Top Five Lockdown Movies
When you’re stuck for something to watch, maybe try these…
Over the course of the last year, a lot of us will have plumbed the depths of the streaming services to find things to watch. Some of which might be that boxset or film you heard so much about. Some of which maybe you’d never have considered nor heard of.
This list is my personal top five films discovered during lockdown that I probably wouldn’t have considered watching, but am glad I did. Even if the quality of the titles may not be to everyone’s liking (one of them was even one I could credibly recommend!), everything on the list has a certain watchability to it.
Game Night
The lead couple Max & Annie (Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams) have a weekly games night with friends, but when Max’s brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) turns up to curate his own game night, it goes awry. His attempt to provide a mystery game sees him getting kidnapped for real, which leads to story of chases, fights and plenty of twists and turns.
It’s the most mainstream comedy on the list and if current Hollywood “zaniness” isn’t your bag, then this probably won’t change your mind. However I felt this was above the average. Good pace throughout, funny gags and a fine supporting cast of characters (particularly Jesse Plemons as creepy neighbour Gary, an ex-army man who’s recently divorced and just wants to join in the games).
On Netflix until 16th April
Top Secret!
From the writers of Airplane and The Naked Gun, I was shocked when i realised I’d never seen this before as it’s totally my humour. Featuring Val Kilmer in his first leading role, it’s a ridiculous spoof of World War 2 spy films, poking fun at Elvis movies along the way. Some of the humour certainly won’t be seen fondly by younger viewers (let’s just say that this film probably wouldn’t get made today), but for all its faults, I laughed a lot more than I thought I would. One scene that is must viewing involves the lead characters going to a Swedish book seller, played by Peter Cushing of all people. From his magnified eye to the “Swedish” language (the entire scene is filmed in reverse), it’s a magnificent two minutes.
On Amazon Prime, rental £3.49
Money Plane
There was a lot of talk about this movie. Not necessarily for the right reasons. Evil crime boss Kelsey Grammar acquires a team of professional thieves, led by Adam Copeland, whose character is $40 Million dollars in debt. Their heist is to rob an airborne casino, which has – and I quote a line from the film – “the best pilots in the world: there is no turbulence.”
This movie is dreadful. There are no other words to describe it. I cannot recommended this on artistic merit nor stellar performance. But it’s a must-watch. It’s so horrifically dreadful that it must be seen. Despite the awful dialogue, the horrendous performances and the badly conceived action (most of the film sees the lead flying the plane with no events to trouble him). It is so bad, it’s awesome.
On Amazon Prime streaming service.
Unhinged
Whenever you get the urge to honk the horn at someone for doing something minor on the road, this movie might make you reconsider. Russell Crowe plays a psychotic who, after starting the movie killing his ex-wife and lover, turns his attentions to a woman (Caren Pistorius) and her son after she objects to a minor inconvenience. Not only does he make multiple attempts at vehicular homicide on her, he causes misery towards everyone in her life until it all reaches an inevitably violent conclusion.
It’s a fairly basic premise and the film doesn’t go anywhere you don’t expect it to, but it’s still gripping at certain points. I was pleasantly surprised and so might you be.
On Amazon Prime £4.49 rental
Rent-a-Pal
Easily the best film I’ve seen over lockdown.
Brian Landis Folkins plays David, a 40 year old loner who looks after his ailing mother. Set in 1990, he enrols with a local video dating company, where his results prove unsuccessful time and time again. When he purchased a video entitled “Rent-A-Pal”, he finds solace in Andy (Wil Wheaton), who offers care, kindness and conversation. David quickly becomes almost inhabited by the tape, to the point where the viewer is not sure if the tape is just a tape or if Andy is really talking to David.
This film is really chilling. The moments when Andy appears to be reacting to what David is actually doing is handled superbly, particularly after David’s successful date with a lady. Andy’s jealousy is enhanced by ever increasing static, earlier established as video tracking, makes for terrifying viewing. Wheaton’s performance as the squeaky clean super nice guy Andy is the perfect companion to this increasingly demonic presence in David’s life. Folkins is perfectly cast too, as he delivers David’s ever building meltdown to a level most actors would find difficult.
100% recommend this one.
Amazon Prime rental £1.99 – bargain!
