With the current state of the world, I can't imagine not being on an emotional roller coaster right now.
Some mornings I wake up and think "Yep. This is the end as we know it." Other days, I believe that if I take enough free online courses from Ivy League colleges and maybe follow a couple Youtube tutorials, I could be the next big video game developer (hey there's a market).
Regardless, the feeling and need for "escape" is inevitable. An escape from reality, from all the noise of the news, all the lack of noise in the streets, the feeling of needing to go somewhere, anywhere else. And that's why we watch movies isn't it?
Luckily for us, we're living in the digital age and you can pretty much find anything online. So, I've put together a little movie guide to cut down on your decision-making anxiety today.
You're welcome.
Just find the mood you're vibing with most today and BAM, a personalized suggestion from moi.
If you don't understand why everyone is suddenly running...
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
Why it rocks: It's about FRIENDSHIP and SELF LOVE. Something we can all rely on these days. It also reminds you of the good old days when New Yorkers were free to frolic around, and the amazing experience that is making unlikely friends in the city.
If you're sick of hearing men yell about politics...
Red - PBS Great Performances (2019)C'mon down and listen to a couple of men yell about ART! Something we could all be supporting more right about now. Also it's perfect if you've been bummed that your season tickets to the theater will have to wait until next year. Or maybe the virtual tour of the Louvre isn't cutting it for you. It's truly a beautiful piece of theater captured wonderfully by the Great Performances series on PBS, which is now free and available for public streaming on their website or app.
Why it rocks: It's only an hour and a half long and you can sneak your own cocktail into your living room. Maybe even a bag of chips! Plus the only person texting during the performance might be your couch-mate, and you can pause to give them a little speech on theater etiquette.
If you were pissed Disney originally asked you to rent this...
Onward (2019)This heartwarming adventure fantasy movie was only in theaters a short while before everything went down. At first, Disney had it available for rent, but then made the wonderful choice to let it stream for "free" through Disney+. Hey, it's Pixar's latest film, it's a lot of fun, and it'll make you appreciate your siblings a lot more, even if you've been holding a grudge over who ate the last chicken nugget.
If you're missing context for viral tweets over subtitles...
Parasite (2019)Yes. It is in Korean. It's a Korean film. This isn't a Marvel movie so your brain won't explode from having to read some subtitles (and if you know Korean, even better)! But truly, if you do not know what movie you want to watch, watch this. It's funny, it's freaky, it's dramatic, and unless you've seen it before, no, you will not have seen it coming.
If you know Genovia would have had a kick *ss pandemic plan...
Princess Diaries (2001)Maybe your foreign-monarch-grandmother won't be making any trips to tell you you're a long lost princess anytime soon, but we can dream. Maybe temporarily moving back home has also inspired you to channel your child/tween/teen self. Lip Smackers, butterfly clips, and all. Also, newsflash, women make excellent leaders.
Why it rocks: Julie Andrews. Early 2000s nostalgia. Brush up on the Genovia national anthem which I know you always get mixed up with "O Canada".
If you've been playing Animal Crossing for two weeks straight...
Paddington (2014)Look we even have movies with talking animals! And it's a family movie. Based off the children's books, an adorable little bear is taken in by everyone's favorite British dad, Hugh Bonneville, and Sally Hawkins (yes, the fish-loving lady who ripped your heart out with that monologue in ASL in The Shape of Water).
Why it rocks: It transports you to a world filled with bright colors and reminds you to be kind to strangers. What else do you need right now?
If you think your hometown is boring...
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)Imagine living on this island without a pandemic happening. Also if you've been restless since hearing the sequel to Call Me By Your Name is in the works, this should fill the little void in your soul. It's a picturesque love story in French (yes, more subtitles, you'll learn to like it) that got snubbed this award season.
If you like to remind yourself things could be worse...
Train to Busan (2016)This is for all you "worst-case scenario" people out there such as myself. You don't want any fuzzy bears, love stories, or inspiring messages right now. You want action and blood and zombies, but not funny ones played by Bill Murray. Let's just say things go from a 0 to a 10 really quickly.
Well, that's it for now folks. Thanks for tuning in and I hope I made one family movie night less chaotic. Stay home, stay safe, and keep spreading love.
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What have you been watching to keep yourself entertained? Feel free to throw out suggestions in the comments.
