By Mattias Gariepy
With everything going on with the new Coronavirus, people around the world are mostly being kept at home to stay safe. This forces them to resort to things such as watch their siblings/cousins, look after their own kids, work remotely, or simply be bored at home. The bright side of being able to stay home is being able to watch movies. People can watch a variety of movies that they have never seen before, or may not have seen for a long time. As a result, I am going to recommend five of my favorite classic movies that people should consider watching while confined.
Ernest and Celestine (PG): This is a great movie for all ages, with the original language being French, but can be watched in English. It is based on a children’s book about a Bear (Ernest) befriending a mouse (Celestine), titled the same as the movie and written by Gabrielle Vincent. The animation style of the film is amazing and very similar to the book itself, both having adorable characters that anyone will come to love. The movie can be found on Amazon Prime for everyone’s enjoyment.
The Shawshank Redemption (R): Considered one of the greatest movies ever produced and based on Stephen King’s Short Story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. This is a great movie about Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) being sentenced to two consecutive life terms in a fictional prison called “Shawshank”, for a crime he didn’t commit. The characters, story, and acting in this movie are a big hit for any viewer. Morgan Freeman is also an attraction in this movie through playing the character Red, and monologuing the entire movie.
Blues Brothers (R): The music in this film is outstanding, with singers like Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, and others starring in the film. Not only is the music amazing, but the Blues Brothers adventure with Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) are hilarious. On a “mission for God”, the Blues Brothers go on a non-stop, action-packed, thrill ride with plenty of laughs and music along the way.
12 Angry Men (PG-13) [1957 version]: This movie helps depict why jury duty is not ideal for anyone. It’s about a jury struggling to determine whether or not a young man is guilty of murder. Knowing that a guilty verdict will likely result in the death penalty (this is the 1950s after all), 12 complete strangers need to overcome their differences and work together. With a bunch of twists and turns around each corner, you will feel like you’re one of the jurors. Though it has an abundance of dialogue, you never get tired of listening to this star-studded cast. Without giving away the ending, it is fair to say that none of these strangers will ever be the same again.
Das Boot (R) [German, with English subtitles, Director’s Cut]: The movie itself has a running time of nearly 5 hours! Filmed almost entirely within the confines of a German U-Boat (submarine), this movie will make anyone who is even slightly claustrophobic twitch. Internationally acclaimed as one of the best war movies ever made, it is also one of the few WWII movies focusing on the German military. While there is plenty of action, the movie’s primary focus is on the trauma experienced by the crew and their ability to overcome adversity. When a WWII movie has you actually routing for the Germans to succeed, you realize how special this movie is.
Each of these movies is a classic in its own unique way, with each one telling a different story. During these difficult times, there is nothing better than a classic movie to temporarily take your mind off of things and/or the new version of the Coronavirus. So, grab your favorite snack and enjoy!
