By Kevin Reardon, Mirror Alumnus
April 28, 2020
During this time of panic, upset, and confusion, it's important that we all take time out of our day to relax and not worry about anything going on outside of our homes. This can be difficult considering the avalanche of horrors that has recently crashed down on society. One way to forget about life for a while is watching movies. Disappearing into a world unlike our own for a couple of hours can work wonders for our mental health. Here, I provide a list of seven films of a wide variety to help us through this time of quarantine.
Hugo
Hugo is Martin Scorsese’s PG-rated masterpiece, a movie for anyone who loves movies. What starts as an adventure through France that’s fun for the whole family, turns into a much more involved, very moving piece of art that speaks to the child in all of us. Focusing on Hugo, a young boy who works and lives alone in the walls of a train station, we watch as he goes from trying to find the missing piece to his father’s final project, to unfolding a mystery that changes his life. Charming with a capital C, this movie will have you smiling and laughing as often as it has you crying, as the story takes emotional twists and turns through a mystery that’s well worth solving. Possibly Scorsese’s most beautiful film, the use of color and camera work really shine here, as if every frame is a page out of a children’s pop-up book.
The Death of Stalin
It's important during this trying time that we try to remain in good spirits and continue to laugh. And if you’re looking to laugh, look no further than Armando Ianuuci’s The Death of Stalin. Although very dark, brutal, and crude, this film is one of the funniest recent comedies currently streaming. Attached to a very dark time in our world’s history, this movie may not sound like your average screwball comedy, but this is where the irony lies. Similar to Taika Watiti’s more recent “Jojo Rabbit”, this film spends no time glorifying Stalin and his devious political allies, but instead mocks these nasty men and paints them as a bunch of clueless fools. With a very talented cast (Steve Bsucemi, Michael Palin), and a gifted comedic writer (Veep, In the Loop), The Death of Stalin may be too much for some viewers, but is a perfect match for those who enjoy their history lessons with a side of biting satire.
Singin' in the Rain
Ah yes, Hollywood’s musical classic. How can anyone resist? Not only does Singin’ in the Rain continue to hold up after sixty-eight years, a better musical has yet to be made. During such a dark time in our lives, this cheerful movie is sure to give you something to smile about: bright, bold, funny, charming, and loaded with a myriad of songs that’ll be stuck in your head hours after watching, this film has it all. It's overall attractiveness can be credited to Gene Kelly’s meticulous attention as a director, as well as his painstaking attention as a choreographer. The dancing in this film, most notably the tap dancing for numbers “Moses Supposes” and “Good Morning”, are absolutely hypnotic, and Kelly’s “Singin' in the Rain” sequence is one of the most memorable scenes in movie history.
The Place Beyond the Pines
And now for something completely different, Derek Cianfrance’s “The Place Beyond the Pines” is a gritty, moving, cinematic journey. With a running time of about two and a half hours, this crime thriller is a great way to kill time while stuck indoors. “Pines” takes a look at the lives of both cops and criminals in the not-so-friendly town of Schenectady, N.Y. What starts as one thing evolves into another, and just when you think you know where the story is going, Cianfrance throws you for another loop. The thrilling scenes of crime and violence are properly paced with scenes of heartfelt family drama and uneasy tension mixed in along the way. Each character feels as though they are real, and the unpredictability of where the film will go next in any given scene is fantastic. Not for those who are easily distracted, The Place Beyond the Pines is a test of endurance, but is well worth the time spent watching.
Moonstruck
Perhaps the greatest romantic comedy ever made, Moonstruck is a timeless film with enough heart, humor, and hair to last a lifetime. Norman Jewison is at the helm of this light and lovable film, which is only propelled by the performances of its stellar cast. Cher as the leading lady, Danny Aiello as the dumb fiance, Nic Cage as the grudge-holding brother, and not to mention Olympia Dukakis as the worried mother. It's no surprise both Cher and Dukakis won Oscars for their efforts in this film, as the characters are richly designed, and the interweaving stories absolutely riotous. Each scene proves to be meaningful and nourishing for the heart, with vignettes of moon-crossed lovers coming together to form a very sweet whole. Highly rewatchable, and always hilarious, Moonstruck will have you waiting for the next chance to see “Cosmo’s Moon”.
The Lighthouse
Stuck inside? What better movie to watch than one about two men stuck inside a lighthouse for weeks upon end? The Lighthouse is relative newcomer Robert Eggers’ gloomy, creepy, funny, hypnotic, absolutely insane horror thriller about two Lighthouse keepers stuck on an island slowly losing their minds. While it may not be everyone’s cup of gin, The Lighthouse proves to be a beautiful and relentless piece of gothic horror by a man who’s talent oozes from each shot. Robert Pattinson facing off against his nasty boss played by Willem Dafoe is an acting triumph for both, and shows just how much range each of them possesses. The use of black and white film, as well as the smaller aspect ratio, gives off an even more dreadful and claustrophobic feeling, creating the perfect horror movie atmosphere. If you’re looking for something to make you think, squirm, and laugh all in one sitting, ye best be on the lookout for The Lighthouse.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
...Emphasis on “Fantastic”. Fantastic Mr Fox is Wes Anderson’s first animated film, and boy is it a treat! Don’t let the PG rating and animated style fool you, this is a film that’s predominantly for adults. While the visuals and the characters are enough to entertain younger children, the mature humor and genuine emotion at play really speak more to older generations. George Clooney and Meryl Streep lead a terrific ensemble cast of a variety of woodland animals who plot to steal from the vicious farmers Bogus, Bunce, and Bean. Anderson’s traditionally symmetric and quirky style feels right at home in this animated world, and the use of color here really makes it pop. Not just an animated film, this movie touches all kinds of genres, from heart-warming family comedy one minute, to an action-packed heist movie the next.
Meet the Writer!
Meet the Writer!
Kevin Reardon (class of 2019) is currently a sophomore at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and a former film critic for The Dedham Mirror. When not in school, Kevin can be found in his room watching movies in his basement or working in the meat department at Roche Bros. in Westwood.
Report abuse