Mystery

    A death row guard is thrown into turmoil when he begins to question whether the latest convict on his watch is truly guilty of the crimes that have condemned him to death.

    I have avoided watching this film for a long time as I struggle to go into a film that is new to me knowing it’s going to be a tearjerker. Plus it’s very long, so you need to purposely carve out enough time to watch a 3 hour film in one sitting.

    Having said that, I am glad that I have finally got around to watching this beautifully touching film.

    Who wouldn’t love the gentle giant inmate, John Coffey ( Michael Clarke Duncan)? His innocent sweet nature is so endearing and has you just as puzzled as prison guard, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), as to how on earth he has been convicted of such horrendous crimes. I loved that although Paul knew the men on his ward had committed terrible crimes, he still saw them as worthy of being treated as fellow human beings the whole way up to their last moments.

    I was taken by surprise by the supernatural element of the film, but found it interesting. I knew it was a Stephen King story, but I thought the darkness was going to come from it being set on death row and the use of the electric chair.

    A thought-provoking reflection on the darkness within humanity, the terrible choices people make and the suffering we can cause one another, balanced by a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising the good in others and choosing kindness.

    I’m not sure that I could say I’m racing to watch it again, not because it wasn’t good, but because it was a sad watch and the length of the film. I’m sure I will watch it again in a few years and wouldn’t say no if someone else wanted to watch it with me.

    Would watch again

  • The Surfer (2024)

    1h 40mins

    6/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Psychological Thriller – Suspense – Drama

    A man is trying to return to his childhood beachside neighbourhood, where he’s met with escalating hostility from the locals who are determined to enforce their mantra: “Don’t live here, don’t surf here.”

    I personally really enjoyed this film, but there were a fair amount of people walking out of the Screen Unseen viewing and can see why it wouldn’t be for everyone.

    I love me a Nicolas Cage film and this delivered in a perfectly weird, quite surreal and trippy cinema experience.

    I loved the aesthetic of the film with its oversaturated colour.

    I enjoyed being kept in a level of confusion alongside Nicolas Cage’s character, The Surfer, where you’re not really sure what’s going on.

    It felt original, kept you on your toes and had striking, sun-scorched cinematography.

    Would watch again

  • 28 Years Later (2025)

    1h 55m

    7/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Suspense – Survival – Post-Apocalyptic

    Twenty-eight years after the Rage virus outbreak, a young boy leaves the safety of a tidal island for his first day on the mainland, plunging him into a haunting, adrenaline-fueled journey, where the evolved infected and broken humanity collide in a desperate fight for survival.

    As a late comer to the “28 … Later” franchise, having only watched the first two this year, I felt a little apprehensive about seeing this one. I really liked 28 Days Later (2002), but I wasn’t overly keen on the excessive violence in 28 Weeks Later (2007). However, I was very happy coming out of this cinema experience.

    As much as this is a zombie film and I would be lying if I said there weren’t moments I wanted to hide behind my hands, I feel the main story is about humanity’s ability to love, find hope and seek connection with one another. Ralph Fiennes character stood out most to me, trying his best to live a life of kindness in a world full of fear and violence.

    I was a bit taken aback by the ending, as I felt it had a completely different tone to the rest of the film. However, now that I am aware that this is the first of it’s own trilogy it makes sense that it needed to have something to lead onto the next film, whereas I thought I was watching a finale of a trilogy.

    Would watch again

  • Top 3 Films – May 2025

    I watched 26 films over May. This includes watching films at the cinema, discovering new films at home and rewatching films I already know I enjoy.

    I watched 7 films for the first time and rewatched 19 films.

    Top 3 First Time Watches – May 2025

    Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

    Manchester by the Sea (2016)

    The Surfer(2024)

    Top 3 Rewatches – May 2025

    Wicked (2024)

    Pride and Prejudice (2005)

    Moana (2016)

  • Top 3 Films – April 2025

    I watched 24 films over April. This included watching films at the cinema, discovering new films and rewatching films I already know I enjoy. 

    I watched 15 films for the first time and rewatched 9 films.

    Top 3 First Time Watches – April 2025

    Sinners (2025)

    The One I Love (2014)

    Carol (2015)

    Top 3 Rewatches – April 2025

    Chef (2014)

    Anastasia (1997)

    Beetlejuice (1988)

  • Champions (2023)

    2h 4mins

    6/10

    First time watch

    Comedy – Heartwarming – Uplifting

    A former basketball coach receives a court order to train a basketball team with special educational needs, only to discover that they have just as much to teach him as he does them.

    A very sweet, easy to watch, feel good comedy. I can’t think of anything I’ve watched Woody Harrelson in that I have not enjoyed.

    Would watch again

  • Wicked (2024)

    2h 40mins

    10/10

    Rewatch

    Musical – Emotional – Magical

    Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, going back to how Elphaba became “The Wicked Witch” and Glinda became “Glinda the Good”.

    This is still my favourite new film I have seen this year. It brings me such joy and comfort to watch it. I am so excited to see Wicked: For Good when it comes out in November.

    My review from 20th January 2025 still applies:

    I felt like I came floating out of the cinema the first time I saw this. I felt so light and full of joy.

    I held off going to see it for a while where it had been so hyped and I love the theatre show (seen 4 times). I always have lots of reservations about anything I love being remade as I am not a fan of change. I went to see it by myself so that I could leave if I was hating it and not worrying about the opinions of anyone with me.

    Within the first few minutes I knew this was not going to be a problem. I felt the goosebumps creep up my arms and spread up my neck. I was hooked into the magical world of Oz. The music was beautiful, singing epic, dancing fantastic, sets mesmerising, costumes stunning and acting superb.

    I cried multiple times as I was pulled in and swept away in this beautiful story.

    It stayed pretty true to the original musical, no changes that made me recoil with it being “too different!”.

    I loved how grand it was and all the musical numbers having the epic scale like old musicals do.

    My only complaint is that I have to wait until November for the second half, Wicked For Good.

    I wish I could give this film a hug for all the joy it has brought me.

    I’m still listening to the soundtrack on repeat.

    Would watch again

  • O’Dessa (2025)

    1h 46mins

    3/10

    First time watch

    Musical – Dystopian – Fantasy

    A young girl wants to follow in her father’s footsteps with a life as a Rambler, which leads her to a dangerous city where she meets her true love, but can love conquer all?

    A Disney film that’s not a remake! Oh how I wanted to like this film, in hopes that if it was great and became popular it would encourage Disney to hold off of all the remakes and invest into new stories. I enjoyed the first 10 mins and loved the how the film looks, but that can only go so far.

    I did not find the storyline compelling or overly interesting. I didn’t believe the relationships between the characters. The only thing I liked as I said before was visual style of the film. I did like Sadie Sinks singing voice, but the songs weren’t great.

    It loosely reminded me of Moulin Rouge, but as Moulin Rouge is one of my favourite films, I am only saying in it’s barest of bones it has some similarities.

    It did get me thinking about how most romances in new films just don’t feel believable to me. In this film, I could see the couple as friends, but I didn’t see them as romantic partners. I think Sadie Sink is a great actress (I didn’t know Kelvin Harrison Jr) so don’t think it’s anything to do with acting ability. I also feel like there’s not enough build up for me to believe in these new couples in newer films. I want to pay more attention to older films where I do buy into the romance and see what I feel the difference is.

    Would not watch again