Wonder Watchlist

The month of love has come to an end, which also happens to be my birthday month! And as I celebrated my 31st birthday on the 22nd of the month, I took some much-needed time off to go movie hunting. There were some films this month that have been a long time coming to cross off my watchlist. February hasn’t been the best month for new releases, so having an ever-growing list of films to supplement comes in handy.

Runner ups that didn’t quite make the list: Dogman, Cleaner, and The Monkey.

5. Queen of the Ring (2025) – Dir, Ash Avildsen.

The story of Mildred Burke is one I had never heard of until watching Ash Avildsen’s film Queen of the Ring. But it’s one everyone should know, just like any other athlete that breaks new ground. Her name should be known in all households as the first female wrestler and million-dollar athlete. It’s a small-budget film that would work better as a series; nonetheless, it’s an enjoyable watch that will inspire with its underdog story shown through the eyes of a woman in the 1930s when wrestling was illegal for her gender.

Where I watched: Screener for review.

4. Big Boys (2023) – Dir, Corey Sherman.

Coming-of-age films allow us to relive our most formative moments, connecting us to one another through experiences. Big Boys reminds us of the importance of queer stories and their ability to make us empathize. I am grateful for the opportunity to catch this one because it’s so, so, soooo refreshing to see a lead who takes up space. As a bigger-bodied person myself, there’s an awkwardness in our growing pains that isn’t seen in an average-bodied person. It’s easy to connect with the film’s lead through his flawed sense of maturity and lovable nature.

Where I watched: Screener for review.

3. Roger & Me (1989) – Dir, Michael Moore.

As a Michigander, I’ve been looking deeper into the history of the state I’ve called home my entire life. And as I’m getting older and wanting to buy a home with my partner, we’ve been looking at areas that are affordable with deep history. Moore explores the devastating impacts the automotive industry leaving the city of Flint, Michigan, had, with General Motors CEO Roger Smith laying off over 130,000 automotive workers. The impacts that it has had on the city are still seen nearly 50 years later. As someone who travels to Flint almost biweekly, it would be nice to see a follow-up to this exploring the generational trauma and poverty it has caused.

Where I Watched: Amazon Prime Streaming

2. Midnight Special (2016) – Dir, Jeff Nichols.

I asked my Twitter friends what I should watch between this and another Jeff Nichols film Take Shelter, and this only slightly won. Going into this blind was a great experience and might be my favorite Michael Shannon performance that I’ve seen from him. A beautiful story about knowing your child is gifted and keeping them safe no matter what. I loved the sci-fi elements, keeping the intrigue alive even when some characters were a tad underwhelming.

Where I Watched: Blu Ray at home

1. Parasite (2019) – Bong Joon Ho

Please don’t yell at me for not seeing this until now! It unfortunately fell through the cracks for me, and it’s one of those movies that I was afraid to say that I hadn’t seen. With that said, it’s a masterpiece! Loved its themes of social hierarchy and class, how poor families and rich families navigate life, how hard work is viewed, and the ways success is achieved and rewarded. The way Ho balances the film’s situational comedy and tension makes the film’s runtime fly by. And when that staircase moment happens in Parasite, it picks up into a whole new experience. There’s not a moment in the film that I wasn’t totally locked in, and I’m glad to have been able to experience it for the first time, with no spoilers.

Where I watched: IMAX Re-release

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