Quarantine Movie Round-Up

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything remotely close to a movie review in the last five months or so. The state of the world is a crazy one, so I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. As a cinema-lover, not being able to go to the movies has been tough, and hearing about movies being pushed back is even tougher. Obviously, there are more important things going on in the world than movies, but movies and television have been a saving grace against cabin fever for many people during these quarantined times. Despite theaters being closed, a lot of new movies have still managed to come out thanks to the various streaming services that are available. I’ve done my best to keep up with these new nuggets of visual awesomeness and I just wanted to share some brief thoughts on some of them. I’m going to try and do my best to keep up with all the new stuff coming out. I will say, even though I didn’t watch these in a theater, it still felt really good to watch something new!

Vivarium – Amazon Prime

 

I watched this movie just the other day and boy was I unprepared! Without getting into spoiler territory, I’ll just provide you with what IMDb gives as the synopsis: “A young couple looking for the perfect home find themselves trapped in a mysterious labyrinth-like neighborhood of identical houses.” That’s it. Pretty bland synopsis, but honestly anything beyond this would verge on being spoilerific. Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg star as the young couple, and both of them give outstanding performances within a story that is unsettling, to say the least. This is the perfect movie to watch at night, with the lights off, cuddled up with snacks, and an open mind. Writer/director Lorcan Finnegan weaves a harrowing tale about life, condensed in a wickedly unique and disturbingly contained film that will leave you jaw-dropped and shocked at times. The visuals are stunning—this is an extremely well-shot film with beautiful production, despite the level of consistency and monotony it may induce. Streaming on Amazon Prime, Vivarium is definitely one to check out, and easily one of the craziest films I’ve seen in a while. Top of my quarantine list, for sure.

 

 

Greyhound – Apple TV+

 

You can’t go wrong with a Tom Hanks/World War II film, right? Greyhound, like many other films of 2020, was supposed to come to theaters later this year but is now streaming on Apple TV+. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Krause, a Naval commander given his first command. Several months after the U.S. entry into World War II, this inexperienced U.S. Navy commander must lead an Allied convoy being stalked by a German submarine wolf pack. The entire film takes place out on the sea, and the intensity of the mission is felt with every frame. Hanks delivers a wonderful performance, and the movie is extremely well-shot and produced. You can tell this movie was meant for the big screen, and I’m bummed I didn’t get to see it in a theater. But, if you have Apple TV+, are a fan of war films, and/or a fan of Tom Hanks (who isn’t, right?), and you’re looking for a great movie to escape with, then check this one out.

 

 

The Old Guard – Netflix

 

This movie was so much fun! Loved it! Charlize Theron proves once again that she means business with her action-packed performance! This movie tells the story of a covert team of immortal mercenaries who are suddenly exposed and must fight to keep their identity a secret—all while dealing with an unexpected new member. It’s a really cool premise with insanely fun action and a host of great performances. At times it can feel a little long between action set pieces, but the story is engaging enough to keep you interested. Definitely worth the view.

 

 

 

Da 5 Bloods - Netflix

 

Director Spike Lee’s latest film has been out for a while now, and I watched it the night it dropped on Netflix, so it’s had time to sit with me. Spike Lee is an exceptional filmmaker and storyteller. Da 5 Bloods is an emotionally-charged story about four African American vets who battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide. The movie tackles a host of topics, from racism to PTSD, to the overall need to recognize equality and understanding in a world that currently seems to be blind to it. This movie dropped in June, at a time that felt relevant and applicable. Obviously, Spike Lee had no idea what state the world would be in when he made the movie, but it still manages to resonate in such an insane level that it’s hard NOT recommending it. Lee has the tendency to include striking visuals in his films, and there are some truly unsettling pieces of real footage that he uses, especially in the beginning, that sets the tone for what you’re about to see. The central cast, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Delroy Lindo, and Chadwick Boseman, deliver really great performances that really carry this movie. Delroy Lindo, especially, gives what I think is his best performance to date—a raw, exposed, and riveting performance of a man struggling with PTSD. It truly blew me away. Spike Lee gained a ton of rightful praise for his movie Blackkklansman, and this follow-up film is just as compelling. It’s on Netflix, so if you get the chance, see it. It’s brilliant.

 

 

My Spy – Amazon Prime

 

I finally got around to seeing this movie about a week ago and it was fun. As a matter of fact, it was a lot funnier than I had expected it to be, and a majority of that goes to Dave Bautista. Bautista plays a hardened CIA operative who finds himself at the mercy of a precocious 9-year-old girl (Chloe Coleman), having been sent undercover to surveil her family. It’s a silly premise, but it’s executed in a way that isn’t corny or too over the top. It’s fun, action-packed, and a good way to spend an evening with the fam. Check it out if you haven’t already.

Look for more reviews soon! I plan on watching An American Pickle this weekend so look for that review sometime next week!