When You Can't Bring Yourself to the Theater, Bring the Theater to Yourself
We should have known when we opened the year with Dolittle that it would be a rough one...
The last time I was in a movie theater was in early February, when I attended AMC's Best Picture Showcase in preparation for Oscar night. That means it has been nearly six full months since I have seen a movie in theaters. That by no means indicates that I've been without new content to entertain me throughout the past months. Thanks to streaming video services, it's not difficult to close my blackout curtains, pop a tub of popcorn, and have my own 'home theater' experience. Here are six films available for streaming that came out during the months of the pandemic (so far), and which I have enjoyed from the comfort of my own home.
Blow the Man Down (dir. Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy, released March 20 on Amazon Prime)
The less said about this film, the better. Suffice it to say it contained a nice mix of suspense, dark comedy, a wonderfully rich (mostly female) cast of characters, and the best 'Greek chorus' ever put to screen.
Onward (dir. Dan Scanlon, released March 6 on Disney+)
Though I had some significant problems with the gender politics of this latest Pixar film, which kept me from loving it, I can't deny that it was genuinely fun and often hilarious (especially for those familiar with RPGs).
Trolls World Tour (dir. Walt Dohrn, released March 11 on multiple platforms)
This sequel to the 2016 film was as fun as the original, but seemed to forget its canon. Why was Branch all gray again? To be honest, I only watched it for the McElroy cameos.
Selah and the Spades (dir. Tayarisha Poe, released April 17 on Amazon Prime)
Selah and the Spades takes place in a modern-day boarding school, wherein the students divide themselves into ever-competing factions. How can you not love that premise? It's tonally similar to Johnson's Brick (2005), with a slightly more dynamic perspective.
The Vast of Night (dir. Andrew Patterson, released May 29 on Amazon Prime)
The Vast of Night is a fun, superbly paced sci-fi suspense film. The plot is mostly dialogue-driven, with sound being a constant catalyst to unraveling the mystery of the story. The writing and direction are both slow and deliberate, and yet intensely gripping throughout the film's entirety.
Da 5 Bloods (dir. Spike Lee, released June 12 on Netflix)
Spike Lee (or, as I like to call him: Tarantino with a purpose), delivers hilarity, action, and history yet again with this film about a group of Vietnam vets who return to Ho Chi Minh on a blood-stained treasure hunt, fifty years in the making. The film is as relevant now as it ever was, and should, frankly, be required viewing in this country.
What new releases have you streamed since the pandemic began? How does your home viewing compare to a theater experience? Let me know in the comments below, and never stop watching!
Copyright © 2020 Bailey Lizotte
