As many of us are stuck indoors for extended periods of time, the only options for entertainment are streaming. Luckily, we have you covered with a selection of themed movies. This time, we are highlighting some uplifting movies to help raise everyone's spirits during quarantine.
Always Be My Maybe (Netflix)
A charming romantic comedy featuring Ali Wong and Randall Park, this film has a great sense of humor, really fun characters, and real emotions. It also is set in San Francisco, so this might be the only way you can see the city for a little bit.
Blinded By The Light (HBO)
Blinded By The Light is the inspiring true story about following one’s dreams and unlikely passions. Our review said that “[t]hose hoping to chase their dreams should watch this and just might find a Reason to Believe.”
East Side Sushi (Amazon)
This movie was previously on streaming but took a haitus. It was recently added back and it is defintely worth a watch. The film is a great underdog story about a working-class, single mother, who decides to take a job at a local Japanese restaurant and pursue a dream of becoming a sushi chef.
The Intouchables (VUDU)
The movie is simply phenomenal. It was remade for America with Kevin Heart and Bryan Cranston, and although the remake is a fine film, the original is just phenomenal. It tells the story of a wealthy paraplegic who takes a chance on a guy from the streets when he hires him as a caretaker. The two begin an interesting, funny, and wonderful friendship that grows throughout the movie.
The Kids Are All Right (Cinemax)
A wonderful, modern family drama follows a lesbian couple about to send their oldest daughter off to college. However, a chain reaction of events tests the strength of this family.
The Kings Speech (Showtime)
Starring Colin Firth as Prince Albert during the build up to World War II, this inspiring historical drama shows the Prince dealing with drama at home, a rising threat abroad, and conquering his own severe speech impediment.
Miracle (Disney+)
Need inspiration? Look no further than inspirational sports movies. Miracle tells the tale of a hard nosed hockey coach trying to mold the young men of the 1980 U.S. Hockey team. With some truly inspiring performances in an equally inspiring story, this is a great one to turn on during this quarantine.
Slumdog Millionaire (Cinemax)
A young man has the chance of a lifetime when he gets on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The movie follows him on the show but also flashes back to his life, showing the harsh realities of his upbringing and how those experiences shaped him to be exactly where he was.
The Upside (Showtime)
The American version of the fantastic French film, the Upside keeps almost everything that made The Intouchables such a phenomenal film. Sure, it is not necessary, but if you haven't seen the original, just want to revisit this touching story, or would prefer English audio over subtitles, then give The Upside a watch.
Showing posts with label The Upside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Upside. Show all posts
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Friday, January 11, 2019
Review: The Upside
Running time: 125 minutes
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston
luck ex-con. The unlikely friends could not be more different, but end up being exactly what each other needs at that time. The film is a remake of the absolutely phenomenal French film, The Intouchables, which was one of my favorite movies of 2011. This remake, thankfully, doesn't fall into the Hollywood trap of redoing what already worked in the first movie--it simply updates the movie to the current timeline and sets the film in America. Much of the plot, pacing, and characters of the film are the same as those in The Intouchables, and that is a good thing.
The biggest concern I had with this remake was whether the American cast could match the wonderful friendship of the French film. Thankfully, Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston are up to the task. Their friendship is just as unlikely in this film, and their chemistry is apparent from the beginning. Kevin Hart is funny and engaging, someone that you root for the entire film. And Bryan Cranston is wonderful as someone who has everything yet lost everything. This is a movie where the main attraction is seeing the relationship grow, and thankfully these two are up to the task.
If there are complaints about this movie, it's that it feels unnecessary. I have already gushed about The Intouchables, and the fact that The Upside kept so close to the original source is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it followed in the wonderful footsteps of a stellar film. On the other hand, it feels like the movie is not necessary and doesn't offer anything that the original didn't 7 years earlier. The updates to technology are welcome, but not explored more than a few voice commands that are used, and the American environment doesn't feel that different from what was already presented. Additionally, Hart's character is not as easily likable as the man from the first film, and although I do like some of his new jokes, they included new plot and situations that lead to too convenient character changes.
However, at its core The Upside keeps almost everything that made The Intouchables such a phenomenal film. Sure, it is not necessary, but if you haven't seen the original, just want to revisit this touching story, or would prefer English audio over subtitles, then give The Upside a watch.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Screening: THE UPSIDE

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, Julianna Margulies
Writers: Jon Hartmere, Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Director: Neil Burger
Producers: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Release Date: January 11, 2019
Director Neil Burger’s The Upside is a heartfelt comedy about a recently paroled ex-convict, Dell (Kevin Hart), who strikes up an unusual and unlikely friendship with a quadriplegic billionaire,
Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston). From worlds apart, Dell and Phillip form an unlikely bond,
bridging their differences and gaining invaluable wisdom in the process, giving each man a
renewed sense of passion for all of life’s possibilities.The Upside also stars Nicole Kidman,
Julianna Margulies, and Aja Naomi King. The screenplay for the film is by Jon Hartmere, based
on the motion picture
Intouchables by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache.
This film is rated PG-13 for suggestive content and drug use.
Facebook - @TheUpsideFilm
Twitter - @TheUpsideFilm
Instagram - @TheUpsideFilm
#TheUpside
Screening Details
Wednesday, January 9th
7:00pm
AMC Mazza Gallerie 5300 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC, DC 20015 2025379551
Download Passes NOW!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)




