I forgot to do this after June and I didn’t watch enough films in July to make two separate lists so here are my recommendations from the films I watched for the first time in the last 2 months.

English

Drama

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Plot Summary – A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. An FBI agent makes it his mission to put him behind bars. But Frank not only eludes capture, he revels in the pursuit.

An absolute classic and for good reason. The chemistry and bromance between Leo and Tom Hanks propel this film (hehe) and the score and plot entrance you. This is a must-watch and I would blindly recommend this to anyone.

Paris, Texas (1984)

Plot Summary – A man wanders out of the desert not knowing who he is. His brother finds him, and helps to pull his memory back of the life he led before he walked out on his family and disappeared four years earlier.

An absolute masterpiece. The entire film is bone-chilling not because of any events in the film but rather because of the atmosphere created by the director which just brings this eerie vibe to the entire film which culminates in this spectacular final scene with a brilliant monologue that leaves you thinking about the film for days after you’ve watched it. In addition, the cinematography is absolutely stunning and nearly every shot is worth framing.

Luca (2021)

Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Plot Summary – Luca and his best friend Alberto experience an unforgettable summer on the Italian Riviera. But all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

I’ve grown to like this film even more than when I watched it and I’m pretty confident in saying that this is another gem in Pixar’s catalogue. The film has these immaculate vibes that are just so hard to describe and the whole thing is just so wholesome and yet so breezy. It’s not an overcomplicated world or a high-stakes adventure like we’re used to from Pixar. It’s just a beautifully animated, light-hearted film that has so much to take from.

A Death in the Gunj (2017)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Plot Summary – A sensitive university student unraveling while on a week-long vacation with a crowd of cocksure relatives and family friends.

Vikrant Massey is so so talented and I absolutely loved every aspect of this film. I was really impressed by the way it shows the slow descent into madness and the inherent toxic masculinity in our familial structures and how this can affect the supposed ‘weaker’ males. The vibes of the film were absolutely chilling and it felt like a horror movie even though there were no horror elements.

Hindi

Drama

Manmarziyaan (2018)

Where to Watch: ErosNow

Plot Summary – A spirited girl finds herself caught in a complicated love triangle while burdened with societal and familial pressures.

Manmarziyaan is probably one of my favourite Hindi movies ever. It’s direction at it’s best and Anurag Kashyap shows mastery of his craft while showing this maddening yet realistic love triangle. You really don’t know who’s side to take throughout the film and the moral ambiguity makes it such an interesting watch. Abhishek Bachchan’s performance in this film is my single favourite by an actor in a Hindi film and that’s saying a lot considering both Tapsee and Vicky Kaushal give it their all in this film.

Thappad (2020)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Plot Summary – Amrita’s life gets shattered into pieces when her husband slaps her at a party and this particular action raises several questions as to what her relationship stands for.

Thappad disassembles the patriarchy in such a interesting perspective and it makes you self-reflect on your own values as you see this ‘minor’ situation snowball into a ‘big deal’ because of the mitigating circumstances. This is a cold mirror to society and I think every Indian should watch this film. Tapsee is a brilliant actress and it shows.

Comedy

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Plot Summary – On a cruise to celebrate their parents’ 30th wedding anniversary, a brother and sister deal with the impact of family considerations on their romantic lives.

What can I say about this classic that hasn’t been said? Go watch it and enjoy yourself.

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Plot Summary: Om – an aspiring actor from the 1970s – is murdered, but is reincarnated into the present day as a superstar. At the discovery of his previous lifetime, he plans revenge for his love, Shanti who died with him.

An extremely entertaining film that manages to encapsulate Bollywood perfectly in both the most self-aware, satirical ways and the most obnoxiously, self-indulgent ways. It’s so unashamed to be itself that you never feel alienated by the film and are constantly entertained. The soundtrack is also easily one of the best I’ve heard in a film. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Malayalam

Drama

The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Plot Summary – After marriage, a woman struggles to be the submissive wife that her husband and his family expect her to be. The story follows her journey, as she changes herself and, even more so, changes the household.

This film caused huge controversy on my family groupchat because they were so offended that a film so accurately portrayed what happens in our patriarchal households. This is probably one of my favourite Indian films ever and its portrayal of the patriarchy and the oppression of women in our households is unparalleled. It is brave and doesn’t hold back in showing the reality of the situation in so many households in India and for that I need to applaud. Everyone needs to watch this film. Whether you’re Indian or not, whether you’re a male or not, it doesn’t matter. Watch it.

Nayattu (2021)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Plot Summary – Three police officers are forced to go on the run when they get tangled in the death of a youth, a few days before the election.

Somehow managed to be a political drama, a social commentary piece and a thriller all at the same time while keeping you entertained throughout. It tackles so many things so well, from the performances to the pacing, from the screenplay to the cinematography everything is excellent in this film. It captures Kerala and the surroundings in such an authentic way.

Marathi

The Disciple (2020)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Plot Summary: Self-doubt, sacrifice and struggle converge into an existential crisis for a devoted classical vocalist as the mastery he strives for remains elusive.

A slow-burn masterpiece showing the futility of artistry. Everything about this film was perfect.

If you got to this part of the article, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy these films! Thank you for reading.