Mother's Day Movies
By Saskia –
If your Mother-figure is included in your bubble, then a movie night could be the perfect way to celebrate her this Mother's Day! We've put together our list of 10 movies to check out with your Mum.
1. Jojo Rabbit
WWII black comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople), who also stars as a little boy's imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. Winner of the People's Choice Award at Toronto Film Festival 2019 and Best Adapted Screenplay at both the 2020 Oscars and BAFTAs.
The world view of a lonely German boy, a Hitler Youth, is upended when he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie, Leave No Trace) in their attic. Aided only by his moronic imaginary friend, Hitler, Jojo starts to confront his blind nationalism.
2. 1917
Two young British soldiers attempt to deliver a message that could save 1,600 men in this continuous-shot WWI drama from Sam Mendes (Skyfall). Winner of Best Director and Best Film at the 2020 BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
At the height of WWI, two young British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay, Captain Fantastic) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman, Game of Thrones) must cross enemy territory in a race against time to deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers – Blake's own brother among them.
3. Little Women
Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and Eliza Scanlen (Grace) are four sisters who come of age in the aftermath of the Civil War in this period drama from Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird). Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep co-star.
Staff Note: This is my all-time favourite movie. If you or your Mum have read the book or enjoy period dramas in general – then this is a MUST.
4. Parasite
A poor family's and a rich family's lives unexpectedly intersect in this Best Picture Oscar-winning tragicomedy from South Korean auteur, Bong Joon-Ho (Okja).
“Ki-taek's family of four is close, but fully unemployed, with a bleak future ahead of them. The son Ki-woo is recommended by his friend, a student at a prestigious university, for a well-paid tutoring job, spawning hopes of a regular income. Carrying the expectations of all his family, Ki-woo heads to the Park family home for an interview. Arriving at the house of Mr. Park, the owner of a global IT firm, Ki-woo meets Yeon-kyo, the beautiful young lady of the house. But following this first meeting between the two families, an unstoppable string of mishaps lies in wait.” (Cannes Film Festival)
Staff Note: Not going to lie, there is one scene that you might not want to watch with your Mum… but this movie is phenomonal.
5. Last Christmas
Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) directs Emilia Clarke and Crazy Rich Asians' Henry Golding in this London-set holiday romantic comedy co-starring and co-written by Emma Thompson.
Kate (Clarke), a bundle of bad decisions, harumphs around London accompanied by the jangle of bells on her shoes, an irritating consequence of her job as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. But life starts to take a turn for the better when Tom (Golding) walks into her life…
Staff Note: WARNING: This is a tear-jerker. It will hit you where it hurts. RIGHT IN THE TEAR SACKS. It will squeeze those puppies dry or at least give you a really sore throat as you try to conceal your sadness
6. Bellbird
Hamish Bennett's feature debut takes place in the heart of a small New Zealand town, where a community comes together after a tragic death.
“Ross (Marshall Napier) has farmed the land all his life, just as his father and grandfather did before him. A largely silent man, Ross farms the land alongside his far more exuberant wife Beth (Annie Whittle), who is an eager participant in the local choir and a friend to many. When Beth suddenly dies, Ross is crushed but incapable of displaying his emotions. His son Bruce (Cohen Holloway) moves back in and tries to help, but is not suited to the farming life and also has great difficulties in expressing himself. Around them, their friends realise the difficulties, and pitch in to help.” (Sydney Film Festival)
7. Knives Out
Daniel Craig investigates the murder of the patriarch of a quirky and dysfunctional family in Rian Johnson's star-studded ensemble whodunnit. The cast includes Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Ana de Armas and Lakeith Stanfield with Christopher Plummer as the deceased.
8. Judy
In an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning performance, Renée Zellweger is legendary singer and actress Judy Garland in this biopic based on the 2012 Olivier- and Tony-nominated Broadway play, End of the Rainbow.
Judy Garland arrives in London in the winter of 1968 to perform a five-week run of sold-out concerts.
9. Downton Abbey
The UK TV series' original cast is joined by a host of newcomers in this feature adaptation written by the show's creator, Julian Fellowes. The show followed the Crawley family who lived in an Edwardian English country house with their servants at the turn of the 20th century.
10. Cats
Andrew Lloyd Webber's feline musical blockbuster is brought to the screen by Tom Hooper (Les Misérables, The King's Speech). Features Francesca Hayward and an all-star cast including Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, James Corden, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson.
After being abandoned by her owner on the streets of London, a kitten named Victoria (Hayward) is welcomed into a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who have a yearly competition to be granted a new life.
Staff Note: I hear this one is extra good with a few wines…