Olivia Harrison
Staff Writer
Quarantine is wearing on everyone, including me. By now, it’s fun to go outside and enjoy the nice weather, but what about when it rains? Well, you’re probably stuck inside the house again. Sure, you could play video games, cook, bake, hang out with siblings or FaceTime a friend, but what about watching a movie? You may be thinking, “Okay, I’ll do that, but what should I watch?” Here are my top five movies you can watch during quarantine!!
#1. The Grand Budapest Hotel
If you’re a fan of Wes Anderson movies, you’ll definitely enjoy this one! Set in 1930’s Hungary at a resort and hotel, it stars Ralph Fiennes (from Harry Potter) and Tony Revelori (from Spiderman: Homecoming and Far from Home) as hotel concierge Gustave and lobby boy Zero. After the death of Gustave’s lover, 84-year-old matriarch Madame D, they both attend the reading of her will and find that she has left a famous painting, Boy with Apple to Gustave, much to her son, Dimitri’s delight. Gustave and Zero end up taking the painting and in order to protect it and themselves from Dimitri, they run away on a hilarious adventure. This movie is action packed, funny, historical, and will leave you on the edge of your seat for what comes next.
#2. Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2
In order to watch this series, it is recommended that you watch both in order to get the full story. The movie series is centered around Beatrix Kiddo/The Bride (played by Uma Thurman), and her adventures dealing with the Deadly Viper assassination squad and her ex-lover Bill. After finding out that the Bride is pregnant with his child, Bill crashes Beatrix’s wedding and has the other vipers attempt to assassinate her and her unborn child in the process. However, a few years later, Beatrix wakes up in a hospital, finding herself alive and plans to get revenge on those who crashed her wedding and for her supposedly unborn child. The first movie in the series plays homage to Samurai films of the 80’s while the second pays more homage to Spaghetti Westerns.
#3 Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Now, this is a great movie, and has been a favorite for so many others! Based off the popular comic book series Scott Pilgrim it centers around 22 year-old Toronto bassist Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), his failing band, and his attempt to get the girl of his dreams Ramona Flowers. However, there’s a twist…he’s put on a video game-esque adventure to defeat her evil ex-boyfriends. If you are a fan of the Toronto rock music scene or indie rock, this movie brings elements of that while being filled with action, humor and a tiny bit of romance.
#4. Akira
Ever wondered what people thought of the year 2019 looked like to people in the late 80’s? Then check out the Japanese animated science fiction film Akira! Although it is animated, this is not a film meant for really young audiences, as there are some dark themes. Set in 1988, the Japanese government decides to drop an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP, or psychological experiments on children go wrong. 31 years later in 2019, Kaneda, a leader of a biker gang, sets off to save his friend Tetsuo from an undercover government project. Throughout the movie he battles antigovernment activists, greedy politicians and irresponsible scientists. It is interesting to compare this movie to our present day! However, it is all in Japanese though, so you will have to read subtitles
#5. Eighth Grade
For those of you who love comedy and in particular Bo Burnham’s humor, then you should watch Eighth Grade. Eighth grade centers around 13-year-old grade Kayla (Elsie Fisher), who secretly makes videos online on how to gain popularity, be confident and other traits that every teenager wants to be. However, behind the screen Kayla is a timid, shy and quiet girl who struggles a lot socially in middle school, specifically eighth grade. In her last week of middle school, we meet Kayla as she struggles being voted “Most Quiet” by her classmates to growing up with single dad Mark who tries to relate to her. This movie is perfect for those wanting a laugh, who are adolescents themselves and those in middle school. It is relatable, poignant, and humorous.
