Filmz!

If you were to ask me for films you'd need to watch before you died, it would be these. They've fundamentally changed the way I view sisterhood, relationships, gratitude, childhood, happiness and grief, because let's be honest, sometimes we dwadle with facing the feelings and the people that mean the most to us. If you do want to see all the other films I've watched and reviewed, apart from me updating here from time to time, you should follow my letterboxd: @MeiThistle

Little Women has been a comfort film for me since it was released, and even before then, the book had a special place in my heart. One of my favourite directors ever is Greta Gerwig, she manages to capture the innocence of sisterhood, and the childishness of it, without making them feel foolish? Greta finds the pieces of a story that otherwise wouldn't have been told in such a beautiful kind of way. No matter your age or your gender, this film honestly changes the way I view sisterhood and the true ideals of family to me.

This is just a classic favourite of mine. Every December, my dad and I would sit down and watch this film and he’d always comment on how the scene with Laura Linney is so sad because she wants to fall so deeply in love but her responsibilities to her family will always be prioritised. I miss when films had so many different storylines and how they all came together in the end with one big connected link!! Reminds me of the 3 people theory… Such a happy, lovey, wholehearted, heartstrings-are-pulled film!!! 10/10

I remember watching this in bed, at like 2am in the morning and sobbing my eyes out for hours. This film is so minimalistic in the way where it's just filmed in an apartment. It manages to capture the struggle of losing a parent, the struggle of distant relationships with your family, and the struggle of trying to go through all the hard emotions alone. You never have to. This film has become such a big part of my soul because it somehow materialised how I felt when losing my dad -  saw different parts of me in all three of his daughters. A film to truly watch when you want your heart to cramp.

My goodness me this movie is mind altering (literally that's the plot of this film). Unlike the others being more family oriented, this film to me proves the vitality of memories, and all the experiences we face in life. The good, the bad, the ugly. Removing or replacing someone you once loved because they hurt you so horribly ultimately would erase the you you are, and then you wouldn’t know yourself. To me, that is the worst loss of all, if you lose yourself. I probably watched this film 3 times in a row trying to rack my brain at the meaning and eventually it made sense. It’s nonchronological order and flashbacks/forwards really can mess with you, but I suppose that's the entire point! To make your brain feel unsure of what it remembers. Do you remember your worst loss?

I truly believe this is one of the greatest films ever made in history. The fantasy, the story, it was a novelty when it was released, and to be frank, it still is to my eyes. The extended edition is perfect and so deep into its lore, and I believe anyone with an ounce of love for films and movies, should have watched this because it is one of a kind and so so fun!!! Whimsy to the max. I personally love the olifants, but that's for you to decide. Tolkien is a remarkable writer, and Jackson is an amazing director to have brought the story to our eyes.

It really does seem like I have a knack for my heart to be broken in films doesn’t it? Gosh, I watched this film with tears in my eyes. It’s tragic and so honest about the reality of drug abuse and what it does to not only you, but your family and people that love you. It’s raw, unromanticised, and what made it hurt my little empath heart harder is its a biography for journalist David Sheff and his son Nic. A 10/10 watch if you want to cry and reflect.

I added this to my Letterboxd recently and have not regretted it. I stated that every media student, or anyone wanting to study politics, media, or global studies really should have this as a mandatory watch. It really depicts racism in a different way which is sincere and heartbreaking. It’s not a film that’ll get your adrenaline going 24/7, but I suppose its intention is showing you the tension and the reality of a slow burning trial for a black man. The film truly captures the crude racial injustice, moral conflict, and vigilantism of the legal system in America.

This is one of my top three Disney princess films (the other two being Tangled and Princess and the Frog…duh). But this one always made sense to me, this was the first Disney princess film made where the princess didn't need to find a prince, she found her mother instead! Well, found, as in rekindled their relationship. I always found this bittersweet rekindling and banter of the two in this film so endearing, and the battle at the end where the mother protects her daughter always meant so much to me. No matter what, your mother is always going to be your mum, and its instinct, as animals, to protect your kin. Also, I love archery so much (fun fact: I did archery for my DoE in 2022/2023!)

I LOVE BREAKFAST CLUB! I love all these films, but I remember watching this film so vividly! My room has a massive poster of it I got at HMV a couple years back. The character differences, the storyline being 90% improvisation is the best! I miss when films had just a little to no sense to it, but in the end it does? Like one big mess of colour and silliness, all individually not really being cohesive, but the final result is just magnificent! It’s a film about individuality, about the status quo, about kids being stupid kids, about how everyone is simply just human, and surely we can get along somehow… right???

I remember watching this as a child and thinking this was not only such an awesome film but had such an awesome soundtrack, this was how I was introduced to Joni Mitchell, never looked back. Not only that, the femininity of the film and the sisterhood!! I also just have such an obsession with herbal medicines and magic and how wondrous it is. If you think about it, Magic is simply science that we cannot explain :)

SOME OTHER FILMS THAT ARE FUNDEMENTAL TO ME/I JUST LOVE THEM AND DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO WRITE ABOUT THEM...

See you at the movies, Mei xx ;)