We’ve got a lot of award-nominated films this month, so you’re guaranteed to find something worth watching! From the lauded performances of Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon and Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue, to the exceptional and Best Leading Actor BAFTA-winning performance from Robert Aramayo in I Swear, you might find your time well filled in the coming days!

This month’s TTRs includes: Blue Moon; Die My Love; Eternity; F1; I Swear; The Lost Bus; Pillion; Song Sung Blue; Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

Director: Richard Linklater
Writer: Robert Kaplow
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Jonah Lees, Simon Delaney, Patrick Kennedy

Towards the end of his life, American musical lyricist Lorenz Hart had burnt many bridges due to his alcoholism, and Richard Linklater’s film focuses on an introspective Hart during and after the March 31st 1943 opening night of Oklahoma!, the hit musical created by Richard Rodgers, Hart’s former songwriting partner, and Oscar Hammerstein. Hart is portrayed as quite the cynical and verbose man, creating an uncomfortable air of awakwardness at times, and yet it’s clear to see how much those around him truly loved him, often in spite of his flaws (and in spite of his inappropriate feelings for a woman half his age…). Ethan Hawke gives an excellent performance in a role he’d been waiting a decade to play (with Linklater insisting he was too young previously and that they wait until he looked the part), making every line of dialogue count – being a dialogue-heavy film, it was quite an achievement on Hawke’s part that the pacing never faltered. Margaret Qualley and Bobby Cannavale suitably complete a trifecta of strong performances that hold up the weight of the movie, along with Andrew Scott playing a convincing Richard Rodgers.

Director: Lynne Ramsay
Writers: Enda Walsh, Lynne Ramsay, Alice Birch
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek, Nick Nolte, LaKeith Stanfield

Although her filmography is limited, I am a fan of Lynne Ramsay and continue to be with her latest film, Die My Love. Young couple Grace (Lawrence) and Jackson (Pattinson) move into Jackson’s recently passed uncle’s house while Grace is pregnant. Once she gives birth, her entire demeanour and attitude begins to change and Jackson starts to become more distant. It’s an uncomfortable but important delve into postpartum depression and the mental effect it has on a woman and those around her. It’s a psychological thriller but doesn’t shy away from the horror of PPD and the dangers it poses, with their change from the busy New York to the isolated house in Montana perpetuating Grace’s illness. Lawrence is wonderful in her role and delves in deep to pull out something visceral, and Pattinson bounces well off of her madness, although it does come across as them just being their actual quirky selves at times.

Director: David Freyne
Writers: Pat Cunnane, David Freyne
Cast: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olson, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, Da’Vine Joy Randolph

If you’ve loved more than one person (romantically) in your life, who would you choose to spend eternity with? This is the ultimate question in David Freyne’s film, in which Joan (Olsen) has to make her choice between her first husband Luke (Turner), who died in the Korean War during their short-lived marriage, and her second husband Larry (Teller), to whom she was married for 65 years until death and who she had children with. As much as it’s Joan’s decision to make, Freyne makes it so much more about Larry and what he and Joan had in spite of their bickering toward the end of their lives. It’s also interesting to see what each man represents on a grander scale: Luke is that first love that never leaves you yet you never (or rarely) go back to, and Larry is the lifelong love, the one that has been through the metaphorical trenches and perhaps meant so much more. It’s a funny film with a beautiful emotional core and has some strong performances.

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writer: Ehren Kruger
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Kim Bodnia, Sarah Niles

After thirty years away from racing due to a serious crash, Formula One driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) returns to help an ex-teammate’s losing team make a comeback. Even if you’re not into racing or know very little about it (like me), there’s still a lot to get out of this film. The story is relatable to anyone who has had to take time out and return to something in spite of a negative reputation. The races are very well shot and the sound design is excellent (the film has just won the Best Sound category at the BAFTAs at the time of writing), and the actual racing is quite thrilling. The story doesn’t scream originality, but the setting is what gives the film its legs (wheels?). Brad Pitt puts in a good performance, though it doesn’t really add anything new to his filmography, and there are some great supporting performances from Kerry Condon and Damson Idris. F1 is up for a few awards at this year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture but mostly technical awards, which says a lot about the high level of production in this film.

Director: Kirk Jones
Writer: Kirk Jones
Cast: Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, Peter Mullan, Scott Ellis Watson

In this absolutely stunning film based on a true story, John Davidson (Aramayo) lives with Tourette Syndrome that changed his life at the age of just 12. He navigates life while simultaneously alienating and endearing those around him, culminating in campaigning for better awarness of those with Tourette’s. Aramayo’s performance is incredible and very reminiscent of a young Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, specifically in that he really did his research and put in a very sincere, respectful and eye-opening performance. The supporting performances were fantastic, with Maxine Peake adding the heart to the film alongside Aramayo’s soulful performance. The story is powerful and it fully utilises substance over style. As of writing (and just fifteen hours ago), Aramayo has won both the Rising Star and Best Leading Actor awards at the BAFTAs and the film has won Best Casting, all of which are completely deserved, even with Aramayo up against DiCaprio himself, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, Jesse Plemons and Timothée Chalamet. British cinema at some of its best.

Director: Paul Greengrass
Writers: Brad Ingelsby, Paul Greengrass, based on the novel Paradise by Lizzie Johnson
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, Katie Wharton, Kay McCabe McConaughey, Levi McConaughey

When a horrific (human-caused) wildfire engulfs communities in Northern California, school bus driver Kevin (McConaughey) is tasked with helping a class of school children and their teacher get to safety, though he is torn between rescuing the children and getting medicine to his own son, with whom he has a fractious relationship. Based on a novel and actual events that occurred in 2018, The Lost Bus has all the emotion and depth of a true-to-life story, and Matthew McCanaughey’s intrinsic ability to make a character three-dimensional heightens what could otherwise have been a pretty standard disaster film. America Ferrera’s own talents are strong enough to compliment McConaughey’s, and together they make quite the formidable duo onscreen. The story is a stark reminder of the responsibilities we have towards the environment and how big companies need to take further action in protecting the communities they serve.

Director: Harry Lighton
Writer: Harry Lighton, based on the novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones
Cast: Harry Melling, Alexander Skarsgård

Shy gay man Colin (Melling), who still lives with his parents, meets biker Ray (Skarsgård), and they embark on a BDSM relationship, which Colin is initially unaware of as he tries to romance Ray. He is soon pulled into Ray’s gay biker community, and although Ray doesn’t entirely reciprocate Colin’s feelings, Colin embraces the opportunity to explore his sexuality. A film such as this, with its eroticism and quite sexually graphic scenes, could easily have fallen into gratuitous territory, but fortunately the sexual encounters fully inform Colin’s character arc and balance two sides to the BDSM aspect, one being Colin’s, the other Ray’s. Melling fully embraces the role and is even able to showcase a comedic side to his acting abilities while Skarsgård mirrors his more-experienced acting career by being the clear dominant in his scenes with Melling, though it’s actually Colin we’re far more interested in. A terrific film with wonderfully believable performances.

Director: Craig Brewer
Writer: Craig Brewer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson

Based on the true story of musicians Mike (Jackson) and Claire Sardina (Hudson), aka Lightning and Thunder, the film tells their story from the day they met up until Mike’s death. What really makes this film stand out is the love story of Claire and Mike and how they overcame obstacles, one big one being Claire’s life-changing accident, and how they worked together on their Neil Diamond tribute group. Jackman puts in a wonderful performance, but Hudson shines as Claire Sardina, really getting deep into her mindset amidst her relationship with Mike and how she goes through life post-accident. It’s little wonder Hudson has been nominated for numerous Supporting Actress awards, a career-defining performance in a very genuine film.

Director: Rob Reiner
Writers: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner
Cast: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner

A sequel that has been looooong-awaited, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues sees the eponymous band reunite for a final show, with just as much, if not more, shenanigans than the 1984 film. Despite their age, Guest, McKean and Shearer are as hilarious as ever in their dry humour, showing how they became the original name in mockumentaries and continue to pave the way. The late Rob Reiner made his final film appearance, and although we lost him in the most tragic of ways, we are fortunate that we got to see him return to one of his best-known projects and absolutely smash it before his untimely death. If you are a fan of This is Spinal Tap, you will likely be very pleased with this sequel.