One of the quickest ways to spoil that feelgood Friday feeling is remembering those plans you made for the weekend. It seemed like such a good idea at the time, but now you’re filled with the familiar sting of FOGO - fear of going out.
All you want to do is curl up on the sofa in front of a streaming service and tear through some cinematic classics, whether revisiting old favorites or catching up on that film everyone keeps telling you is amazing. Fortunately, these threemovies currently available on streamingare perfect excuses to cancel everything and get comfy.
3Megamind (Netflix)
For those who haven’t yet witnessed the joys ofMegamind, fear not - you’re far from alone. Thisanimated superhero moviestarring Will Ferrell in the title role performed decently enough at the box office ($321 million), but got somewhat lost in the shuffle among a slew of other major animations the same year.
Despite not packing the mainstream appeal ofDespicable MeorToy Story 3,Megamindremains a fascinating mashup of genresthat expertly treads the thin line between slapstick action for younger viewers and nuanced characterization for grown-ups, all tied up inside a genuinely compelling story.
Jonah Hill’s detestable villain, Tighten, is a particular highlight, andMegaman’s ending will leave you scratching your head wondering how on Earth this didn’t become a multi-movie franchise for DreamWorks. If those plans you just canceled involved taking the kids out, a family afternoon watchingMegamanis the perfect solution.
2Alien: Covenant (HBO Max)
Okay, the kids are in bed. Time for something where the cast gets gradually picked off courtesy of a legendary movie monster. Ridley Scott’s modernAlienofferings,PrometheusandCovenantwere not entirely embraced upon releasing in 2012 and 2017, respectively. Fortunately, time and perspective has allowed for a much-needed reappraisal.
Alien: Covenantdoes not require you to have watched the franchise’s entire back catalogbeforehand (althoughPrometheuswould help). In fact, enteringCovenantwithout deep knowledge of pastAlienfilms could be considered a benefit, as you’ll be spared the challenge of mentally tying the entire, confounding canon together.
Even in isolation,Alien: Covenantis a rip-roaring action sci-fi horror with a stacked cast, high-octane set pieces, and a veritable depth charge of a final twist. Are therebetterAlienmoviesin the universe? Probably. IsAlien: Covenantworth including on the weekend movie playlist you made after canceling those pesky plans? Absolutely.
Nobody needs an excuse to watchLeslie Nielsen’s iconic 1988 comedy,The Naked Gun, but the warmly-received release of a Liam Neeson-fronted reboot means it’s as good a time as any to revisit the original.
The Naked Gun’s ability to draw raucous laughter from all generations has not dulled whatsoever over the past 37 years - a tribute to the witty and intelligent performances of all involved. Nielsen, of course, is chief among them. The real joy of rewatchingThe Naked Gunon streaming, however, is introducing someone to it for the very first time, then sitting back and watching as the chuckles erupt.
For those feeling a tiny bit guilty after backing out of plans at the last minute, rolling around the floor in stitches alongsideThe Naked Gunwill surely prove that staying indoors this weekend was the correct call.
