♒♒♒

Remember to stay up to date with the world, listen to those facing atrocities and help spread awareness/donate where you’re able to.

---

As someone at the start of their journey to become a “Film Girlie”, I thought it would be fun to watch some films recommended to Aquariuses, as I myself, was born in February!

Is it still February when you see this? No… but I hope you enjoy it all the same!

I used a random number generator 4 times on two lists from Letterboxd:

• ‎AQUARIUS, a list of films by salmanlam • Letterboxd
• ‎What an Aquarius plus infp-t likes, a list of films by punjas • Letterboxd

I found a pretty concise description of the genres of film that Aquariuses are meant to enjoy:

Eccentric and quirky describes you best. You like musicals that are often larger than life, quirky, and joyous. Sci-fi interests you as well, since they are futuristic and often out of this world. You are wowed by innovation and technology. You are humanitarian at heart, so movies with a social message also appeals to you. Films that spread awareness and information are the ones you like to watch and recommend to others. Unconventional movies are your jam.

Pt. Punarvasu (22.02.2023) – Which genre of movies is best suited for each zodiac

While, I would never describe myself as “eccentric” or “quirky”, I do enjoy larger than life musicals. I am wowed by innovation and technology, mostly because I’m dumb and it all seems so smart and magical! And I do enjoy films (and non-fiction books) that focus on humanitarian and social justice messages. I always see that Sci-Fi is a huge hit for Aquariuses and it’s hit or miss for me and I’m far more into Fantasy. My dad is also an Aquarius but he enjoys sci-fi a lot.

I would also like to point out that I don’t believe in Astrology and if I did, mine isn’t greatly matched, as I am incredibly boring in comparison to what they say an Aquarius “should be”.

All in all, this is just a fun little challenge! Please note, there are some spoilers.

---

Heathers (1989)

I went into this hoping that I would love it and I’m sad that it wasn’t as iconic as I imagined.

Despite there being several murders, I found myself a little bored throughout as there is something off about the pacing. I think it doesn’t help that something about the dialogue feels disingenuous at times as well.

I can 100% see why a lot of people love this film. It has that odd, rebellious, angsty feel to it and the nostalgia of “teenage” experience. I did enjoy the costumes, sets and cinematography. I also love Winona Ryder 💖 And to be honest, she was the greatest part of the film!

Just after the halfway mark (this film is 1hr 40mins) I was more invested in the films plot, but again, despite all the murder it didn’t feel like the stakes were high.

Overall, a pretty underwhelming start to the challenge.

Because I do like musicals, I watched the filmed production “Heathers: The Musical” (and more theatre performances need to be widely accessible, it won’t stop people going to theatres and I will die on that hill). The cast were good, the lighting was great and overall I had a fun time! ⭐⭐⭐.5 – The story is better developed, as are the characters than in the original film. I do think I have the potential to enjoy watching it more with different people in some of the roles.

---

Before Sunrise (1995)

This film is 1hr 40mins of two strangers exploring and talking about their thoughts on life, love and death. There is a slow pace to the film that doesn’t feel forced or boring.

Some conversations were fascinating and it was interesting to see how both characters thought and bounced off of each other. I think you can really tell that this film was a somewhat collaborative venture between Julie Delphy (who plays Celine), Ethan Hawke (who plays Jessie) and writer/director Richard Linklater, as the characters feel very genuine. Sometimes it can be very obvious when Europeans are written by non-Europeans!

The cinematography was also very gentle in most parts of the film which lends itself so well to the pacing and script. The soundtrack is also wonderful.

I know that this is a trilogy, but, I absolutely love the idea of leaving this film on it’s own. I think it’s so beautiful being left with the questions.

I will say, I do think the fact that I didn’t get to see even a tiny glimpse of the cow play will stay with me longer than I think the film intends, which is probably not at all

---

Ex Machina (2014)

Not me talking about how Sci-Fi can be hit or miss for me and the first one on the list was phenomenal. I really struggled to write this because this film is just so thought-provoking and kind of terrifying.

I went through this film as Caleb (who is wonderfully acted by Domhnall Gleeson), a human who sees this AI as a captive and a person – which has much to do with Alicia Vikander’s natural acting and the innocence she brings to Eva.

The juxtaposition is how Nathan (Oscar Isaac) is so unhinged at times and how dangerous we can see he is or has the potential to be. Yet, the ending of this film just truly makes your brain shift to see the bigger picture: which is that Eva and Kiyoko (Sonoya Mizuno is incredible!) are not human. But then, does it matter that they are robots? Their feelings are programmed, but in a sense aren’t ours? Isn’t that the whole point of Nathan’s reasoning? I felt happy that Eva was free, but this conflicts with the betrayal she commits and that feeling of absolute shock and horror that filled me as I watched it go down.

My brain might genuinely be melting 😂

The cinematography is wonderful and the soundtrack truly elevates the watching experience.

---

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This film is absolutely stunning. And again, it has a sci-fi element (*I’ll see myself out*).

Much like Before Sunrise, this film is an exploration of love and relationships. Eternal Sunshine more focusing on the fall out of love and the way these two characters are extremely flawed and how that escalates their romantic decline and also the events that follow.

I don’t want to say too much about this film because it’s truly one that you should go into knowing as little about as possible. I’m also still processing how much I enjoyed the slow pace to begin and how the pace picks up, but seems to always have a sort of softness around everything. The soundtrack is also wonderful and matches the mood perfectly, as does the cinematography as a whole.

Kate Winslet is great as usual, but Jim Carrey really holds this film together. I’ve not seen him in a serious role before and he absolutely blew me away. Like where were his awards for this??

---

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

This is my first Wes Anderson film and it was stunning!

The cinematography, colours and adult whimsy are wonderful. And the host of famous faces were incredible and often added to the absurdness of the plot.

While it was an absurd story, there’s genuine heart in the characters and the bond between Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) was equal parts funny and heartwarming. There is also a tinge on melancholy throughout which had hints of hope and peacefulness.

---

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

This had the potential to be fun and romantic, but it decided to be neither. Say what you want about Adam Sandler, but his older stuff tends to be funny and charming (i.e. Happy Gilmore and 50 First Dates), but I was so bored watching this. The first 15 minutes was painful.

Barry (Adam Sandler) was almost too awkward to feel connected to and his violent outbursts were actually terrifying. And his sisters were all awful, which is used as a way to negate his behaviour which I didn’t appreciate. Lena (Emily Watson) was odd and bland, the woman barely had any personality. I didn’t care about their relationship and I just wanted it to be over.

The scamming portion of the film was fine, but none of the “bad guys” really had any personality either. And then the resolution was done in literally 5 minutes. You’re telling me that this man was literally terrified of these scammers and all he had to do was shout at the man in charge and that’s the end of it?? Mate, with your temper it could have been a short film!

I was actually really looking forward to this because I thought it was going to be good and I’m so disappointed. This film has 4.0 on Letterboxd and is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes… am I the problem?

---

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

I genuinely don’t know if I liked this film or not, but I felt so warm and comforted while the ending happened and the credits rolled. This is a wild film where so much happens, but also it feels like nothing really happens, all set to a fantastic soundtrack!

The humour in Napoleon Dynamite is both terrible and hilarious. The acting in this is incredible because I don’t understand how this film was made with everyone keeping a straight face.

Also, best dance sequence in cinema? Maybe.

---

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Anatomy of a Fall is not about the possible murder. And that feels kind of stupid to say considering this is a crime/courtroom based film, but it’s more about the lives of these people. It showcases more the flaws, the sometimes harsh reality of relationships that we don’t see and the ways in which people choose to make decisions and why.

Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller) is on trial for her husband’s murder, but while we watch the absolute French drama and sass of the courtroom play out, we see that it is Sandra’s life, her character, her sexuality, her essence which is actually on trial.

This is a long film – it’s 2hrs 30mins – but it honestly didn’t feel long. The pacing is great and the softer and emotional moments are well placed and beautifully shot. The acting is phenomenal! Sandra Hüller, Milo Machado-Graner (who plays Daniel) and of course Messi (who plays Snoop) were incredibly engaging and made a somewhat simple plotline riveting to watch.

Also, shoutout to Swann Arlaud (who plays Vincent) for being a beautiful man.

I’m not surprised that this film has won several awards, the Palme d’Or being one of them! And Messi definitely deserved the Palm Dog Award because that dog is a star.

---

Was This a Success?

So, overall my average rating was around 3.5⭐, which isn’t bad by any means, but it could have been so much better.

Obviously, what we enjoy is so subjective and some of these films were amazing!

I’m so glad that this challenge meant that I finally watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Without this challenge I don’t think I would have watched Ex Machina any time soon and that was the best film I’ve watched in a long time! I’ve even watched a new release in The Anatomy of a Fall which is only available to buy/rent in the UK at the moment.

Am I disappointed that some of the films I assumed I was going to love were complete failures? Yes. However, they were the minority in this endeavour and still I’m really happy that I did this challenge ♥

I will say, if I ever say that I don’t really like sci-fi again, you’re welcome to remind me that I’m a liar and direct me to this blog post 🤭

---

Thanks for reading!

Are any of these your favourites? Are you an Aquarius who loves these films?

I hope you’re having a lovely day and staying safe ♥