Letterboxd Friday #2

Ruby Moley
Oct 12, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Oct 28, 2024

Published on 10 / 12 / 2024

Happy Friday! It has been a WEEK! With fall break having just passed and Midterms rolling around, I couldn't catch much time for movies. Talk of the town is the new Joker movie featuring Lady Gaga. Who's watching this week?

Disclaimer: Some reviews mention aspects of the story that could be considered minor spoilers. I made sure no major plotlines and endings were spoiled!

Dinner in America (2020)

OH. MY. GOD. "THIS WAS TITS!"

I've never felt so much emotion for a movie couple. I was speechless. I was kicking my feet, blushing. To be loved is to be seen, and this is exactly the couple in this movie. It's quirky, it's edgy, it's blunt and above all, it feels real.

I first heard about Dinner in America from TikTok, as the film's original song "Watermelon" by Emily Skegg's character Patty is trending. Patty, one of the two leads, is being heavily discussed for her unconventional beauty standards as a main role (though I think she is beautiful). The character casting, soundtrack, and unique storyline synergize to complete this alternative romantic film.

Also, IYKYK, when he started crying as she sang, I almost started crying. Do men like that exist?

Letterboxd Rating:

Trainspotting (1996)

Though I wouldn't normally grab a film like this to casually watch, it was heavily recommended by my Dad (the OG movie fanatic). I did not know what to expect, so I thought this movie was about subway surfers... (spoiler, it's not).

This film is directed like a book, as it is based on one. There are a few main events, following the story of a Scottish group of mates whose lives are all uniquely chained by heroin. There is narration through omniscient story-telling as it winds from the main character, portrayed amazingly by Ewan McGregor, to the other mates.

For me, the movie failed to reach high stars due to its cringe factor. There are numerous scenes revolving around feces, grasping to be comedic but falling more on the disturbing side. The number of needles, portrayed with close-up shots and sounds, truly immerse you into the world of being a junkie. As someone who cannot stand needles or any ideas of drugs, I covered my eyes and clenched my fists more often than I would have liked. I understand the use of immersion techniques was probably intentional to defer from the piece being fictional, yet it was unbearable at times. Requiem for a Dream (2000), a similar story centered around drug addiction, incorporated similar tactics of immersion, yet I was moved by it and rated it high. Trainspotting felt more like a rough and angry Requiem for a Dream.

If you take the plunge (hopefully not into a toilet of feces like McGregor in this movie) and decide to watch this film, be ready for hard topics and realistic drug use.

Letterboxd Rating:

The Passenger (2023)

To be honest, I watched this because Kyle Gallner, Simon from Dinner in America, was in it...

This aspect alone kept me quite engaged. He is a comedic genius and his character's actions throughout the film were wildly unpredictable.

While this movie was entertaining, it was also frustrating and surface-level. The plot was very linear and the acting was nothing notable(except the beautiful Gallner, of course). Glad I could cross this off but I'd never watch it again.

Also Gallner's sweater/cardigan in this slayed. I want one.

Letterboxd Rating:

We FINALLY Beat Granny (FULL GAME) (2024)

While this cannot be rated on Letterboxd because it is not actually a movie, its 5-hour length and cinematic excellence make it fit on this list. Sinjin Drowning, a YouTube sibling duo comprised of Kalynn and Weston Koury, is my favorite channel on the platform. But regardless of my bias toward them, this video was perfect in every way. You follow along with their stress and progress towards the escape of the house (the main goal in the game Granny), not knowing if this time will be the successful end. It is hilarious, thrilling, and fear-inducing.

What makes this video better than any other game play-through? The pop culture references and casual, hangout feel of the video. The Koury "sisters" (as they call themselves) make it feel like you are playing alongside them in a casual hangout. They loop you in on trending phrases and comedic inside jokes. It is truly the definition of a comfort creator.

This specific video of theirs spirals into madness the longer it goes on, as they truly filmed this whole playthrough in a night. And though the title implies the completion of the game, with their stressful decisions and haphazard playthrough, you don't know if the end is really in sight. They slam their desk, walk away, keep complaining about the A/C -- it is truly hilarious and engaging.

Shoutout to this young duo for redefining YouTube playthroughs.

Note: I considered buying a Letterboxd subscription to be able to add this onto the app to be reviewed.

Letterboxd Rating: