National Post (National Edition)
Cinematic soul cleansers
It's been some kind of a week, and maybe it's time for something light Chris Knight
The year 2020 has been a hangover without a party, with the U.S. election day, or week, like a leaf blower that sets off a car alarm that freaks out the neighbour's dog, just as you're trying to get some peace and quiet.
With that in mind we offer some cinematic streaming choices. They're not all super quiet, but they won't demand much from you aside from a modicum of attention. Think of them as palate cleansers for the soul.
MY OCTOPUS TEACHER (2020)
It's a tale as old as time. Man meets octopus. Man befriends octopus. And then, well, let's just say octopuses don't live very long. A tender story about our relationship with nature. (Available on Netflix)
WALL-E (2008)
The first half hour of this Pixar classic, with trash-cleaning robot WALL-E alone on a polluted planet, is a perfect little mini movie in itself. But the whole thing is wonderful too. (Disney+)
KEDI: THE CATS OF AN ANCIENT CITY (2016)
Many of us have fallen down the rabbit hole of cute cat videos. But there's no embarrassment when you're watching an 80-minute documentary about Istanbul that just happens to feature adorable feral cats. (Kanopy)
GOLDFINGER (1964)
Sean Connery isn't with us any more, but we'll always have James Bond. And until No Time to Die comes out in April or 2022 or whenever, why not revisit the iconic third instalment in the series, which gave us villain Auric Goldfinger, henchman Oddjob, Bond girl Pussy Galore and the comic relief of the Bond-Q relationship. (iTunes)
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
This super-quotable fairytale romance from writer William Goldman and director Rob Reiner is eminently rewatchable. You either know that already or you've never seen it, in which case, get on it. (Wallace Shawn voice: “I'm waiting!”) (Disney+)
I AM WOMAN (2019)
Feminist icon and singer/songwriter Helen Reddy died just a few weeks ago, not long after the release of this uplifting biopic starring fellow Aussie Tilda Cobham-Hervey, and named after Reddy's powerful 1972 song. Just try not singing along. (Netflix)
CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018)
Another recent release that seems set for classic-dom, this rom-com throwback stars Constance Wu and Henry Golding in a simple story that argues that love is more important than wealth, even while wowing us with its conspicuous consumption. A guilty pleasure. (Netflix)
THE ARTIST (2011)
This best-picture Oscar winner is technically a French film, but since it's also made in the style of a 1920s black-and-white silent movie, the language barrier doesn't matter — you'll be reading intertitles regardless. But don't let that keep you away from this gorgeous comedy-romance. (iTunes)