Continuing with university studies throughout lockdown has its challenges, and now ‘stay at home’ is the new normal, it’s even more important for students to find time to relax. We spoke to Film students, Rebecca Thornton and Rosa Scott, who recommended their top films for some much-needed down time over the course of this lockdown and beyond!
When you need a laugh...
Rebecca recommends: Tag (2018)
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Jon Hamm
Genre: Comedy
Plot: "A group of friends have been being playing the game tag for the past 30 years, wanting to play one last time in an attempt to tag the undefeated player."
Why: "This is the most recent film I've seen on Netflix that has thoroughly made me laugh, something we all need to be doing more of during lockdown and the fact it is based off a true story makes it that much funnier!"
For escapism...
Rosa recommends: Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Starring: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa
Genre: Animated adventure
Plot: "Sophie, a young woman, is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch. Her only chance of breaking this spell lays in the hands of Howl - a young wizard."
Why: "I think I would be underselling this film if I said it was one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. The soundtrack to ethereal and emphasises the dream-like aura of the movie. Although I would recommend watching the original Japanese version, there is a dubbed version of the film starring Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall and more."
For a date night with friends...
Rebecca recommends: Game Night (2018)
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman
Genre: Action comedy
Plot: "A couple who consistently host game night for their group of friends are interrupted when a murder mystery evening turns all too real."
Why: "I would picture watching this film with my favourite glass of wine, logging into Netflix Party (or Zoom) and catching up with my friends from afar whilst being able to watch the film together. It offers some comic relief - something essential after the constant negativity of the global pandemic - whilst also including twist after twist, which makes the film unpredictable."
To make you think...
Rosa recommends: Good Bye Lenin! (2003)
Starring: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Maria Simon
Genre: Comedy drama
Plot: "This film follows the story of a young man called Alex who lives in East Germany and whose mother was in a coma during the fall of the Berlin wall. He must prevent his mother from learning what has happened as the shock may cause a heart attack and kill her - to do this he attempts to continue as if East Germany is living on in their small apartment."
Why: "Although funny at times, this film shows the reality of life during divided Germany and how difficult a time it was for many. It also poses moral conflicts as some disagree with Alex's lies to his mother, but he insists that the truth would kill her. This film tells a great story during a time of intense social and political change."
For a cosy night in...
Rebecca recommends: When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan
Genre: Romantic comedy
Plot: "A chance encounter between two graduates culminates in a short-term friendship. But when fate brings them back together five years later, they are forced to deal with how they feel about each other."
Why: "After a long day of working or studying from home what is better than grabbing your favourite flavoured popcorn, as many comfy blankets as humanly possible and sitting down to watch a classic such as this for a cosy night in. A film you could watch a thousand times and never become bored with it."
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