by Anishametra Saravanan  

As a film lover who sometimes forgets I have a movie list to get through by the year’s end (guilty as charged), I’m on a mission to squeeze in some inspiration before the year wraps up. With the clock ticking, my watchlist is a mix of unseen stories just waiting to sprinkle a bit of magic on my last days of 2023. So, here’s a lineup of movies that promises to jazz up our spirits before the countdown to 2024 begins. 

So, grab your popcorn and join me as we dive into a list of films that will entertain, humour, and touch your heart before the New Year kicks off! 

Matt Damon and Christian Bale step into the shoes of the iconic duo, legendary automotive designer and sports car driver Caroll Shelby and Ken Miles in this exhilarating film. The duo, along with a team of American and British engineers, are tasked with building the Ford GT40, a new race car with the potential to take on the dominant Ferrari racing team at the 1966 Le Mans race in France. Get ready to be captivated by the sheer determination and passion portrayed in this masterfully crafted automotive film as it blends heart-pounding races, engineering brilliance and the perfect dose of humour.

This film made me contemplate if I should start climbing mountains or just stick to conquering my Everest of unfolded laundry.

This documentary chronicles the audacious quest of Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, who set out to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in an unprecedented 7 months (previously held by a 7-year record). Purja pushes the limits of human potential as the film offers a gripping firsthand account of his perilous climbs as well as the physical, mental and emotional fortitude required to conquer these peaks. With breathtaking cinematography and a powerful narrative, ‘14 Peaks’ is an awe-inspiring exploration of the heights one can reach when fuelled by an unyielding belief that nothing is impossible.

In “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” Chiwetel Ejiofor makes a stellar directorial debut and navigates the audience through a poignant and uplifting narrative. Set against the backdrop of a drought-stricken Malawian village, the film recounts the true story of William Kamkwamba, who embarks on a remarkable journey to build a wind turbine and save his community from famine. Ejiofor’s direction navigates the narrative with a perfect blend of heart and intellect as it captures the audience with suspense. “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is a cinematic triumph that will leave you feeling inspired by the unwavering drive that fuels this extraordinary tale.

In 2003, NASA launched the Mars exploration mission with two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, designed to last around 90 days. However, this documentary unveils the captivating story of these solar-powered, semi-autonomous robots defying expectations by transmitting data and images for years. 

Early in the film, mission manager Steve Squyres remarks, “To say it’s like a child being born would be to trivialise parenthood, but it feels sorta like that.” 

Drawing parallels with Pixar’s Wall-E, the film has a suspenseful narrative filled with brainstorming, troubleshooting, deadline pressures, and gripping moments. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster journey through the triumphs and challenges of these resilient Martian explorers, reminiscent of both human and robotic determination. 

Diana Nyad spent much of her younger years breaking records and boundaries with her long-distance swimming. Now, as she enters her 60s, she is determined to achieve her greatest goal: to swim the 101-mile journey from Cuba to Florida. With swirling fears of age and feelings of mediocrity, she returns to the pool, her first swim for years and it reawakens that thirst, setting her on a mission that many call impossible, including her best friend, Bonnie. With stellar performances from actresses Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, this film is a great reminder to all of us that age is the passport to experience, not a barrier to achievement. 

This biographical drama tells the story of 3 African American female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race, which spanned from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. While gender and racial discrimination in the 50s may have been the common practice, these brilliant women didn’t let societal norms hinder them from playing a key role in NASA’s first mission to send an astronaut into space. This inspiring story goes to show that when determination fuels your will, even the toughest path becomes a road to success. 

What happens when you place an ill-tempered sourpuss, who crankily micromanages everything on his street, in a friendly neighbourhood? 

Set in a suburban neighbourhood of a Rust Belt town, Otto is a perpetually aggrieved, hostile widower who directs his grief over his wife’s death toward the world. As the story progresses, his cold heart starts to thaw as he slowly learns to embrace the cheery and witty characters that surround him. Although the film ranks ‘predictable’ on a scale from cliché to ingenious, it paints a poignant portrait of grief and illustrates how resilience in tough times can be more manageable if you choose to surround yourself with loved ones. 

As we bid farewell to the old and eagerly embrace the new, let’s carry the essence of these stories with us into 2024. Here’s to a year that’s not just about watching movies but living a story worth telling. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the Monday Memo team!

Source:

NPR

Parade

EduAdvisor

Android Authority

The New York Times

The Hollywood Reporter