With cinemas closed and everyone (hopefully) practising social distancing, we’re going to share some picks to help you get by until things (hopefully) get back to normal. We’ll also suggest alternatives for films that were meant to release in cinemas this week.
Tell us your recommendations in the comments below or on Twitter.
Cinema Alternatives
The New Mutants
Directed by: Josh Boone
Written by: Josh Boone and Knate Lee
Starring: Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt, Henry Zaga
Synopsis:
In an isolated hospital, a group of young mutants is being held for psychiatric monitoring. When strange occurrences begin to take place, both their new mutant abilities and their friendships are tested as they battle to make it out alive.
Has there been a more troubled film in recent history than The New Mutants? Shot in 2017 for a 2018 release, it was delayed for reshoots—reshoots that apparently never happened. The film was pushed further in the wake of Disney’s acquisition of Fox and was set to finally hit cinemas before COVID-19 dealt it another blow. There is no current release date for The New Mutants, despite most of Disney’s slate getting new dates. There are rumours it may be released on Disney+ following an interview with Bob Iger where he said they may bring more films straight to the service, like they’re doing with Artemis Fowl.
Alternative:
Brightburn
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
IMDb: 6.1
Metacritic: 44
Year of Release: 2019
Directed by: David Yarovesky
Written by: Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner
Synopsis:
After a difficult struggle with fertility, Tori Breyer’s dreams of motherhood come true with the arrival of a mysterious baby boy. Brandon appears to be everything Tori and her husband, Kyle, ever wanted—bright, talented and curious. But as Brandon nears puberty, a powerful darkness manifests within him, and Tori becomes consumed by terrible doubts. Once Brandon begins to act on his twisted urges, those closest to him find themselves in grave danger.
Rationale:
The New Mutants is meant to be a horror film set in the X-Men universe, so try this horror-tinged spin on the Superman origin. Produced by James Gunn, Brightburn was a solid financial success given its low budget.
Find out where you can watch Brightburn here.
Alternative:
Sucker Punch
Rotten Tomatoes: 22%
IMDb: 6.0
Metacritic: 33
Year of Release: 2011
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Written by: Zack Snyder (story & screenplay), Steve Shibuya (story)
Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, Scott Glenn
Synopsis:
A young girl, Babydoll, is locked away in a mental asylum by her abusive stepfather, where she will undergo a lobotomy in five days. Faced with unimaginable odds, she retreats to a fantastical world in her imagination where she and four fellow inmates plot to escape. The line between reality and fantasy blurs as they—and a mysterious guide—fight to retrieve five items that will set them free.
Rationale:
This Zack Snyder original isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s developed a cult following and its characters are still popular for cosplay. Also set in a mental institution with a then-promising young cast, Sucker Punch is at least visually interesting and worth a try.
Find out where you can watch Sucker Punch here.
The Hunt
Directed by: Craig Zobel
Written by: Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof
Starring: Betty Gilpin, Ike Barinholtz, Amy Madigan, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Hilary Swank
Synopsis:
Twelve strangers wake in a clearing. They don’t know where they are or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen—for a very specific purpose: The Hunt. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy, a group of elites gathers at a remote manor to hunt humans for sport. But their plan is derailed when one of the hunted, Crystal, knows the game better than they do. She turns the tables, picking them off one by one on her way to the mysterious woman at the center of it all.
Like The New Mutants, The Hunt had a tough path to cinemas. Originally set for September 2019, it was delayed after two mass shootings. It is now available to rent on various services for $24.99. Universal released the first 10 minutes of the film if you want to sample it.
Alternative:
The Hunger Games
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
IMDb: 7.2
Metacritic: 68
Year of Release: 2012
Directed by: Gary Ross
Written by: Suzanne Collins (screenplay & novel), Gary Ross (screenplay), Billy Ray (screenplay)
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland
Synopsis:
Each year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem forces its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games—televised combat to the death. Pitted against highly trained Tributes, Katniss Everdeen must rely on her instincts and the mentorship of former victor Haymitch Abernathy if she hopes to survive.
Rationale:
The franchise that made Jennifer Lawrence a household name; it also centres on humans hunting each other, albeit in a televised arena.
Find out where you can watch The Hunger Games here.
Alternative:
The Purge
Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
IMDb: 5.7
Metacritic: 41
Year of Release: 2013
Directed by: James DeMonaco
Written by: James DeMonaco
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder
Synopsis:
In a future America devastated by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government provides a 12-hour period once a year when all criminal activity (including murder) is legal. A man attempts to protect his family from an intruder during one such period.
Rationale:
The film that launched a horror franchise and became a major part of Blumhouse Pictures’ rise. Like The Hunt, it features commentary on class.
Find out where you can watch The Purge here.
Movie of the Week
Long Shot
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
IMDb: 6.9
Metacritic: 67
Year of Release: 2019
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Written by: Paul King and Simon Farnaby
Starring: Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Andy Serkis, June Diane Raphael, Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgård
Synopsis:
When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush—one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field—he charms her with his self-deprecating humour and memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to run for President, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamorous lifestyle in the limelight. Sparks fly as their chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected, dangerous incidents.
Rationale:
One of the most pleasantly surprising comedies of last year. Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron have terrific chemistry and it’s a reminder that Charlize Theron can do pretty much anything. Some of 2019’s funniest moments.
Find out where you can watch Long Shot here.
TV to Binge
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
IMDb: 9.2
Metacritic: 74
Year of Release: 2005–2008
Created by: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Episodes: 61 × 23-minute episodes
Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, Jessie Flower, Dee Bradley Baker, Mako, Greg Baldwin, Grey DeLisle, Mark Hamill
Synopsis:
The world is divided into four nations—the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads—each represented by a natural element. Benders can control the element of their nation. Only the Avatar masters all four. The ruthless Fire Nation seeks to conquer the world, but the only bender powerful enough—the Avatar—has disappeared… until now. Katara and Sokka discover that Aang is the long-lost Avatar and must safeguard him on his journey to master the elements and save the world.
Rationale:
One of the great animated series. With a tight, three-season story, Avatar: The Last Airbender was unlike any other animated show of its era. Still an amazing watch—especially ahead of its upcoming live-action adaptation on Netflix.
Find out where you can watch Avatar: The Last Airbender here.
