Favorite Lockdown Movies
let's talk about the best movies from this hell year
We’re back! I took a few weeks off after the Oscars because 1. It was bad and I didn’t want to think about it and 2. I’m fully vaxxed up and I’ve been using my evenings to see movies in ACTUAL theaters. It’s been exhilarating.
Also, the word is out. The CDC is saying that masks are slowly but surely becoming less necessary for those of use that have both jabs and normalcy (whatever the fuck that means) is right around the corner. I simply cannot wait to park my ass in a theater on a hot-ass LA day and watch some big-ass movies and drink a big-ass Coke Icee.
Before we head back out into the world, I thought I’d give you a quick little list of my favorite movies that I’ve watched in the comfort of my own home over the last calendar year. I won’t overwhelm you with choices, but these are films I think you should check out before the world opens back up and we’re all too busy trying to make out with strangers in grocery stores. I’ve mentioned a few of these films in other parts of other newsletters, but I thought I’d collect them in one list. I hope you check out one or two of these movies before you head back out into the world!
Film: The Vast of Night
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime
Why: The more I think about it, the more this movie might be my favorite that I watched during the lockdown from a pure enjoyment standpoint. It’s a really, really well-made sci-fi film set in West Texas. It was made with no money. It’s a directorial debut. One of the biggest moments of the film is 2 teenagers listening to a phone call. It shouldn’t really work, but it works and damn does it work well. Serious Spielberg vibes all over this one. Can’t recommend that one enough.
Film: The Kid Detective
Where To Watch: stream on the Starz App, rent wherever.
Why: I’ve talked about this movie several times and I rewatched it again over the weekend to make sure I wasn’t overhyping it and I can safely confirm that it still whips nuts. I am a cardholding member of the Adam Brody Fan Club and it’s been fun to see him back in stuff. Throw in a really good mystery, some impeccably dark humor, and a surprising throwback score. Great use of 2 hours.
Film: Palm Springs
Where To Watch: Hulu
Why: Another movie that just instantly stuck with me and easily my most re-watched film of this past year. I’ve probably watched this movie 7/8 times now and it has not gotten old yet. Incredibly charming, incredibly funny, and it lets my man Andy Samberg flex his leading man chops.
Film: Minari
Where To Watch: nowhere to stream, but spend the money and rent it
Why: This is my favorite film I’ve watched during my time in lockdown. It’s small. It’s quiet. It’s about a farm in Arkansas. It’s also about so much more. I’m sure you’ve seen all the buzz it got during award season and it probably deserved even more praise than it got. Do yourself a favor and find the time to watch Minari.
Film: Judas and The Black Messiah
Where To Watch: HBO MAX
Why: Hot damn, this movie is electric. We can discuss the politics of commodifying a revolution and selling it back to people and we should absolutely keep that in mind. But this movie rules. Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield both put on acting clinics. I was riveted the entire time.
Film: Da 5 Bloods
Where To Watch: Netflix
Why: Man, Spike Lee is truly one of the best to ever do it and he comes in guns blazing (literally and figuratively) with Da 5 Bloods. This felt like one of the more disrespected films of the year, and it deserved way more love than it got. It’s a damn Spike Lee joint and I feel like it faded from memory way to fast. One of the best performances of the year from Delroy Lindo and of course, an amazing performance from the late Chadwick Boseman. This movie is one I’ve revisited a couple of times since last summer and I encourage you to do the same.
Film: Bad Trip
Where To Watch: Netflix
Why: This movie made me laugh so hard, so often. Just straight-up gut laughs from front to back. It’s also genuinely a very kind-spirited movie, something this is absent in a prank-based movie like this and in the year overall. I know that some of this comes down to editing, but Eric Andre has a gentle spirit throughout this film, despite constantly creating chaos all around him. If you’re nervous about this sort of film or don’t think it’s for you, I encourage you to take the plunge. It’s an hour and twenty-six minutes. Keep an eye out for the Electric Cowboy scene.
Film: I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
Where To Watch: Netflix
Why: This movie is probably the most polarizing of all the films I listed here. A lot of people (my friends and people whose taste in movies I respect) didn’t like this film! It’s pretty easy to understand why. It’s not exactly the easiest film to follow. But I loved it. I have big love for Charlie Kaufman and I think he takes a book that’s extremely hard to film and makes it his own thing. Rewarding rewatch.
Film: The Mitchells vs The Machines
Where To Watch: Netflix
Why: This one is a late entry as it’s just been on Netflix for a little over two weeks now, but I can’t recommend it enough. From the same team that brought you The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, it simply does not miss. Impeccable voice cast, some really cool animation choices, and one of the funniest kick in the balls (literally) that I’ve seen on film.
Film: The Assistant
Where To Watch: Hulu
Why: One of the bigger movies of this past year was Promising Young Woman, the Carey Mulligan vehicle that I enjoyed, but also didn’t love for several reasons, mainly the ending. Might I suggest The Assistant. Taking place over the course of just one day, The Assistant takes a searing look at a day in the life of a woman who is an assistant to a Hollywood executive similar to Harvey Weinstein. It’s slow, methodical, and brilliant.
Film: The Empty Man
Where To Watch: not streaming, but you can rent for 1.99 on Prime
Why: This movie is not exactly something that I would normally seek out. It’s a horror movie and I am on record as being a Big Scared Baby, but I am also on record as being a fan of the Film Discourse™️ and this film kept getting mentioned on Twitter and film podcasts I listen to, so I decided to check it out. I’m glad I did, as it’s a really well-done horror movie that’s also long( 2 and 1/2 hours is well outside the usual modern horror range) and somehow feels like 3 different movies at once. Join the cult. The Empty Man is waiting.
Film: The Way Back
Where To Watch: HBO MAX
Why: To round things out, I’m going to non-ironically suggest a Ben Affleck movie to you. I know that he’s easy to make fun of and he’s almost more known know as the guy from the Dunkin’ Donuts pics, but I think people forget that Ben Affleck is a good actor and he really goes for it in The Way Back. It’s my favorite performance from in years (although my super hot take is that he’s Actually Good as Batman, but that’s for another newsletter). If you’ve been away from the Church of Ben for a little while, that’s just fine. We saved you a seat. There’s plenty of room.