Sure-Fire Streaming: Snowpiercer, The Big Short, The Place Beyond The Pines, and more!
Snowpiercer – Available On Netflix
Based on the wonderful film of the same name, Snowpiercer isn’t a show that has the same grit as its inspiration.
However, this story of a train – speeding around the earth over and over as an icy apocalypse looms around it – is an intense study of character and class divides.
The train has two classes of citizens – first class and “tailies”, stuck living in the back of the train feeding on scraps. They’re planning to overtake the engine and revolt.
With incredible performances from Hamilton star Daveed Diggs and Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, it’s a really nice diversion that’s easily digestible during these times.
The Big Short – Available On Netflix
If you had as much trouble understanding this whole attack on Wall Street via GameStop shares, this is the movie for you.
Set around the time of the real-life collapse of the U.S. housing market, a group of investors bet against the market to make huge amounts of money.
The Oscar-winning film uses comedy to teach its viewers about the stock market and finances, all the while showing the corruption on Wall Street.
Director Adam McKay – at the time best known for raunchy comedies Step Brothers and Anchorman – makes a wonderful film that showcases his zany comedic form while also having a message.
Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt are all magnificent, and lend so much power to this incredible flick.
The Place Beyond The Pines – Available On Prime Video
One of the most underrated films on Ryan Gosling’s resume is this searing drama.
This story of a motorcycle stuntman who begins robbing banks to support his girlfriend and new son leads him to tricky criminal territory he never imagined prior.
His path crosses a corrupt detective and rookie cop, all the while leading him to explore his own past.
Gosling is the best he’s ever been here, and with performances from Eva Mendes, a ruthless Bradley Cooper, and Mahershala Ali, it’s an ensemble that’s hard to forget.
Pines will shake you to your core in the best possible way.
The Blues Brothers – Available On Netflix
At 30-years-old, I saw this wonderful little comedy gem for the first time, and have no idea why it took so long.
When Jake Blues is released from prison, he immediately links back up with his brother Elwood, and the two become convinced they’re on a mission from God to get their band back together and save their old Catholic boys home from being sold off.
Director John Landis makes a hilarious film with awesome car chases, lovely musical sequences and much more.
It’s an entirely uplifting, intelligent and fun endeavour, and it’s a classic in every way.
Beautiful Boy – Available On Prime Video
This Amazon Prime original – based on the memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff – chronicle Nic’s drug abuse and his struggles to get clean.
This real-life story shows his relapse and push to survive, as well as his recovery and the way he affects his family.
Steve Carell is truly incredible here as his doting father David, who just doesn’t know how to help his wayward boy. Maura Tierney is also wonderful as his mother.
But it’s Golden Globe nominee Timothee Chalamet, as Nic Scheff, who infuses this film with so much grace, quiet beauty and trauma to make it feel authentic.