Favorite of the Favorites: Wrestling Demons and Finding Love

Welcome back to Meet Me In The Lobby, where each month I spotlight the films that found their way onto my list of personal favorites. These are the picks for May 2025, it's a mix of stories that made me laugh, feel, dream, or just unwind for a while.

This month’s top spot goes to a hidden gem that deserves a bigger audience: The Annihilation of Fish.

Here are the four favorites from May:

Nai Nai & Wai Po (2023)
The Annihilation of Fish (1999)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

You can watch Nai Nai & Wai Po on Disney+, The Annihilation of Fish on Kanopy, Queen Charlotte on Netflix, and My Neighbor Totoro on Max. Different moods, different genres, but each one stuck with me.

Now, let’s talk The Annihilation of Fish.

The Annihilation of Fish is one of those hidden gems you stumble across and immediately want to tell your friends about.

James Earl Jones is Fish, a man in a constant, dead-serious wrestling match with a demon no one else can see. He tightens his belt, squares up, and fights it off like clockwork. It is a little sad, a little funny, and surprisingly brave all at once.

Then there is Poinsettia, played by Lynn Redgrave, who chats every day with her imaginary composer sweetheart. She is delicate but never fragile, and you get the feeling she has been lonely for a long time until Fish shows up.

What makes this love story special is how gently it treats its characters’ private worlds. No one tries to fix anyone; instead, they share their weirdness like a secret language. The demon does not vanish just because Fish falls in love, but he finally has someone cheering him on between rounds.

It is tender, odd, and completely charming, the kind of film that feels like a quiet hug at the end of a long week. If you are looking for a romance that is a little different but all heart, The Annihilation of Fish is waiting for you on Kanopy.

See you next time,
✌ Kelsey Faamausili

Favorite of the Favorites: Romans, Rebels, and Ridiculous Fun

Welcome back to Meet Me In The Lobby, where each month I spotlight the films that climbed their way into my personal hall of fame. These are the favorites of April 2025, movies that stuck with me, whether through grand spectacle, unforgettable characters, or just the right amount of camp. 

This month’s top honor goes to a cinematic colossus I was lucky enough to see at the TCM Classic Film Festival, showcased on the largest screen at the TCL Chinese Theatre: Ben-Hur. 

 Here are the four favorites from April: 

 Ben-Hur (1959) 

The Dark Knight (2008) 

Seven Beauties (1975) 

Vegas in Space (1991) 

You can stream Ben-Hur on Max, The Dark Knight on Hulu, Seven Beauties on Kanopy, and Vegas in Space on Prime Video. The lineup is eclectic, but each film earns its place. 

 Now, let’s talk Ben-Hur. 

Seeing Ben-Hur in a packed historic theater, larger than life in every sense, was unforgettable. From the moment the overture began, the music wrapped around the audience like a curtain being pulled open. It’s the kind of score that doesn’t just accompany a film; it tells you you’re about to witness something monumental. 

The story is vast, but never loses its emotional core. Betrayal, endurance, revenge, and redemption are all woven together with a kind of epic sincerity that few films today even attempt. And yes, the chariot race lives up to the legend, and then some. The chariot sequence is everything cinema should be: thrilling, physical, and impossible to look away from. You feel the tension in every turn, the danger in every collision. The dust kicked up by the horses, the whip cracks, the close calls, they don’t feel like stunts. They feel like survival. The scale of the arena, the energy of the crowd, the pounding hooves, it’s all so immersive, it’s hard to believe it was done without CGI. Watching it on such a massive screen, I felt like I was right there in the chaos. 

Visually, Ben-Hur is stunning. The color palette is rich and painterly; deep reds, golds, desert browns, and the piercing blues of the sea and sky. Every frame feels intentional, like it was lit with reverence. The use of color gives the film a timeless quality. It doesn’t look aged, it looks iconic. The texture of the film, the contrast, the warmth of the costumes against the stone walls, all of it comes together to make the world feel full.

The performances are strong throughout, with Charlton Heston leading the charge with both physical presence and emotional weight. But what stood out most to me was how the film integrates the figure of Jesus, not through spectacle, but through quiet, reverent imagery. His presence is felt more than seen, and when he does appear, the moments are powerful without being overstated. Ben-Hur is one of those rare films that delivers on every level: story, sound, performance, and scope. It’s a classic not because it’s old, but because it still moves you. 

And let’s be honest, Ben-Hur trotted so that Gladiator could gallop. 

 See you next time, 

✌ Kelsey Faamausili

Favorite of the Favorites: From Revenge to Resilience

Welcome back to Meet Me In The Lobby, where I break down the movies that elbowed their way to the top of my March 2025 watchlist on Letterboxd. This month was a wild ride across time, space, and genre, and honestly, I am still trying to catch my breath.

Here are the films that survived the gauntlet:

• Lady Snowblood (1973)

• Pride & Prejudice (2005)

• Vai (2019)

• Legally Blonde (2001)

If you want to watch along, you can find Lady Snowblood on Criterion Channel, Pride & Prejudice on Netflix, Vai on Tubi TV, and Legally Blonde on Fandango at Home. Your remote is about to get a workout. Follow me on Letterboxd for more!

Now, on to the main event. Let’s talk Lady Snowblood.

Imagine if a blizzard and a bloodbath had a very stylish baby, and then raised her to be an avenging angel with eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man. That is Lady Snowblood in a nutshell. Released in 1973, this film is what happens when tragedy, beauty, and buckets of fake blood decide to throw a party.

The plot is simple enough to carve into a tombstone. Yuki is born for one purpose, and one purpose only, to wreak holy havoc on the people who destroyed her family before she ever drew her first breath.

Let’s talk about the special effects, because, honestly, they deserve a standing ovation. No fancy computers, no green screens, just raw, practical magic. Blood does not politely leak out in Lady Snowblood. It geysers, it pirouettes through the air, it paints entire landscapes in shades of regret. Every fight scene feels like it was staged by a poet with a grudge, and every crimson splash feels weirdly cathartic, like violence elevated to an art form.

Cinematographer Masaki Tamura treats every frame like a living painting. The bold color contrasts, the careful staging, the surreal beauty of snow falling softly over a massacre, it is cinema that knows exactly what it is doing. Underneath the stylish bloodshed, though, there is  generational trauma, revenge, and the weight of destiny. Yuki is not just slicing throats. She is carrying the unbearable burden of other people's sins.

If you are in the mood for something lush, brutal, and strangely soulful, Lady Snowblood should be your next cinematic obsession. Trust me. 

See you next time,

✌ Kelsey Faamausili

Favorite of the Favorites: A Little Hero with a Big Heart

Welcome to Meet Me In The Lobby, where I talk about my Favorite of the Favorites that I watched from the month of February 2025!

Here are some of my favorite movies from the last month...

Mississippi Masala (1991)
Cecil B. Demented (2000)
Supa Modo (2018)
Ailey (2021)

Here are my ratings for these films: Letterboxd (Follow me and I will follow you back! 😁)

You can stream these films on Criterion Channel, Tubi, Kanopy, or Netflix!

So I watched Supa Modo a few nights ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I wasn’t expecting it to hit so hard. I just put it on, not knowing much about it, and it ended up being one of the most honest, beautiful, and tender movies I’ve seen in a long time.

It’s about Jo, a young girl living with a terminal illness in a small village in Kenya. That sounds like it’s going to be heavy and it is in some moments, but it’s also so full of warmth and love that it doesn’t feel weighed down. Jo wants to be a superhero. She loves movies, she’s got a big imagination, and instead of shutting that down, her whole community decides to help her live out her dream. They stage scenes, pretend to be villains, and make it all feel real for her. It’s done with this incredible gentleness that just kind of sneaks up on you emotionally.

One of the most powerful moments in the film is when Jo “stops a robbery” using her powers. It’s a completely staged event, set up by the villagers, and it sounds simple, but it hits so hard. The way everyone comes together, in full costume, committing to the bit for her sake, it’s just love in action. But what makes the scene even more moving is that Jo is in on it. She knows it isn’t real. She knows they’re pretending. And instead of being upset or calling it out, she plays along. Not because she believes the fantasy, but because she understands what it means to the people around her. She does it for her sister, who orchestrated so much of it, and for the villagers who want to see her smile. It’s such a selfless, quietly powerful act. That moment is pure magic.

There’s something about watching the world through a kid’s eyes that always gets me. They notice everything. They don’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, but they find joy where adults usually don’t. Jo knows what’s happening to her. She’s not in denial. But she still wants to live. And the people around her let her. They give her something to believe in, even just for a little while. I don’t know, it really got to me. It made me think about how we treat people when they’re sick or hurting, and how imagination, real unfiltered imagination, can actually be a form of care.

And the way this movie is so deeply rooted in place, in its language, its rhythms, the way the village moves and breathes, it’s just beautiful. It doesn’t explain itself. It doesn’t cater to a global audience. It just tells this specific, deeply human story and because of that, it feels even more universal. I’ve never been to a village in Kenya, but I’ve seen love like that before. I’ve felt that mix of joy and grief before. That’s the kind of storytelling that really matters.

Supa Modo is quiet. It’s not flashy. But it says a lot with very little. And honestly, it’s one of the most compassionate things I’ve watched in a long time. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you feel everything and maybe remind you to be a little softer with the people around you, this is it.

See you next time,
✌ Kelsey Faamausili

Letterboxd: @kelsey_mf

Favorite of the Favorites : A Deep Dive into Connection, Family, and Grief

Welcome to Meet Me In The Lobby, where I discuss my Favorite of the Favorites that I watched from the month of January 2025!

Here are some of my favorite movies from the last month...

- Field of Dreams (1989)

- His Three Daughters (2023)

- The Band Wagon (1953)

- A Real Pain (2024)

Here are my ratings for these films: Letterboxd (Follow me and I will follow you back! 😁)

You can watch these films on Netflix, Tubi, Fandango at Home, or Hulu!

There's something intimate about a film that doesn't shy away from the complexities of real life. His Three Daughters, which is available on Netflix, is just that, a picture that captivates, rattles, and leaves you thinking about the complexity of family long after the credits have rolled.

For anyone who has ever dealt with family relations after a loss, the palpable sense of unease is evident from the opening credits. The film follows three sisters, each very different but emotionally connected, who come together as their father nears the end of his life. What follows is an emotionally raw depiction of loss, love, and the collision of emotions that occurs when loved ones are confined in close quarters under intolerable conditions.

The performances in this film are nothing short of spectacular. The performances of the actors make it seem less like a staged drama and more like an intimate look into the lives of real people. There are no antagonists, no one-dimensional characters to root for or against. Instead, we see complex, real people who are striving to do their best despite the fact that it may not be enough. The rawness of their relationships, the unedited pain and frustration, are what make this film so moving.

Family isn't always easy. Love and animosity, common ground and individual hardships all intertwine in this complex web. His Three Daughters does a fantastic job of capturing the complexity that arises when a loved one is nearing the end of their life. The film does not strive to tie everything up neatly since that is not how life works. Instead, it fills us with painfully real situations of anger, tenderness, regret, and connection.

Watching this movie, I was reminded of my own experiences with family, of the way emotions can shift so quickly in times of crisis. One second, you’re reminiscing over childhood memories, and the next, you’re in a heated argument over who’s handling what.

His Three Daughters is a difficult film to watch, but it is necessary. The film makes you face some unpleasant realities: your own death, the unpredictability of human relationships, and the fact that love and conflict are frequently inseparable. If you want something that seems true, that doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties of family and grief, this is a film you must see.

With that in mind, get some tissues ready, because His Three Daughters is the kind of movie that stays with you long after the last scene ends.

In the meantime, I will see you next time in the lobby!

✌Kelsey Faamausili

Letterboxd: @kelsey_mf

Favorite of the Favorites: It's A Whimsical Wicked Winter!

Welcome to Meet Me In The Lobby, where I will discuss my Favorite of the Favorites that I watched from the month of December 2024!

Here are some of my favorite movies from the last month...

- A Town Called Panic (2009)

- Wicked (2024)

- Nickel Boys (2024)

- Emilia Perez (2024)

Here are my ratings for these films: Letterboxd (Follow me and I will follow you back! 😁)

You can watch these films on Netflix, Kanopy, Fandango at Home, or in theatres!

But the film I'll be discussing is Wicked (2024)! Before seeing the film, I had some idea of what it was about. I knew it had to be set in Oz and revolve around the witches from The Wizard of Oz. I really wanted to walk into this film blind and not know anything about the storyline. I ignored any reviews, spoilers, and trailers that revealed too much! As the screening date neared, I was so successful that I informed my family I didn't want to hear anything about the film! 😫

So, what are my feelings about this film? Well, this was a complete masterpiece! After seeing that, I felt inspired! It was a very touching piece, especially towards the end; here is my honest review on Letterboxd: 

This was one of the most intricate films I've seen in a long time! The singing and acting were excellent, as was the sound, make-up, costumes, choreography, cinematography, and overall production quality. If I were to consider the film's message, I feel it would cover a wide range of topics with which audiences may identify.

Also, I spoke with a puppeteer in Los Angeles, who highlighted how much puppetry there was in this production. From shadow puppetry, to toy theatre, and large-scale puppets, it was incredible the array of puppetry styles the director used to tell the story! This touch added a quirky element to the film's aesthetic.

Some Letterboxd reviews expressed that they disliked the CGI. I understand from that perspective, but everything else overshadowed that. The filmmaker wonderfully captured the essence of combining the theater culture with the film culture, and if you enjoy musicals or Wicked on Broadway, this is the film for you! In the larger scheme of things, I'd say this film took me on a journey, and I'm looking forward to Part II.

In the meantime, I will see you next time in the lobby!

✌Kelsey Faamausili

Letterboxd: @kelsey_mf

Grab Your Popcorn: Let’s Talk Movies!

Coming Soon...

Welcome to "Meet Me in the Lobby," your laid-back hangout for all things film! Join Kelsey Faamausili each month as she shares her favorite of favorites from her Letterboxd profile. It’s a cozy spot to relax, read, and chat about movies.—coming soon in 2025!