Favorite First-Time Watches of January 2026
Trying to bring this back monthly for 2026. One of my favorite things to do is recommend movies to people. Bonus if I can put a movie on your radar that you have not heard of. So, I’m going to try my best to be consistent monthly with this write-up.
Vulcanizadora (2025) – Joel Potrykus
Joel Potrykus makes cinematic punk-rock. His second film, Buzzard, was incredibly unpolished in your face. Full of unlikable characters, it feels anti-Hollywood at every turn. Joel’s latest film is a spiritual sequel to Buzzard. The same two main characters, only they’ve gotten sadder. Kind of like they never grew up, instead of being punk, now they’re just lame.
The Ugly Stepsister (2025) – Emilie Blichfeldt
Cinderella by way of David Cronenberg, as told from the point of view of one of the evil step-sisters. It’s gruesome and deservedly earned a Best Make-Up and Hairstyling nomination at the Oscars. Body horror is finally being taken seriously by the Academy. Never thought I’d see the day.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) – Nia DaCosta
If 28 Years Later is the Prometheus of this franchise, then The Bone Temple is Alien Covenant. Brutal, nasty, and the final 20 minutes are some of the best stuff I’ve seen on the big screen in a minute. I didn’t think they’d make a sequel as good as 28 Years Later, but I’m glad to be wrong.
The Earrings of Madame de… (1953) – Max Ophuls
This film follows a pair of earrings as they change hands in a series of betrayals and tragedies. I’ve never seen a film do a complete 180 in its themes, but so subtly you don’t realize it’s turning. It’s a special film and a personal favorite of Paul Thomas Anderson.
The American President (1995) – Rob Reiner
Filling in my Rob Reiner gaps and added one of my biggest blind spots in his filmography. Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed this extended episode/prequel episode of The West Wing. All complimentary. I miss the days when great directors used Sorkin scripts rather than Sorkin directing his own scripts.
The Testament of Ann Lee (2025) – Mona Fastvold
A non-traditional musical biopic about the woman who started the Shaker movement. People who practice religion through song and dance. It’s hypnotic and truly original, with an astounding performance by Amanda Seyfried at the center of it. We will look back in 20 years and wonder how she was not nominated for this performance.
Hard Boiled (1992) – John Woo
A mutual on Letterboxd described this film as “An orgy of action”. It’s about the best way to describe this film. A major inspiration on Hollywood, even earning John Woo a seat at the Hollywood table.
Every 20 minutes, there is an action sequence that would be most other action films’ climax. Not to mention it’s Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung, two Hong Kong greats. Incredible stuff.
