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Nate at the Movies: Month/Year Roundup 🍿
Hey, Reader! Welcome back to my monthly roundup—let's go find you a movie or two to check out!
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🌟 This Month's Must-See Movies
The Testament of Ann Lee (2025)
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Though technically a 2025 release, January usually means catching up on the best of what I missed, and Ann Lee was just that, featuring a powerhouse performance from Amanda Seyfried and a bunch of surprising tunes that I haven't gotten out of my head yet.
"I would be lying if I didn’t say I was often mesmerized by what was unfolding on screen, from the intricate musical and dance sequences to the super pretty cinematography and what I think were hand painted backdrops? Practical effects for the win!" |
No Other Choice (2025)
I was shocked to see that this movie didn't get nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars. With a super creative story, novel and unpredictable cinematography, and more laughs than I expected, how did it get snubbed?
Send Help (2026)
I wanted to include one January 2026 release here, and Send Help was just the subversive and hilarious change-up I would love to highlight. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien should make 10 more movies together.
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đź’Ž My Favorite First-Time Watches This Month
Avengers: Endgame (2019) was the moment, which I could have never predicted. After almost a year of watching superhero movies again, Endgame was the exact payoff I was waiting for, and I'm sad I missed the time when it was more culturally relevant (and in theaters).
I watched Decision to Leave (2022) in preparation for No Other Choice and actually ended up liking it more! Park's craft was the most evident bright spot in a movie chock-full of them.
Tyler recommended Being John Malkovich (1999) to me a few years ago and I finally got around to it this month, thanks to a litany of unexpected snow days. I love a good "mind hump" movie, and this may take the cake for the satisfyingly hump-iest of them all.
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🎯 Works in Progress
Adaptation Appreciation (1/12): My first book of Adaptation Appreciation 2 was Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, and the book was just as pure and cute as the movie. I only slightly preferred the movie, but why did they make the dad way more of a deadbeat? Who knows.
MCU (23/37): My viewing of Avengers: Endgame this month was a quality MCU anomaly, unfortunately, because I wasn't a fan of Ant-Man and the Wasp or Captain Marvel, my other January watches. Good thing Kevin Feige knew exactly where he was going from here...right?
Star Wars (8/17): I finally did it—I watched the rest of Andor! It was cinema, as I knew it would be, and I'm sorry it took so long. I also watched Solo (not amazing) and Rogue One (quite amazing) this month, so while I'm not right back on track to be ready for The Mandalorian & Grogu, I've got a shot. Plus, I just got the original trilogy on DVD, so those will be fun to watch next month!
Oscars Death Race (26/50): With Oscar nominations being announced on January 22, my second official Oscars Death Race attempt is underway! I had already seen a ton of the nominees—including nine of the 10 Best Picture noms—but since the 22nd, I watched five more nominees, most of which were documentaries (my kryptonite).
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🚨 Next Month's Movie Radar
Wuthering Heights (2026) may be the only February release that has real potential to contend for awards next year, and I've only become more excited for this one as we've gotten closer. Hopefully Emerald Fennell's unique style isn't too much for little ol' Nate.
There are a number of smaller movies I'm looking forward to in February, from GOAT (2026)—a Sony Animation movie, so not really "small"—to How to Make a Killing (2026) and In the Blink of an Eye (2026), a shockingly swept-under-the-rug Andrew Stanton movie. Why hadn't I heard about this one until now?
As for my Oscars Death Race, I'm seeing The Secret Agent (2025) on Sunday to round out Best Picture, and hopefully I can get the job done by the end of February!
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Thanks for reading, Reader. Now go find a comfy theater chair, get a *small* popcorn and a courtesy cup, and I'll see you next month!
Your partner in film,
Nate
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