What Katie Watched

Tag: movies

  • You’re Cordially Invited (2025)

    1h 49mins

    4/10

    First time watch

    Silly – Weddings – Family Relationships

    Two weddings are accidentally booked on the same weekend and the two different parties try to make sure their bride and grooms get the wedding weekend they wished for.

    Did I watch this expecting it to be a film masterpiece? No. Did I watch this thinking it would be a funny, easy watching comedy? Yes, but I feel it ended up being more silly than funny.

    I know I’m not the biggest Will Ferrell fan, whether I enjoy a film he’s in can be hit or miss. However, my partner who does enjoy Will Ferrell comedies, did not find this overly funny either. I do however love Reese Witherspoon and find her very funny in her comedic roles, but I was underwhelmed with this film.

    I’m not really sure who the intended audience for this film is. As I said above, it didn’t hit with a Will Ferrell or Reese Witherspoon fan. I feel that there were some “Gen Z” comedy moments in it, but it felt that they were trying to make fun of them rather than laughing with them.

    I was happy to see a new comedy out without it needing to be a big action packed comedy, but this one just wasn’t for me.

    Would not 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

  • Luther: Never Too Much (2024)

    1h 41mins

    7/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Inspiring – Emotional – Soulful

    A documentary showcasing Luther Vandross’ life and career.

    I went into this film knowing and loving some of Luther Vandross’ songs and left having discovered new songs of his to love and what a beautiful man was behind this music.

    He had so much talent and perseverance to follow what he loved and knew he was capable of, with the backing and encouragement of those he loved and other respected artists. You can see how deeply those in his life cared for and loved him.

    I came away with from this film thinking about the importance of being kind to one another. It seems so crazy for this incredibly talented man who was respected and appreciated for his art, still had people in the media seeking out a “flaw” to cling onto and focus on, rather than celebrating the beloved music he created.

    Would 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

  • Fingernails (2023)

    1h 53mins

    6/10

    First time watch

    I got really hooked into the concept of this film at the beginning, but my attention started to dip off towards the end.

    In this film, there is a process where you and your partner can each have a fingernail removed to be analysed to see if you are compatible in your relationship. A really interesting concept, to think would you rely on science and technology to tell you whether your new relationship is worth pursuing? If you were already in a long term relationship, would you want to go through the process to confirm that you should be together? What would you do if you had been with your partner for years, but “the computer says no”?

    When it comes to love, can a computer ever compete with following your own heart?

    Another film that felt reminiscent of the TV show Black Mirror.

    Would watch again

  • The Substance (2024)

    2h 20mins

    8/10

    Rewatch

    This was my first time watching the film with other people and that somehow made the gruesome scenes feel even more difficult to watch as I was picking up on their discomfort to what was happening. I wonder what it was like to see this with a full audience at the cinema.

    I think this film is great for bringing up interesting conversations around our modern society being so image focused, especially for woman, and our unrealistic beauty expectations.

    My first review on 15th January 2025 still stands:

    I love this film.

    I do have to hide behind my hands for some of it as I’m pretty squeamish, but willing to do that to watch the film.

    It does an excellent job at making you feel uncomfortable.

    I think Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are fantastic in this film!

    Very thought provoking film. Thinking about how aging as a woman is attached to our value/worth in society and the lengths people are willing to go to avoid it.

    I find the last 25 minutes utterly chaotic which is a great climax to the film.

    Would watch again

  • Companion (2025)

    1h 37mins

    8/10

    First time watch in the cinema

    Bloody – Twisted – Hilarious

    A weekend getaway to a remote cabin with a group of friends, we all know in the world of horror/thrillers there’s only one way for this to go down… only this time the danger is not from the outside, the group are not quite as they first seem.

    I was very excited to attend my first Odeon’s Scream Unseen. You get to attend a pre-release screening of a scary film without knowing what you are going to be seeing. I can be very hit and miss with scary films, where if the scare is coming from a lot of gruesome shots and blood baths, I can be spending most of the film behind my hands. Where this film is not driven by its scenes of violence, I really enjoyed it. I would probably categorise it as a sci-fi thriller with moments of comedy.

    My one criticism would be that I feel the movie poster gives too much away. I would have liked this reveal to come as a surprise as they build up to it in the film with a few subtle hints that you might have missed if you weren’t looking for them with the knowledge from the poster. I feel like you would have had that “something feels off” sense as you were watching it and then it would have been a good “ah ha” moment when it’s revealed in the film.

    Having said that, I still loved the film. It had me laughing while also being on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. Although you can guess what’s going to happen, there’s an excitement to see it played out rather than a “come on and eat on with it feel”.

    If you are a fan of the TV show Black Mirror, I think you’ll really enjoy this.

    Would watch again

  • Wicked (2024)

    2h 40mins

    10/10

    6th time watch in the cinema

    Yes I am obsessed with this film and proud of it! As much as I enjoy being able to watch it from home now, I feel this is definitely one to be enjoyed on the big screen if you have the opportunity to. So I will continue to go to cinema screenings for as long as I can!

    My original review from 20th Jan still stands:

    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

  • Wicked (2024)

    2h 40mins

    10/10

    Rewatch

    This was my first time watching the film at home and I had a fantastical time singing along rather than mouthing along to the songs when in the cinema.

    My original review from 20th Jan still stands:

    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