Movie Challenge: 20 films

the rule of the game is, watch as many movies as you can!

You know, when you have a pattern, and it’s like you want to keep at it, but this is exactly what challenges are made for. It’s why going to the gym is important, and spin classes, because you’re motivated, you’re pushed. The only reminder is to keep going!! It’s funny because if I fail, you’ll know. You can check out the full detailed reviews on my Letterbox’d ( shanbae1)

Best thing about this challenge is that it makes me feel like some kind of cinephile. In being able to watch a film a day, or even every other day, and it’s exciting waking up, and wondering what film I’m going to end up watching next.

11th March: The Aggressives (2005) 4&1/2 Stars

I came out of this film, learning so much, that I hadn’t before. I love these kind of films though, because it, too, makes me fall in more in love with my culture, and being me, and that being enough. When you think of the term ‘ aggressive’, you think of how women are always being told, they’re too angry, when if anything, we’re too calm. Another term being the aggressive black women. But, this film reminded me, it can be a stamp of who you are, it can be a strength. Being an ‘aggressive’, is how you decide to walk through life, also how you see it. It was interesting that, the women shown in the film, didn’t use they/them pronouns, which is something that has definitely been more known in this current time era, and that was my reasoning for the missing half star. The film was great, in terms of, the queer/lesbian experience, and even gender. But in their time, a lot of their notions were backwards. It made me think how, in particular, Tiffany didn’t see trans women as women, but it’s like times change, but it made me notice how trans women are still seen that way. Not ‘real’ women.

And even the military part in the film, too, because Marquis made it seem like it’s easy to be in the military and trans, when maybe even now, it wouldn’t be. I think the difference is, that Marquis would tell people that she’s a woman, and that’s why it was easier. Although, she mentions that some of the women were uncomfortable around her, and would give her looks, but that’s the difference. I think if she was to say, that she identified as a man, back then, it would be a complete different story.

I tried to also, think about how this film related to me, and how a lot of the women, seemed to be comfortable with the fact that they WERE women, but they had a lot of manly mindsets. It wasn’t like they were comfortable with both gender norms, of masculinity, and femininity. But, I realise on a bigger scale, it’s all to do with preference, but I also think we shouldn’t dismiss the idea of the lesbian experience, which is two women sharing every single part of themselves with one another.

Me & my friend were talking about how, in my mindset, I’ve never thought of myself to be dominant, but of course, it’s important to realize that there’s no equal scale, of being masc or femme, which is where the idea of labels come in. I know, which I’m comfortable about that, I’m too girly to ever be considered a masc, but I can switch it up.

12th March: Paris Is Burning (1990) 5 stars

Back to back documentaries, and I’m glad. It’s the feeling you feel when watching an documentary, even how I felt with The Aggressives, a peek into someone’s world. Into the gay world. It’s culture, what it means, & what it stands for. The film showcases, the ball-room culture, and all the other layers that comes with being gay, including transphobia & homophobia. It’s a testament to the times, which even both films have common. You’d like to think, that there has been some kind of evolution, but will there ever be a world where we all appreciate each other for who we are? But I’m loving looking at vogue culture, I like to focus on the positives, which most of the people in the documentary spoke about too. How beautiful it is to be fabulous, and live in your skin, as who you are, or even who you were meant to be.

13th March: Mulan (1998) 5 stars

Funnily enough, I only started rewatching this, because it’s included in one of my projects, around identity in cinema. Mulan is someone who goes through an identity crisis, of course, by playing a guy, for one, and being more than just being the perfect wife, or even the song that plays in the very beginning of the film where Mulan is struggling to make her family proud by being ‘ the perfect daughter’ but instead she is able to show her strengths in a better way, and saving the world.

14th March: Moana 2 (2024) 5 stars

The feeling you get when approaching sequels, will I like this film better than the previous one, but I’m starting to think, we shouldn’t be afraid of sequels anymore. The most likely thing, actually, is the sequel being bad, in general. But, this one didn’t fail at that. It’s what we fell in love with Moana for. Her growing as a way finder and her little sister Simea, and it makes you wonder if, they’ll tell the story more, with Simea growing up too. Would she also be a way finder like her sister, because she’s so inspired by her or would she take a different path, possibly? I experienced wanting to cry on & off so many times.

15th March: Madagascar (2005) 5 stars

Madagascar is just filled with nostalgia. Four animals who can talk, but nobody knows they can. I was actually today year’s old, when I found out King Julien is voiced by Sacha Baron Cohen, which you know what, he’s such an versatile actor, so it makes perfect sense. A film where you’re just constantly laughing, and it’s timeless. The four animals swap out their pampered lives in the Zoo, for a slice of the wild. But it’s funny because, you know when you feel like children films, have an element for everyone, as in adults too. You do realize those elements more when you grow up, especially how Alex saw them as steaks, and that’s him getting drawbacks from the wild, and it’s supposed to be somehow similar to a drug trip.

16th March: Puss In Boots, Last Wish (5 stars)

5 stars the first time, I watched it, and 5 stars the second time I watched. That’s what is so endearing about films, no matter how many times you watch a film, it doesn’t change. Death’s whistle in this film, reminds me of The Ghoul ( played by Walton Goggins), it’s so exciting to know that they are near, and that’s the mark of them. It even makes you fear them, just a little bit.

17th March: Muse (2025) 5 stars

Not usually fond of silent films, but I enjoyed it, nonetheless. You can tell that the muse is his wife, while he’s playing piano, and the playing just seems to get better & better, as he gets more immersed, and inspired.

18th March: Hotel Transylvania (2012) 5 stars

This story feels similar to Little Mermaid, actually. The same kind of idea of keeping your daughter protected, away from the harms of humans, but realizing that humans aren’t all bad. They should’ve had that in Little Mermaid too, instead of like Ariel getting married to Eric & waving at the mermaids. It would’ve been nice to see King Triton, change his views about humans too, in a different way. Adam Sandler loves acting roles like this, I know it, just being able to go crazy Adam core. I also love how Adam as a celebrity, is so self aware and humble, and even his ability, especially in this film to achieve the Dracula voice.

20th March: Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) 5 stars

It’s funny because I didn’t actually plan to watch all three of the Hotel Transylvania films but I couldn’t help it. That’s what happens with trilogy films though, like if you watch the first Shrek, you might watch all of them, same with Lord Of The Rings or even Harry Potter. Something that’s actually similar about Shrek & Hotel Transylvania is that the comedy is what makes it so addictive. Bleh Bleh Bleh.

21st March: Maurice’s Bar (2023) 5 stars

Why can’t people just be able to co-exist with one another? I love how, even though it was animated, it was still able to build tension, and the animation was so alluring. It’s interesting because the world has evolved and there’s more places like that now, and they don’t get raided. It’s always interesting to know who the kick-starters are.

21st March: Touch Of Crude (2022) 5 stars

This film was like an immersive experience, and so eerie. It being silent, also added to that as well. An eerie black box following your every move, and it even being able to talk. It’s ability in transporting to different universes, when peering through the peephole, each through a different perspective.

22nd March: Hotel Transylvania 3 (2018) 5 stars

Humans aren’t as bad, as they’re said to be. But I love how, in watching one of the films, I couldn’t stop myself from watching all three. Adam Sandler is definitely the pulling factor, and then the fact that Dracula ended up changing, the way he approached the world. At first, he wanted to keep Mavis sheltered from the world, after losing his wife, and then his heart opens up, in when meeting Johnny, and giving his blessing for them to be together. So much so, that he ends up opening up his heart to love once more, which is a perfect ending, in my eyes.

23rd March: Good Thanks, You? (2020) 4 stars

Amy is left voiceless, & defenceless when an attack takes her life by storm. The only reason I came to 4 stars, as my decision, is because it would’ve been nice to see her actually open up about it to her partner. It is true, that in society, it can be hard to have those discussions, but as a viewer, I would’ve wanted to see the universe where confiding in your partner, somebody who you trust, doesn’t have to always go tits up. The person would comfort you, and cease all of your darkest thoughts & fears. Overall, I think the way the topic is handled is shown in a delicate & perfect way, and the title of being asked that million dollar question, and just replying back, that you’re fine, when you’re not.

23rd March: Lick The Star (1998) 5 stars

On the other hand, I gave Lick The Star a 5 stars, instantly, more to do with, it’s aura & energy, everything that a film needs, like colour grading, and the themes of girlhood & cliques. Kate has been absent, and she realises all the things she missed, in junior high. To be honest, when watching it, I didn’t completely get it right away, which I realized can happen in watching shorts at times. You only have a few minutes to completely grasp the meaning of the film, whereas films which are longer, are with you for longer, which gives you more time to wrap your head around it. But Lick The Star is a catchphrase which is the thing Kate missed out on, which means kill the rats backwards. The catchphrase is then used to poison the boys from their school.

24th March: Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy (2025) 4 stars

I was too bothered about my ending predictions, not being right. I loved the fact that Bridget aged, but she didn’t change. It’s like that, when you’re with a character for so long, four films in fact, and she didn’t let motherhood shift her either. She fell in love with Roxster, but the Bridget we met in the 1st or the second film, might have stayed with him, so that’s growth in a way. But, it did make me feel a certain way, of her just kind of falling in love with her son’s teacher, who’s kind of a copy of Mark.

25th March: Shrek (2001) 5 stars

Why don’t people talk about how Shrek & Fiona have one of, if not the best, meet-cute in cinema? At first Shrek just wants people out of his swamp, and that’s why he goes onto to do the mission, and in doing so, meets the love of his life.

27th March & 28th March: Cooley High (1975) 5 stars

So good, watched it not once, but twice. I couldn’t believe the first time I watched it, which is why I needed to recommend it to others. Cooley High is about a group of friends, who want to find their way out of the hood. They’re just teenagers trying to make their way, but they get swept up in the world of drugs, and living life on the edge. It’s also a great film to show, to the older generation who were alive in that time era.

3th April: Party Monster (2003) 5 stars

A film that is a game of who-who’s, every actor/ actress is known for other remarkable roles. Aside from that, it revolves around the eccentric Michael Alig, who throws the most outrageous parties, in the queer club scene. He comes like a fish out of water, wanting to be successful in this scene, as a small town outcast who moves to New York. His parties become an success, but he is found to be encompassed in the slippery slope that is drugs, that begins to tear him down.

8th April: Almost Famous (2000) 5 stars

Oh Penny Lane, you were too precious for that world. The world of rock & roll, and fame. Rock stars always seem to have two women on the go, which was made me, think of Daisy Jones & The Six, and how Daisy seemed to be on top of the world, and it’s like Billy trampled on her, and made her question her worth. But Penny is just someone in the story who is a big part of William’s story, in his journey, and being successful. It is really important that it doesn’t even feel like, he’s interviewing them, which he is, but it becomes like a family unit, where work blurs into fun, especially the best scene in the film which just lets us know, music brings people together.

9th April: The Life List (2025) 3 stars

The romance did in-fact romance. The belief that return of rom-coms are back, and here to stay. But the acting is where it fell off for me. There were lines in it, that just, as the audience, you could tell they were trying too hard, and some of the lines don’t even fit. But Kyle Allen was great, and he might possibly be the Internet’s new boyfriend. Also, the story line is a pulling factor, of doing a sort of bucket list so to speak, but it’s something Alex wrote when she was younger, and had no idea how she’d do any of those. It almost makes you wish, you’d thought of the idea first.

Honourable Mention: La Haine (1995) 5 stars

Everything about this film said 5 stars, and there was no flaws in it, as sometimes can be the case with films. The acting performances were great. The cinematography, and the whole idea of how hatred begins, and how it can blow up, and it’s like the ending didn’t surprise me, because hatred can kill you, if you let it. There always has to be a balance.

Editor’s Note

On reflection, it was so fun to be able to test myself to watch a film a day. Along the way, it became difficult, because a film a day isn’t an easy task to do. But I did look at it a different way, in whether it’s a long film or a short one. Least, it was an experience at least. That’s what is so remarkable about cinema, the films are to be experienced, and although, I may not be challenging myself any time soon, in the future, I have the ability to watch films whenever I want.

Next up: Short Films To Watch On Mubi ( some of the films mentioned here are in that list)