Holding the power of being your opening thoughts to this week’s issue, I am giving you a list of (some of) my favourite films and why you should most definitely watch them (after reading this issue):  

1.        Juno (2007)  

This is the best romcom ever, and don’t let the genre romcom scare you because it is not like the how to lose a guy in 10 days romcoms, this is a funny drama/romance. I take the cake for my favourite film.  

2.        Lady bird (2017)  

Lady Bird is Juno for the slightly more intellectual. Not the films, just the characters. They are really the same person in different fonts. Lady Bird has a softer storyline, but the format creates higher stakes. A bit more of a dark romcom.  

3.        The sound of music (1965)  

The musical of all musicals. Julie Andrews is the best woman to ever grace us. Please I promise it’s not boring like everyone says it is. Just tell yourself it’s a war films. Please.  

4.        I saw the tv glow (2024)  

The best experimental thriller of 2024. Such a simple narrative twisted to be so complex and thought provoking. A film for the sick thought daughters who like a bit of thriller.  

5.        Frances ha (2012)  

A staple film that I think every woman should watch. Greta Gerwig before she became the Barbie director (aka coolest person ever). 45% drama, 35% romance, 20% comedy, 100% amazing.   

6.        Fantastic planet (1973)  

Another sick experimental film. If you like international cinema and/or animation, this is the film for you. The soundtrack is the coolest thing ever. I mean it’s so fucking sick! This film will make you never want to squash an ant ever again (watch it and you’ll understand).  

7.        Brother bear (2003)  

The best Disney film EVER created. Whether you love or hate Disney this film hits so hard. Its teaching kids such an important lesson too sooooo please. Second best animated kids film (after Shrek 2)  

8.        We were dangerous (2024)  

The most underrated Aotearoa film ever. Highlighting such an unknown travesty of colonial life as young Māori woman. Has the perfect calculation of drama and comedy, extremely engaging film.  

9.        The breakfast club (1985)  

Staple film, it’s a classic for a reason. The soundtrack, the weird ass characters, the stereotypes are played so well that you can’t really tell if they’re breaking down the barriers or creating them. But none the less, this film is fantastic and a great stepping stone into 20th century classic films.  

10.  Kinds of Kindness (2024)  

Weird fucking concepts but it’s such an interesting watch. An experimental body horror, and it paid off. The cast is absolutely stacked, and they all have the most insane chemistry. Definitely top 10 most weird films I’ve ever watched and that is really saying something. So worth a watch even if you don’t actually understand what’s going on.