*All films on this list are included with a Netflix subscription or are available for rent on Amazon, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play and iTunes.
By: Ethan Fonarev
One of the greatest challenges that we face in our modern world is choosing what to watch on Netflix. With the spread of coronavirus, this struggle has never been more prevalent in our lives. So to help you overcome that challenge, I’ve put together a list of some great movies currently on Netflix that I hope you’ll enjoy:
Good Time (2017)
A blood-pumping crime thriller with no stop.
Drenched in a flashy neon-colored palette, “Good Time” follows Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) through the underground of New York City as he struggles desperately to free his brother from prison after their failed bank robbery. The film rarely gives time for the viewer to breathe, as Connie bolts from one scheme to the next. If you’re looking for a fun crime movie, this is a great choice.
The Master (2012)
A careful deconstruction of character that is vast in scope.
From its sprawling setpieces, mood-setting score to its masterful cinematography, Director Paul Thomas Anderson presents a gripping story of a WWII veteran’s attempts to find meaning in the post-war world. Beyond the beautiful visuals, “The Master” demonstrates thematic depth by directly comparing veteran Freddy Quill (Joaquin Phoenix), an unhinged, foul-mouthed alcoholic, and Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a charismatic cult leader who works to cure Quill of his aforementioned vices through a series of psychological tests. I would highly recommend this film if you’re looking for a slow, character-focused drama.
Life of Brian (1979)
A comedy of biblical scale.
“Life of Brian” is an absurdist satire centering around the life of the timid, titular protagonist in biblical Jerusalem. One of my biggest problems with “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is that its PG rating makes it feel like a kid’s movie. Although not radically different in the structure of its humor, “Life of Brian” is freer to touch on more mature subject matters such as religious fanaticism and stereotypes, and political inaction and corruption. Combining the writing talent of the Monty Python crew and the relatability of the aforementioned topics, the film garners harder-hitting punch-lines and thus, more laughs.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
The quintessential quarantine film.
Often we connect to art because of its relatability. As of now, there’s no better time to connect with Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight”. Stranded in a remote haberdashery during a blizzard in the late 1800s, Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to expose a hidden enemy from a group of seven others. The claustrophobia of the characters’ stay and Tarantino’s witty dialogue escalate the tension. Despite generally taking place in and around the small haberdashery, the film is still engaging, interesting, and, as expected from Tarantino, violent and brutal.
Other recommendations:
“The Lobster”, “Shawshank Redemption”, “Roma”, “The Witch”, “Train to Busan”, “The Florida Project”, “The Social Network”, “Bladerunner”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, “The Good the Bad and the Ugly”, “Once Upon a Time in the West”
