Author: Joel Dull
February is here, and that of course means a brand-new movie list. One might even say a lovely movie list because of course this month’s theme is romance. I am bringing all of the corniness and mushy-gushy-love necessary to make you sick. If I don’t then who will? Whether you’re celebrating Singles Awareness Day, Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, Palentine’s Day, or National Make a Friend Day this Monthly Movie Fix with Joel has the movie for you.
Spoiler: The Notebook isn’t actually on this list.
We begin with the amazing Amélie. A classic French Film from 2001, Amélie is a wonderful movie that tells the curious adventures of Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou) as she directs the lives of those around her. Amélie finds love and happiness in making those around her happy. She lives vicariously through others as she sees their dreams fulfilled, and all because of her own handiwork. The film is a wonderfully happy, quirky French tale, and it’s a refreshing break from the face paced American films filled with a camera angle change every three seconds.
Continuing with the Rom-Coms, the second movie for the month is Love Simon. The newest film on the list, Love Simon, is all of the corny cliché high school drama we want but with the welcome change that the love story is Gay. The truly special part of the film is that there isn’t anything special. Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) is presented as a normal high school student who is faced with the very real challenge of how to come out to his friends and family. At its core, the film is a simple coming out story, but that is what 2018 needed. With all of the political and social turmoil and heavy queer movies like Boy Erased, the presence of a cut and dry coming out story gives us the happy ending we need.
The third movie on the list is the heart breaking bio-pic of Stephen Hawking, The Theory of Everything. The movie is a love letter to one of the greatest minds and most truly wonderful people to have ever lived. It also tells the challenging and beautiful story of Stephen Hawking and his Wife Jane Hawking. Eddie Redmayne earned the Oscar for best actor for his performance as well as commendation of Stephen Hawking himself who said, “I thought Eddie Redmayne portrayed me very well. At times I thought he was me. I think Eddie’s commitment will have a big emotional impact,” The movie is truly beautiful and sure to make you cry. The movie also captures Hawking’s amazing sense of humor which helps to balance a very emotional film.
And of course, what would a romance movie list be without Mamma Mia. If you want to feel happy there are few movies better than this wonderful musical. The soundtrack is full of songs that will stick in your head in all of the best ways. The film is set on a beautiful island in Greece where Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) run a hotel. Sophie is set to have a wedding, but of course it can’t be that simple and things get complicated when Sophie wants to find her father, so he can walk her down the aisle. The drama is cheesy, and the smiles are plentiful. Not to mention it is a wonderful cure for toxic masculinity.
Finally, the new to me movie for this month is Wonder. The film stars Jacob Tremblay as August Pullman. The story follows August as he attends a public school for the first time. August is in the fifth grade and was born with facial differences which are the reason he as not attended a public school yet. August strives to overcome his differences and unite the community through love and compassion. This film is sure to warm your heart and show the importance of self love and what truly means to be proud of what makes us different.
JOEL DULL | Continually getting songs with the word “love” stuck in my head | KXSU Arts Reporter
Photos:
The Notebook, ÓNew Line Cinema
Amélie, ÓMiramax
Love Simon, ÓFox 2000 Productions
The Theory of Everything, ÓUniversal Pictures International
Mamma Mia, ÓUniversal Pictures
Wonder, ÓLionsgate