Second semester; the air grows warmer, flowers begin their reawakening and Netflix queues grow longer. The light at the end of the tunnel—also known as summer—grows brighter, and with it comes the urge to do everything and anything but classwork. Some may call me an enabler, but I like to think of myself as a giver. Here are three films to soothe the dawdling soul—all on Netflix.
1. “Pan’s Labyrinth,” directed by Guillermo del Toro
Delaying studying for that Spanish midterm? Look no further! “Pan’s Labyrinth” is a Spanish film set in the years directly following the country’s Civil War, rebel troops stowed away in the mountains and continued to fight fascist forces in an effort to reclaim the country. Young Ofelia collapses into an aphotic world of fantasy in which she must complete three grisly tasks to reclaim her rightful throne as princess in the kingdom that lies beyond pans labyrinth. The film carries a heavy and uneasy feel, cemented by the contortion of familiar childhood images and thrown into even sharper and more alarming contrast by the realistic and unnerving violence demonstrated by Ofelia’s step-father, Captain Vidal. The ending will destroy you, and you will love it.
2. “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” directed by David Gelb
That Japanese history paper put you in a slump? Why not watch a documentary about the world’s greatest sushi chef! Jiro Ono,85, is the owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, the Three-Michelin-Star restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. The film’s rapid yet concise pace aligns perfectly with the borderline obsessive themes of the film. Every aspect of the sushi eating experience is controlled and perfected, from the years of training that must be completed before the apprentice sushi chefs are allowed to touch the fish, to the deliberate placement of the food on the plate depending on which hand the restaurant patron favors. Jiro won’t be the only one dreaming of sushi after you watch this film.
3. “Safe Haven,” directed by Lasse Hallstrom
Valentine ’s Day is right around the corner and what is better than a film based off of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel to provide the perfect mood to wallow in self-pity? “Safe Haven” follows Katie, a young woman who thinks the best solution to solving her problems is by running to the quaint white-bread town of Southport, N.C. Despite her troubled past, Katie ends up predictably falling in love with the young windowed father who owns the local convenience store and in his arms finds a “safe haven”—Hey there, title! This will be the movie you love to hate…or just straight up hate.
Here you have themes of death, food and whatever it is Nicholas Sparks thinks he writes about. Watch and enjoy or just view them to confuse people when they see your Netflix history. That’s what I’ll be doing.
Photo credit: RCW Pictures, “Safe Haven” electronic press kit
