Dir. Joel Anderson
Genre: Horror, mockumentary
Story: After 16-year-old Alice Palmer drowns in a local dam, her family experiences a series of strange, inexplicable events centred in and around their home. Unsettled, the Palmers seek the help of psychic and parapsychologist, who discovers that Alice led a secret, double life. At Lake Mungo, Alice’s secret past emerges.
This movie is so deceptively chilling and eerie, I love the documentary style, I love the poignant message it delivers about grief and moving on, I love love love all of the ghost scenes, truly there is nothing not to adore! I love Alice, she's such a layered character despite the fact that she never once truly shows up in this film.
Dir. Cory Finley
Genre: Black comedy
Story: Two teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. In the process, they learn that neither is what she seems to be, and that a murder might solve both of their problems.
This movie is so bizarre, in everything from the editing to the score, and I love it! The film itself portrays the equally strange friendship between two wealthy subarbanites - they're normal, this is just how horsegirls are.
Dir. Peter Jackson
Genre: High fantasy
Story: Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.
I adore the whole LoTR series, but Two Towers is definitely my favourite. I especially love the scenes set in Rohan, and I love the detail put into bringing the city to life.
Dir. Henry Selick
Genre: Fantasy
Story: When Coraline moves to an old house, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. She finds a hidden door with a bricked up passage. During the night, she crosses the passage and finds a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, with caring parents and all her dreams coming true. When the Other Mother invites Coraline to stay in her world forever, the girl refuses and finds that the alternate reality where she is trapped is only a trick to lure her.
What to even say about Coraline! It's a masterpiece of stopmotion, and I adore watching it. It's so charming!
Dir. James Wan
Genre: Horror
Story: Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.
I'm super duper fond of The Conjuring series. It doesn't even scare me anymore, that's how many times I've seen it. I love Ed and Lorraine, I love the cinematography, and I love the scenes when the investigation begins. Awesome movie!
Dir. David Lowery
Genre: Fantasy
Story: An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men.
I am so fond of stories about knights and honour (and the lack thereof) and everything about this movie from its score to its visuals to its script was handmade to appeal to me, personally.
Dir. Greta Gerwig
Genre: Coming of age
Story: A California high school student plans to escape from her family and small town by going to college in New York, much to the disapproval of wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mother.
I haven't not cried watching this movie a single time. That is all. It's such a beautiful movie (even if Chalamet's role irks me a bit). I love re-watching it.
Dir. Guillermo del Toro
Genre: Sci-fi, action
Story: When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge.
Giant robots fighting giant monsters what else do you want me to say.
Dir. Guillermo del Toro
Genre: Fantasy
Story: Living with her tyrannical stepfather in a new home with her pregnant mother, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores a decaying labyrinth guarded by a mysterious faun who claims to know her destiny. If she wishes to return to her real father, Ofelia must complete three terrifying tasks.
I'm such a sucker for weird fairy tale-esque stories like this one. Pan's Labyrinth hits that perfect sweetspot of fantasy mired in reality.
Dir. Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Genre: Fantasy
Story: As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.
I grew up with this movie. Its score: sublime. It's story: world-shattering. History was made. Minds were blown.