If you're like me, having an entire month off from school over winter break is both a huge blessing and a minor curse.
On one hand, there's now large swathes of time to do all of the fun hobbies that I normally don't have time for, like baking holiday cookies and actually reading for pleasure. On the other hand, I get a bit anxious when I don't know what to do with all of my free time.
However, this feeling easily goes away when I turn to the wide world of Netflix, and movies that I've been meaning to watch suddenly leap out as wonderful ways to pass the time. So with that, here are ten great movies, across several genres, to watch on Netflix this winter break that may normally fly under your school-year radar.
1. The Founder
I watched this last summer, admittedly not a huge fan of Michael Keaton for some reason but curious about the story of Ray Kroc and his rise to McDonald's greatness. What I do appreciate about this movie is that it doesn't sugarcoat Kroc's personality; he comes across as somewhat of a jerk in many scenarios.
This movie seems like an honest depiction of how business tycoons really rise to the top, which is often by being very particular and persuasive about what they want.
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie's insight into growing a small business into a huge corporation, and it has Nick Offerman in it, so that's an additional win.
2. Sing Street
This movie was, in my opinion, completely snubbed at the Oscars last year. Directed by John Carney, it has everything I want to see in a movie: good music, unpretentious characters, and honest storytelling. It's an absolutely fantastic movie about the formation of a fictional band in Ireland that I wish were a real band. I've seen it about three times by now, and I may just have to watch it one more time this winter break.
3. Gaga: Five Foot Two
Ever since Lady Gaga sang a beautiful tribute to The Sound of Music at the Oscars a couple of years ago, I've been a big fan of her. This documentary follows Gaga's creative process for making her last album, Joanne, and also tracks her preparation for performing in the 2017 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
I was surprised at the honesty of this documentary; it showed many moments with Gaga that were much less glamorous than I'm used to seeing her. However, it further endeared me to her artistic integrity and open personality and was certainly a worthwhile watch.
4. Heathers
This is a classic movie that I wish was as much of an 80s teen classic as "Ferris Bueller" or "The Breakfast Club." Over the past few years, many movies on Netflix have come and gone, but thankfully this one has stayed on there for quite some time. It's a great movie to watch hanging out with friends, or just by yourself indulging in some delayed teen angst as a 20-year old.
5. August Rush
I first watched this movie in choir a few years ago, and I was truly struck by its story that is essentially a delicate love letter to the unifying power of music. Van Morrison's "Moondance" plays as a refrain throughout the movie, and there are some truly beautiful sequences of guitar and cello playing that make me wish I were more skilled at string instruments. If you're looking for a tear-jerking, yet feel-good movie to watch this winter break, and you still haven't seen "August Rush," it's time to make a date with this delightful movie.
6. Moonrise Kingdom
Though I certainly wouldn't consider myself a true "Wes Anderson aficionado," I am a fan of several of his movies, including this one. He has a whimsical, very symmetrical way of crafting his movies that is very visually pleasing, and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie about two kids who decide to throw caution to the wind and run away together. It's a fun, lighthearted movie for an afternoon when you may not want a full-blown comedy, but you're looking for a light chuckle and a smile.
7. Don't Think Twice
As a huge fan of Key and Peele, I was really excited to see this movie about an improv troupe starring Keegan Michael Key last summer, and it did not disappoint. It depicts a group of young comedians and artists still looking for their big break, or reacting when one of their friends actually does achieve their dreams.
Their stories may not tie together neatly in the end, but that's why this movie is so heartfelt; it's an honest portrayal of how much sacrifice and determination is required to pursue a career in entertainment.
8. The Young Victoria
Get in the mood for the upcoming royal wedding, and simultaneously prep yourself for Emily Blunt's 2018 turn as Mary Poppins, by watching this lovely movie about Queen Victoria's younger days. I saw this in theaters several years ago, and I remember being thoroughly enchanted by Blunt's regal screen presence.
It's a historical drama about a young monarch coming of age, but also a touching love story. I didn't even realize it was on Netflix until recently, but I may just have to watch it again this winter.
9. The Prestige
This is the only movie on this list that I haven't actually seen, but I do fully intend to watch it in the coming days to prepare for Hugh Jackman's sure-to-be-magical turn in "The Greatest Showman."
Besides Jackman, this movie features the acting talents of Batman, excuse me, Christian Bale, along with Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine, among others. It also might be a good way for me to brush up on my Christopher Nolan directorial catalog before awards season when his (I think) masterpiece "Dunkirk" will surely be up for many awards.
10. Begin Again
As a movie all about aspiring musicians, it may not be hugely surprising to learn that this movie, like "Sing Street," was directed by John Carney. I saw this several years ago and I'm still listening to the soundtrack fairly regularly, and this movie really has some wonderful original songs at a higher quality than I've normally found in movies recently.
Besides Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, as pictured above, "Begin Again" also features the first-time acting talents of Adam Levine, who I loved watching in this. It's quite a touching, heartfelt movie that communicates best through its many beautiful songs.
Though many people turn to Netflix for shows to binge-watch over school breaks, I tend to lack the patience for watching an entire show and will turn to an individual movie instead.
I'm far from a movie buff, but I do enjoy poking around Netflix every so often and looking for a quality movie to watch. If you look hard enough, you're bound to find some hidden gems that will warm your heart this holiday season.
