Quarantine REK-commendations

Bored?
Going mad?
Desperate to escape?
Here is some advice on how to keep yourself busy through the wonder of film!
I'll recommend a film each day - leaning towards recent releases that got less publicity that other films.

Use justwatch.com to find which service you can watch it on.
Use unogs.com to check if it's on Netflix and in which country - change your VPN to get access!

Free films! And legal!
TubiTV - Needs a USA VPN address. Create a free account for access to even more films - an excellent selection of international films, especially recent Korean films like Mother, Train to Busan and The Wailing.

MUBI is a subscription service that adds a film every day - it disappears after a month. They focus on international and classic cinema. They are offering three months of free films!
Note: University students ALWAYS get free MUBI - create an account if you later take Film at university.

FestivalScope - Some paid but also some free. A film festival online. More indie and unusual choices, so something for a film explorer to discover some gems

Shudder - Horror film streamer is offering one month free during the quarantine period. Code: SHUTIN. Note: IB students only!
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​South by Southwest - This year's festival was cancelled, but a wide range of their short films are available online here including the award-winning No Crying at the Dinner Table

Fangoria magazine - Horror film magazine Fangoria is offering two free months once you sign up to a free account. NOTE: IB students only due to horrific content!

Film Lists
Lots of publications are providing lists of recommendations for this quarantine period. Here are a few:
GQ magazine - the best documentaries to stream right now
BFI: 100 great films to stream right now
EMPIRE: The 25 Best Documentaries on Netflix
SeventhRow: A Guide to International Cinema for Young Adults

QUARANTINE REK-COMMENDATION #12: VOX LUX

Available on Netflix in UK and Canada

Natalie Portman stars as a Lady Gaga-style pop singer in this psychological drama. Shades of Black Swan and The Sweet Hereafter as the singer deals with trauma from a school shooting in her past.

Portman only appears in the final section of the film - it's an unusually-structured but always interesting film. Jude Law also appears.

Director Brady Corbet previously made The Childhood of a Leader - also well worth a watch (though not on Netflix).

Trailer: 

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #11: DANGAL

 Available on Netflix in the UK, US, Canada and others!

An exhilarating Indian film about two girls who want to follow their father and become Olympic wrestlers, while he deals with his traditional expectations of his daughter.

Not only a brilliantly-made sports drama, but also one that examines family issues. Some of you may be resistant to Indian films but this one is definitely worth trying. At least watch the opening credits - if you're not tapping your feet to the theme song, then you don't have a pulse!

If you liked the original Karate Kid or Rocky films, definitely give it a shot. This was released in cinemas in China a broke records for foreign-language films.

As a bonus, the amazing 3 Idiots is also on Netflix - despite the odd title, an excellent watch.

​Dangal trailer:

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #10: BAD GENIUS

Available on Netflix in USA & Canada

A story of students who sell exam answers but take things too far... based on a true story. This is a Thai film - unexpectedly fantastic. A really impressive, tense and enjoyable movie.

A school drama made in the style of a Hollywood heist thriller. Strong production values. Worth a watch if you liked Heat, Ocean's 11 and the like.

​Trailer: 

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #9 - FIRST REFORMED 

Available on UK Netflix

Director Paul Schrader wrote Taxi Driver and now writes and directs this film, which serves as an interesting companion piece.

Ethan Hawke gives one of his best performances as a priest whose conscience is leading him towards extremism after meeting with an environmentalist. This drama is a thoughtful meditation on the state of the world and features kept me fully-engaged throughout. Slow-paced but well worth your full attention.

Trailer: 

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #8: DESTROYER

Available on Netflix (UK)

Starring Nicole Kidman in weird make-up, this psychological crime thriller went largely under the radar. A flavour of Memento and The Machinist in this L.A.-set neo-noir.  Director Karyn Kusama also made the excellent Girlfight. This is stylishly-made and has a strong central performance. 

Trailer: 

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #7: COLOSSAL (2016)

From the zany mind of Nacho Vigalondo, director of the excellent time travel film Timecrimes, comes this monster movie with a difference.
​Think of a smaller, more personal Pacific Rim mixed with a domestic relationship/addiction drama and add some fun.

Stars Anne Hathaway (who was amazing as a recovering addict in Rachel Getting Married) and Jason Sudeikis.

Available on UK Netflix (use unogs.com to see if Netflix in your country has it). 

Trailer:

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #6 - THOROUGHBREDS 

Today's film is THOROUGHBREDS (2018).
A darkly funny thriller about two teens who hatch a plot to kill one's stepfather. It reminded me of Cruel Intentions mixed with To Die For by way of Sofia Coppola.
Stars the talented Anya Taylor-Joy and the much missed Anton Yelchin.
Available on UK Netflix
Trailer:

QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #5 - I LOST MY BODY

Today's film is brilliant French animation I LOST MY BODY - available worldwide on Netflix.
Oscar-nominated in the 2020 Best Animated Film category and more daring and interesting than the good but unsurprising Toy Story 4, this has an odd title and concept but don't let that put you off from discovering this gem.
A detached hand tries to get back to its owner as memories flash by accompanied by a brilliant music score that I bought before the credits had finished. Love, hope, identity and nostalgia mixed with brilliant editing and sound - one of my favourites of the last few years.
​ NOTE: Aimed at older teens and adults, not at kids
​Trailer:

​​QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #4 - FAST COLOR

Today's film is FAST COLOUR (aka Fast Color for countries that don't like the letter U). 
A superhero sci-fi drama in the vein of X-Men and Midnight Special featuring an original character. This stars the always-excellent Gugu Mbatha-Raw. While somewhat low-budget, this has some fun effects and engaged me throughout. Worth watching if you enjoyed films like Looper. Available on UK Netflix

Trailer below

DOUBLE BILL OPTION:
​Beyond the Lights, also starring Mbatha-Raw is free on Amazon Prime in the UK and Netflix in Canada, and is a well-made romantic drama about the life of a pop star.

​​​QUARANTINE FILM REK-COMMENDATION #3 - SHADOW

Shadow is a Chinese-language wuxia film from Zhang Yimou - China's greatest living filmmaker. If you enjoyed Hero (also by Zhang) or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, then this one should reward you.

Beautifully photographed with the greyscale palette of an ink painting, this blends ancient court intrigue with exciting action.

I was really surprised that this wasn't put forward as China's Oscar entry last year and it has had little impact worldwide - a great pity! The opening act is a little dense with exposition, but then it really kicks off and doesn't let up.

Available on UK Netflix (and worldwide Netflix too, I believe)
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Trailer: 

REK-commendation ​#2 - O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA (2016)

An epic five-part documentary that not only covers the OJ Simpson trial, but sets it in context of the black experience in America, as well as looking into the aftermath of his acquittal.

Epic in length - hey, you've got time to watch it - and fully deserving of its Oscar for Best Documentary.

​I don't know anyone else who has seen this, despite its accolades. One of the best documentaries I've seen in the last few years.
 






​Trailer:

REK-commendation #1 - LEAVE NO TRACE (2018)

Excellent father-daughter story about a traumatised veteran and his daughter living off-grid in a national park. When they are forced to face the real-world, their paths begin to diverge.

Beautifully made with a sensitive turn from Thomasin McKenzie and a subtle and engaging Ben Foster.

From Debra Granik, who helped launch Jennifer Lawrence's career in also excellent Winter's Bone
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On Amazon Prime (USA) / SkyGo (UK)





​Trailer: