And we are back! New year, first movie of the month of the year, twelve movies, seven based on true stories, it must be Oscar season! Seven of the movies have nominations in the upcoming Oscars, including eight acting nominations. Not to mention the 25th Anniversary reissue of a stone cold classic that won seven of the twelve Oscars it was nominated for. But which is the movie of the month? Here are the contenders:
Colette – True story of the early life and career of French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Compelling drama with a fantastic performance by Keira Knightley in the title role.
The Favourite – The court of Queen Anne gets the Yorgos Lanthimos treatment. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz are all outstanding as co-leads. Bonkers, bizarre, and totally brilliant.
The Front Runner – Former senator of Colorado, Gary Hart is the titular front-runner for the for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987, until his personal life gets in the way. Hugh Jackman and Vera Farmiga are both excellent, the direction is good, but the story is a little thin. 
Vice – Adam McKay sets his sights on former Vice President Dick Cheney. Directed with the same style and edge as the directors previous movie, The Big Short but not as pointed or as funny. The standout is Christian Bale’s stunning performance. 
Glass – M. Night Shyamalan returns with a sequel to both his best and second best movies. James McAvoy is outstanding, and the rest of the cast are good. The film is fun with some excellent scenes but on the whole it disappoints. 
Can You Ever Forgive Me? – True story of celebrity biographer Lee Israel based on her own memoir detailing her decent to rock bottom. Melissa McCarthy’s gives her best performance to date, she needs to avoid being overshadowed by Richard E. Grant on top form. 
Mary Queen of Scots – Revisionist retelling of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart. No one seems to agree on the historical accuracy of the film, from a cinematic point of view, it looks spectacular, but its depiction of time and space are very weak. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie are both give brilliant performances.
Mary Poppins Returns – I am not the best person to comment, as I hate musicals and believe director Rob Marshall is responsible for, if not the worst best picture winner ever, certainly the worst I have seen. I also don’t have the same affection for the original movie that everyone else seems to. having said that it is OK disposable fun, Emily Blunt is as brilliant as ever.
Escape Room – Six strangers find themselves in the escape room to end all escape rooms. A cast of vaguely recognisable (mainly TV) actors make a largely compelling ensemble. The production design is good, and the film has some fun moments, but the plot totally lacks originality or subtlety.
Schindler’s List – Anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg’s holocaust movie. It hasn’t lost any of its power in the 25 years since its release. The question remains, how did Ralph Fiennes not win an Oscar for this?
If Beale Street Could Talk – Barry Jenkins adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel. Brilliantly conveying a novels internal monologue in a way that last years On Chesil Beach failed to do. The acting is first rate throughout, but the true triumph of the film comes in its direction and construction. Surely the favourite for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. 
Destroyer – Nicole Kidman plays an LA cop whose undercover past comes back to haunt her. A brilliantly constructed film, elevated by Kidman’s transcendent performance. Held back a little by a script that can’t match Karyn Kusama’s direction and Kidman’s performance, it is still an outstanding movie. 
After all that, what is the movie of the month? As always, re-releases are not included, making it an easy choice, my favourite is The Favourite!
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