Entertainment: highlights and lowlights
Sophie Wilson discusses her most loved and loathed films, songs and books during lockdown in her guide to the best and worst of them.
After being in lockdown for almost eight weeks, I feel like I have watched and listened to everything on the internet and read every book in my house. Over this period I have seen some brilliant films, listened to some wondrous songs and read some excellent books, but there have also been some that I feel like I wasted my time on. So, I give you my guide to the best and the worst things to watch, stream and read during lockdown.
The Best:
Film - Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this Oscar winning film is easily the best thing I have seen in lockdown. After becoming the first foreign film to win best picture it went on to become one of the most successful films of 2019. It follows a family and their lives whilst they infiltrate one of Korea’s richest families. Both thrilling and heart wrenching; Parasite is truly Oscar worthy. Available on Amazon Prime (best watched with subtitles).
Book- The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The long-awaited sequel of Atwood’s wildly successful novel - ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ - is finally here and is truly mesmerising. Following the ambiguous ending of the previous novel, 'The Testaments' gives us an insight into the lives of three more of Gilead’s residents, a young girl realising the reality of the world she lives in, an Aunt who speaks of her regrets and a girl living in Canada viewing Gilead from the outside. If you enjoyed 'The Handmaid’s Tale', you’ll enjoy this even more. It’s a long read but is definitely worth your time
Album- I like it when you sleep by the 1975
During lockdown, this album has regained its spot as one of my favourite albums of all time. It has the perfect mix of upbeat tunes for when you’re feeling on top of the world and slow melancholic ballads for when you’re reminiscing about the outside world. This album truly has a song for every situation and is the perfect soundtrack to this crazy time. If this album doesn’t hit the spot, I’d also strongly recommend both the 1975's first and third albums.
Game- Animal Crossing
If, like me, you’ve been sucked in by Animal Crossing’s adorable aesthetic but can’t afford a Nintendo switch, I’ve got the perfect alternative. Animal Crossing pocket camp is a free mobile game that has all of the best parts of Animal Crossing minus the fat price tag. Create your own character and build your campsite. It's beautiful, always sunny graphics almost makes up for the fact that we’re all stuck inside.
The Worst:
Film - La La Land (2016)
After being recommended this film SO MANY times I expected something life changing and maybe I’d start randomly breaking out in song for the rest of my life. But instead, I got a dull love story and some mediocre musical numbers. I really wanted to love this film. It’s beautifully filmed and has some of the best costumes I’ve seen but the story line made it incredibly underwhelming. I’d recommend if you’re looking for something to fall asleep to or if just want some background noise
Film 2 - Kong - Skull Island
As a lover of films about giant animals gone wrong, this is a tough one to add to the list. After binge watching all four Jaws films, I decided to try my hand at giant monkeys, but I have to say the sharks were better. This move lacked plot and was surprisingly boring for a movie all about a 100ft monkey. It does gain points for the number of helicopters it ate within the first 10 minutes, however it still doesn’t make it into my cheesy cinema approval.
By Sophie Wilson, year 10
After being in lockdown for almost eight weeks, I feel like I have watched and listened to everything on the internet and read every book in my house. Over this period I have seen some brilliant films, listened to some wondrous songs and read some excellent books, but there have also been some that I feel like I wasted my time on. So, I give you my guide to the best and the worst things to watch, stream and read during lockdown.
The Best:
Film - Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this Oscar winning film is easily the best thing I have seen in lockdown. After becoming the first foreign film to win best picture it went on to become one of the most successful films of 2019. It follows a family and their lives whilst they infiltrate one of Korea’s richest families. Both thrilling and heart wrenching; Parasite is truly Oscar worthy. Available on Amazon Prime (best watched with subtitles).
Book- The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The long-awaited sequel of Atwood’s wildly successful novel - ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ - is finally here and is truly mesmerising. Following the ambiguous ending of the previous novel, 'The Testaments' gives us an insight into the lives of three more of Gilead’s residents, a young girl realising the reality of the world she lives in, an Aunt who speaks of her regrets and a girl living in Canada viewing Gilead from the outside. If you enjoyed 'The Handmaid’s Tale', you’ll enjoy this even more. It’s a long read but is definitely worth your time
Album- I like it when you sleep by the 1975
During lockdown, this album has regained its spot as one of my favourite albums of all time. It has the perfect mix of upbeat tunes for when you’re feeling on top of the world and slow melancholic ballads for when you’re reminiscing about the outside world. This album truly has a song for every situation and is the perfect soundtrack to this crazy time. If this album doesn’t hit the spot, I’d also strongly recommend both the 1975's first and third albums.
Game- Animal Crossing
If, like me, you’ve been sucked in by Animal Crossing’s adorable aesthetic but can’t afford a Nintendo switch, I’ve got the perfect alternative. Animal Crossing pocket camp is a free mobile game that has all of the best parts of Animal Crossing minus the fat price tag. Create your own character and build your campsite. It's beautiful, always sunny graphics almost makes up for the fact that we’re all stuck inside.
The Worst:
Film - La La Land (2016)
After being recommended this film SO MANY times I expected something life changing and maybe I’d start randomly breaking out in song for the rest of my life. But instead, I got a dull love story and some mediocre musical numbers. I really wanted to love this film. It’s beautifully filmed and has some of the best costumes I’ve seen but the story line made it incredibly underwhelming. I’d recommend if you’re looking for something to fall asleep to or if just want some background noise
Film 2 - Kong - Skull Island
As a lover of films about giant animals gone wrong, this is a tough one to add to the list. After binge watching all four Jaws films, I decided to try my hand at giant monkeys, but I have to say the sharks were better. This move lacked plot and was surprisingly boring for a movie all about a 100ft monkey. It does gain points for the number of helicopters it ate within the first 10 minutes, however it still doesn’t make it into my cheesy cinema approval.
By Sophie Wilson, year 10
