January 2026 Summary

It’s been a jam packed January. I have never been to the cinema so much in a single month before. 12 movies all up. 2 x single movie days and 5 x double movie days. 7 of those 12 are nominated for the Oscar in some capacity. 3 of those 7 are foreign language films. I’ve been forcing myself to watch things I usually wouldn’t consider with mixed results but ultimately a rewarding outcome. All films were seen at Matakana Cinemas which are always a pleasure to visit. I’m sure they appreciate the extra business but at the same time they are probably wondering what is wrong with me lol.

First Double Movie Day: Song Sung Blue & Anaconda

Song Sung Blue: I had medium expectations for this, biopics have been a dime a dozen recently and finding out it was not a movie about Neil Diamond, but an impersonator of Neil Diamond kind of put me off. But the trailer looked good, the reviews were positive so I took the leap to see it and I am glad I did. I have never cried so much in a movie before. Happy tears, sad tears, those weird happy/sad tears. The performances were outstanding but especially of Kate Hudson. She was so genuine in this role. I have never been a fan of Kate but I hope she gets an award for this, at least a nomination (I mean, she is competing against Jessie Buckley). This movie was so uplifting just like Diamonds music but hits you with equal amounts of tragedy throughout. What a great experience, I have been recommending this movie to everyone. 8/10

Anaconda: This is just your run of the mill silly comedies. It doesn’t break new ground or have the impact of something like Tropic Thunder or I Love You Man but it was good to see Jack Black and Paul Rudd together. There are moments of utter hilarity but if you just want to turn your brain off and be entertained, this is perfect. 6.5/10

Hamnet: As this is written, Jessie Buckley has already won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for Best Actress so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She is phenomenal. How she can play such a complex character with such raw emotions is spellbinding. I didn’t understand the language they were speaking at the end of the film but her performance alone helped me get the gist of it. Good story about Shakespeares family albeit a little slow, it won’t be for everyone but for those who it is for you are in for a treat. 7/10

Second Double Movie Day: Sinners & 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Sinners: I started my movie obsession after Sinners had come out so I never saw it but had heard good things. When it came up for an Encore screening at Matakana Cinemas I jumped at the chance. To be honest I am not sure why it is being nominated for so many awards, it didn’t strike me as being an award winning movie but just a typical horror flick albeit done very well. When it was firing on all cylinders it was absolute fire but they were scattered moments throughout the film. A lot of the story felt disjointed for me. Jack O’Connell was a standout and the music that played when he was around should have been in the film more. Good horror film but I don’t understand the hype. 6.5/10

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: After seeing 28 Years Later I felt little need to see this sequel. 28 Years Later felt empty with moments of amazing humanity and heart but the ending is what put me off, tonally it just did not work and I did not want to see a whole movie revolving around these characters. But as early reviews came in I was hearing it defied peoples expectations and was a much better film. And I can safely say it is but it needed 28 Years Later to set it up. The Jimmy’s are not as cartoonish as I thought they would be and gave a horrific and frightening element the first film lacked. Ralph Fiennes stole the show as usual and for fans of the original films you will love the ending. Seems like a third movie is to be expected, what direction that will take is unknown. 7.5/10

Third Double Movie Day: Sentimental Value & Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

Sentimental Value: I kinda expected a bit more humour but it was heavy on the drama, and that’s not a bad thing, just not what I expected. Great acting all round but I would rate in order; Stellan, Reinsve and then Elle. The other sister Agnes was well done too. Really needs a second watch to unpack everything but if you are looking for authentic performances, this one is for you. 7/10

Once Upon a Time In Hollywood: I already had the most movies I wanted to see at the Cinema in 1 month, then Matakana Cinemas decided to play 2 x Tarantino films and I can’t not go see those on the big screen. I can’t remember if I had seen OUATIH when it was originally released but catching it on the big screen made me love it even more. And I must be a bit slow because I only learned in retrospect after viewing this that directors like Tarantino are supposed to be watched on the big screen, watching them at home is by no means the same. This is how I will rewatch his films from now on, starting with Inglourious Basterds in 2 days time lol. 8/10

Fourth Double Movie Day: Marty Supreme & Inglourious Basterds

Marty Supreme: After catching The Smashing Machine from the director Josh Safdie’s brother Benny Safdie last year and not being overly impressed, Marty Supreme dropped down some rungs on my expectation ladder. But as Timothee Chalamet took the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for best actor and reviews were glowing, it peaked my interest again. Marty Supreme had me from the get go. All the things I loved about the Safdie Brothers Uncut Gems was present in this. The sound track, the insufferable characters making poor decisions, the tone and the cast made this movie like hopping into a nice warm bath then realise it is close to scalding hot but you just have to adjust to it until it feels good again. Does Chalamet deserve the Oscar? Yes. Yes he does. 8/10

Inglourious Basterds: So with realising Tarantino films are better on the big screen, I was back to see one of my favourite Tarantino films, if not my very favourite, I can never choose. What a treat this was. After seeing this movie many times I thought my interest may have waned watching this, but alas, I was glued to the screen. I can’t help but thinking that the final line spoken by Brad Pitt was actually Tarantino’s writing, speaking of the movie itself. “I think this just might be my masterpiece”. Yes, yes I think it is too. 8.5/10

Fifth Double Movie Day: It Was Just An Accident & The Secret Agent

It Was Just An Accident: So this was my bid to see more award films out of my comfort zone. And a bit like Sentimental Value, I couldn’t quite connect with them. I was and am aware it could be a culture gap or having to read subtitles having this effect but there was a disconnect none the less. It Was Just An Accident started off what I thought a bit amateurish and clunky. The premise was interesting and disturbing but it honestly seemed like a student film at the beginning. But a way into the movie a character with a bit more zest joined the cast and it was at this point the movie started to come into its own. The characters became interesting and some interesting developments made for a great story. It ends on an ambiguous note which I felt let the whole thing down, this is a film where I wanted to be told what happened. The ambiguity felt like a cop out, like a smart but cliche way to end a story that the writer doesn’t know how to end. It’s something I would do if I wrote something lol. And I am not a great writer. 6.5/10

The Secret Agent: This was different to what I thought it would be and not in a good way. There are some amazing parts in this movie but I compare it to Sinners in the respect it felt disjointed and clunky. If they made the whole movie like the parts where it was hitting on all cylinders, this film would’ve been amazing. When the story waned I was always watching Wagner Moura’s performance as he has been doing well this awards season. Although he is magnetic and holds a great presence, I feel it has nothing on Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme, no one else nominated comes close in my opinion, not even my favourite, DiCaprio. So sadly, The Secret Agent was a bit of a let down for me, I preferred It Was Just An Accident on this movie day and I was sure it would be the other way around. 6/10

Send Help: I half arsed watched all Sam Raimi’s movies leading up to this and only about 2-3 did I really enjoy. Darkman was one of my favourite childhood movies. I had never seen The Quick And The Dead or Drag Me To Hell before and they were great, especially the latter. Sam Raimi can have a 3 stooges type goofiness in his films and it does not gel with me. Raimi fans love him for it but I can’t pretend I like it. Send Help, thankfully, did not have this, to the point of annoyance anyway. This was a great movie, it made me believe the characters and I never knew where the story was going to head, right until the end. The only thing that let this film down was the bad CGI but even then it was forgivable. I can now add another Sam Raimi film to my favourite list. 7/10

MY TOP 3 MOVIES FOR JANUARY:

• Marty Supreme

• Song Sung Blue

• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

MATAKANA CINEMAS:

I saw all 12 films at Matakana Cinemas, which, if you haven’t been, you should pay them a visit.

Averaging out the costs over the 12 films it was:

• $17.21 per ticket (Platinum Membership)

• $19.88 per film for snacks

• $37.09 in total per film

Yes, like any cinema the snacks and drinks are pricey but that’s how they make their money and I am happy to support them.

I live in the middle of nowhere and Matakana Cinemas are the closest and cheapest option for me. But on top of that it is a laid back, boutique 3 x Cinema complex in the heart of Matakana. The staff are always friendly and the cinemas are unique, cosy and comfortable.

They have recliners right up the front of each cinema which are the same price and they are so comfy.

WRAP UP:

Phew what an effort. I say that like I just ran a marathon, when in reality, for a quarter of this month, I have sat on my arse scoffing my face with popcorn, choctops and M&M’s. Still managed to lose 5Kg’s somehow. If I am going to the movies I won’t eat the whole day so I can pig out on the snacks, like a responsible adult.