Hey Erin--What Should I Watch Tonight? Part One
Every now and then, I have a friend tell me about an experience that we have all had: scrolling through the endless pages of Netflix, waiting for a movie to intrigue them enough that they hit play. And let’s face it--that rarely happens! It turns into a game of “What do you want to watch?” “I don’t know, what do you want to watch?” This is one of the reasons why Tom and I started our movie watching blog. We were able to make a list of well-received films that we could watch one by one. I really think that’s the ONLY reason we were able to watch over 200 movies since the start of the pandemic.
Whenever someone asked me for a recommendation the past year and a half, I would point them in the direction of our 2010s list of films. But that’s sort of unfair, since there is truly no quality control on that list, and who knows? They might choose Tree of Life and that would inevitably ruin any trust I’ve earned over the course of our friendship. No, I think it is a much safer bet to make a starter list of some of my favorites. It would make my heart explode into a parade of puppies tossing sparkly confetti into the air with their paws to have you watch one of them and to let me know what you think.
If you are looking for a swoon-worthy romance, then SAME, friends. My Libby app for my Kindle is literally embarrassed at the number of romantic comedies I request. In the past year I have read about how a calligrapher fell in love, a chronically ill graphic designer fell in love, a travel writer fell in love, work enemies fell in love, the first son of the United States and the Prince of England fell in love, a professional baseball player fell in love, etc. etc. etc. I just love that crap. And you know what? There aren’t as many great romance films as there should be. For some reason, it’s a difficult genre to get right. Lucky us, though, because there are some movies that will give you butterflies every time!
When Harry Met Sally (1989): Don’t talk to me until you have watched this. It’s required viewing for all romance nerds.
Enough Said (2013): This is a sweet, mature, funny romance starring the incomparable Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late, great James Gandolfini.
Before Sunrise (1995): The absolute ULTIMATE decades-long romance. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy filmed this trilogy over the course of twenty years and it is achingly beautiful. It’s literally just two people falling in love! Once you finish that one, you can watch Before Sunset and Before Midnight.
Pride & Prejudice (2005): This has to be my favorite Austen adaptation. I am a Kiera Knightley super fan and this is some of her best work.
Love, Simon (2018): I love this adaptation about teenager Simon coming out and finding love during high school. It’s such a cute romantic comedy!
If you can’t get enough of suspenseful thrillers, I have a few favorites with the twists and turns you would love!
Get Out (2017): Jordan Peele won an Academy Award for his impeccable screenplay. This film about a Black man visiting his white girlfriend’s family and realizing that everything is not as it seems is one of my all time favorites, containing more reveals, twists, and mind blowing scenes than most television shows have in ten seasons.
Searching (2018): Jon Cho has to find his missing daughter in this thriller, told entirely through computer screens. If it sounds gimmicky, it really is an effective mystery with some major twists!
You Were Never Really Here (2017): This Joaquin Phoenix vehicle is so much better than his Oscar winning film Joker, but it is just as dark and sinister. He plays a vigilante on a job to find a missing girl.
Wind River (2017): Taylor Sheridan directed this excellent film where Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner try to solve a murder that took place on a Native American reservation.
Prisoners (2013): Hugh Jackman tries to find his missing daughter in this film with one of the craziest final acts I have ever seen!
Do you ever want an emotional film that will leave you in a puddle of tears and snot? Been there! Here are a few movies that I probably will never re-watch because I don’t have enough tissues.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008): This documentary about a filmmaker who decides to make a movie about his murdered friend for the friend’s newborn son made me sob so hard that I started dry heaving. I don’t think I have ever seen something so devastating in my life. So...if that’s what you’re interested in watching...enjoy?
Amour (2012): This French film about an elderly man dealing with the aftermath of his wife’s debilitating stroke is just as difficult a watch as you’d imagine. Still, excellent performances and a realistic story make this worth the watch.
If Beale Street Could Talk (2017): This adaptation of a James Baldwin novel masterfully shows the power of love, but also displays the devastation of racism and loss. It’s beautifully made and an emotional film.
Atonement (2007): The end of this film was shocking and emotional. It reminded me of Titanic in a way, so if you enjoyed that blockbuster, give this one a shot.
Still Alice (2014): The film is good, not great, but Julianne Moore’s performance as a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s disease is one of the best I have ever seen on film.
Stay tuned for the next round of “Hey Erin—What Should I Watch Next?” I am already thinking up some dramas, animated films, and *gasp!* horror movies that you may want to watch!