Chris & Jonny’s Watchlist – 8.5.20

Chris & Jonny’s Film(in the)house Watchlist

Whilst the world is on pause and your Filmhouse Sunderland visits aren’t possible, we’re keeping the independent cinema flag flying with our new weekly watch lists from Chris & Jonny, the people behind the project.  

Each Friday, we’ll post a list of four films that are currently available across BBC iPlayer, All4, Netflix and Amazon Prime that we think you should seek out.  

This week’s selection is 

Await Further Instructions (15) (2018) (Netflix)

This critically-acclaimed British horror film comes from the pen of the brilliantly talented north-east screenwriter Gavin Williams. The premise is simple: It’s Christmas Day and the Milgram family wake up to find a mysterious black substance surrounding their house. Desperate for answers, they turn on the TV looking for answers. Onscreen a single message glows: ‘Stay Indoors and Await Further Instructions’. Eerily perfect viewing for our current Lockdown situation, Await Further Instructions is unique and armrest-gripping stuff.

Bill (PG) (2015) (BBC IPlayer)

A hilarious family film from the team behind TV’s Horrible Histories, Bill wonders What really happened during William Shakespeare’s ‘Lost Years’. Sacked from his band, down-on-his-luck lute player Bill decides to become a playwright. Caught up in a plot that takes in Spanish invasion plans, a murder plot and Queen Elizabeth I the scene is set for fun aplenty! 

Amores Perros (18) (2000) (Amazon Prime)

Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s (The Revenant) debut feature, Amores Perros blasted into cinemas in 2000 and kickstarted a renewed international interest in South American moviemaking.  Ambitious and intricate, the film tells three stories linked to a car accident in Mexico City: Octavio is sharing an apartment with his brother, which leads to a serious problem when he falls for his sister-in-law; Daniel, a successful publisher, leaves his family to take up with a beautiful young model; and elderly homeless man El Chivo is hired by an executive to assassinate his business partner. Invigorating, haunting and emotional, Amores Perros is a must-see.

Note: With each story set in and around the dog fighting rings of Mexico City the film features some scenes of dogfighting.

Beuatiful Thing (15) (1996) (All 4)

From playwright Jonathan Harvey, Beautiful Thing was adapted from his award-winning play of the same name and released into cinemas in 1996.  One of the most important and acclaimed LGBTQ films of all time, it tells the story of two teenage boys from a working-class neighbourhood in London who become aware of their attraction for one another. Witty, warm and undeniably down to earth, Beautiful Thing features some great performances from the young cast and a soundtrack to die for! 

We’d love to hear what you think of the films we recommend – let us know!

See you next week,

Chris & Jonny