Hey guys! I wanted to give a few movie recommendations since winter break is finally here and I figure most of us won’t have much to do. All the movies I will mention in this article are going to be a mix of some of my favorites or just some that I enjoyed watching.
I won’t be including any holiday themed films because I feel like everyone has watched all the iconic ones so if you’re looking for a Christmas movie to watch, I sadly don’t have a recommendation.
Also I suggest watching some of these movies with friends! You can watch movies virtually with other people through Teleparty or Zoom so check that out if it interests you!
1. I, Tonya (2017) dir. Craig Gillespie
This movie is amazing in almost every way. It is a biopic about American Olympic skater Tonya Harding portrayed by Margot Robbie, and the story behind the scandal that destroyed her career. This movie is definitely a tearjerker that makes you feel bad for being optimistic for the main character. If you’re looking for a heartfelt movie with a great ending, this is the one for you.
2. Inception (2010) dir. Christopher Nolan
It was really hard choosing just one Christopher Nolan movie to include in this short list but I felt like Inception was the best choice. I personally love this movie, it is incredibly captivating and brilliant. The cast for this film is also composed of my favorite actors (hence why I am a little biased towards it) and their performances are great. If you are looking for a great Sci-Fi/Action film, this one is a must watch.
3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) dir. Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton
If you’re looking for a movie to put on with family then I suggest Little Miss Sunshine! It’s one of my new comfort movies, and for reasons. A short rundown of it is; a family goes on a road trip to California so their little girl can enter a beauty pageant. If you want a mood booster, I highly suggest this film.
4. Good Time (2017) dir. The Safdie Brothers
Another one of my favorite movies, Good Time is an action movie that will certainly give you an adrenaline rush. It stars Robert Pattinson as a felon who is trying to break his brother out from jail. Overall a lot of law-breaking and violence takes place in this film. The Safdie Brothers are known for their thrilling films, as they also directed Uncut Gems (2019). A must watch if you love action films, or if you just want to see a great movie.
5. (500) Days of Summer dir. Marc Webb
(500) Days of Summer is a well known romcom that is highly iconic for it’s elevator scene (pictured above). Coming from a person who despises romcoms, I adored this movie. It’s stupid and goofy but it made me feel a mix of emotions in a span of an hour and a half. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel have great performances in this film, despite the fact I lowkey didn’t like their characters. If you’re looking for an iconic 2000s romcom, I highly suggest this.
6. Unfriended (2014) dir. Levan Gabriadze
Before anybody judges me on this recommendation, I know. This film is ridiculously terrible and that’s what makes it comically brilliant. Unfriended is a found footage thriller about friends who are on Skype that meet a hacker who decides to threaten their lives. This is a great movie to watch with friends, because trust me it will give you a good laugh.
7. The Queen’s Gambit (2020) dir. Scott Frank
I’m sure everyone has seen or heard of The Queen’s Gambit but it’s too good to leave out of this list. It’s also not a movie but rather a limited series. This series is incredible and lives up to all the hype it's been getting recently. The performances are astonishing, as Anya Taylor Joy really made this film come together. The screenwriting and the cinematography are also highly admirable. If you want something different to binge watch, The Queen’s Gambit is for you.
And that is all the recommendations I have for now! My Letterboxd if anybody is interested is https://boxd.it/1wacF. I will be updating it with movies I’ll watch over the break so if you’re interested in that, feel free to check it out!
I hope you guys stay safe and have a great winter break!