Movies to Stream While Quarantined (Part 4)

Good Will Hunting (Hulu)

Even though I am sure most of you have seen this film, I figured it was worth mentioning that it's available to stream on Hulu right now in case you haven't seen it or want to watch it again.

If you're a part of the minority and have not seen this film, it's an all-time classic that stars Matt Damon as a math prodigy and all-around genius who has lived a tough life in Boston. He has no motivation and no intention of ever getting out of his comfort zone due to his abusive childhood. When an MIT professor discovers his talents, he enlists the help of the legend himself, Robin Williams. Robin Williams has what could be in the top 5 greatest performances of all time. He somehow makes you laugh, cry, and question your purpose in life all in one scene. It's truly an amazing film that everyone should see at least once.

The Dark Knight (Hulu)

Another movie that I'm sure most of you have seen. Some of you have seen it a couple times. Some a little more than that. If you're like me and worship this film, you can quote more than half of this pretty long movie.

Hands down, no contest, this is the greatest superhero movie of all time. Due, in part, to the fact that it doubles as one of the greatest crime thrillers of all time as well. It's fantastic and epic in every sense of the word. Christopher Nolan gives us a realistic look into the chaotic world of Batman. What sets this movie above all other great superhero movies is not just how gripping the plot is, but it's the supporting role of Health Ledger as the Joker. The greatest villain in any movie to date. Yeah, the new Joker movie was good, but it still shivers under the might of Health Ledger's Joker.

The Green Mile (Hulu)

This movie has never failed to make me get all watery eyed, it's simply one of the most beautiful stories ever told. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Green Mile is about a man named John Coffey, who is sentenced to death row after being accused of raping and murdering two little girls. However, Tom Hanks, who plays the head security guard of death row, begins to realize the man is absolutely harmless and, in fact, might be entirely innocent. The movie has a lot of biblical metaphors that are both subtle and not-so-subtle, but nonetheless get the message across. Gentlemen, this is going to be one of those movies that you're going to have to prepare for ahead of time, because no amount of manliness will stop you from shedding a tear at the late, great Michael Clarke Duncan's iconic performance.

Parasite (Hulu)

You've heard its name a thousand times, but have you given it a shot yet? Yes, it has subtitles, and yes, you'll get over them within the first 10 minutes. I promise that, in no time, you'll be simultaneously reading the subtitles and watching the movie so gracefully that you'll enjoy it to the fullest.

It didn't win the Oscar for Best Picture for nothing. It's a well-told, perfectly-acted, and beautifully edited movie that tells the story of a poor family stuck scrapping by for money. When the son of the poor family gets hired as a tutor for a rich family on the other side of town, the poor family hatches a plan to one-by-one integrate themselves into the lives of this unsuspecting rich family. I loved this movie because it showed class struggles without necessarily demonizing either side. It's very entertaining and worth a watch.

Swingers (Hulu)

Has anyone ever told you that you're "money and you don't even know it"? It's because of this iconic film. I say iconic just because it's iconic to me and my childhood. It's one of my dad's favorite movies and it gave way to so many quotable lines. It's a simple plot with Jon Favreau playing a young actor who has a hard break-up, but luckily his boys are there to help him get back on his feet. It's hilarious, especially with vintage Vince Vaughn playing himself (like he usually does) and stealing almost every scene.

The Nice Guys (HBO)

One of the most underrated and underappreciated movies in the past decade, The Nice Guys is a hilarious and eccentric film starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. It follows Gosling as a quirky PI who's hired to investigate a suicide. This leads him to team up with the more unorthodox and hands-off PI, played by Crowe.

Never pegged Gosling for a comedian since he plays a calm, stoic mute in most of his movies, but damn if his comedic timing isn't on point in this. This film is an absolute blast to watch and people never gave it the credit it deserved despite it being a huge hit with critics.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (HBO)

Speaking of Gosling secretly being hilarious, this movie is a must-watch if you like romantic comedies, because it's one of the best ever. It's writing is witty and playful, making for a fun watch that shows Steve Carell as a dorky dad who, after being divorced by his longtime wife, is taken under the wing of a womanizer (Gosling) in order to get back in the dating game. It's funny, heartfelt, and has a great twist ending that I promise you won't see coming if you haven't seen it before.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Netflix)

Chances are you've heard of this movie, but never bothered to see it. If you have, kudos. If you haven't, don't knock it til you try it, buddy.

Legendary director David Fincher beautifully tells the story of Benjamin Button (played by Brad Pitt), a man who ages backwards. That's right, he's born as a frail old man and slowly ages in reverse. It sounds silly, but the film shows the trials and consequences of aging in reverse, which glue you to the screen with intrigue. It's fascinating and very well-written, but it's the performances from Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, and Mahershala Ali that really take the cake. Also, this movie didn't win every special effects and makeup award possible for nothing, because somehow making Brad Pitt look like a tiny frail old man is a sight to see.

The Florida Project (Netflix)

A hidden gem that Netflix has hidden around, The Florida Project is a gorgeously-shot film that is set over one summer where we follow a precocious 6-year-old girl named Moonee as she acts all mischievous and seeks adventure and innocence while living in the poverty-stricken outskirts of Walt Disney World. The film doesn't have much in terms of a grand plot, but the way we see the daily struggles of the poor inhabitants that live around "the happiest place on Earth" is heartbreaking. It's also really interesting how we see how young Moonee doesn't see it as a poor slum, but as her imaginary world where she makes it what she wishes. It's a sad, but inspiring movie about poverty and child-like innocence.

The King (Netflix)

I'm a sucker for historical dramas, and this movie was a nice treat for the history buffs of the world. While most large-scale, historical dramas trip over themselves with grandiose stakes and unrelatable characters, The King is a welcomed return to the world of Medieval Europe. Timothee Chalamet kills it as King Henry V, the reluctant heir to the English crown as he inherits his father's wars and enemies at a relatively young age. It's a great movie with great performances and a killer soundtrack.

Django Unchained (Netflix)

Yessir, the action-packed Quentin Tarantino thrill-ride is on Netflix right now. It's as Tarantino as it gets, with quippy, drawn-out dialogue that both delights and intrigues. It's pace fluctuates from fast-paced action to long and intense scenes of dialogue. One of my favorite Tarantino films, you won't want to miss his biggest box-office hit.

Jerry Maguire (Netflix)

Oh to be Tom Cruise at the height of his power in the mid 1990s. What a time to be alive.

Ever wonder where the line, "Show me the money" came from? It's this film right here, one of the all-time great Tom Cruise movies. Tom Cruise plays a hotshot sports agent who has a moral epiphany and gets fired from his firm for expressing it, leading him to take a chance as an independent agent who's only remaining client is his former colleague played by Cuba Gooding Jr. Man I love comedy-drama-romance movies from the 1990s. Studios were just cranking these suckers out every month. Out of all of them, this remains on of my favorites.