Delving Into More of My 5/5s

I wanted to continue the series of talking about some of my favorite films, more specifically 5/5s. I’m gonna be looking through my Letterboxd and I'll use this ranked format with prompts to share some recommendations. Some popular, some not so much. Most of these, however, are very popular, but maybe you just haven’t gotten around to them…hopefully?

Surely there are some that you haven’t seen yet, and this will inspire you to tune in. Like I said in my other favorites post, I have seen a lot of films, so I'll have enough to last a while and there should be one you haven't seen at some point. Now, onto the list.

Image from Aftersun.

1. A Film I Just Didn’t Get at First But Now Think About…Constantly: Aftersun directed by Charlotte Wells

When this film ended, at first I was like, “that’s it?” To my surprise, I did not see many people talking about the ending. This film doesn’t end with a bang, but rather an “oh.” I read and read reviews. Then, It clicked. The sadness, despair, melancholy, just HITS you. It feels like a truck just parked on your chest. I am keeping it spoiler-free, obviously, but Aftersun is a fairly bare-bones semi-autobiographical film. It takes place over the vacation 11-year-old Sophie shares with her 31-year-old Dad, Calum.

The cinematography was just perfect. Many people online stated that it was filmed like a memory, and I think that was their goal. Everything is clear, yet unclear. Defined, yet vague. It’s like something left behind and forgotten. The best way I can describe the filming was when I stumbled upon an old childhood video of myself on Facebook. It is often filmed like you are remembering the recording, and you see the recording itself, especially in the veil that it is so technologically advanced and now you see the grain, snow, blur, and all the other flaws technology has when it ages.

Calum as a character is simply relatable whether it is you yourself that is relating to the character, or you through seeing people you know/knew through him. The cyclical nature of Calum both trying to take ownership of his daughter and ensure she has good memories, yet him drowning his sorrows is something every person has seen. It's a person at a crossroads. I can keep going, but that would get into spoiler territory, so I must stop myself.

Image from Everything Everywhere All At Once.

2. An Instant Hit: Everything Everywhere All At Once directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Okay, I know many, many MANY people liked it, but I loved it. I mean how was I not? I’m a queer first-generation American? This film is just proof that representations matters. Representation in every character. Not just a comedic relief character, and ESPECIALLY not just a background character. The importance of representation is to showcase everyone, not just the ones that in power. This film emphasizes the importance of understanding intersectionality with english second language characters, queer characters, immigrant characters, and people of color.

This film is also a discussion of whether or not the American dream exists and what it looks like if it exists at all. I personally believe that although United States has many, many problems, the American dream is a powerful tool. I do not believe it exists, but it is important for many immigrants to hold onto that hope, especially when leaving their homelands with various sociopolitical issues much worse than the U.S.

This film is also just stunning and is even more important now with the viscous attacks from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The country was founded on death, but is also founded on immigration. As people say, “no one is illegal on stolen land.” Immigration is important not just economically, or the work force, or just general bullshit people say to try to persuade a side that doesn’t want to listen, it is also important for culture. People forget it is BORING to know only know people exactly like you–to hear the same perspective ALL OF THE TIME. Representation is not just important morally, but doesn’t it ever get boring to see the same 10 White guys on screen with half of them named Chris or Ryan?

Image from Jurassic Park.

3. A Film That Feels Like Home: Jurassic Park directed by Steven Spielberg

Okay, this next one is going to be more rapid fire because I had a lot to say about the first two and I don’t want to bore you with one of the most popular films of all time…Anyways, he’s your favorite director’s favorite director. Spielberg just knows how to make a film FILLED to the BRIM with whimsy. Even when people die, even when characters are scared, you still have hope. There’s just something about it. His portrayal of the scientific in combination with children’s wonder is just so damn good.

Additionally, the music is just so perfect and nostalgic. I mean, if you haven’t heard it, are you living under a rock? (I am not trying to isolate anyone, especially after the description on the last film, but this music is very good. I am indulging in the dramatics as I said in a previous blog.) Overall, if you haven’t seen it, see it. If you haven’t seen it in a while, rewatch it. I might do that actually. I’ll be right back.

Image from The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

4. A Film for the Right Time at the Right Place: The Mitchells and the Machines directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe

Now, this last one is more of a story than an opinion piece about a film.

Obviously, I like film, I’m currently in college, and I’m close with my Dad. (I mean, being close with my parents was inevitable for me as an only child). I watched this film right when I got my wisdom teeth removed. (I felt good enough to remember the movie. I wouldn’t put this on my list otherwise). My Dad took a few days off work to help me recover. We watched a lot of movies.

We have a tradition of watching things together while I am recovering from some ailment. When I was sick as a kid we used to rewatch the Harry Potter series together. We have not done so post JK Rowling TERF era and I am not particularly planning on it any time soon.

I wanted to watch something light. Something animated. I put this on. I heard good things. Well, the film surpassed my expectations and also made both of us cry. The main character is a film-obsessed girl who is about to go off to college and has some conflict with her Dad. I, a film-obsessed girl, watched this when I was right about to go to college. My Dad has this thing where he has to rave to the nearest person as soon as he watches or eats something good. To be fair, I do it too. I got it from him. You bet my Dad talked my Mom’s ear off about this. He even left a review on Letterboxd. Although I was in a lot of pain because…surgery…it is a really great memory with my Dad. It was nice to see us feeling mutual about the upcoming change. One of happiness of the good memory we were making, but sadness about what is to come. I think I’m doing pretty good on my own, but I hope he is doing good too. It is hard to tell with most parents really.

Well, here’s to another completed film recommendation list! I hope I inspired you to watch or rewatch some films, even if it is none of the ones I mentioned. I’ll give some more recommendations soon.