March was the worst in terms of everything. I don’t think anyone expected March to become the disaster it ended up becoming. Movies were an escape for me this month like I imagined they were for a lot of you, so I have a lot of movies to discuss. Twelve to be exact, so let’s go ahead and get into all of them.

Still Alice (2014)

This movie was anything, but a comfort for me. Still Alice just nearly broke me. Julianne Moore was the actor/actress of the month where I dive into a filmography of actor I’m not that familiar with. In January, I did this with Marlon Brando, February with Sidney Poitier, and March was Julianne Moore and she exceeds all my expectations and more with her performance in Still Alice. Her performance in Still Alice is among the best I have ever seen, well deserving of the Best Actress win in 2015. I cried several times while watching the movie and all the blame lays on Julianne Moore. The film is phenomenal, but it’s one of those movies where I never want to watch it again. I rather not put myself in that position again knowing what happens. It’s too sad and depressing, but Still Alice is a movie I think everyone should watch at least once. I recommend, just have tissues nearby.

Something Borrowed (2011)

The next three movies in this post were all covered on my blog in March in my new series called Watching Three Movies I Think I Would Hate (it’s exactly what it sounds like) and Something Borrowed was one of the three movies selected. My thoughts on each of the three films are expressed in the link included above, but I will a few brief thoughts about them here. Something Borrowed is an incredibly flawed movie that only digs it’s grave deeper as it goes on. It’s entertaining in a watching a car wreck unfold type of way, I’ll give it that much. But I can’t possibly recommend this movie, it’s not something you should waste nearly two hours watching.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Chasing Amy of the three films was the most shocking because I didn’t hate it. In fact, I liked Chasing Amy. It’s not without its flaws, I don’t agree with everything that was portrayed in it, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. It does as well as you expect a movie addressing the LBGTQ+ community in the 90s. It feels kinda like a time castle, an outdated, but endearing time castle none the less. I’m glad I gave Chasing Amy a chance to prove my doubts wrong, I recommend it.

I, Tonya (2017)

My feelings for I, Tonya are still mixed a few weeks later. The film is well made and Margot Robbie is incredible and I’m glad I watched it just because of her performance, but then there’s everything else. I wasn’t a fan of how their depiction of abuse. It felt very artsy but trying to make it funny and almost light-hearted. Actually many of the artsy choices felt like it detracted from the film, for example, the fourth wall break though at time interesting, could be flat out cringe-worthy. And let’s not forget the very obvious bias for Tonya Harding herself. Either way, you dice it I, Tonya is controversial. Lots of people like and plenty of others don’t. I understand both sides, which is why I will leave it up to whether this is a movie you think you will personally like.

Senna (2010)

I know nothing about motor racing, nothing at all, but this documentary has always been on my radar. I saw Senna be called the greatest documentary ever and that was enough for it to be added to my watchlist. I finally watched Senna on Ayrton Senna’s would-be birthday on March 21. I went in nothing about him or the sport of motor racing and ended the documentary sobbing about Senna’s tragic passing. I agree with the notion that Senna is the greatest documentary ever, at least the greatest one I have ever seen. I learned about motor racing, it’s devoted fans and racers, but most importantly I learned about Ayrton Senna and why he was so beloved and regarded as the best Formula One racer ever. My words don’t do the documentary any justice. You have to watch the documentary yourself, it’s a masterpiece in my humble opinion. I highly recommend.

The Hours (2002)

The Hours has to have had the best cast I have ever seen. Even excluding the three main leads, you also have Ed Harris, Alison Janney, Toni Collette, John C. Reilly, Claire Danes, etc. Then you include the three leads, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, and an unrecognizable Nicole Kidman. A lot is going on from top to bottom, but the movie is held together by a ridiculously strong cast. I was continuously impressed with storytelling and acting. There are three distinct stories and I thought they were all worthy of their own movie if they really wanted to make a solo movie. Having each story combined though compliments each other and helped each story for the better. I thought it was a really well crafted and extremely well acted movie, I recommend to everyone.

Safe (1995)

Safe is yet another Julianne Moore movie where she’s sick. I can’t believe I picked three movies of Julianne Moore where she’s physically and mentally sick. But, she does play these roles beautifully. Safe is an ironic movie, because the name is the exact opposite of how you feel when you watch it. Safe had me on edge the entire time, because I never knew what was going to happen. The score also helps a lot with that feeling of tension. No matter how much you think everything’s fine or everyone’s okay now, you always feel like there’s something around the corner that is going to change everything for the worst. Julianne Moore’s performance is unsettling not because of her actions, but more so what’s happening to her and why. I was afraid for her the entire time, but it made for a great watch. I recommend.

Haywire (2011)

A female lead action movie? That was enough to sell me on Haywire. Haywire has apparently become somewhat of a cult classic and I can see why. Not everything in the movie landed for me, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that I loved a woman in an action movie being a badass and handling business. I didn’t know that Gina Carano was a fighter in MMA until I finished the movie. I know she’s not a trained actor, but I didn’t have any issues with her performance at all. I thought she was perfectly fine and her doing all her stunts was incredible. That’s where the movie really shines, not the acting or the story, but the stunts. I think it’s worth checking out for the stunts alone. I recommend, but be aware it’s not for everyone.

Basic Instinct (1992)

This has been on my watchlist for years just for the name alone. I never knew what the movie was about, just knew its name and the one infamous scene. I pulled the trigger this month and finally watched Basic Instinct and I unexpectedly loved it. Because of the infamous scene, I figured Basic Instinct would be this sleazy movie, and I think it’s a lot more clever than it’s getting credit for. Sure, there’s sex, but sex isn’t just there. The sex makes the movie, but the thriller aspect of the movie is way more interesting than I thought it would be. Like I knew who the killer is, but the movie is constantly making me doubt myself even with ending, I’m still not 100% sure. Basic Instinct blends the erotic aspect and thriller aspect amazingly. I never felt like one overshadowed the other, they were blended together perfectly in my opinion. I didn’t expect to love this movie as much as I did, but I’m glad that I do. It’s great, I recommend if you by some chance haven’t seen this yet.

The First Wives Club (1996)

The First Wives Club was exactly what I needed. It came at the perfect time for me. It took my mind off of things that have been happening in the world. It was such a comfort. The best way I can describe watching The First Wives Club is that it felt being given a warm hug. A hug that we could all desperately use at the moment. I loved the feminist message the film had, while not making it completely over the top. It had plenty of funny moments that I laughed at. And the dance sequence at the end of the movie gave me chills. I was left feeling ecstatic once the movie was over. I couldn’t have asked for anything else during this difficult time we are all facing. If you’re looking for something to make you laugh through this dark time, I recommend.

Taken (2008)

I caught Taken on television randomly in March. Taken was like the start of actors getting a hold on an action franchise and rejuvenating their careers with said franchise, the best one being Keanu Reeves in John Wick franchise. But, Liam Neeson started the trend with Taken. That’s what I find most fascinating about the movie. It was a revolutionary action movie in 2008, it definitely helped change to the genre. Taken itself is fine, the story isn’t any special. The more recent action movies like the before mentioned John Wick make Taken kinda just pale away in comparison. Still, Taken’s legacy speaks for itself. I recommend if you like action movies, but there are better action movies to give a chance if you don’t.

Boogie Nights (1997)

Okay so technically I watched this in April, but to round out Julianne Moore binge, I’m including here. Boogie Nights is not even a Julianne Moore movie, she has a role obviously. But, the movie is much bigger and broader than being just any one’s movie. It has a cast of revolving characters, all as fascinating as the next. The best way I can describe Boogie Nights even through the darker stages of the characters’ lives, Boogie Nights is a blast. The music, the artistic choices, the performances are all so lively all make for a wonderful time. The movie is just so… to quote one Ash Williams, “groovy”. This is by far my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie. Albeit I have only seen three of his movies, but Boogie Nights is his masterpiece. Boogie Nights is the film most if not all filmmakers want to make in their careers. I loved it. I can’t recommend it enough.

What did you watch in March? Have you seen any of the movies listed above, what did you think of them? Comment below.