TSV: The top 12 films you must see before lockdown ends
Hey everyone and welcome to my first ever blog for JMSU! (Hold for applause) My name is Lewis and I’m a second-year Creative Writing and Film Studies student (hold for boos. I kid, I kid). In all seriousness, I’m thrilled to be writing blogs for all you lovely readers and what better way to start than with the top 12 films you MUST see before lockdown ends!
While I'm sure we all share the same sentiment; lockdown can't end fast enough, it's true that we're likely (hopefully) to never have this time again. So, turn off Riverdale, forget about rewatching The Vampire Diaries for the 8th time, and make the most of the time you have left by getting up to speed with these modern and not-so-modern classics that you absolutely have to see while you have the time.
I've brought you films from 4 separate categories, each category is based around a specific theme and has been even split across 4 separate streaming services. No matter what you're into or what service you subscribe to, there's something here for you! The ranking is purely arbitrary so there’s no need to bring out the pitchforks. Without any further ado, let’s begin...
“Auteurs” – Amazon Prime
- Inglorious Basterds - Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film follows the exploits of a ragtag team of Jewish soldiers making their way through Nazi-Occupied France in order to perform the greatest mission of all – Killing Hitler. Bloody, Funny and full of suspense. You can’t go wrong!
- Parasite - From Bong Joon Ho, comes the story of a South Korean lower-class family infiltrating the household of an upper-class family, where secrets hide in the walls. In 2020 this film became the first foreign language feature to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Yes, it is that good.
- Do The Right Thing – The second Spike Lee joint takes place on the hottest day of the year on a multicultural Brooklyn street, where the heat will cause racial tensions to come bubbling to the surface. Released all the way back in 1989, this film is more prescient than ever after the 2020 BLM protests.
“Childhood” – Disney+
- Ratatouille – From Pixar, comes the story of Remy, a rat, who arrives in Paris and teams up with a human named Linguini to fulfill his dream of being a chef. In my opinion, this is Pixar’s masterpiece due to its amazing subject matter, humour and commentary on the film industry. It’s a controversial opinion but I stand by it.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Captain Jack Sparrow and crew journey across the high seas to end the titular curse and reclaim Jack’s ship. This one's a perfect adventure film that still holds up today. Plus, there’s a pirate monkey, what else do you need?
- National Treasure – Nicolas Cage says “I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence.” I think this classic line says it all.
“Music” – BBC iPlayer
- Love & Mercy – Perhaps the most obscure film on this list, it tells the life story of Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys in two distinct but tragic eras of his life. An amazing look into a life of gorgeous music and mental health woes.
- Whiplash – A jazz drummer comes head-to-head with his abusive teacher in a film that asks what would you do to be the greatest? Filled with powerhouse performances that you just can’t look away from, this one will stick with you.
- Highlander – A Scottish warrior is reborn in 1980s New York and must fight to reunite with his love. This film isn’t about music but has a brilliant soundtrack by Queen which I think makes it count.
“Modern Classics” - Netflix
- Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse - After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Miles Morales learns to become the newest Spider-Man from his interdimensional mentors whilst trying to stop the universe from collapsing. A true modern masterpiece, with ASTOUNDING animation that makes the film look just like a comic book.
- Booksmart – Two teenage girls decide to have the fun they’ve been neglecting themselves all throughout school, on the night before graduation. A truly hilarious adventure that will be held up for years to come against greats like Superbad and 10 Things I Hate About You.
- Nightcrawler – A moody thriller about the dark underbelly of LA journalism and one man who’s dedicated to getting the perfect story. No matter the cost. An incredible performance from Jake Gyllenhaal sucks you in and doesn’t let you rest. A must watch.
That’s it! If you’d like to see an even greater variety of films then you can join the LJMU Film Society today! They have weekly screenings and discussions about all types of films. It’s perfect for the avid film buffs and the casual watchers alike.
Please let us know if there are any films you’ve watched over lockdown that caught your eye, and thank you all for reading! I shall be back before you know it with who knows what topic. As they say in the movies...
That’s a wrap!
