3 Movies I Watched in March
March was mostly filled with rewatches, but here are my top three favorites from this month!
*See below for my recommendations.
Closer (2004)
Closer revolves around four individuals (two couples), each in a respective relationship. However, all of their lives become intertwined in strange and unlikely ways. Trust and manipulation are key elements in the film, with each character facing conflict and choosing to handle it in completely different (and sometimes detrimental) ways.
Natalie Portman undoubtedly delivers the standout performance, showcasing an immense range in under two hours. Honestly, I would go as far as to say she deserved an Oscar for her dedication. Her character, Alice, was probably my favorite because, at times, you feel a lot of empathy for her, while at other times, you want to shout at her through the screen. In my opinion, she was a perfect addition and, frankly, the saving grace of Closer.
This was a film I had always seen clips of on social media, where self-proclaimed film buffs would dissect the ins and outs of every scene, giving their rather unnecessary opinions on what the film was missing or, more often, what they just didn’t understand about it. That being said, what I appreciate about this movie, even though I definitely set my expectations too high, is that it is quite simplistic in every aspect. While there are some hidden themes and ideas woven into the dialogue, the storyline is straightforward and, most importantly, mirrors real life in its practicality and "in-touchness" with reality, especially compared to other romance-oriented films. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit bored at some points, but I think that speaks to how ‘real’ the film is — meaning that it doesn’t transport you to a new world or introduce groundbreaking ideas. The performances by Portman, Roberts, Law, and Owen are, by far, the strongest element of the film.
Regardless, I appreciate the qualities Closer upholds and would still consider it a ‘must-watch’ for everyone.
My ratings:
Cast: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Cinematography: 3.5/5
My Overall Rating: 4/5
Zodiac (2007)
I LOVED Zodiac for so many contrasting reasons, but the main ones are the stellar cast, with each actor delivering incredible performances. Mark Ruffalo was amazing, but it was the performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Jake Gyllenhaal that really struck me. The journalistic aspect maintained throughout the entire film was another favorite component, and most obviously, the relevance of the Zodiac Killer—the incredibly well-known serial killer who has still never been apprehended for his crimes (and at this point, will likely never be).
The film spans the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on the intense coverage by the San Francisco Chronicle of the Zodiac killer's activities and whereabouts. The newspaper’s reporters (played by Robert Downey Jr. and Jake Gyllenhaal) become infatuated with the case, along with the police investigators (played by Mark Ruffalo, among others). Together, they work to gather and uncover as much information as possible about the killer, showcasing the strained but absolutely crucial relationship between the police and journalists during times of extreme uncertainty.
Zodiac is a rather long film, but its pacing is near perfect. I actually read that Fincher refused to cut any original dialogue, instead instructing the actors to speak abnormally fast, which you can easily pick up on. Contrary to popular opinion, I enjoyed Fincher’s execution of this idea in the long run.
The depiction of a fast-paced, anxiety-inducing newsroom was really well done, in my opinion. Those scenes, in particular, made you feel like you were sitting in the same room as the characters.
The suspected killer, Arthur Leigh Allen (played by John Carroll Lynch), is freakishly good in his role. He possesses all the key traits that make you question whether he’s guilty or not, while also exuding a keen sense of innocence that keeps any opinions on him deadlocked (until the end, that is).
I’m a huge fan of films that combine journalism and crime, so this is truly my ultimate kind of movie. I cannot recommend Zodiac enough!
My ratings:
Cast: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Cinematography: 5/5
My Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Mickey 17 (2025)
Possibly one of the most anticipated movies going into 2025, Mickey 17 was everything I wanted it to be. Granted, I had high expectations, given that it was directed by Bong Joon Ho, the director of Parasite, which will go down as one of the best films of the 21st century (mark my words).
A little more sci-fi than I expected, Mickey 17 follows Mickey Barnes, who unknowingly volunteers to participate in a program that travels to space and engages in deadly ‘missions’ to help the human population colonize a new world, Niflheim. Every time Mickey dies during a mission, he is simply cloned, reproduced, and sent out to complete a new mission.
After a flaw in the system, a new Mickey is cloned while the preexisting one is still alive, which creates some issues…one I won’t go into to avoid spoilers!
Pattinson was a great casting choice for this role, and it really allowed him to showcase his versatility as an actor. Mickey Barnes couldn’t be more different from Batman (a recent and very popular role he took on) in almost every aspect, but especially in the distinct voice and accent changes that Pattinson has seemingly mastered for each role, respectively.
The leader of this new world and mission, Kenneth Marshall (played by Mark Ruffalo), executes the role of a corrupt, negligent, and narcissistic leader remarkably well, with even a few subtle hints at current political systems that audiences quickly picked up on.
While I think the plot would have benefitted from a bit more nuance and depth, I really enjoyed Mickey 17, mostly because of the more unexpected components of the film—things everyone will see when they watch it! It’s definitely no Parasite, but so far, it’s my favorite release of 2025!
My ratings:
Cast: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Cinematography: 4/5
My Overall Rating: 4/5
+ A few extras (also first-time watches)
Death of a Unicorn (2025)
Opus (2025)
Vox Lux (2018)
Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Rendition (2007)
Thank you for reading!
- Lily
I need to see all of these after your reviews! ❤️
Now I really want to see Zodiac!