PART 1 The best movie series to binge during quarantine
You’ve got extra time in selfisolation. We’ve got a bunch of movie series for you to watch.
Thankfully, Hollywood’s penchant for sequels, prequels and reboots has wrought a plethora of big-time trilogies and collections where you can dive in head first for a new project. For those wanting to watch every James Bond film, well, that’s like a full-time job.
For those who are game, this Friday and next we will bring you the best 20 film series to watch, with advice on the most must-see individual chapters as well as the skippable entries.
In alphabetical order, here are the first 10 on the list.
The always-evolving franchise mixing sci-fi and horror has kept things interesting since 1979, giving us a legendary heroine in Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in the early films and an all-time creature design in H.R. Giger’s Xenomorph.
Be sure to see: Ridley Scott’s original “Alien” and James Cameron’s 1986 “Aliens” are equally astounding, the former being a claustrophobic chiller in space and the latter an impressive action epic.
But feel free to skip: The “Alien vs. Predator” movies are atrocious, and 1997’s “Alien Resurrection” went some weird places with cloning Ripley.
Where to watch: itunes, Vudu, Fandangonow
You’d be hard-pressed to name a time-traveling series more influential or more referenced as Michael J. Fox’s trilogy of trips to 1955, 2015 (back when that was still the farflung future) and 1885.
Be sure to see: The original is still the best, as Fox’s Marty Mcfly has to go to the past to make sure his parents fall in love — and deal with his mom (Lea Thompson) hitting on him.
But feel free to skip: There is definitely a case of gradually diminishing returns in the last two movies, though the wrapup of the Western-flavored “Back to the Future III” still works.
Where to watch: itunes, Vudu, Fandangonow
Beginning with “Batman Begins,” the series helmed by Christopher Nolan gave the iconic Caped Crusader grit and depth, an outstanding actor in Christian Bale, plus Heath Ledger’s all-time portrayal as the Joker.
Be sure to see: Ledger arrives in the second chapter, “The Dark Knight,” to lend madness and mayhem to a story ultimately about finding humanity amid pure chaos.
But feel free to skip: Even with a masked Tom Hardy as Bane, the concluding “Dark Knight Rises” is a letdown. (Though it’s “Citizen Kane” compared with George Clooney’s “Batman & Robin.”)
Where to watch: itunes, Vudu, Fandangonow
Horror history is chock full of memorable series (“Friday the 13th,” “Halloween”) and director James Wan’s freaky mythology based on the exploits of real-life paranormal investigators is a haven of recent fright fests.
Be sure to see: The two main “Conjuring” films (starring Patrick Warren and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren) are the primary culprits in doling out chills, especially the 2016 sequel with some serious “Exorcist” vibes.
But feel free to skip: The spinoffs have been a mixed bag, and the worst is “The Nun,” a 1950s-set prequel that completely wastes its demonic leading lady of the cloth.
Where to watch: itunes, Vudu, Fandangonow was a breath of fresh air when he showed up in 1988, a relatable action hero who had all sorts of craziness thrown at him, only to get back up with a witty retort and gumption to spare.
Be sure to see: The original “Die Hard” is a towering action film that doubles as one of the best Christmas movies ever.
But feel free to skip: The other four installments are all over the place, though the low point is “A Good Day to Die Hard,” which rolled out Jai Courtney as Mcclane’s son.
Where to watch: itunes, Vudu, Fandangonow