It can be so difficult to find new movies to watch. For a long time, I always ended up watching the same three or four movies that I always watch. During quarantine, however, I have expanded my horizons and in doing so have watched some amazing movies.
1) Ladybird
Directed by Greta Gerwig, this movie does an amazing job showing the mind of a teenage girl and how she navigates the world around her. Rather than everything being perfectly resolved and giving the main character a "Happily Ever After," Gerwig shows the audience the losses that can occur within the intimate friendships and relationships throughout high school. This movie also dives into the protagonist's relationship with her mother, but in a way that feels intimate and real rather than forced. It isn't a heavy watch, but it will bring up some heartfelt emotion in a well-done coming of age story.
2) The Shawshank Redemption
"The Shawshank Redemption," based on a Stephen King novel of the same name, provides a look into a state penitentiary and its inhabitants. This film is definitely a character piece. It provides a thorough look into the lives and relationships formed between the inmates. Through doing this, the film also creates a dialogue about the prison system and the faults that lie within its foundations. This movie delivers a sense of mystery and action while still being able to take a deep-dive into the lives of the characters. It is extremely well-executed and a must-watch in my eyes.
3) The Harry Potter Series
This was definitely not my first time viewing the Harry Potter films, nor will it be my last. I will always recommend the Harry Potter movies to anyone and everyone, but my main point here is to watch something that fills you with joy. Some days we just need a blast from the past and to watch a childhood favorite series. The Harry Potter franchise adds magic to the world and provides me with a sense of hope. So watch your childhood favorite, whatever that means to you.
4) Booksmart
This is another coming of age story, but this time it's a comedy. This movie follows two teenage girls on the night between their final day of high school and their graduation. They set out on the mission to have some fun before they graduate and in doing so find themselves in many sticky situations. Despite its clear focus on comedy, the movie still creates a strong bond between the two leads and gives an insight into how teenage friendships can be difficult. If you're looking for something light-hearted and funny, this is the movie for you.
5) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Once you get past the strangeness of the core plot, this movie is truly a treat to its viewers. Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse. The film as a whole is a timeline of his life. It starts with his birth and ends with his death, following major milestones and the details of how his syndrome affects him. The movie uses powerful storytelling techniques to display emotion and is truly an interesting film to watch.
6) Enchanted
I'm sure everyone had a day or two over the fast few months where you just haven't been feeling your prime. No matter what you were sad about, the cure to that(at least in my book) is always a Disney movie. Enchanted follows the story of a princess who finds herself in New York City rather than the story book world that she comes from. The music in the movie is amazing and the plot, like every Disney film, delivers a much needed "Happily Ever After."
7) Ghost
If you've been needing a good cry, "Ghost" is the movie for you. It is difficult to describe this movie without any spoilers so I'll recap what I can. You will fall in love with Patrick Swayze, you will follow a mystery as it unfolds, Whoopi Goldberg is hilarious, and it has some great action scenes. With all of that, how could it not be a great movie?! This is definitely a chick-flick at its core, but it can bring entertainment to anyone.
8) The Green Mile
Here we have another Stephen King book to movie adaptation, once again, dealing with people in prison. Tom Hanks is a prison guard working on death row. Through the span of the movie we see a completely different perspective on prison life than with "The Shawshank Redemption." The film tells the story of some supernatural events that come with a new inmate joining the death row. It is a suspenseful movie that constantly keeps you thinking. King does an amazing job with his characterization and making very well-rounded people. It is entertaining while still a thought-provoking movie.
9) Inception
"Inception" is one of those movies where you really need to pay attention in order to follow the plot. The film follows a group of individuals who are able to go into other people's subconscious through their dreams. While watching it as an audience you are both ingesting the plot and character arches while simultaneously learning the rules of how they go into dreams. It is an action-packed movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, so truly there's nothing not to love.
10) The Star Wars Series
As a self-proclaimed science fiction lover, I was ashamed of the fact that I had never seen the "Star Wars" movies. So, over the past few months, I have watched 10 Star Wars movies and I am officially obsessed. It definitely takes some dedication to ingest the whole series, but it was 100% worth it. Seeing how their special effects advance through the years of filming is a joy. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll find yourself wanting to be in a galaxy far far away.
I have spent many hours watching movies. Whether I'm proud of this or not, this isn't even close to the number of movies that I've watched over quarantine. However, this is definitely the highlight reel and I recommend each of these movies full-heartedly.
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