October was an immensely busy month for all of us film nerds who just have to see everything. Of course the box office juggernaut was Joker, and the month saw the release of the Will Smith-starred Gemini Man. However, with this being the “official” start of the awards season, October saw the release of many smaller movies that did not go national yet and may have went under the radar. So here’s a few of my favorite films released in October that I think are worth checking out, and might even garner some awards buzz.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (Netflix)
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in El Camino — Courtesy of Ben Rothstein / Netflix
Talks of re-entering the Breaking Bad universe left many fans excited but worried. Would it be worth continuing the story of an arguably flawless series that ended satisfyingly? Well, apparently yes. Anyone that knows writer/ director Vince Gilligan and his work knows that he only likes creating stories worth telling, and wouldn’t endanger his previous work with anything subpar. In El Camino, we finally get to find out what happened to Jesse Pinkman after the series finale when he escapes from his captors. Anyone looking for a tense, thrilling drama that is well directed, written, and acted should definitely check this one out right away. Of course, this film works best for fans of Breaking Bad, but for other people, there is still a great crime thriller to enjoy.
Jojo Rabbit (Fox Searchlight)
Photograph by Kimberley French / Twentieth Century Fox Film
This controversial Taika Waititi-directed satire might be off putting to some at face value; but trust me, it is well worth watching. In Jojo Rabbit we follow a young German boy who aspires to be a member of the Hitler Youth organization during World War II as he discovers a young Jewish girl hiding in his house. The movie carries a timeless message about tearing down blind nationalism and blindly hating on the other just because we fear the unknown. It is hilarious, uniquely directed, very well acted, knows when to balance its dark and serious moments, and the cherry on the top is that it makes fun of Nazis in the most glorious and unsubtle fashion. Having this story told from a child’s perspective is really smart for the messages Waititi implements here. Even from a cinematic perspective it has a purpose, with the film being very colorful especially for a time period that is traditionally shown as dreadful and bleak. Definitely check this out as soon as possible.
Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)
Courtesy of Netlfix
In this Netflix biographical comedy, Eddie Murphy plays the legendary Rudy Ray Moore. Moore was a singer/comedian who created the character of Dolomite and was able to navigate his way into the film world and later be known as an icon in the blaxploitation film genre. This movie details how Moore was down on his luck and had the doors slammed in his face before he decided to take matters into his own hands and showcase himself to the world. Eddie Murphy gave a fantastic performance, showcasing Moore’s humor, sincerity, desperation, and determination all at the same time. This is a very funny film and surprisingly heartfelt which displays a message to viewers to always believe in yourself when no one else will.
Parasite (CJ Entertainment)
Courtesy of imdb.com
Parasite works best when going in knowing as little as possible. For that reason, I will not give a synopsis for this one. I will say, however, at times it is a drama, other times a comedy, and then at some point it transforms into a thriller; all while keeping a thematic focus on wealth disparity and how social class divisions are just a fallacy. This is a masterclass in storytelling, in terms of how the narrative unfolds so seamlessly to distract you just enough so you don’t see the tonal shifts coming. Bong Joon-ho’s direction is great, it keeps the story moving at a fantastic pace with great cinematography and performances to compliment it. Of this list, this one is my favorite, and I recommend it to anyone who loves great storytelling. As this is a South Korean film, just be prepared to read through a lot of subtitles.
The Lighthouse (A24)
Courtesy of indiewire.com
Writer and Director Robert Eggers’ sophomore outing The Lighthouse, he created a psychological horror film that explores two men (William Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) who descend into madness as a storm hits the island they are stationed at. The filmmaking is unique as it is shot on black and white 35-mm film; which not only gives it a classical feel, but it also contributes to the boiling intensity and insanity as we watch these men lose their minds. Pattinson and Dafoe both give Oscar-worthy performances, Dafoe specifically, nailing these very intense and complex monologues that is just very impressive. The film is also very haunting. For people looking for a horror film with typical jumpscares you won’t find them here; but the film does have its chilling scenes, and it presents its complicated and abstract themes in a way that will stick with you for the years to come.
