January Movie Killers Picks

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You can see that there is an existing pattern in the last movies I chose to watch: murders and time machines, judgment and punishment. Some of these movies deserve more time and effort, and if someone's reading this after all, you should know that I had an interesting time with all of them.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Some movies just go unnoticed for a long time before I discover them. Better late than never, because this thriller is masterfully done. Every actor here is delivering their A-game, especially Gwyneth Paltrow. Now I get her; for some reason, I always thought that she is full of crap, but now I am on the Paltrow train. The boys here are also delivering captivating performances. While Ripley tries to sustain his new reality, he creates a domino effect of lies that threaten his ambitions. In order to save himself, he transforms and devours everything around him.

Mafia Mamma

Some movies maybe should stay unnoticed for as long as you want them to, but this one eventually turned out to be a funny experience. I really must like Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci because this is the bottom of their careers acting-wise. Do you remember Toni Collette in 'Hereditary'? Her acting there was 10 out of 10, at least. Here, I can't believe I can write this with a clear conscience; it's a 1, and this 1 is because she showed up to the movie set. Overreacting and offensive stereotypes here are exploding. The nerve that this movie has to present itself, even with all the bad acting and a stupid story, is commendable. Some interesting 'not twists' turned out to be good food to process; that's why I am not hiding this movie from my list. It is a casual stupid comedy. If you have nothing to do, by all means, go ahead.

Totally Killer

Another half-baked. Sabrina, the young witch, deals with time travel here, and to be honest, I had a lot of fun watching it. The science here makes absolutely no sense and pulls you out of the movie, but to be fair, the comparison between 2020+ and 1880+ years was so fun that I definitely recommend you see it. Also, it turns out to be a decent murder mystery and a slasher movie.

Back to the Future

Maybe as a child, this movie would have a much bigger impact on me, but Steven Spielberg and Zemeckis exploring the past is a bit creepier than you might think. The movie is interesting, but I didn't understand why it has such a high score. The production was well done; it looks cinematic, and for the time it came out, it was groundbreaking. Now, it is just an old movie with some creepy ideas that are very interesting to watch.

A Perfect Murder

This one also got me on the Paltrow train. She is a very good actress, and I checked if she has an Oscar; yes, she has, and I will check that movie too eventually. Michael Douglas and Aragorn also deliver their A-game here. These old movies, they don't make them like they used to anymore. The story is intense, and I was glued to the TV only to witness twists and turns that I was never able to come up with in my mind. Solid thriller, solid acting.

The Accused

This one is a tough watch, but it got Jodie Foster an Oscar after all, and I absolutely get it. With her new 'Fargo' season that is coming up, a couple of other movies, 'The Silence of the Lambs,' and this one, I can say that I am also on the Foster train. Here she really explodes acting-wise. She delivers her best performance, while screaming at her attorney in her home I totally forgot that I am watching a movie. Although in the movie, there is an extended scene that is so disturbing I doubt that I will watch it again; the master class of acting here should be seen.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

What can I say about James Cameron? He is my favorite director. I am going through all of his movies, and I intend to go deeper into an article about him and his projects. But for now, I have to mention this one here. Such great action that it still holds on for almost 34 years. This movie is dynamic, well-acted, still groundbreaking. And Arnold and Robert Patrick are just a joy to watch as two unstoppable, freaking hot, sexy killer machines. Linda Hamilton's acting here is my favorite part. Playing Sarah Connor at the hospital, screaming at her psychotherapist what she knows is about to happen, and you know it is true, is one of the best scenes from the movie. James Cameron's formula of strong women, father figures, and children rebels can be seen in a lot of his movies, but it works. It has everything for everyone.

Iliya Badev 

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