Six films to stream over the holidays
Six films to stream over the holidays
12 April 2022
From animations to musicals, there is a new release for everybody streaming during the school holidays.
School holidays are back in full force, and with it, kids have a lot of time on their hands. Sure, the cinemas are open, but the cost starts to stack up after one movie. That’s when it’s time to turn to your tried and tested friend – streaming platforms. Over the pandemic, Netflix, Disney Plus, and the like gave us sustenance to get through the mundane. And they can also get you through the chaos of holidays! Others writer Jessica Morris reviews six of the newest films streaming now. The good news is there is something for every age and interest – even the theatrical!
For the kids
Turning Red
This Disney Pixar gem is a coming-of-age story about 13-year-old Meilin, who turns into a Red Panda when she feels big emotions (apparently, it’s hereditary). This happens when she feels angry at her mum, has a crush, or sees her favourite boy band. Kids love this film because the characters are quirky, comical, and utterly relatable. Adults enjoy the story because it perfectly encapsulates the awkwardness of puberty. Mixed with discussion about generational trauma and a beautiful celebration of Chinese culture, this film is a lot of fun. The best part is that Turning Red was created nearly entirely by women, and director Domee Shi was able to put her Chinese-Canadian heritage into the story. I recommend watching the bonus documentary Embrace The Panda for more insights into this. Rated PG for adolescence themes, comic sex references, mild threat, and language. Streaming now on Disney Plus
Cheaper By The Dozen
Can’t convince the kids to watch the Steve Martin remake from 20 years ago because it’s ‘old’? All is not lost – Disney Plus just released a new version of the classic story starring Gabrielle Union and Dax Sheppard as co-parents of a blended family. Unlike the 2004 masterpiece (Long live the era of Hilary Duff!), this version delves into racism and what it means to parent a child of colour in modern-day America. This is still entertaining, funny and heartwarming, but to match 2022, the young cast has a worldliness about them that reflects the younger generation. Rated PG for language, thematic elements, and suggestive material. Streaming now on Disney Plus
For the adults
The Adam Project
This sci-fi time-travelling adventure depicts 40-something Adam Reed (played by Ryan Reynolds) going back in time to save the world from its inevitable destruction. The catch is that he accidentally drops into 2021 and meets his 12-year-old self – the cheeky Walker Scobell. Also starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo as his parents, this is the quasi Suddenly 30 spin-off we never knew we needed. Full of action and smart wit, themes around loving and forgiving your childhood self are rife. Rated M for coarse language, mature themes, blood and gore, science-fiction themes, violence, and scary scenes. Streaming now on Netflix
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
We hear about the rise and fall of famous evangelists all the time. In 1987, Jim Bakker of PLT Club fame was jailed for fraud – but what happened to his wife, Tammy? In The Eyes of Tammy Faye, we are given cinematic insight into the pain, shame, power, and good intent that led to her fame and betrayal. Jessica Chastain is magnificent as Faye, giving her a humanity that pushes you to look beyond the makeup and assertations that ‘Jesus loves you’. Paired with Andrew Garfield, we see the couple create their own rules about sexual purity, prosperity, and wealth. All the while, they are part of a corrupt Evangelical system that ultimately results in their downfall. Rated M for sexual content and drug abuse. Streaming now on Disney Plus – Star
For the theatrical
In The Heights
People around the world celebrate composer Lin Manuel Miranda for his masterful work in Disney’s Moana and the musical Hamilton. With In The Heights, based on a book of the same name by Quiara Alegría Hudes, Miranda creates an ode to the diaspora community living in Washington Heights – the upper Manhattan Community in New York City. Centring on the character of Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos), who runs the bodega passed down to him by his father, who emigrated from Puerto Rico, he sells a winning lotto ticket, causing a stir in the neighbourhood. Starting out on Broadway, the musical explores the dignity and power of immigrants and the injustices that still persist today. This makes it witty and joyful but also devastatingly raw. Rated PG for mild coarse language and sexual references. Streaming now on Disney Plus
West Side Story
This new adaption of the beloved theatrical masterpiece is beautifully shot by Steven Spielberg, highlighting that Shakespeare’s themes of race, class, and love are still as evident today as they were in 1950s New York or fictional Verona. Starring Rachel Zegler as Maria and Ansel Elgort as Tony, it still includes the epic dance sequences and moving ballads, but on a massive scale. Yet even in this, the couple still creates intimate moments of magic, and the supporting cast is exceptional. Take note, though: you will need tissues. Rated M for strong violence, strong language, thematic content, suggestive material, and brief smoking. Streaming now on Disney Plus
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