Covid-19 pandemic changed plans of many people and influenced the daily life of the whole planet: cafes and bars, museums and cinemas are closed now and many of us are spending the days at home to avoid the infection. So we made a list of movies and TV series to keep you entertained while you decided to #stayhome.
5 movies for those who think that “forewarned is forearmed”
1. Little Monsters, 2019
“I’m not Felix, I’m Darth Vader”
IMDb Ranking: 6.3
Genres: horror, comedy
Certificate: 18+
What could be worse than a suddenly happened zombie apocalypse? Only zombie apocalypse that happened during a kindergarten excursion. Miss Caroline, the teacher, has to do both: save the children and not traumatize them at the same time. So she tries to convince kids that everything happening around them now is a game, okay, very unusual one but still funny, where zombies are just actors playing their roles in it. And those people that were captured there are not screaming in pain but in joy. Yeah, and they are not writhing, they are laughing.
Little Monsters is a great movie for those who love dark comedies.
2. Mad Max: Fury road, 2015
“My name is Max. My world is fire and blood”
IMDb Ranking: 8.1
Genres: action, sci-fi
Certificate: 16+
The Future. The remaining humans are trying to survive in an endless desert left after World Wars and ecological crisis. Max Rockatansky, haunted by ghosts of the past, wanders the world alone — that is the best and only way to survive according to him. Despite his principles, Max has to join the rebels that are speeding through the salt sands in their war machine in search of the long lost home. The rebels escaped from the Citadel ruled by tyrant Immortan Joe and took one of his most precious treasures with them.
A movie for crazy fans of actions and explosions.
3. Pride and Predjudice and Zombies, 2015
“I shall never relinquish my sword for a ring”
IMDb Ranking: 5.8
Genres: horror, melodrama, comedy
Certificate: 16+
England, the end of the XVIII century. Elizabeth Bennet is one of the five daughters of a squire living in a provincial town. The parents only care about one thing: to see their daughters married, otherwise, in case of Mr. Bennet death, the house will be inherited by a distant male relative — overbearing Mr. Collins. Right at this time rich Mr. Bingley and mysterious and proud Mr. Darcy are coming to the quiet little town. The last one finds him attracted to Elizabeth. So Ms. Bennet should fight the hordes of zombies that flooded England and discover her true feelings.
A good choice for ladies and gentlemen, who would keep their manners even during a zombie outbreak.
4. Shaun of the Dead, 2004
“What’s the matter, David? Never taken a shortcut before?”
IMDb Ranking: 7.9
Genres: comedy, horror
Certificate: 16+
“Life sucks”, thinks 29 yo Shaun who still works as an ordinary sales assistant in electronics store and likes to drink beer in the pub with his slacker friend Ed after that. Liz, his girlfriend left him because she got very little of his attention comparing to Ed and Shaun’s favourite pub. The week is completely spoiled by the outbreak of the strange flu that makes the infected people faint first and then start slurring and attacking others. Will Shaun find the way to cope with all these stuff?
A movie for those who thinks there is a place for a joke even in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
5. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, 2012
“God, it’s the end of the world, and I’m still 15 minutes late”
IMDb Ranking: 6.7
Genres: melodrama, drama, comedy
Certificate: 16+
A giant meteorite called “Matilda” is heading towards the Earth and will destroy every life on the planet in three weeks. All the radio stations and TV channels broadcasting the countdown to the end of the world. People act very differently in the run-up to their death: leave their work, give out leading positions, dress in the way they wouldn’t dare before, let children taste alcohol and hop from one love partner to another. Only Dodge keeps going to his work everyday as usual and selling the insurances against the apocalypse. One day he finds an old photo of Olivia, the girl he loved back in school years. Together with Penny, his neighbour, Dodge goes in search for Olivia to finally confess his love.
If you believe in love even when it’s the end of the world outside, this movie is for you.
5 movies for those who dream about vacations
1. Mamma Mia!, 2008
“— I grew up!
— Well, then, grow back down again!”
IMDb Ranking: 6.4
Genres: musical, comedy
Certificate: 16+
Sophie is a young bride-to-be. She dreams about the proper traditional wedding: she wants to invite her father to lead her to the altar. But there’s one problem: Sophie doesn’t know who is her father because Donna, her mother, has never told about him. Sophie finds her mother’s diary where she describes her relationships with three different men. And Sophie sends the wedding invitations to all three of them!
It’s a light and funny musical about a wedding and a family that will especially appreciate all the fans of ABBA music band.
2. Dirty dancing, 1987
“It is not enough to know the steps; you have to feel the music”
IMDb Ranking: 7.0
Genres: melodrama
Certificate: 12+
It’s summer 1963. Frances “Baby” Houseman is 17 yo. She is spending her summer in a resort hotel together with her parents and elder sister. She meets Johnny, a handsome professional dancer, who agrees to teach Frances dancing because of few reasons. The sympathy turns into love to the sound of rhythm and blues.
A great movie for everyone who is inspired by dancing and 60es.
3. Moonrise Kingdom, 2012
“I know it’s bad. I think I just took them to have a secret to keep”
IMDB Ranking: 7.8
Genres: melodrama, drama, comedy
Certificate: 12+
The story takes place in 60es on a small island in New England. Sam Shakusky is an orphan; his adoptive parents refused him and it’s complicated for him to communicate with other children. Suzy Bishop is an introverted girl who is living a dream of magical worlds. Together they flee from the supervision of the elders. Local sheriff starts an investigation of this case and Scout Master Ward organized a search party.
It’s a romantic movie for those who would love to remember their first childhood love.
4. A Good year, 2006
“— This place does not suit my life.
— No Max, it’s your life that does not suit this place.”
IMDb Ranking: 7.0
Genres: melodrama, comedy
Certificate: 16+
Max Skinner, a Londoner bond trader, inherits a vineyard in Provence. He comes to France in order to sell the estate but discovers that there are another people except him who qualify for his legal property. Due to absurd sequence of events Max is obliged to stay longer than he planned what makes him to change the way of looking at the world.
If you like wine and France, A Good year is your movie.
5. Small Crime / Mikro eglima, 2008
“Take it easy, Sherlock Holmes!”
IMDb Ranking: 6.0
Genres: comedy, melodrama, crime
Certificate: 16+
Young and ambitious police officer Leonidas is assigned to a remote island in Aegean Sea. He takes the work very serious and fervently performs all the duty routines. The dead body of an old man called Zacharias turns his work and private life upside down. His wish to solve this mystery leads him to Angeliki, the most famous daughter of the island, who comes back to her motherland and joins the investigation.
If you want to feel the vibe of a small Mediterranean island, you should definitely watch this movie.
5 movies for making a movie marathon together with your children
1. The Little Witch / Die kleine Hexe, 2019
“The wind doesn't need my help to blow anyhow. Invoke ball lightning, cause avalanches, release a firestorm, but what about dirty dishes? Or mending socks, something useful”
IMDb Ranking: 6.2
Genres: fantasy, comedy
Certificate: 6+
The little witch lives in a tiny house in the woods together with her raven Abraxas and learns how to do magic. She is very young, only 127 years old, but she already dreams about visiting the mount Blocksberg, where all the witches gather at Walpurgis Night every year. So she decides to get there secretly, but gets caught by another witches. Now she has to learn all the spells from the great magic book and do several “good” deeds to prove she deserves to join the coven. Frankly speaking, the patience and hardworking aren’t the strengths of the Little Witch, moreover old and evil Rumpumpel does everything to stop her from becoming a real witch.
A good movie for those who think about becoming a witch too.
2. The Secret of Kells, 2008
“— You can’t find out everything from books, you know.
— I think I read that once.”
IMDb Ranking: 7.6
Genres: fantasy, adventure
Certificate: 0+
The story takes place in the IX century in Ireland. A small monastery named Kells leading by a strict prior is located right in the middle of the country. The prior’s nephew Brendan is 12 and he works together with other monks on the fortifying walls that should keep the monastery safe from the Viking attacks. One day a famous master-illustrator, brother Aidan, comes to this remote place carrying a unique unfinished book with him. As Brendan shows a big interest and a great talent, brother Aidan decides to teach Brendan how to illustrate books.
A beautifully made movie for those who still believe in fairy tales.
3. My neighbour Totoro / Tonari no Totoro, 1988
“Trees and people used to be good friends”
IMDb Ranking: 8.2
Genres: fantasy, adventure
Certificate: 0+
Two sisters Mei and Satsuki together with their father move to an old house in a small village. They meet Totoro — a spirit guardian of the summer, who takes them to an excursion around his domain and introduces them to the forest inhabitants like makkuro kuroske and susuwatari. Totoro and the sisters become good friends and he helps the girls to visit their mother in the hospital.
If you’re still hoping to meet magical creatures somewhere in the woods, this anime is for you.
4. Christopher Robin, 2018
“Silly old bear. I wouldn’t ever forget you, Pooh, I promise. Not even when I’m a hundred.”
IMDb Ranking: 7.3
Genres: fantasy, adventure, comedy
Certificate: 6+
Christopher Robin, who had a lot of adventures together with his animal friends in Ashdown Forest back then, is a grown up now and doesn’t believe in fairy tales any more. But one day Winnie the Pooh and other friends come into his life again to remind him about a loving, caring and playful little boy that still lives deep inside his heart. Together they return to the Ashdown Forest to find their lost friends and happiness.
The movie for those with a child’s hearts.
5. Paddington, 2014
“I’ll never be like other people, but that’s alright, because I’m a bear.”
IMDb Ranking: 7.2
Genres: adventure, comedy
Certificate: 6+
A British geographer discovered a new species of bears deep in the woods of Peru. He gave them names Lucy and Pastuzo and taught them English. He presented his hat to Pastuzo while he was leaving Peru and said that they will be welcomed to visit him in London. 40 years passed since then and two bears are living together with their orphan nephew. After the earthquake that destroyed his house, young bear comes to London where he meets Brown family. They decide to give a shelter to the bear until he finds the geographer — a friend of his aunt and uncle. New adventures full of joy and dangers awaits young bear.
It’s a wonderful story, which brings you back to your happy childhood days.
5 documentaries for those who don’t waste any time
1. The Impressionists, 2014
IMDb Ranking: 7.9
Monet, Cezanne, Degas, and Renoir — every art admirer knows these names. But what kind of life did all these people have? What inspired the artists to make new discoveries and how were the famous paintings created? What makes their pictures the gems of museum collections all over the world and what is the secret of their infinite attractiveness? In search for the answers, the movie will tell you about unique exhibition dedicated to the one of the key figures of art world — Paul Durand-Ruel — a creator of impressionism style, Parisian collector of XIX century.
If you always wanted to know more about the people behind the canvas, this movie is your choice.
2. Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music, 2016
IMDb Ranking: 7.9
Can you name the title of your favourite song? And the name of your favourite musician? Maybe you can also list the most important artists in the history of music? Do you want to glimpse the recording of masterpieces?
This documentary is a story about the most important parts of sound recording process. You will see more than 100 interviews with the famous modern musicians, producers and innovators in this field as well as new videos about the work in the recording studio to get a sense how the magic is created.
This movie is for those who can’t imagine their lives without music.
3. The Cousteau Odyssey, 1977
IMDb Ranking: 8.6
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a famous French explorer of the ocean, co-developer of the Aqua-Lung, photographer, film director, author of many books and movies and a boy, who fell in love with the sea once and forever. The Cousteau Odyssey is a breathtaking adventure on board of oceanographic research ship Calypso. Captain Cousteau and his team sail the seas of the world, take pictures and make videos about different inhabitants of the sea depths, explore sunken ships and tell about the amazing discoveries in this mysterious silent world.
If you are dreaming to see the ocean life in all its beauty, this movie could be essential to you.
4. BBC: Space, 2001
IMDb Ranking: 8.4
Everything of what humans and our world are made came from the space back in time. Lawrence Maxwell Krauss, an American cosmologist, once said: “The amazing thing is that every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded.” The humanity explores space, the closest planets and nearby star systems for 50 years trying to find the answer on the questions: How the life appeared on Earth and are we alone in the Universe?
It’s a movie for those who dream about distant worlds and stars.
5. Particle fever, 2013
IMDb Ranking: 7.4
Imagine that you can see how Thomas Edison lit the first bulb or how Benjamin Franklin created the electricity. How it would be to touch the life history? The authors of Particle fever give you the chance to know it: you will witness the work of six brilliant scientists on the Large Hadron Collider and the start of the biggest and the most expensive experiment in the history of our planet. The goal is to find the Higgs boson — an elementary particle, the Higgs field quantum, and to reveal what is the core of the universe.
This movie will be interesting to those who want to know how the science works.
5 TV shows for those who prefer to take their time
1. Black Books, 2000
“The pay’s not great, but the work is hard.”
IMDb Ranking: 8.5
Genre: comedy
Certificate: 16+
Bernard Black is an owner of a tiny bookshop in London and well, he is the worst possible candidate for this role from all the people in the world. Bernard is grumpy and unsociable, has no intention to sell anything and can close the shop without a reason at any time during the day. His closest friends who help him with his business are Manny, his clumsy assistant, and Fran. Together they try to get out of funny and ridiculous troubles they usually cause themselves.
It’s a TV show that can teach you how to procrastinate stylishly.
2. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, 2016
“Everything is connected. But only I can see it. I'm not psychic. But I am... something. When I was young, I would get... intuitions about things, little hunches about the way the universe worked. But they never... It was like reading in another language, like signs with symbols I didn't understand.”
IMDb Ranking: 8.3
Genre: fantasy, mystery, crime, comedy
Certificate: 16+
The basic principle of holism sounds like: a single entity is always something greater than just the sum of the parts. This quote is a life motto for holistic private detective Dirk Gently. He doesn’t search for evidences or ask the witnesses. Together with his unwitting assistant Todd they take cases that involve really crazy mysteries. Join the Detective, the Assistant, the Bodyguard, the Police, the Hostage, This Cat, Bullies, That Dog, the Punk and the Murderer and the investigation that is completely illogical!
It’s a perfect TV show for those who are bored by ordinary crime stories.
3. Good Omens, 2019
“You don’t have to test everything to destruction just to see if you made it right”
IMDb Ranking: 8.1
Genre: fantasy, comedy
Certificate: 12+
It’s the year 2018. The apocalypse is right around the corner. Heaven and Hell are preparing to the final battle. Only an angel called Aziraphale and a demon, well a former angel, not really fallen, slowly went down more likely, called Crowley are joining their forces to stop the end of the world and to save the humanity they got used to during the long time spent on the Earth.
If you think that the terms good and evil are not always equal to white and black, this TV show is something you would like.
4. Keep your hands off Eizouken! / Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!, 2020
“When I was in six grade my head was full of adventures. This alluring endless world seemed to be so close. It was the first time I realized there is an author behind every anime.”
IMDB Ranking: 8.2
Genre: comedy, slice of life
Certificate: 12+
Midori Asakusa has been dreamed about drawing anime since she was in elementary school. She makes sketches of different backgrounds in her notebook and her imagination is so strong that she is daydreaming from time to time. Midori decides to open “Eizouken” a school anime club together with a young model Tsubame Mizusaki who can draw the characters and Sayaka Kanamori, a very practical and self-confident girl. Midori will be in charge for setting, Mizusaki — for characters and Kanamori will guide both artists with her firm hands and open the doors of school bureaucracy with her firm feet.
It’s a series that reveals the process of creating an anime.
5. Pushing daisies, 2007
“I suppose dying is as good an excuse as any to start living”
IMDb Ranking: 8.3
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, crime, comedy
Certificate: 16+
Would you call it “cheating” if a private detective asks the dead who murdered them? Ask Ned, a pie maker, who discovered in his early childhood that he can bring dead back to life just with one touch. But his gift has its dark side: he can take lives as well as give them. If he doesn’t touch the dead again within one minute, someone else will die instead. But there is no chance for the dead to be alive again after the second touch.
Ned is a grown up now, he has his own café where he sells pies but he also helps Emerson Cod, a private detective, to solve cases. One day he starts to investigate the murder of the girl he loved when he was a child. Could he resist and let her die again in a minute?
It’s a TV show for all those dreamers and romantics with a sense of humor.
Nice bonus for those who watched everything from the list above and want more
1. Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian circus that was found in 1984 by Guy Laliberte and Gilles Ste-Croix. It is also famous because of its principle refusal of using animals in its performances; but, believe me, that fact doesn’t make this breathtaking show less spectacular. Cirque du Soleil is a magical mix of circus art, amazing choreography and beautiful music. Many people think that this circus has breathed new life into the circus art.
Cirque du Soleil has its own YouTube channel where you can find the full performances. I recommend you to check it for updates because there are live online performances from time to time (one of those took place on 3rd of April).
2. Vienna State Opera / Wiener Staatsoper
It’s the biggest opera house in Austria and one of the most important opera houses in the world. It was called “Vienna Court Opera” (Wiener Hofoper) up to a year 1918. Court Opera was created in XVII century but it hadn’t an own building until XIX century when the first Court Opera was built in 1869. Wiener Staatsoper is the venue of the Vienna Opera Ball that is held annually and is included to the list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Wiener Staatsoper broadcasts the performances from its archive daily (click FREE button, register and enjoy). Click here to see the schedule.
3. The Metropolitan Opera
It is one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, which was created at the end of XIX century in New York as an alternative to Academy of Music. Traditionally all the operas are performed in their original languages with subtitles in English, Spanish, German and Italian (if the opera origins from Italy).
During the lockdown the Metropolitan Opera streams its performances Live in HD free of charge.
4. Bavarian State Opera / Bayerische Staatsoper
A German opera house was found in the middle of the XVII century in Munich. Together with the Bayerisches Staatsballet (Bavarian State Ballet) the repertoire includes 350 opera and ballet performances a year! An interesting fact: Munich Opera Festival takes place in the Bavarian State Opera every summer since 1875. Contemporary general music director is a Russian conductor — Vladimir Jurowski.
Free trial to the performances of the Bavarian State Opera is available until 19 of April 2020.
5. NASA Video Gallery
There is an open access to a collection of short videos about the space and work of the NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on their website.
6. International online bar
Missing your favourite bar during the pandemic? A branding company from Saint Petersburg is here to help you! Shishki studio opened the world’s first international online bar “Stay the f@k home” for people in the lockdown. You can not only have a drink or chat there but also watch a stand-up or a lection in Russian or English. Almost 20 bars have already joined the project. Come and see, maybe you will find your favourite one among them?
