Words: Clotilde Chinnici

We have all been there: the popcorns are ready, the lights are turned off but you just don’t know what to watch. And so the endless scrolling through Netflix begins and a movie night quickly turns into more time spent browsing their catalogue than actually watching a film. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Like we turn to the stars and constellations in the sky for advice on our daily life, relationships, and work, I am going to let the star decide which film you should watch on your next movie night.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19):

We are starting strong with one of my favourite 2018 films, Crazy Rich Asians (Jon M. Chu). The film follows Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) as they travel to Singapore for the marriage of Nick’s best friend. In Singapore, Rachel is surprised to find out that Nick comes from an extremely wealthy family who is treated like royalty in Singapore and who, perhaps unsurprisingly, doesn’t welcome Rachel in the family. Along with the disapproval of Nick’s mother, in particular, Rachel must face a number of jealous socialites who are after her boyfriend, considered the country’s most eligible bachelor.

Of course, Nick’s family coming from old money and the importance of both traditions and family values are some of the features of the film that make it such a great fit for those born under the Capricorn sign. So if that is you, make sure to give Crazy Rich Asians a watch: you will be fascinated with the discussion around the tradition that is present in the film, which pays particular attention to people’s dislike of the main character due to her being born and raised in the United States and not speaking Cantonese nor being aware of Chinese traditions, which are often mentioned throughout the film.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18):

Aquarius is known for having a unique vision of the world and being an intellectual sign. What film could be best suited for Aquarius then if not Arrival (2016, Denis Villeneuve)? One of the most interesting and unique science fiction films in recent years, Arrival follows the main character, linguistic professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) as she investigates the twelve extraterrestrial spacecraft that have touched down in different locations across the world. She takes on the challenge of figuring out a way to communicate with the aliens as well as understanding what they are trying to tell her, hoping to solve the mystery that might involve her as well as the entirety of mankind.

Science fiction as a genre that can generally be associated with Aquarius but Arrival, in particular, is the film people born under this sign will love. Bradford Young’s masterful cinematography accompanies us throughout the film and throughout the various discoveries Louise, and, through her, the audience, makes throughout the film and the mystery the audience can’t help but try and uncover will appeal to the intellectual and curious side of Aquarius.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

The award-winning French comedy Amélie (2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) is to this day one of the biggest international successes for French films. Amélie is a comedy centred around the titular character Amélie (Audrey Tautou),  a young woman who was brought up by eccentric parents and has a vivid imagination and a mischievous personality. Throughout the film, Amélie secretly orchestrates the lives of those around her to cope with her loneliness. 

Escapist films are in general the genre a Pisces loves the most, and this film in particular will  transport you in a picturesque world made of red and green colours and accordion and piano-driven music. Characterized by its visionary style and its charming portrayal of a mysterious modern-day Paris through the eyes of its naive protagonist, Amélie will appeal to the highly creative and sensitive attitudes of those born under this sign. 

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The 2009 American comedy horror film Jennifer’s Body (Karyn Kusama) has been praised for its dialogue, performance and emotional resonance. It is now considered a cult film, gaining a passionate fanbase and appreciation as a feminist horror film, in particular in the wake of the Me Too movement. The writer of the film, Diablo Cody, said she wanted to highlight female empowerment in the movie, which seems to resonate perhaps more with today’s audiences, given that the film is now considered a forgotten feminist classic. 

Moreover, Cody mentioned one of the central themes of the film when saying that she wanted to explore the complex relationship between two best friends. The two main characters in the story, in fact, seem to have little in common Jennifer Body follows popular high school cheerleader Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) and insecure and studious Anita “Needy” Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried). As Jennifer becomes demonically possessed and kills her male classmates, her best friend does anything she can to stop her. As such, the film seems perfect for an Aries, passionate, headstrong and brave like the characters in Jennifer’s Body. 

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Luxury,  material goods, comfort, ambition, and pleasure. Although these are all things a Taurus loves, I am actually referring to the award-winning romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, Blake Edwards). Based on the homonymous short story by Truman Capote, the film received immediate critical and commercial success, receiving five Oscar nominations, and is now considered culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was also praised for Audrey Hepburn’s performance as the main character Holly Golightly, which she revealed was one of her most challenging roles. 

The character of Holly is now considered one of Hepburn’s most iconic and memorable roles. With her high chignon, cigarette holder, Manhattan sunglasses, and diamond Tiffany necklace, she quickly became the face of 20th century American cinema and is constantly referred to in today’s popular culture.  Clearly, all of these will appeal to someone born under the Taurus sign who will see themselves in the naive and eccentric main characters, her love for material goods, and in particular Tiffany & Co,  and in her intention to marry rich. However, any viewer will fall in love with the central theme of the film, the love story between Holly and her neighbour, struggling writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard)

Gemini (May 21 – June 21)

The 2019 South-Korean film Parasite quickly became a sensation in the film industry, immediately earning its place in film history for the years to come, since its premiere at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Winning numerous awards, it became the first non-English language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture as well as the first South Korean film to win the Palme D’Or at Cannes. The film analyses the symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the poorer Kim family and thus tackles questions of class difference and co-dependence as well as both inter-class and intra-class struggle and discrimination. 

Often defined as a black comedy thriller, Parasite is a film that is hard to describe due to the contamination of genres and aesthetics within the film itself. Similarly, the many highly-crafted and unpredictable twists that dominate the plot of the movie are one of the aspects that make Parasite the masterpiece that it is. Ultimately, these are also the reasons why Geminis would particularly enjoy the film, with its many twists and changes in tone and genre, Parasite can appeal to some of Geminis’ best-known qualities: their curious and indecisive nature, as well as their ability to adapt. 

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Perhaps the most heartbreaking film on this list, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michel Gondry) is most definitely a must-see. Universally acclaimed for its screenplay, editing, visual style, and performances, the movie can be considered amongst one of the best films of the early 21st century. The romantic science-fiction film uses a wide range of elements from different genres, from psychological drama and science fiction, to explore the questions of memory, love, and loss through a nonlinear narrative. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows the estranged couple made up of Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey) who both decide to undergo a procedure to erase their memories of each other after a painful breakup. As the sign who is perhaps most in touch of their emotions, Cancers generally love a good – and painful – love story and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is definitely one of the best in this department, although it will most likely make you cry and break your heart. 

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Of course, I could not get through a movie list without mentioning a musical and who could be better suited for a musical if not Leo? The sign is known to be the great performer in the zodiac, as well as being a loud and ambitious leader. And what better movie to capture all of this if not The Greatest Showman (2017, Michael Gracey). The film features nine original songs and was inspired by the real story of P.T. Banum’s creation of Barnum’s American Museum and the lives of everyone working there. The Greatest Showman was particularly praised for its production value, visuals, performances and music, for which it won a Grammy Award and was nominated for an Oscar. 

The film follows P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) as he raises from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus, which soon becomes the greatest show and acclaimed all over the world, thanks to its catchy musical numbers, amazing performers and show-stopping acrobatic events. The film is certainly one for musical theatre lovers, starring critically acclaimed actors, many of which have worked in musicals before, such as Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williamns, Zac Efron, and Zendaya – just to mention a few names of this A-list cast. 

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006, David Frankel) has made a hug lasting impact on popular culture and it is still referenced today in different types of media, such as in an episode of The Office. According to the New York Times, the film has inevitably shaped the idea of a personal assistant in the mind of the public. Similarly, the main character has shaped – and even anticipated – future antiheroines of the early 2010s that are not afraid of thaking a position of authority, often reserved to a male character.

The American comedy-drama film follows Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) who gets a job at a prestigious magazine as the assistant to the diabolical and powerful editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Miranda has now become an iconic character, both terrifying us and leaving us in awe of her evil yet graceful attitude.  In other words, she is the perfect representation of the demanding and controlling Type A boss who, as we discover by the end of the film, is a lot more complex than what it may seem. All of these are traits that a Virgo, known to be perfectionist and detailed-oriented,  might see in themselves, thus relating and learning something both from Miranda and from Andy while enjoying this critically acclaiemd film.

Libra (September 23- October 22)

Who doesn’t love a good modern retelling of Jane Austen? Clueless (1995, Amy Heckerling) is loosely based on the 1815 novel Emma by Jane Austen, from which it takes the main plot points and character traits and transfers them to modern-day California, delivering a 90s take on the everlasting themes of love, friendship, and family through a new updated setting. The coming-of-age teen comedy follows its main character Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a rich and popular high school student in Beverly Hills, who decides to intervene in people’s lives to make them happier. Thus, she orchestrates the matching of two of her teachers and the makeover of a new student Tai (Brittany Murphy). 

To this day, Clueless is considered one of the best teen films of all time and has now become a cult film. The film is often praised for its fashion, believed to have had a strong influence on fashion trends. Furthermore, fashion plays an important part in the film both in terms of the plot and in terms of character development, often used as a form of self-expression, particularly by Cher and her friends. Cher’s shopping sprees to calm down are certainly an iconic aspect of the film, one that, along with the main character’s impulsive, diplomatic, and idealistic personality, are all aspects a Libra will definitely relate to when watching this film. 

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)

Scorpio is often considered the most mysterious of the signs of the zodiac. Therefore, a neo-noir psychological thriller is definitely the perfect film for this star sign. Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island (2010) hardly needs any introduction at all. The film immediately received overwhealmingly positive reviews both by critics and audiences, earning $41 million exlusively in its domestic opening, giving Scorsese his best box office opening yet,  and was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2010. 

Based on the 2003 novel of the same time, the film centers around Deputy US Marshal Edward Daniels (Leonardo DiCpario), who is investigating a psychiatric facility on the titular Shutter Island after one of its patiens goes missing. The intense, obsessive, determined and prone to secrecy nature of Scorpio naturally fits with such a film, which still leaves its audience discussing and reflecting on its ambiguous  ending, which according to some may  rival and predate Inception (2010, Christopher Nolan),  more than ten  years after the film came out. To this day, the ending of the film is one of the main reasons why it is so acclaimed, as it is believed to have delivered one of the best twists of 21st century cinema. 

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21). 

I know what you are going to say, if Sagittarius is a movie, it is an adventure film. Although that makes sense, I have made the perhaps controversial decision of not going with an adventure film in this instance. After all, I am a Sagittarius so I definitely think I have a say in this. In fact, I am convinced that the optimistic, adventurous, spontaneous, sarcastic, and freedom-lover nature of Sagittarius is perfectly captured by the 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia! (Phyllida Lloyd). It is a movie that will make you sing, dance, and even cry at times, and that will definitely make you want to pack your bags and disappear to Greece, especially if you are a Sagittarius. If being transported to a Greek island during the film does unleash your desire to travel, you should know that it was filmed mostly on location in Greece; partly on the island of Skopelos, particularly around the Kastani beach, and partly on the seaside hamlet of Damouchari. 

Based on the 1999 musical of the same name, Mamma Mia! repurposed songs by the pop group ABBA and narrates the story of Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep), an independent hotel-owner living in the small fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, and her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfriend), a young soon-to-be bride. At the beginning of the film, Sophie secretly invites three men who she has never seen before to her wedding after she discovers through her mother’s old diary that any of them could be her father. I strongly believe that Mamma Mia! is the perfect type of film to watch in whatever mood or situation you might be in, so drop anything that you are doing, prepare some popcorn, and enjoy one of my absolute favourite films. 

And even if you don’t believe in horoscopes or don’t think star signs are accurate at all, why not give these films a try? They are all excellent and entertaining movies despite what your star sign is and you can treat this simply as a list of twelve movies you should absolutely watch.