January 2023 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month
Originally published February 4, 2023
Another January has passed with me being wholly incapacitated by sickness. While I was hoping to take more time to watch movies, I did not get a chance to do that due to the severity of my illness. Between work ramping up and some other personal issues, it seemed like the universe wanted me to chill out, so I did. In January I watched 21 new films and rewatched two others. Here are the best of the best!
Re-Watch Highlight: N/A
BEST #6) Signal 100 (2020); Director: Lisa Takeba; Japan
A high school teacher gathers his class of 36 students together to prepare for a school dance. His true intentions, however, involve hypnotizing the class based on protocols from a death cult. After the class has been successfully brainwashed, he informs them that failure to adhere to the 100 rules instilled in them will result in involuntary death by suicide. The curse will remain until only one student survives or sunset happens. The students race against time to uncover a reversal for the curse but not all are on the same side. Signal 100 is a fast-paced Japanese game of death styled film that delivers on its wacky premise. Wasting no time in getting started, the horror gets going not even ten minutes into the film. From there, the film waffles a bit as the writers find more specific ways for its cast of characters to thin their numbers. While most of the commentary has been done before, there is a nice reversal of the formula Battle Royale establishes two decades ago, even if Signal 100 doesn’t meet the same caliber in execution. The death sequences are fun, the characters are mostly interesting, and the concept doesn’t fully lose its steam by the time it ends. There’s no need to hypnotize you into wanting to watch this fun Japanese treat of a film.
Overall Score? 6/10
BEST #5) The Anchor (2022); Director: Ji-yeon Jung; South Korea
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 6/10
BEST #4) The Forever Purge (2021); Director: Everardo Gout; United States
Every year the annual purge claims the lives of many citizens across the United States in an effort for the population to let out all their worst impulses in a controlled setting. This year, things are different. A movement has swept the nation declaring every day as Purge Day and their first day to proclaim this truth follows the most recent celebration of the event, catching many people off guard. Among the people fighting back, are an undocumented couple who gave up everything in pursuit of the American dream only to be pushed back into Mexico for safety when the Forever Purgers declare their intentions. Teaming up with other survivors, they must make their way across the border and into salvation. Unfairly maligned, this fifth entry in the Purge series is as exciting and fun as the rest of them. The character work is compelling despite the limited time spent with the large ensemble cast. Focusing on the social commentary on the rise of extremism and the unfair treatment of undocumented people and other marginalized populations, The Forever Purge reminds viewers of the intrinsic humanity between people and the common desire to survive in peace. It isn’t the best entry in the series, but this sequel keeps the energy alive in fun and interesting ways.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #3) History of the Occult (2022); Director: Cristian Ponce; Argentina/Mexico
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #2) There’s Something Wrong with the Children (2023); Director: Roxanne Benjamin; United States
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #1) M3GAN (2022); Director: Gerard Johnstone; United States
