The COVID-19 epidemic has shuttered many of us in our homes. With more people staying at home, movies and TV shows are an easy option for some evening (or all-day) entertainment. Growing up, my family would often have dinner and movie nights; after awhile we started trying to match our dinners to the movies we were watching. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next movie to watch or dinner to try, check out some of these suggestions!
Mind Blowing Murder Mystery: Sherlock Holmes (BBC)
One of my favorite TV shows of all time! Get transported to modern day London with a fun twist on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic murder mystery series Sherlock Holmes, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Arthur Freeman. Try making a twist of the classic English dinner of Banger’s and Mash with mashed sweet potatoes potatoes, balsamic glazed brussels sprouts, steamed peas, vegan sausage (would recommend FieldRoast), and vegan mushroom gravy.
Edge of Your Seat Thriller: The Quiet Place (1&2)
Set in modern times after things have gone awry after an alien invasion where the monsters prey on sound, the world has gone quiet. Follow John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s family as they try to survive in these uncertain times. For food, forage some dandelion greens (yes they’re edible) or garden lettuce to make a summer salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, quinoa, and white beans seasoned with salt, rosemary, and basil. If you’re feeling fancy, top with smashed avocado (who knows, you could’ve been hiding out in a tropical forest, right?). Learn some more about foraging in this article.
Travel in Time with a Historical Fiction Film: Little Women
Get transported back into the 1800s a meet close four sisters trying to find their way in life. The recent remake of this film features Saorise Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scalen as the sisters. It’s definitely a must-see. Get back into the cottage-life with homemade sourdough bread, chicken or chickpea pot pie, roasted root vegetables, and apple pie for dessert.
Adorable Animated Film: My Neighbor Totoro
All Studio Ghibli films are incredible, but my Neighbor Totoro will always have a special place in my heart. The film follows two cute sisters in Japan who move to a new town and start encountering fantastical creatures in their haunted house and surrounding woods, eventually making friends with some of them, including the giant Totoro. Make your own bento box dinners with sushi, tamagoyaki (rolled egg omelet), fried rice, and red bean cakes for dessert.
Feel Good Movie You and Your Grandparents Will Love: Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
If you need a family film all ages will enjoy, try watching the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with Judi Dench, Maggie Roberts, and More find themselves going from Britain to Indian for their dream retirement home – only to find the place less than they imagined in the hands of a young man with large dreams and a larger heart. Try making Indian Butter “Chicken” Curry using cauliflower or substitute tofu or seitan if vegan for protein, rice, garlic naan, and harissa cake.
Fun Summer Musical: Mama Mia
Mama Mia is a classic great for warm summer days when staying in Greece dancing by the ocean seems like the perfect thing to do. What better way to celebrate summer than sing, dance, and eat delicious food? Make your own gyros or falafel wraps with homemade hummus, pita bread, and baklava.
Unexpected Rom Com & Foreign Film: The Surprise
A cute Danish film, half in Dutch and half in English (watch with subtitles), follows two unlikely lovers as they meet briefly after signing up to have their lives ended through a professional company that helps people pass to the other side. The company offers different choices of how you desire to go, one being ‘a surprise’ where you don’t know when or how you will die. The two characters both pick this option, but as they start to fall in love they realize they want to stay alive, but people are out to get them both. Have an easy classic Danish dish of smorrebord (open faced sandwiches) on rye, with a side of cheese, berries, and sparkling juice or wine. Try making rababergrød (basically rhubarb crisp with whipped cream) for a delicious summery dessert.