We all thought 2016 was awful, and it turns out 2017 isn’t looking much better. In fact, 2016 is now looking pretty appealing under these rose-coloured spectacles. So good in fact that we’re ready to ignore 2017 a little bit more and reflect on some films that in all the dreadful horror of last year you might have missed.
The First Girl I Loved
The long overdue coming of age Sapphic romance is finally here. It has all the clichés of a high school romance, except they’re both girls. It’s an easy watch, but also a film where you become way too invested in. So far it’s flown under the radar without a UK cinema release, but for just £3, you can watch it on YouTube.
Train to Busan
Think zombies. Think of a claustrophobic horror movie. Think hard hitting family disparities. Think of a movie so good the only conceivable thing Hollywood can think to do is to remake it western style to take the credit. Ever cried at a zombie movie? Neither had I until I watched this.
Don’t Breathe
This one didn’t necessarily fly under the raiders, but it definitely didn’t accumulate the hype it deserved. If you’re interested in intense thrillers, twists you didn’t see coming, and problematic characters that you shouldn’t be routing for, then check it out.
Moonlight
It may be Oscar nominated, but it doesn’t mean enough people have watched it. The cinematography in this film is scintillating and the story, cut into a trilogy of parts, covers almost any hard-hitting issue you could imagine. It’s a movie that’ll absorb you from start to finish, filled with dilemmas, ambiguity, and sorrow, it’ll leave your brain whirring for days. This one is still in the cinema so catch it while you can!
The Handmaiden
Based on Sarah Water’s The Fingersmith, this film is a Korean psychological thriller. Don’t trust a single character—they’re all well developed, but as sneaky as each other. Split into two perspectives—an orphaned thief disguised as a handmaiden and a wealthy girl trapped in her uncles house—it’s a story you won’t be expecting.
Sing Street
A movie musical following a teenage boy in 1980’s Ireland trying to win over the girl of his dreams by asking her to model in his band’s music video. There’s one small catch: he doesn’t have a band. From 80’s hits, to humorous and dramatic originals, Sing Street is definitely worth the watch.
Paige Johnston
(Image courtesy of PSH Collective)