My wife and I have been watching fun 'bad' movies with friends simultaneously over Google Hangout and it's been a blast. And a lot of people, especially my parents have been looking for recommendations so I thought I'd do a regular rolling list for folks, especially since the quarantine won't be ending anytime soon.
AMAZON PRIME
The Conversation - One of Francis Ford Coppola's greatest films is criminally under-seen despite being a Best Picture nominee and featuring one of Gene Hackman's most indelible performances as a surveillance expert who gets too involved in one of his own cases. A moody and miraculous masterpiece.
Mission: Impossible Fallout - One of the greatest action movies of the last ten years and quite possibly the best entry in Tom Cruise's remarkably durable spy series. It manages to feel fresh and add some more emotional gravitas while delivering the death defying real life stunts that will make your jaw drop.
The Farewell - The fact that this moving and sweet family dramedy went totally ignored at last year's Oscars was a travesty. Awkwafina is incredible in a relatable lead performance and the veteran actress Zhao Shu-zhen steals the movie as Nai Nai, the matriarch of a sprawling family trying to conceal a debilitating illness from her.
The Descent - One of the great horror movies. It starts off as an amiable travelogue about a group of women going spelunking and then it takes an amazing turn. It's definitely not for the faint hearted but if you're looking for some terrific jump scares and a thrilling pace, this one will get the job done.
Midsommar - Now, if you're looking for more cerebral scares you can't go wrong with director Ari Aster's surreal sophomore effort starring 2019's breakout actress Florence Pugh in a role that should have garnered Oscar consideration, too. A gorgeous movie with some truly grisly, unforgettable moments. Again, not for everyone's tastes, but if you can appreciate very dark, disturbing stuff, this one is a can't miss.
Reds - Warren Beatty's epically long drama about an American socialist is incredibly prescient right now, given the debate on the left about the future of democratic politics here in America. It's a history lesson but also a love story -- with Diane Keaton giving a great performance as Beatty's love interest. It's a behemoth but never really boring. Good for a rainy day.
Moonstruck - Cher and Nicolas Cage have never been more charming (and they have real chemistry) in this hit romantic comedy. It's an incredibly simple, straightforward movie but that it a big part of its appeal. And watching Cher's character transform from a shy, grey-haired shopkeeper to well, Cher, is magical. Snap out of it and see this movie.
Over the Top or Road House - If you're looking for very fun bad movies to watch with your friends and have a ball you really can't go wrong with either of these options. They're so entertaining, so ludicrous and so wonderfully 'of their time.' I can't sing their praises enough.
NETFLIX
GoodFellas - What is there to say about this Martin Scorsese masterpiece that hasn't already been said? It's ferociously funny, tense and tragic. It's one of the best gangster films ever made and it will always be. If you haven't seen it you've missed out one of the most enduring, influential movies ever.
Good Time - If you liked Uncut Gems you're gonna love the Safdie brothers' breakout film, which made me a true believer in the talents of actor Robert Pattinson and a huge fan of the filmmakers' brand of overwhelming mayhem mixed with gallows humor.
Drive - This moody homage to films like Thief and The Driver, is an incredible piece of pulp -- beautifully shot and acted (how did Albert Brooks not get a nomination for his against type villainous role?). Director Nicolas Winding Refn has yet to top this movie but will always get street cred for it. It's sort of the anti-Fast and Furious, but if you're looking for something unexpected, you'll appreciate it.
Candyman - While we wait for the Jordan Peele-produced remake, it might be worth revisiting the classic 1992 original. It's not just a horror movie -- there's a lot of interesting things this movie has to say about race, class and gentrification. It's ahead of its time in that it's a socially relevant horror film. It's also scary as hell, too.
Blade Runner - A sci-fi masterpiece with a still visionary look at a possible future. Incredibly bleak and cold -- it's not a movie for everyone -- but if you appreciate thought-provoking meditations on the nature of humanity (and flying cars) there's a lot to appreciate here. Harrison Ford is reliably great, but the show stopper here is Rutger Hauer as the charismatic bad guy (or is he?) Roy Batty.
Purple Rain - Any Prince fan and completist needs to see this autobiographical musical. There are elements which are undeniably problematic, but there is no denying how incredible and sexy all the musical performances are. If you're trying to figure out what made Prince such a special, once-in-a-lifetime talent it's all here. Also, Morris Day is just delightful.
Groundhog Day - A great melding of the sensibilities of the later writer-director Harold Ramis and his comedic brother from another mother Bill Murray. A great zen premise (man waking up in the same day until he learns to love selflessly) is milked for all the laughs and pathos you can muster. Besides a horrible opening number, this is a perfect movie.
There Will Be Blood - I think it's Paul Thomas Anderson's best film (in a filmography that so far has no duds in it). I think it's my favorite Daniel Day-Lewis performance (and I've never seen a bad one of those either. An incredible take on American capitalism and how it can destroy your soul. In other words, just a fun time at the movies.
No comments:
Post a Comment