Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele, in his first solo project post-Key and Peele, holds up a mirror to liberal, middle class, suburban white society. Many reviewers have praised the film for capturing the modern zeitgeist of today, but they miss the point. And that is this: sixty years ago, Martin Luther King was saying the same thing (that the problem was and is moderate whites), and still the same holds true in 2017. Liberals may pat themselves on the back for electing Obama, but how much progress have we really made? Peele is simultaneously funny, scary, stylish, entertaining, clever and incisive. He astutely recognizes that horror is the perfect genre to represent the African-American experience. I don't typically watch horror movies, but this one is worth it. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Did we need this Star Wars movie? No, not really. It comes between Episodes III and IV. The question it answers is "Where did the so-called New Hope come from?" It tries to distinguish itself from the Star Wars films, establishing itself without the trademark Star Wars opening crawl, iconic music, and even without light sabers. Here's my question though: is it really still Star Wars without these things? I say no. Disney is taking advantage of us, passing this off as a Star Wars movie while denying that very thing. There is no emotional investment in these characters that we know will only be around for this one film within the Star Wars universe. And consequentially, there isn't too much character development. I like Diego Luna. I like Felicity Jones. But the rest of the characters seemed rather pointless to the story. 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

From the wizarding world of Harry Potter comes a prequel that no one really asked for. But it is a pleasantly enjoyable film. Other than a brief mention of Hogwarts and some familiar spells, the film bears no resemblance to the films we know and love from our childhood. This film brings us to the wizarding community in America, under the rule of the Magical Congress which forbids interaction with muggles, or No-Maj as the Americans so unelegantly put it. The costumes and period production design tinged with a magical aura and special effects transport you to another world as the old films used to. The film is self contained, with a clear beginning, middle and proper end. There is no need for a sequel but we're going to get it. Eddie Redmayne is delightful as Newt Scamander. I thought he was already in Harry Potter. I guess he just seems like he was a student at Hogwarts. Call it good casting. 

In the Mood for Love (2000)

I'm in such awe of this movie. I don't think I have the capacity to describe how beautiful this movie is, everything about it from the music to the acting to the reds and the incredible cinematography. So I'm not even going to try. It would be a disservice to the film. Maybe I'm just chickening out from expressing my feelings cause I'm some emotional wreck now having watched this movie. But I would like to revisit this one down the road when I'm older and have lived and experienced more. I think it will have profoundly different meaning.