Films For This Special Lock-Down Period

Well. We're here now. I would care to explain but there's too much of it already anyway. I have wanted to make a film-list in the past - one that's comprehensive, sophisticated and so on - but I am not sure we are really in the mood for all that. Instead, I've tried to put together a small list of films that should help you get through the week, regardless of what happens outside. These aren't feel-good, because there's no such thing, but instead a bunch of films that should do the trick. 

Also, this isn't a complete list yet and I will add more as we tread along. But, for now, this should help.

Here it goes:

1. The Vanishing (1988, George Sluizer) 

 Perfect film to start the week with. Easily one of the best thrillers.

2. Shock Corridor (1963, Samuel Fuller)

One of the best opening monologues, one of the most intriguing plots, one of the best

3. Odd Man Out (1947, Carol Reed) 

Another brilliant psychological masterpiece about things going awry when intentions have been clean

4. Rififi (1955, Jules Dassin) and Bob le Flambeur (1956, Jean Pierre Melville) - First Double Bill

Taking off from Odd Man Out, slick heist masterpieces that are almost impossible to replicate

5. Logan Lucky (2017, Soderbergh) 

First outright fun movie of the list. If you love the Ocean's series, this one's even better.

6. The Last Seduction (1994) and Red Rock West (1993)

Double Bill, both directed by John Dahl. More confusion, deception and some amazing thrills

7. Sexy Beast (2000) 

Forget Kingsley in Gandhi, watch this instead.

8. The Long Good Friday (1980, John Mackenzie)

Another British gangster film, more gangsters and more complication

9. Down Terrace (2008, Ben Wheatley) 

Perfect film before you call it a night

10. Eastern Promises (2007, David Cronenberg) 

More London crime but this time it's the Russians

11. Branded to Kill (1967, Seijun Suzuki) 

Mobs, rats and murder assignments. Good follow-up to Eastern Promises

13. Point Blank (1967, John Boorman) 

Another great slow-burner about wronged men in the crime world

12. Mystery Train (1989, Jim Jarmusch) 

If Branded to Kill makes you feel lighter, this one's the perfect night-cap.

13. Dark Passage (1947, Delmer Daves) 

Start your day with this mind-blowing mood piece. More crime!

14. Out of the Past (1947, Jacques Tourner) 

If you're still in the mood for more noir, this one's as good as it gets.

15. A Bigger Splash (2015, Luca Guadagnino) 

Let's break the chain a little. If you're free on an afternoon and can spare two hours for something, this would be the one.

16. Three Times (2006, Hou Hsiao-hsien) 

If A Bigger Splash manages to steer you in a slightly new direction, this one's an interesting love-story that may remind of a certain Mr. Wong Kar-wai

17. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019, Quentin Tarantino) 

End the day with this. Watch the whole thing, skip scenes or watch it for a few minutes. It works every way.

18. Dazed & Confused (1993) and Everybody Wants Some (2016) 

Saturday Morning? Watch these two back-to-back while you lounge the whole day

19. The End of the Tour (2015, James Ponsoldt)

Good conversations for a lazy afternoon

20. The Last Detail (1973, Hal Ashby)

No explanation needed really

21. Le Trou (1960, Jacques Becker)

Like in The Last Detail, there's crowd here but with slightly different intentions

21. Almost Famous (2000, Cameron Crowe)

Sunday morning, don't fret

22. School of Rock (2003, Richard Linklater)

More music, less fuss

23. A Simple Plan (1998, Sam Raimi)

Last thriller of the week but one that's definitely worth it

24. Bullets over Broadway (1994, Woody Allen)

 If your week ends with a Woody Allen film, would you complain?