Written by Moriah

In making my 2025 resolutions, I made it a goal to do more things I enjoy rather than fall back into patterns of stressing over things I can’t control. And one of the ways I am currently achieving that is by watching more movies. Which I quickly turned into a mini game of how strange or unconnected a double feature can get? And extra points are given if I can connect the dots of familiar themes.

Last year I watched the Book of Clarence (2024) in theaters, absolutely enjoyed it. Then an hour after leaving the theater, I drove back and watched Mean Girls (2024) and the wild shift in topics from a get-rich-quick scheme in biblical times to Renee Rapp singing World Burn, was enough to make me want to try something like that again. So I did, with poor results. Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962) following a woman waiting for the results of a biopsy does not mesh well with the dance sequences of Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024). 

And Sidelined: The QB and Me (2024) the wattpad/webtoon/tubi collaboration was a nightmare when put against Die Hard (1988). While all of these movies technically cover “complex” relationships, unless I had a whiteboard, some thread, and a capri sun packet. I would not have the time to format a proper connection between them.

Granted I just came up with the game part of this movie selection earlier this week, and if I didn’t have a job, I’d be watching Lego Ninjago for the rest of the semester. I have a special talent of turning any hobby that could bring peace and joy to my routine into a stressful endeavor. So the list to start is pretty small for the moment with a checklist to follow: Can this be connected, do I think I’ll enjoy it, and will it be worth my time?

Freaky (2020) & Raya the Last Dragon (2021)

This combination was the result of putting my letterboxd watchlist on shuffle. And my friend had pointed out how pretty the contrast of the covers were. The same director of Happy Death Day working with Kathryn Newton is a duo I’ve been interested in seeing since it came out. Yet it never moved up on my list despite enjoying horror movies more and more. Going from that to another film that just never moved up the list while having an actress I like be the main character, Raya has Kelly Marie Tran in it! And it has been far too long since I’ve really sat down to watch an animated movie that wasn’t required for analysis. So there is potential here.

Can this be connected: I doubt it, as the combo was pulled randomly.

Do I think I’ll enjoy it: I hope.

Will it be worth my time: Unsure, could work as a background movie as I crochet or do homework.

Madame Web (2024) & Your Monster (2024)

Anytime I have a really bad day, I put Madame Web on for about two seconds and realize it indeed could be worse. But I never make it through the first twenty minutes, maybe it is time to watch it fully so I can be an educated hater. But to make up for that time spent, I could watch the new Melissa Barrera film I have been wanting to see since I missed it in theaters! It would be fun to go from something I’ve seen every spoiler possible for to something I have been able to avoid spoiling. This feels less like a good combination and more like putting a bandaid on the horrors.

Can this be connected: I hope not

Do I think I’ll enjoy it: Error, answer not found.

Will it be worth my time: Any film with Melissa Barrera in it is worth my time.

Again, I have a gift of making fun little games stressful for myself. And these are not the best combinations to make to set this up for success. I have two movies I have to watch for class by the end of this week but here I am making a little spreadsheet of my January media stats. If necessary, I’ll replace a film with something more suited towards my current interests. But for now, I will be watching Critical Role’s Campaign 3 finale.