By now most have adjusted to a finely tuned lockdown schedule consisting of leisure time, meals and ultra-leisure time. Film buffs are in their element with a world of fantasy and wonder, but few cinematic joys match up to the well-crafted trilogy. Part one of this guide reminisced about the dystopian classics that shaped the science fiction genre and beyond, but the sequel is here to change the pace to a more upbeat, friendly form of escapism …
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery; The Spy Who Shagged Me; and Goldmember
Yeaahhh Babbyy … A roller coaster of puns, innuendo and outright silliness is one of the great comedic parodies of the spy-thriller genre. The awkwardly irresistible British ladies’ man goes three unforgettable rounds with his arch nemesis, Dr Evil, and his accompaniment of goofy goons.
Mike Myers shows a dedication to the craft few Oscars winners ever have as he bounces between the lead characters and a few memorable cameos.
Kung Fu Panda 1, 2 and 3
The story of a shy introvert turned unlikely hero unleashes Jack Black at his exuberant best. Black’s high-energy slapstick is counter-weighted by patient and well-rounded performances by award winners Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Lui.
Po’s plucky underdog is a heart-warming display of the realisation of hidden potential and the fulfilment of destiny.
Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen
A remake of the 1960 original starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack rejuvenated Las Vegas chic. Suave performances from George Clooney and Brad Pitt at their peaks, combined with a classy ensemble, generated enough momentum to warrant a further two instalments.
The films are built on razor-sharp dialogue and intricate misdirection as we follow the gang from Vegas to Europe, and back again, for high-stakes, high-risk and high-reward shenanigans.
Before Sunrise / Sunset / Midnight
Explore the serendipitous connections between two lovers spread over two decades and three beautiful locations with this most unique of romances. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy become interwoven in the existential dialogue quintessential to a Richard Linklater film as they discuss life, love, fate and purpose while walking the streets of Vienna, Paris and Greece.
From whimsical adventurers, the two come to terms with their choices as they evolve imperfectly through each other’s eyes.
Back to the Future 1, 2 and 3
Perhaps the definitive film of the 80s, Marty McFly’s journey through time is an amusing adventure that only touches lightly on the perils of altering one’s timeline. The Delorean used to time-hop is deeply embedded in the cinematic hall of fame, as is Doc Brown’s hair.
For a decade that seems frozen in time, the 80s had a preoccupation with time-travel and as that most referenced of eras proves, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
