Congratulations Oles, we’ve made it to second semester! To celebrate, I’ve compiled a list of films to jump into this spring. Whether you’re watching by yourself, with friends or with that special someone, here are some movies to keep you entertained.
Action/Thriller: “Nightcrawler” (Netflix)
“Nightcrawler” is a 2014 American neo-noir thriller film written and directed by Dan Gilroy. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis “Lou” Bloom, the film follows a Los Angeles stringer who records violent events late at night and sells the footage to local news stations. While most critics agree that the film is predominantly a thriller, it also has elements of dark comedy, drama and horror. If you’re looking for a dark, creepy film with incredible acting, an award-winning screenplay and overarching themes about the ethics of journalism and consumer demand, “Nightcrawler” is the film for you.
Drama: “Judy” (Hulu)
“Judy” is a 2019 biographical drama film based on the life of American actress and singer Judy Garland. Directed by Rupert Goold, it is an adaptation of the Olivier- and Tony-nominated West End and Broadway play “End of the Rainbow” by Peter Quilter. The film stars Renée Zellweger as Garland, with Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell and Michael Gambon in supporting roles. The film follows Garland’s career during the last year of her life, coupled with flashbacks to her teenage years during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz,” in which she played the role of Dorothy. If you need a good cry, “Judy” has got you covered.
Romance: “Safety Not Guaranteed” (Netflix)
“Safety Not Guaranteed” is a 2012 American science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Colin Trevorrow. The film follows Darius Britt (Aubrey Plaza), an intelligent but disillusioned college graduate employed as an intern at Seattle Magazine. One day, Darius investigates a mysterious newspaper ad that reads: “Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED.” From there, you’ll experience a funny, heartfelt movie filled with witty dialogue, well-developed characters and most importantly, an operating time machine.
Horror: “Pet Sematary” (Hulu)
“Pet Sematary” is a 2019 American supernatural horror film directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer. It is the second film adaptation of
Stephen King’s 1983 novel of the same name. The film stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow, and it follows a family that discovers a mysterious graveyard in the woods behind their new home. If you’re looking for a classic horror film with a bunch of spooky, gruesome touches, give “Pet Sematary” a try.
Documentary: “Becoming” (Netflix)
“Becoming” is a 2020 American documentary film about the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. The documentary, directed by Nadia Hallgren, is partly based on Obama’s bestselling memoir of the same name, released in 2018. To film the documentary, Hallgren followed Michelle Obama through her 34-city book tour after “Becoming” was published. The documentary features footage of Obama’s travels, appearances and her work during her tenure as the First Lady. If you want to watch something as entertaining as it is inspirational, you can’t go wrong with “Becoming.”
Comedy: “The Dictator” (Hulu)
“The Dictator” is a 2012 political satire comedy film co-written by and starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Larry Charles, who previously directed Baron Cohen’s mockumentaries “Borat” and “Brüno,” directed the film. In the role of Admiral General Aladeen, Baron Cohen plays the dictator of the fictional Republic of Wadiya as he journeys across the United States for the first time. Consistent with Baron Cohen’s usual slapstick political comedy, this film will make you laugh while also taking a good look at the strange, often uncomfortable norms that govern the United States.
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