Five movies to keep you entertained this winter break

By Lou Wharton

Blog Content Contributor

If you’re anything like me, winter break will consist mostly of staying home and trying desperately to find something to keep you occupied without the routine of classes keeping you busy. There’s no need to fear – Kanopy is here. Texas State students may not be aware of this, but as a university student, you have access to Kanopy, an online archive of movies and documentaries. All you have to do is log in with your Texas State login, (netID and password), and you’ll immediately be granted access to over 30,000 movies, including documentaries like Paris is Burning, classic movies such as His Girl Friday, and foreign cinema like In The Mood For Love.

Below, I’ve picked five popular movies (in no particular order) out of 30,000 that are absolutely unmissable, but they are far from the best of movies Kanopy has to offer. After all, what better time than a month-long break from school to immerse yourself in new media and stories?

PEARL (2022)

Tags: Horror & Thriller, Independent Cinema

Rating: R

For fans of “good for her” cinema, Pearl cannot be missed. This A24 film directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth was talked about as soon as it hit theaters in 2022. Set in 1918, the film follows Pearl, a young woman living on a farm, as she chases her dreams of becoming a star. The movie explores a variety of complex themes, including but certainly not limited to, sexual repression and female rage. For those looking to watch this film, it’s recommended to pay good attention to the content warnings listed by Kanopy, including extreme violence, animal cruelty and sexual content. But if you can stomach it, Pearl is a must-see for anyone who prefers horror to Hallmark.

LOVING VINCENT (2017)

Tags: Kanopy Staff Picks, Drama, Independent Cinema

Rating: PG-13

 Nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes, Loving Vincent is nothing short of a masterpiece. Directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, Loving Vincent is entirely hand-painted in the style of Van Gogh and explores the mysterious circumstances around Van Gogh’s death with the sort of reverence and empathy a topic like this deserves. Loving Vincent manages to be a work of art about an artist, and it is a highly recommended watch for anyone with even a passing knowledge of art history or Van Gogh.

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000)

Tags: Film Studies, The Arts, World Cinema, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG

Wong Kar-Wai is an iconic director from Hong Kong, and In the Mood for Love is one of his most well-known works. Starring Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, the film follows a man and woman who discover their spouses are having an affair together. Beautifully written and acted and featuring Wong Kar-Wai’s signature and stunning cinematography. In the Mood for Love is a beautiful classic essential for those interested in foreign films.

MOONLIGHT (2016)

Tags: Kanopy Staff Picks, Drama, LGBTQ Cinema, Independent Cinema

Rating: R

When Moonlight won Best Picture in 2016, it was all anyone could talk about. Mostly in reference to a viral clip of the announcers accidentally declaring the wrong movie the winner, but Moonlight deserves far more of a spotlight. With a star-studded cast including Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali and Janelle Monáe, Moonlight explores the complex intersectionality of Black identity, masculinity and queerness. Masterfully written and with tear-jerking performances, Moonlight is one of those movies that never truly leaves you once you’ve seen it. For people both inside and outside of the marginalized communities Moonlight explores, this film is a beautiful insight into the joys and struggles of being a Black queer man and should be on everyone’s watchlist.

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (2022)

Tags: Comedy, War & Action, Science Fiction & Fantasy, LGBTQ Cinema, Independent Cinema

Rating: R

 Everything Everywhere All at Once is a movie that deserves every ounce of praise that it has been given thus far. It’s one of those movies that is hard to describe without giving too much away, but I can say this – this is a film that changes you. With its leading trio of Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once discusses generational trauma, immigrant families, destiny and love in a delicately balanced mixture of sci-fi weirdness, humor and soul-crushingly genuine writing. After seeing Everything Everywhere All at Once, you’ll never look at doing laundry or taxes the same way.