3 Movies I Watched in January

that I'd recommend to u

Jan 30, 2025

January was full of more than just three films, but I decided to narrow down my list to my top favorites—the ones I’d recommend to a friend.

This month was a bit sporadic, featuring an exceptional mini-series I almost regret watching (though I don’t), a few 1950s Audrey Hepburn films, and catching up on several 2024 releases in anticipation of the Oscars. While it was tough to narrow it down to just three, each of these pieces of media means a lot to me, and I hope you can find time to check them out!

See below for my recommendations!

1. Roman Holiday (1953)

Roman Holiday (1953) – Scene by Green — Starring: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck - Director: William Wyler

A true film classic and one of Hepburn’s very best (her Oscar-winning role), I loved everything about this movie. To me, films from this era feel like a breath of fresh air with their simplicity and straightforwardness. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I particularly loved the plot and the chemistry between Hepburn and Peck. Hepburn resembles a true princess on and off camera and Peck’s wit and charm transport through the screen.

This may contain: a man and woman riding on the back of a bicycle

I’ve always thought black-and-white films capture and magnify an actor’s facial features much better than modern films. After a bit of research, I learned that because of Wyler’s desire to shoot on location in Rome, they opted to film in black and white for financial reasons. Nonetheless, don’t let the lack of Technicolor drive you away, this is a film everyone must watch!

My ratings:

Cast: 5/5

Pacing: 4/5

Cinematography: 4/5

My Overall Rating: 4.5/5

This may contain: an old movie scene with the caption'i will cherish my visit here in memory, as long as i live '

2. Scenes from a Marriage (2021)

The Ending Of Scenes From A Marriage Season 1 Explained — Starring: Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac - Director: Hagai Levi

While technically not a movie, Scenes from a Marriage is easily the best miniseries I’ve ever seen, even though it’s a modern take on a 1970s film (and I’m not usually a fan of remakes). Chastain and Isaac are absolutely phenomenal together, and this standout scene solidified my belief that they are two of the most talented (and underrated) actors working today (shoutout to The Juilliard School).

This series almost felt too real, as if I were sitting just a few feet away from the actors, watching them converse and interact in real life. If anything, that only attests to how extraordinary the acting, plot, and chemistry were in each episode.

This may contain: a man and woman sitting on couches in a room with boxes all around them

Scenes from a Marriage explores an incredible amount of depth and emotion, touching on the human experience in a way that I think everyone should see. I finished it about two weeks ago, and I still think about different scenes and interactions almost every day.

It was my favorite watch of January and my only five-star rating—do with that information what you will.

My ratings:

Cast: 5/5

Pacing: 4.5/5

Cinematography: 4.5/5

My Overall Rating: 5/5 !!!!!

3. A Real Pain (2024)

A Real Pain' review: Thoughtful study of two hurting men — Starring: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin - Director: Jesse Eisenberg

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to see A Real Pain in theaters, but the very day it came out on Disney+, I watched it. Before watching, I had zero expectations and very little preconceived information about the movie. The only thing I knew was that Kieran Culkin had received a Golden Globe for his performance (which was incredibly well-deserved).

With a runtime of about an hour and a half, both Kieran and Jesse blew me away with their performances—Kieran especially. I’ve mostly seen reviews raving about Kieran’s performance, which is rightfully deserved, but both Jesse Eisenberg’s directing and acting were what really sold the whole movie to me.

Kieran Culkin Love GIF by Searchlight Pictures

Similar to Scenes from a Marriage, A Real Pain is centered around the raw and emotional parts of the human experience, with grief and the importance of family at the forefront. The emotional moments are so subtle yet complex in their portrayal. As mentioned, Kieran Culkin was perfection in this movie, and I’m almost certain the Supporting Actor Oscar already has his name on it. Out of all the movies released in 2024, I’d consider A Real Pain an absolute must-watch!