January and February are infamous for being the worst months of school. DC winters are bleak and the school workload is nothing short of treacherous. However, as we trudge forward towards spring and subsequently Oscar season, we have a proposal for you. We invite you to watch as many movies as possible to stave off the winter blues. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite recent releases. 

• Marty Supreme

“Marty Supreme is an American Film,” announced acclaimed actor Timothee Chalamet prior to its Christmas Day release. Set in the 1950s in the Lower East Side of New York City, Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser: a young, overconfident shoe-salesman who is hellbent on becoming the greatest ping-pong player in the world. 

His story is very loosely based upon the real life ping-pong champion, Marty Reisman, which A24 spins into a chaotic story about the consequences of Mauser’s explosive ego and journey towards humility. If the fact that this movie is about ping-pong dissuades you, fear not: the cast is filled with notable figures such as Odessa A’zion, Tyler the Creator, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin O’Leary. 

While each character’s life is uprooted in one way or another by Marty’s selfishness, we could not help but root for him throughout the story. The movie can only be described as an electric celebration of delusion and ping-pong; seriously just go watch it!

• Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Deliver Me from Nowhere is a deeply moving biopic. It recounts the making of “Nebraska”, Bruce Springsteen’s sixth studio album, while shedding light upon Springsteen’s inner turmoil as an artist confronting himself through his work. “Nebraska,” released September 30, 1982, was a complete departure from Springsteen’s usual rock’n’roll sound; this one captured much darker, more personal themes than others showcased in previous albums. 

Springsteen is masterfully embodied by the star of The Bear, Jeremy Allen White, who expertly conveys themes of honest, human experiences and finding meaning in a harsh world with his performance. This played a large role in the movie’s on-point atmosphere, which closely mirrored the rawness, emptiness, and storytelling that made each Nebraska track. 

• Zootopia 2

Ten years ago the first Zootopia movie came out, and since then the movie has become a staple of our childhoods, much to the likes of Frozen.  Like the last movie, Zootopia 2 comments on real-world issues, this time focusing on gentrification, colonialism, and systemic racism, all of which are relevant to the current political landscape of America. 

The music and plot twists of Zootopia 1 are superior to that of Zootopia 2, but this new movie still encapsulates the nostalgia we were hoping for. On that note, if you’ve still neglected to watch the movie, what are you waiting for?

• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Wake Up Dead Man is the third installment to the Knives Out Series. Wake Up Dead Man follows Father Jud (portrayed by Challengers star Josh O’Connor), an earnest young priest who becomes entangled in a seemingly impossible crime at a small-town church. The movie offers a nuanced take on the intersection of religion and American culture, highlighting hypocrisy within organized religion as well as the compassion and healing properties of faith. 

Furthermore, this Knives Out movie takes pointed jabs at  American Conservatism reflected by the church regulars, from the Fundamentalist Monsignor to a young Republican politician turned right-wing influencer. It’s not uncommon for Knives Out to deliver relevant social commentary, as the first two reflected issues of racism, class division, and political polarization. 

The movie continues the Knives Out tradition of providing a mind boggling and exhilarating mystery while still relating back to our world today, the only setback is the movie’s 2hr 30min run-time, but let’s be honest: we all sat through each Stranger Thing’s release for much longer. 

Whether you are in search of ping-pong prodigies, yet another (absolutely fantastic) music biopic, an ever-iconic cartoon throwback, or a small-town murder mystery, we can guarantee there’s something for everyone.  As the Oscars approach and this frigid weather drags on, you may as well go see a movie! You won’t regret it! •