Seen: August and September 2024

My monthly watch list

I believe I owe you a watch list. And since there was a lot of rest and recuperation happening, many many things were watched.

As a reminder, this is not a complete list of every movie or show I’ve seen over the course of a month. Occasionally, I’ll watch a scene of something here or there, or I’ll watch an episode or two of a specific show. My personal Rule of Thirds dictates that if I’m not sold on a movie by the end of the first act or a TV show’s first three episodes, I’ll turn it off. I have yet to walk out of a movie I’ve seen in theaters, but the Rule of Thirds applies for theatrical releases, too. If I’m watching a TV show over the course of a few months, or if I’m watching something that releases one episode per week, I’ll write a little blurb about it when I finish the final episode of the season.

Below is a list of all the complete movies and TV seasons I’ve watched over the course of the previous month. This is my version of director Steven Soderbergh’s annual roundup, although Hunter Harris also provided a lot of inspiration. 

Without further ado, here’s what I watched in August and September:

MOVIES

All About My Mother (1999)

First Time Watch

Pedro Almodóvar is a legend for a reason. This hit me in the gut in a way I wasn’t prepared to endure, but Almodóvar’s celebration of women in all their messiness is still novel 25 years later. Also, this ensemble cast is perfection.

Clue (1985)

Re-Watch (mostly)

I have attempted to see this movie many times in the past, and I have infamously fallen asleep right before the triple ending every single time. This time, I corrected history and stayed awake! Tim Curry for the win, always, but I can’t believe I had to wait this long to see the “flames on the side of my face” monologue in all its glory.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

First Time Watch

Read my wine and movie pairing here. Just a whole lot of silly fun. Grab the bubbles and toast to the end of an insanely hot summer with this frothy delight of a film. Physical comedy at its finest, from two living legends.

Tampopo (1985)

First Time Watch

This movie single handedly reinvigorated my love for the food and beverage industry. It also set my standards for movie theater dining way too high. Win some, lose some. A must-see for anyone involved with restaurants, and anyone who loves a good professional mentorship story.

TAMPOPO (1985). Photo Credit: Janus Films.

The Contender (2000)

First Time Watch

This is part of Enrico’s unofficial “summer of the legal thriller” film festival at home. While last month’s Veep binge was not inspired by a certain presidential candidate, the choice to watch this underrated political thriller was. If you enjoyed Confirmation (2016), you’ll appreciate this film as well.

The River Wild (1994)

First Time Watch

Meryl Streep and David Strathairn on a whitewater rafting trip! With Kevin Bacon as a delicious villain! Directed by Academy Award winner Curtis Hanson! Why was I tense the whole time?!?!

The Three Musketeers (1993)

First Time Watch

The thing I love most about period films? They say as much about the period in which they were made as the period depicted on camera. I didn’t know I needed a 90s swashbuckler until I saw this, and now I need a reboot stat!

Vantage Point (2008)

First Time Watch

It is rare for me to say “they don’t make movies like this anymore”. I said that sentence within the first 10 minutes of seeing Vantage Point. Incredible screenplay, tight direction, and a stellar cast. One of my favorite movies I’ve seen this year.

VANTAGE POINT (2008). Photo Credit: Daniel Daza/Sony Pictures Entertainment.

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TV SHOWS

Claim To Fame Season 3 (2024)

New Release

This season got competitive! Anyone who’s a fan of the murder mystery genre and/or pop culture would be fascinated by Claim To Fame. This season saw some Traitors-level conniving and teamwork… or maybe I’m just more aware of it now that I’m also addicted to The Traitors?

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team Seasons 1-16 (2006-2021) 

Re-Watch

Yes, I saw all 16 seasons. Yes, I rewatched all 16 seasons. After watching America’s Sweethearts earlier this summer, I wanted to see the path of development for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as an institution. Instead, I walked away seeing the clear path of development for the reality TV genre. 

Quantico Season 1 (2015)

Re-Watch

I was a fan of this show when it first came out, and now Season 1 is part of my unofficial fall rewatch list. Autumn on the East Coast just hits different (especially as I sit here sweltering in 95 degree heat in October). 

QUANTICO Season 1 (2015). Photo Credit: Philippe Bosse/ABC.