Here is a list of five movies (not in any particular order) that you should watch if you want to explore new genres. They range from thrillers, to musicals, to classics, so your movie nights are always kept interesting!
1 - Shutter Island (2010)
Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and starring the Oscar winning actor, Leonardo
DiCaprio, this movie is a psychological thriller that is full of suspense and will have you completely shocked by the end. It begins with the two US marshals, Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), being sent to an asylum on the remote Shutter Island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient. The longer they are there, the more they realize things are not as they seem. You uncover truths about the island while simultaneously uncovering truths about Teddy’s dark past. All the cast members did a spectacular job and the storytelling was great. I generally hate anything scary so I stay away from horror, but this was just the right amount of creepy for me so I recommend it to everyone, even those who don’t usually like these types of films. It can be found on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and ITunes.
2 - Showpiercer (2013)
From the director of Parasite, Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi about civilization on earth during a second ice age where the only survivors live on a self-sufficient train that never stops moving. Like many of Bong Joon Ho’s films, there are many underlying messages about human nature; it is a criticism of classism and capitalism. The main protagonist, Curtis (Chris Evans), is a member of the tail-end of the train, carrying the poorest residents who managed to sneak on before the earth was destroyed. Although the visual effects are not the best at times, the overall storytelling and acting from the entire cast makes it very much worth the watch. The film really showcased Chris Evans’ talents and versatility. Other notable actors include Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, Jamie Bell, and Kant-Ho Song. It can be found on Amazon Prime Video (not to be confused with the recent TV show adaptation) and ITunes.
3 - Forrest Gump (1994)
This Oscar winning classic is a film that everyone should watch no matter your age. Starring Tom Hanks, this film is grouped under the category of drama/romance but it is so much more than that. It follows the life from childhood of Forrest Gump and has moments that will make you laugh, moments that will have you on the edge of your seat, and moments that will make you cry your eyes out. This is probably my favourite movie of all time; everything about it is just perfect. It is available to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
4 - Funny Girl (1968)
This is another biographical film about the rise to fame of actress/comedian, Fannie Brice, played by Barbara Streisand. Fans of the TV show Glee may be familiar with the name but I definitely feel like this movie doesn’t get enough attention for how amazing it is. Barbara Streisand is so charismatic and her voice is like none other. Additionally, the dialogue and the comedic aspects were perfectly done. It also has one of my favourite film endings of all time. I think any musical lovers would really enjoy Funny Girl, but I recommended it to everyone because it is just such a fun movie that anyone can sit down, watch, and have a good time. It can be found on Netflix and ITunes.
5 - Beautiful Boy (2018)
This is a biographical drama based on the memoirs, Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff and Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff. It follows the Sheff family, more specifically Nic Sheff and his father, through a journey of addiction and recovery. It’s an amazing film filled with some heartwarming moments to contrast the otherwise heavy and emotional story. The father-son relationship portrayed by Timothee Chalemet and Steve Carrell is genuinely so well done; both actors really poured their heart and soul into the roles. I personally felt like it is a very realistic representation of addiction, as well as an eye-opener on the effects of methamphetamines. On top of that, the cinematography is beautiful. The movie can be found on Amazon Prime Video and ITunes.