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Top Ten Films to watch in Lockdown
Hi, I’m Aaron and I’ve graduated from my course in Filmmaking. In this blog I’m going to give you my top ten films to watch whilst in isolation.
Some relevant to our current situation, some to expand your filmic knowledge. But all should be worth your time.
1) The Beach (2000): A film for those who seek escapism but doesn’t fall short from empathising with the isolation we now all currently live in.
2) The Breakfast Club (1985): On the topic of isolation and a deeper but adverse look on social distancing. An absolute classic, a personal all-time favourite.
3) Parasite (2019): If you haven’t already seen it, this is a MUST watch. Not only the first foreign language film to ever win best picture at the Oscars, it is simply a miracle of a film.
4) The Gentlemen (2019): 2019 was a good year for films, close second to Parasite is The Gentlemen. Funny throughout and an all-round enjoyable watch. You will not be disappointed.
5) Her (2013): Another one for representation of isolation. It was only ever going to be good if Spike Jonez and Joaquin Phoenix get together for a film.
6) Snow Piercer (2013): A more rugged film, with a darker tone but much quality. From director Bong Joon-ho, this future dystopic sci-fi film is also just as lyrical, funny and occasionally self-indulgent as serious in its intentions. Well worth the watch.
7) Wall-e (2008): I had to throw an animation in here, a Disney banger, arguably the best they’ve done. A perfect futuristic parable.
8) The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014): No link to our current situation, this is simply my favourite film. I couldn’t make a recommendation list without including this masterpiece. In the words of S. Jhoanna Robledo, this film is ‘much like a Faberge Egg, so much whimsy and beauty and point-of-view wrapped into a comparatively tiny 100 minutes’.
9) Kung Fu Hustle (2004): I don’t quite know how to explain this one. I’ve added it to this list for a few reasons. Firstly, I don’t think it’s a film that’s widely known although it definitely should be. I’ve never seen a film quite like it, but it’s because of this that it’s so well received from me. Not only a specialist style, it’s actually a really good watch.
10) Natural Born Killers (1994): Can’t exactly have a list without Quentin Tarantino in it. So for my last film I’ve chosen this one. Something simple, something very Tarantino but something not too engaging.
