COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in a way we have never seen before. The streets are empty; nightclubs, cinemas, museums are closed; and everyone is at home.
Social distancing is now defining our interactions with friends and loved ones. With no light at the end of the tunnel, and as the days pas, we miss our old routines more and more. Being with friends, going on night outs, trying new restaurants, bar hopping, picnics and sunsets in the park, and nights filled with Netflix and buckets of popcorn are all distant memories.
Humans are social animals and it is only natural that we feel lonely, maybe even suffocated and a little hungry for connection and shared moments with our friends. Trust me, you are not alone.
Luckily for us, though it is not the same as the communal experience of being physically together, technology has given us new ways such as Netflix Party.
This Google Chrome extension allows groups of friends to watch and comment on shows and movies together. Netflix Party has come to substitute those Netflix nights with your friends or at least to allow you to have them while we’re all in different corners of the world and, if you ask me, it’s a genius invention.
In light of Netflix party, it is only fair to watch movies that will make you escape from reality, therefore, I have created a list of movies for you and your friends to watch/rewatch together using this chrome extension.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Image from: https://sebkijk.nl/beauty-and-the-beast-2017-film-review/
This live-action remake, despite not stirring away from the original, still manages to capture the magic of the original film. It is a film that brings us back to our childhood and makes us feel nostalgic.
Dirty Dancing
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Dancing
For those who love to watch the oldies, Dirty Dancing is definitely one of my favourite dramas. It is a movie that is ahead of its time, encompassing issues like abortion and love beyond social class, yet still capturing the essence of the 1980s.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Image from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dark-Knight-Christian-Bale/dp/B00I9M40GQ
This film is not only dark, but also complex with its use of philosophy and key themes such as righteousness, justice, identity and power. It explores the notion of the hero in a thriller that always keep you on edge.
Spirited Away
Imagine from: https://movies.disney.com/spirited-away
‘Spirited Away’ is a hand-drawn Japanese animated film about 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents entering the world of spirits. It is, in my opinion, one of the best-animated movies made where your imagination will be immediately captured. Everything, from the art to the music score, will move you and capture your heart.
Get Out
Image from: https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2018/02/06/what-film-get-out-reflects-about-college-football-opinion
‘Get Out’ is a horror film about a young African American man who spends the weekend in his girlfriend’s parent’s farmhouse who discovers a disturbing secret about her and her family. This film really captures and transmits the essence of issues surrounding race. It expresses this key theme in a crippling way that keeps its audience uncomfortable and on edge throughout the whole movie. It is a movie that provokes reflection and discussion through beautiful and complex cinematography.
