Girls Write Teen Takeover

My favorite watches from quarantine

BY LEE MILLAN

So, we’ve been in quarantine for around six or seven months now, and if you’re anything like me and my family you’ve gotten the chance to watch more shows and movies that you ever thought possible.

I saw a lot of bad stuff this summer, a lot, but I’ve also seen some great stuff. Lucky for you, I made a numbered list of the best shows and movies I’ve viewed this summer, some of which might just get you through the fall.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’

FBI trainee Clarice Starling is enlisted by Jack Crawford to interview serial killer Hannibal Lecter, otherwise known as “Hannibal the Cannibal” regarding a case he may have some insight into. Insight Crawford believes Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be able to draw out.

This is the perfect film for this season when it gets dark early. Chances are, you’ve already seen this movie, but chances are you’ve already seen Home Alone and chances are you see it every December. This movie is thrilling, interesting and genuinely spooky. It will leave you wanting more and the best part is, there is more. Though a fantastic stand alone film, The Silence of the Lambs is the first in The Hannibal Lecter Series, which contains three movies and one prequel. That’s enough movie for a whole two days! If you’re looking for a thrilling mystery, then I recommend The Silence of the Lambs.

The Marvel Movies

Ah, yes, the Marvel movies. Or more specifically the movies that belong to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the shared universe that the majority of Marvel films

take place in. Now, if you’re not familiar with what these movies are, they are superhero movies based off of the Marvel comics, which are, well, superhero comics.

I don’t know what it is, but sometimes I just don’t want to watch a television show. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a movie. The Marvel movies are perfect for that. For the past few months me and my family have been watching them every few nights or so, and I have to say, it’s been a really enjoyable experience. It’s nice how they tie together but also stand alone, or at least, some of them can stand alone. Plus, most of them are enjoyable, always a bonus. It’s like a television show with 22 episodes and every episode is two hours long. If you’re interested in starting a long series of movies then I would recommend the Marvel movies.

‘Baskets’

Chip Baskets dreams to master the art of clowning, but after flunking out of French Clown College he is forced to return to Bakersfield, California. Back in Bakersfield he continues to pursue professional clowning working as a rodeo clown while seeking approval from his family and uninterested French wife.

A good amount of people I talk to have not seen this show which I think is a travesty and unacceptable, but more than anything I find it surprising. It took me a few episodes to get behind this show, but oh boy am I behind it now. There’s just so much to love. Zach Galifianakis plays Chip and Chip’s twin brother Dale; Louie Anderson plays their mother, Christine, and it’s great. I would take a bullet for Christine Baskets, no joke. If you’re looking for a new television show to binge I recommend Baskets.

‘The Birdcage’

When their son becomes engaged, Armand Goldman and his partner Albert decide to hide their relationship from their future daughter-in-law’s father, republican senator Kevin Keely, as well as his wife.

This is one of my favorite movies to watch when I don’t know what to watch. A lot of people have seen this movie, but a lot of people, especially kids my age, haven’t, and they’re really missing out. It’s hysterically funny but the plot’s not an uncomfortable vessel for the comedy. It has a lot of great performances paired with fun characters. One of my favorite things about it is that it’s just easy. It doesn’t require a lot of brain power, it’s just a good time. If you’re looking for a good, funny movie then I recommend The Birdcage.

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’

When Miriam Maisel’s idyllic life is turned upside down she finds herself stumbling into the world of stand-up comedy.

Short summary, I know, but you wouldn’t believe how long it took me to write that sentence. This is a great show, I think. It’s a nice show to default to when you, well, need a default. Not to mention there’s three seasons out, which is always nice. This show is funny and interesting, but it’s also extremely nice to look at. Nice to look at in the way of costumes, locations, lighting, etc. but also the way it’s shot. You may have heard some mention of how they use a lot of long shots. It’s really cool. If you’re looking for a television series to start bingeing then I would recommend The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Lee Millan is a high school student in Nashville.