The end of the semester brings with it many stressors, whether it be trying to bring up your grade before the final or registering for the right classes for next semester. Add on to this the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recently finished U.S. election and it’s easy to see that we all need an escape from reality sometimes. Even if it’s for just a few hours, getting our minds off school and social media by watching a movie is one of the easiest ways to de-stress and forget about our responsibilities for a while. Here are a few movies currently available on different platforms that we recommend you watch!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, Netflix)
Taking place in the 1930s, archaeologist Indiana Jones tries to find the lost Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do to prevent them from harnessing its power. The action-adventure epic is considered a classic among young and old viewers and still holds up today, with grand set pieces and interesting characters. As an adventure movie, it brings a sense of wonder and excitement that can be rewarding after a monotonous study session for your next test. Ultimately, Raiders is a fun movie to watch whether or not you’ve seen it before, and its availability on Netflix means it’s just a few clicks away.
Palm Springs (2020, Hulu)
During a wedding weekend, a guest finds herself stuck in a time loop along with someone else who she begins to fall in love with. It sounds like a cheesy and ridiculous plot that may turn away some, but the movie does well in being self-aware of its Groundhog Day-type scenario. Also, the romantic-comedy movie leans more heavily on the comedy than it does the romantic, which may entice more people to give it a chance. This Hulu exclusive movie is a good choice if you need to get your mind off your busy schedule and put on some easy viewing for a quick hour and a half.
Knives Out (2019, Amazon Prime Video)
In this mystery movie, a detective investigates the death of a crime novelist and suspects anyone in his dysfunctional family could have done it, sifting through numerous clues and leads to find the culprit. With a star-studded cast and a plot line full of twists, Knives Out is a movie that many viewers agree is the best of its genre in years. The plot is very well thought out and is sure to demand the viewer’s attention and keep them guessing who committed the crime until the very end. As a way to keep your mind engaged on something other than your essay that’s due soon, it’s an easy recommendation from Amazon’s streaming service.
It’s important to take breaks from social media and schoolwork in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed. By taking a break, your work ultimately ends up being higher quality since you’ve had time to take a step back and regroup your thoughts. After watching one of these movies, your stressful day of work and bad news on Twitter may be a bit better and contribute to an easier time finishing up the semester.
