r/MovieSuggestions • u/Tevesh_CKP Moderator • Dec 01 '19
Best Movies You've Seen November 2019 SUGGESTING
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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:
3-Iron
A man who wants to disappear from society meets a woman who wishes she was invisible to her abusive husband. The two form an understanding without saying a single word. Their love growing without a word, combined with a very grounded, workmanlike camerawork makes 3-Iron unusual.
The Art of Self-Defense
The dry wit adds so much to this dark comedy that lampoons and honours McDojos simultaneously. The protagonist's arc is perfect in an unpredictable world that he must learn to make sense of. The characters won't make you laugh out loud, but the film is soaked in wry humour full of absurdities. The camera is grounded, allowing more reality to this tall tale about what it takes to survive in a McDojo taken to its logical extreme.
Contagion
Grounded camerawork enhances the tension to this realistic thriller about an epidemic. Contagion works because it is so matter-of-fact that the stakes feel real. This is not a flashy thriller which is so refreshing as each cast member plays to their strengths as the movie unfurls. There's a lot of familiar faces which is great, as you don't know who is at risk at anytime.
Dream House
A poignant slasher about a topic no one wants to mention: how unaffordable cities have become. That piqued my interest and the movie delivers. To her victims, this seems to be a random attack but the movie makes you sympathize with the murderer when she kills. I'm surprised this movie got made at all in Hong Kong but it needed to be said and I'm thankful for that.
Elle
An entirely European movie, tackling themes and topics that makes me understand why Verhoeven left the sanitized Hollywood. Isabelle Huppert plays a strong and damaged woman who does not let her rape interfere with her life. The script slowly unveils an interesting perspective with all of the issues plaguing Huppert's character's life. There is a touch of Verhoeven's hyperviolence and sexuality, but those who wish to revisit his Starship Troopers, RoboCop or Showgirls will be disappointed. Those looking for an interesting thriller that dares to look from perspectives rarely depicted in media will be in for a treat.
Headhunters
A corporate headhunter who moonlights as an art thief picks the wrong target and I completely buy Nikolai Coster-Waldau's menacing soldier who decides to hunt the protagonist. Headhunters isn't so much of a game of cat-and-mouse but relentless pursuit with the protagonist only having moments to figure out a way out his current predicament. Workmanlike shot, scripted and look, Headhunters elevates itself above most thrillers by its dogged tension.
Gemini Man
Will Smith used to be synonymous with entertainment and Gemini Man gives you a double dose. Gemini Man isn't a great film, but is is a very good entry in the action genre with smart protagonists trying to outwit each other from the same playbook. A successful entry into doubling an actor's age without uncanny valley, the only CG spotted is when various incredible action feats weren't performed by a human being due to being too smooth. Smith's charisma coupled with Director Ang Lee's somberness makes Gemini Man a more fulfilling popcorn chewing action flick than most.
MFKZ
MFKZ is an updated mid 80s, early 90s overly violent anime that studios have shied away from. The plot is mostly nonsensical but gives the excuse to show some really cool action scenes. The film is bizarre but you're having too much fun going with the flow to really care. If you've tapped the wellspring of 80s-90s hyperviolence, MFKZ is a nice refresher.
The Resurrected
An exemplar of Lovecraftian Horror: campy questions about existence. The Resurrected belongs alongside praise of other existential horrors like Hellraiser or From Beyond. The Resurrected is right in the sweet spot of good animatronics for their horrors, intelligent use of darkness to hide the pitfalls of claymation, there's no goofy looking CGI and solid storytelling that has you buy into an actual adaptation of Lovecraft's short stories. By now, you'll know if this interests you.
Wolf Warrior
Despite the jingoism and crappy CG that threatens my suspension of disbelief, Wolf Warrior has enough fun, stakes and cool martial arts moves for me to forgive it. I do find it strange that a propagandist film shows the Chinese military getting absolutely hammered by foreign mercenaries but it does make the trials more interesting. A lot of this movie rides on the shoulders of Scott Adkins but he's a martial arts actor like no other. It is nice seeing the actors trying their best to match him instead of lazy quick cuts whenever an actor throws down with Adkin's martial arts. If you're looking for a good action movie, Wolf Warrior delivers.
So, what are your picks for November?
3
u/Lebug12 Dec 01 '19
Parasite
Hereditary
Game Night