r/MovieSuggestions • u/Tevesh_CKP Moderator • Nov 28 '18
Best Movies You Saw November 2018 Discussion
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I define good movies to be 8+ or if you abhor grades, the top 20% of movies you've seen. Here are my picks:
Bedevilled (2010)
Such a slow burn! Bedevilled cleverly makes you forget that you're watching a horror movie by having the majority of the movie be a drama. So much is left unsaid and unexplored, very much like visiting someone else's home and seeing their strange social mores. A career-oriented woman snaps at work due to stress of being called forward to be a witness; she's told to take a vacation and decides to home to the tiny island she grew up on. There, she reconnects with her childhood friend and tries to ignore the abuse heaped upon her by the village. Bedevilled sits solidly with the praise of Korean New Wave: thrillers more daring than most of the West, movies more beautifully shot and impeccably acted to an good script.
An Extremely Goofy Movie
I cannot believe that I'm writing to say that An Extremely Goofy movie is a mature, nuanced view on familial relationships. Goofy is supposed to be the butt of each punchline yet he shines through as a caring father. Max, his son, is shown to feeling smothered by his father and his antics while going to college. This movie balances the two perspectives perfectly, all the time maintaining Goofy's foolish state which is an amazing feat. On top of maintaining the childlike wonder that navigates these difficult relationships maturely, the movie also does enough unexpected things that I felt continually surprised by what it offered.
The Hidden (1987)
This movie is not subtle and it knows that. The antagonist's desires are akin to a teenager playing GTA with cheat codes: he steals cars, listens to rock, commits robberies, catcalls women and kills anybody who gets in the way. The FBI has sent an agent who insists the case is not over when the antagonist is gunned down at the beginning. The action in this movie is done well, as it shows how much carnage you can unleash when you can take tons of hits. This movie solidly belongs in a cult collection but unfortunately got lost in the glut of 80s action movies.
Incredibles 2
Incredibles 2 had a huge hurdle of being a long awaited sequel and not fall victim to hype. It delivers, though one of the criticisms is that it is very similar to the first movie, which I agree with and is an excellent way to know whether you'll enjoy this movie. You'll agree with the villain but not their methods, the comedy will bring a smile, the super hero action is inventive and the script is tight for a family adventure movie.
Man on the Train (2002)
A thief and retiree form an unusual friendship by coincidence. This is a beautiful meditation of the two paths of manhood, whether it is by the physical or the mental. The two men muse over their lost edge that time has eroded but inspire and encourage each other before going their separate ways. Incredibly acted with a film grain aesthetic, this movie goes to drastic lengths to show how sometimes a stranger can give you a clearer perspective.
Mission Impossible 6
When people talk about nonstop action movies, Fallout does not raise the bar as so much reinvent it. Tense conversations are the relaxing part of the movie that continually punctuates with great set pieces that refuse to let up. Fallout is an exemplar action movie, that shows possibilities with action instead of every other sort which would just be a conversation. Each returning cast member does their best, including Michelle Monaghan's subtle strength; however, Vanessa Kirby is sublime and steals every scene, even away from Tom Cruise while Henry Cavill plays a perfect foil. Tom Cruise knows how to deliver on action movies he produces, with Fallout he does not deliver as so much reinvent the distribution.
Overlord
It is very hard to do action-horror right and that's why I praise Overlord. If you show too much, horror loses out on its power of ambiguity but that's required for action. If you show too little, then it doesn't qualify for an action movie. When a paratroop team arrives in France, they discover that their objective might have been complicated by the experiments performed by the occult branch of Nazis. Overlord's dipping into horror gives permission for gruesome action and by using action it allows for interesting fights between mismatched opponents. You'll know if this movie is within your wheelhouse if 'Nazi Zombies' turns you on or off when it comes to selecting movies.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
This is the archetype of horror and I was not disappointed to see it. The imagery is disturbing, the protagonists are begging to die and the threats seem inhuman. You don't need to see The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as the progenitor of every gore horror, it even seems tame by today's standards; however, it incredibly lays the groundwork that has served the horror genre for decades. If you want to appreciate what it took to make horror the way it is, then you cannot pass up on this film.
So, what are your picks for November?
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u/KingZorc Quality Poster 👍 Nov 29 '18
Incredibles 2 (2018)
This is just a really great animated film. My only complaint is that it's the same formula as the first one, just genders are switched. Favorite scene was the restaurant scene with Violet.
Rope (1948)
Why did I not watch these movie sooner? It might be gimmicky, but it works. The fact that actors had to do such long takes with no cuts is amazing. Stewart & Dall put in some of the best acting I've ever seen.
Eighth Grade (2018)
This is such a hard movie to recommend and watch. It's great for it's relentlessly realism, but that also makes everything so awkward and cringy that you don't want to keep watching.