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The FoCC Streaming Movie Playlist

By Jason Delgado

What a strange, unprecedented time we’re living in, when being a couch potato can literally save lives. I was made for this. I can recall the first day of class in fifth grade, when my teacher had us write down how many hours per day that we watched television. I calculated every waking hour that I was at home, and proudly wrote it down. Visibly stunned, my teacher pulled me aside and tried to warn me of the dangers of the “boob tube”, as he called it. That advice went in one ear and out the other, probably because my brain had already been rotted.

Now that many of us are stuck at home, you can watch some movies and save the world with me!

Dark City (available on Vudu) – This criminally underrated, futuristic film noir by Alex Proyas (The Crow) is wildly imaginative and highly entertaining. If you’re looking for an escape from reality, Dark City will take you further down the rabbit hole than Morpheus ever could.

They say that film is a visual representation of our dreams. This film is a beautiful nightmare, not in a terribly frightening way, but in a manner that is dark and visually arresting. Do yourself a favor and take the blue pill. Or is it the red one? Just watch the movie.

Mandy (Shudder) – Nicholas Cage is at his manic, Oscar-worthy best in this instant cult classic revenge/horror flick. Mandy is marked by its artfulness, gore, stunning cinematography, amazing score, and gleeful absurdity. I saw plenty of strange movies during my time in film school, but this one takes the cake over most of those, in a good way.

The Cabin in the Woods (Amazon Prime) – What seems like standard slasher flick fare is gutted and turned inside out. Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain. Actually, do pay attention, because they’re entertaining in this movie and the Wizard of Oz is a liar. This probably sounds like nonsense if you haven’t seen this movie yet, but like Bill and Ted said at the Circle K, you’ll see!

Snowpiercer (Netflix) – How about more social class commentary from Best Picture winner Bong-Joon Ho (Parasite)? Snowpiercer packs a ton of literal non-stop action, onto a train that cannot stop.

It’s the perfect time to catch up on this movie, because the TV series version is arriving on May 17th on TNT, after years of production issues. I’m looking forward to the new show, and the inevitable Snowpiercer brand of protein bars.

The Wizard (HBO Go) – The original Esports movie from all the way back in 1989, this film follows a Wonder Years-era Fred Savage and his autistic younger brother, as they embark on a cross country road trip to enter a Nintendo gaming tournament at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Packed with silly comedy, NES action, the fabled and rare Nintendo Power Glove, and an excellent supporting cast of Beau Bridges and Christian Slater, among others, this movie is a can’t miss for those fond of 80’s nostalgia.

Kobe Bryant’s Muse (Showtime Anytime) – 2020 got off to a rocky start with the tragic and senseless death of Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people aboard his helicopter. This documentary followed Kobe in 2015, near the end of his basketball-playing career. It depicts the Mamba Mentality on the court, as well as what shaped Bryant’s life off of it, in his own words.

I miss Kobe and basketball a lot right now, but you don’t have to be a fan of either to enjoy this film depicting a complicated, yet inspiring figure, who influenced so many around the world. Forget that crazy Tiger King, and watch the king of the court and of girl dads.

McFarland, USA (Starz) – An inspiring tale, based on a true story, of Hispanic track runners who face discrimination around every turn. Kevin Costner and the young actors in this movie elevate it beyond the typical feelgood flick. This film shows us that kindness, hard work, determination, and the human spirit endure, just like they will during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay safe True Believers! Join the conversation and let us know what else you’re watching in our Forum!

 

Jason Delgado

Jason is a CSULB film school alum and movie guy for Friends of Comic Con. He loves movies, TV, writing, comics, going to Cons, basketball (Lakers), music (all forms of rock + 90's hip hop), football (Chargers), his dog, and most importantly wife and newborn son. He's written a comedy/sci-fi script, and wants to write more in between raising a son. He doesn't often cosplay, but when he does, it's as Iron Fist. Follow him on Twitter @JasonDelgado78