I've been watching a ton of movies recently and decided I should document the ones that held my short attention span. These films are a mix of genres, varying for coming-of-age, romantic, musical, adventure, drama, and comedy. While you have the time, pop some popcorn and enjoy!
1. The Florida Project
This film portrays the whimsical life of six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives with her unruly mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite). They live in a motel within the shadows of Disney World managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe), an austere but compassionate man who witnesses the chaos that unfolds. Taking place over one hot summer, Moonee and her friends spend each day exploring and going on mischievous adventures, but her beautiful fantasy of a life comes at the price of her mother engaging in risks in order to provide for her daughter.
When I started this movie, I had no idea how real and gritty it was actually going to be. This movie can be taken from the perspective of both the mother and the child, just like reality. The contrast of Moonee searching for magic in a desolate place versus Halley selling her soul for some quick cash is truly startling. This beautiful movie should be prided for the scenery, story, and most importantly, the acting. Brooklynn Prince was only seven when she played Moonee and she executed it perfectly. This is a must-watch.
Where to find it: Netflix
2. Call Me By Your Name
Set in 1983, a seventeen-year-old precocious boy, Elio (Timothée Chalamet), spends his summer reading, lounging by the water, and playing music at his home in Northern Italy. He then meets his father's graduate assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer), who he believes he has nothing in common with. Nonetheless, Elio is attracted to him. As the summer persists, their friendship begins to grow and romance incites as they discover a beautiful awakening that altered their summer forever.
With stunning cinematic shots, director Luca Guadagnino created an honest and delicate film that leaves you staring at the sun. As an audience, we are a fly on the wall, witnessing Elio and Oliver's organic intimacy and romance. We watch as they face life and deep love as well as heartbreak. With their range and depth of emotion, this film is truly an investigation into who you are as a person. Guadagnino casts a spell over the audience and leaves us craving to experience that feeling of the unknown and of first love in the summer of Italy.
Where to find it: Amazon
3. Late Night
After her spot as a late-night talk show host is threatened, Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) needs to shake things up. As a result, she hires a new writer, Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling), the only female on her staff. Originally a "diversity hire," Molly sheds that title and proves her worth as she and Katherine start to form a partnership. Connected by their love for comedy, their differences add layers of humor to this hilarious movie.
I love any movie where Mindy Kaling is apart of the writing and production process; she truly makes everything she creates so original. This film was also much more than I thought it was going to be. It is not just about the process behind a legendary talk show, but it is filled with twists and turns and a whole lotta love. If you're looking for something to keep you on your toes and giggling the whole time, this movie is for you.
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Charlie (Logan Lerman), a socially awkward freshman, is just trying to find his place in the world until he meets seniors Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller). The two take Charlie under their wing and show him what it is like to be a teenager. Throughout the year, they help Charlie discover true friendship, confidence, love, and what it means to be a wallflower. But when May comes around and Sam and Patrick have to graduate, Charlie's deep-rooted emotional issues threaten to surface.
I read this book when I was in eighth grade but I didn't see the movie until this month, and boy am I mad I didn't see it earlier. This is a timeless coming-of-age film that really shows how much kindness can affect a person. It is also a lesson that it is okay to not be okay! Lerman's performance is relatable, every line he utters is iconic and beautiful and leaves us wanting to wrap him up in a huge hug. The most important thing that this story left me with is "we accept the love we think we deserve." No explanation really needed, this film is stunning and honest and exhilarating.
Where to find it: Netflix
5. Guava Island
Local celebrity, Deni Maroon (Donald Glover) who lives with Kofi (Rhianna), is determined to create a music festival for all of Guava Island to enjoy. Unfortunately, the beautiful island is run by Red, (Nonso Anozie) a tyrannical businessman who employs the majority of the Islanders and refuses to give them a day off. Shot in Cuba, this dazzling short-film full of symbolism brightens your screen, and your life, with the colorful music of Childish Gambino.
I didn't even know what I was expecting from this fifty-five-minute movie but I was not disappointed, and with the all-star cast how could I be? The one thing I learned after watching this movie a few times (okay six times) is that everything is purposeful. Every color, every bird, every name, every song, has a meaning behind it. They all reflect the message that there is more to life than work. So, sit back and watch art unite the people.
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
6. The Kings Of Summer
After becoming increasingly frustrated with his family, Joe (Nick Robinson) decides to abandon his life and build a home in the woods with the help of his friend Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and the bizarre Biaggio (Moises Arias). The boys spend their summer free of their parents' rules and start to form an idyllic life. As they begin to take destiny into their own hands, they learn the true definition of family, by blood or by bond, and that family is forever.
Getting annoyed with our parents and claiming we are going to "run away" is a feeling we know all too well. This movie is the walk to that talk. Another heartfelt coming-of-age story about boys finding their independence that is so incredibly hilarious. Watch this if you miss summer adventures and love Rico From Hannah Montana.
Where to find it: Amazon
7. The Social Network
Ever wondered how Facebook was created? This is the inside look to how Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), a sophomore at Harvard and computer super genius, became one of the youngest billionaires ever. But not everything is as it seems. Behind the computer screens are multiple legal battles that could destroy him: one from his former partner Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) and the other from the Winkelvoss twins (Armie Hammer), who claimed they thought of the idea for Facebook. This complex movie truly illustrated that "you don't get to 500 million friends without a few enemies."
This film was led very well by Eisenberg and he proved he can play every geek in Hollywood without missing beat. What I loved most about this movie was that it was all about Facebook but also not at all. I loved seeing the friendships but also the destruction that came from people and their own selfishness. This was a huge eye-opener to me as someone who had no prior knowledge of Facebook's history, but also a great source of entertainment.
Where to find it: Netflix
8. Limitless
Broke writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) thinks his future is bleak until he is introduced to a secret drug called NZT-48 that lets you access 100% of your brain. Now the smartest person in the world, Eddie turns his life around and rises to the top of the financial world, gaining attention from tycoon Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro) who cannot wait to use his brainpower. But this brilliance comes at a price, the drug has major side effects and his flashy lifestyle is slowly catching up with him.
This movie really makes you think about the impossible...what would you do if you could do anything? The concept hooked right from the start and I couldn't stop watching (and Bradley Cooper is in it so duhhhh). Limitless is playful but also very clever, everything connects so smoothly. And after you're done with the movie, you should definitely watch the TV show of the same name that is based on the movie starring Jake McDorman.
Where to find it: Netflix
9. Booksmart
Straight A students Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) realize the night before their graduation that they may have spent a little too much time studying and not enough time having fun. The girls decide to have one crazy night to try and make up for the past four years, but their night takes some unexpected turns. Amy and Molly's adventure results in many firsts, lasts, and a whole lot of friendship that no studying could have ever prepared them for.
This is a hilarious movie that I highly recommend watching with your best friend, especially if you do not go to school with them anymore. This film is heartfelt and silly but also very real. Not only is it filled with funny actors, but it is also Olivia Wilde's directorial debut as well as produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Complete with all your favorite stars, this is a must-watch.
Where to find it: Hulu
10. 20th Century Women
Set in sunny Santa Barbara in 1979, single mother Dorthea Fields (Annette Bening) is determined to raise her fifteen-year-old son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), in a time of deep social change. She enlists Jamie's best friend, Julie (Elle Fanning), and Abbie (Greta Gerwig), a boarder in the Fields' home, to help turn her son into a good man. As the story progresses, Jamie learns so much about the world through the lens of each person he interacts with, whether it be good or bad. But his kind soul and intelligence reaches others through ways not even his mother could expect.
This film is luminescent and eclectic, and honestly the most dysfunctional movie I have ever seen...but in a good way. Each person is a different piece of a puzzle and they all fit together perfectly because they are all different. This unruly tale is complicated, it explores the relationship between a mother and a son and how the difference of the times can affect how he grows and gains as a person. 20th Century Women asks the audience what is love? Do you understand that it can be expressed in different ways? This movie is gentle, humorous, culturally relevant, and charming, if you are looking for a movie with meaning this is for you.
Where to find it: Netflix
Whether you're looking for a movie to pass the time or one to fully invest yourself in, any of these will do the trick. Some I have rewatched or some I had watched for the first time over these past few months but all of them have really stuck with me. I hope that one of these films piqued your interest and you decide to watch one! Enjoy :)
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Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
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