Until the local theatres reopen this Jul 13 as part of the Covid-19 Phase 2 measures, we’ll have to continue relying on Netflix and other streaming services to get our film fix. And instead of choosing yet another mindless movie to watch, dig deeper and learn to better understand cinema by catching thought-provoking and culturally relevant titles. The following five films are Academy award-winning pictures which have been given accolades for their screenplay, costume design, cast and more.
Django Unchained
A revisionist Western flick directed by none other than Quentin Tarrantino, Django Unchained follows a slave named Django, who is subsequently freed by a bounty hunter before going on a mission to rescue his wife. A controversial number due to its portrayal of African Americans, slavery and the excessive use of racial slur, revisit this film in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and decide its contention for yourself.
Inception
Having debuted 10 years ago with a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon Levitt, Inception revolves around a team of professional thieves who perform corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of their targets. Delve into literal levels crossed with dream sequences as you struggle to stay afloat in a story so heavy while attempting to figure out the movie’s ending.
Little Women
Arriving on Netflix this Jul 9, 2019 American coming-of-age period drama Little Women will be the latest in the list of hard-hitting, Oscar-winning movies now on the online streaming platform. In the seventh film adaptation that saw six nominations and a win, watch Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan dazzle as the March sisters who each struggle with their own path.
Marriage Story
Described as a love story told through the lens of divorce, Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story wowed audiences worldwide when it first premiered last year. Largely loved due to its realistic portrayal of separation and family, watch as Scarlett Johansson plays Nicole Barber, an actress who is pursuing custody of her son against her husband Charlie Baber, played by Adam Driver. Besides impressing at the Oscars with six nominations and a win for best supporting actress by Laura Dern, the film also swept accolades at the AACTA Awards, Satellite Awards and more.
Rosemary’s Baby
Widely regarded as a hallmark of the art-horror genre, Rosemary’s Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film based on Ira Levin’s 1967 novel of the same name. Starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes and even Mauric Evans, see a pregnant woman grow increasingly paranoid as she suspects an evil cult of taking her baby for use in their rituals.
