Movies to watch at home as self-isolation continues to stop coronavirus
HiberNation is your super-guide to everything you need to keep you engaged and entertained. These are some of the best movies on streaming services which are worth watching.
Movies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Movies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HiberNation is your super-guide to everything you need to keep you engaged and entertained during the CoVid19 shut-in.
These are the best movies on streaming services which are worth watching while you are at home.
FAMILY MOVIES
CALM THE FARM
FROZEN 2 (PG)
DISNEY+
Fresh from being crowned the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, Disney+ has rush-released this overpoweringly popular musical sequel to the streaming world. This proven crowd-pleaser doubles down on both the gleefully goofy antics and asides of Olaf (Josh Gad) and a fleet of fresh catchy compositions.
THE CHAPERONE (PG)
AMAZON
A delightful family-friendly affair (scripted by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes) tracks Hollywood screen siren Louise Brooks’ first steps on the road to fame and (mis) fortune during a tumultuous trip to New York City. The headstrong and capricious Louise is well played by rising star Haley Lu Richardson.
CHARLOTTE’S WEB (G)
FOXTEL, NETFLIX
The touching story of an unlikely friendship between a naive young pig named Wilbur and a motherly older spider Charlotte. This beautiful live-action adaptation of the classic children’s book by E. B. White goes best when there’s minimum interference from the human cast. Kids under 10 will love every minute of it.
THE TWO POPES (M)
NETFLIX
A surprisingly enjoyable look at life in the Vatican. Anthony Hopkins plays German-born Pope Benedict XVI, a remote and archly conservative leader who senses his time in the job is coming to an end. Jonathan Pryce is Argentinian Cardinal Bergoglio (the future Pope Francis), who also wants off the Vatican merry-go-round.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (G)
FOXTEL, DISNEY+
Hum a few bars from any song in this delightful biopic of the Von Trapp family singers and the whole movie will immediately come to mind with crystal clarity. A family picture of the old school that will continue to stand the test of time. Julie Andrews leads the way with her usual endearing aplomb.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MORE NEWS
How to help your child as virus anxiety spikes
Why you need a bushfire plan for COVID-19
Your complete coronavirus survival guide
Keeping calm and carrying on is no longer an option
ENERGY BOOSTERS
FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (M)
FOXTEL, iTunes
This cheeky, scrappy-go-lucky affair is the true story of Saraya-Jade Bevis, a British pro wrestler who made a name for herself as the WWE star Paige. Interestingly, the movie is at its funniest and feistiest before Paige (played by Little Women’s Florence Pugh) lands WWE legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as a mentor.
SUZI Q (M) ***
GOOGLE, iTunes, YOUTUBE MOVIES
An engaging doco on the life of pioneering American rock star Suzi Quatro. The leather-clad icon herself is present as an open-hearted and honest contributor to her own story, as are family, friends, fans, a former husband and ex-bandmates. A fine portrait of a true one-off talent much loved her in Australia.
SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL (MA15+)
NETFLIX
One of the smarter dumb movies to come along in a while. Mark Wahlberg stars in the tile role, an unconventional private investigator who used to be both a police officer and a prisoner behind bars. When his former boss is murdered, Spenser must crack the case to clear his own name as the prime suspect.
MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (PG)
NETFLIX
This is a rare movie sequel that markedly improves upon everything everybody so enjoyed about the original. Lily James is wonderful as a younger incarnation of (a conspicuously absent) Meryl Streep, while the spectacular final-act entrance of Cher to belt out Fernando takes the entire party to a gleeful next level.
FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW (M)
FOXTEL, AMAZON
This spin-off goes great if it’s a disposable thrill ride you are chasing. Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham are the sworn frenemies who must learn to get along faster than they might have liked when they learn of a plot to poison the world with a body-liquefying chemical. Idris Elba co-stars as an insanely indestructible bad guy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOSTALGIA TRIP
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (MA15+)
FOXTEL (from next Friday March 27)
Maverick master Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to a long-lost Tinseltown is a captivating gem. A big movie packed with small delights to savour, from the catchfly casual chemistry of stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, to the ethereal presence of Margot Robbie as the late Sharon Tate.
BLOOD DIAMOND (MA15+)
FOXTEL, NETFLIX
Some old-school Leo DiCaprio if you’re itching’ for more of the baby-faced wonder after his brilliant display in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. LDC plays a soldier of fortune in a compellingly confronting action pic set at the height of the 1999 civil war in the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Co-stars Jennifer Connelly.
THE CONVERSATION (M)
SBS ON DEMAND
Francis Ford Coppola filmed this chilling ode to the death of personal privacy in 1974, between the masterpieces, The Godfather Parts I and II. Gene Hackman is at his brilliant best as a sound surveillance expert who hears more than he should when he stakes out a young couple in a busy town square.
MISS POTTER (G)
GOOGLE, iTunes, STAN
The life and times of the celebrated children’s author Beatrix Potter, who surfed a J.K. Rowling-like wave of success with her self-illustrated yarns at the turn of the last century. Renee Zellweger’s chipper portrayal of Potter is a bustle-skirted bundle of squinty smiles and sudden blushes.
GOODFELLAS (MA15+)
FOXTEL
Here is why Martin Scorsese is regarded as one of the great filmmakers of our time. GoodFellas is the true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who rose swiftly through the ranks of organised crime, only to blow it all by contravening the mob’s code on dealing in illicit drugs. Co-stars Irishman duo Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MORE WAYS TO CHILL OUT
Don’t feel isolated, download these podcasts
Best TV shows to binge while stuck at home
Don’t feel isolated, download these podcasts
Best music hits to keep you connected in self-isolation
CATCH UP
KNIVES OUT (M)
GOOGLE, iTunes, YOUTUBE MOVIES
A cracking murder mystery rife with loose ends, dead ends and one heck of an unseemly end. The show is stolen – and never returned – by a kookily amusing Daniel Craig. He plays an unorthodox private detective who knows all the answers from the get-go, but remains unsure of the question until the closing scenes.
DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN (MA15+)
FOXTEL, AMAZON
The terrifying true story of The Battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War, where 108 Australian soldiers had to hold their ground against a Viet Cong almost twenty times in number. In conveying the frightening logistics of the skirmish, the movie is a worthy tribute to those who found themselves in this living hell.
MARRIAGE STORY (MA15+)
NETFLIX
In a manner often bordering on miraculous, this unsparing portrait of the contemporary divorce process showed us much more of a good time than anyone expected. Powerhouse performances from Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver illustrate both sides of an argument that cannot and will not have a clear victor.
THE GUILTY (M)
SBS ON DEMAND
A gripping Danish thriller about a cop working the 000 line in a crisis response centre. A woman is being held against her will in a van. At home, alone, are her two children. If our hero reads the situation right, everyone just might make it through the night. If he gets its wrong, a terrifying tragedy could unfold. Amazing stuff.
FREE SOLO
DISNEY+
Last year’s Best Documentary Oscar winner is the story of Alex Honnold, a climber determined to ascend an unforgivably sheer rock face standing almost a kilometre high. Not hard enough for you? He is doing it alone. With no ropes, or any protective gear. An action movie that never lets up getting real on you.
Originally published as Movies to watch at home as self-isolation continues to stop coronavirus