Make it a Movie Night

Since you can pretty much watch whatever you want, whenever you want to, no one’s in any particular hurry to head back to a crowded theatre to watch a movie. So how about a movie night at home? Pull out those old DVDs or stream your favorites from Netflix, Prime, Hulu, etc.

It’s Saturday night, and you’re ready to spend a quiet night home alone, with your significant other or a handful of friends. The takeout has arrived, and everyone’s claimed their comfy spot to stretch out and enjoy a movie. Of course, you’ve seen all the classics, some multiple times: Jaws, Wizard of Oz, To Kill a Mockingbird, Indiana Jones, and the Godfather series. So, how do you choose? Here are a handful of critically acclaimed movies you may have missed that are worth a look.

 

Julie & Julia: Feeling defeated by a thankless job, New Yorker Julie Powell (Amy Adams) embarks on an epic challenge to prepare all 524 recipes in Julia Childs’ seminal cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Intertwined with Julie’s story is the true-to-life tale of how Julia Child (Meryl Streep) fearlessly conquered the male-dominated world of French cuisine.

Defending Your Life: After an unfortunate mishap with a bus, Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) discovers that in the afterlife, he must successfully defend his less-than-courageous actions on Earth before ascending to a higher plane of existence. While awaiting judgment, he falls hard for Julia (Meryl Streep), whose exemplary life makes it almost certain that she’ll be moving on.

Fargo: Fargo is a quirky crime thriller based around a botched kidnapping plot that leads to murder. Police detective Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak frozen midwestern town. Another star-studded cast takes this one over the type.

Young Frankenstein: A side-splitting Mel Brooks comedy classic from 1974, finds respected medical lecturer Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) inheriting his infamous grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. Arriving at the castle, a once a vehement skeptic, Dr. Frankenstein soon begins to recreate his grandfather’s experiments creating his very own monster (Peter Boyle).

 

The Princess Bride: In this 1987 cult classic, a handsome farmhand named Wesley (Cary Elwes) must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the evil Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon). Our swashbuckling hero, along with a band of merry misfits played by an all-star cast, heads to Humperdink’s Castle to meet their fate. 

Winter’s Tale: One night in early 20th-century New York, master thief Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) breaks into a Central Park mansion — and quickly falls for his victim, Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). Unfortunately, she is dying from consumption, and he is in danger. Peter must battle the forces of time and darkness to save his beloved.

Grand Budapest Hotel: Between the two world wars, M. Gustave is the legendary concierge at an exquisitely appointed European hotel. He serves at the whims of his wealthy guests, especially lonely senior women. Gustave finds himself unwittingly entangled in the theft of a priceless Renaissance painting, a murder, and a battle for an enormous family fortune.

You discover a new film or an old classic that’s new to you and loved it so much that you want to chat about it the minute the credits stop rolling. You need to find a fellow cinephile who’s willing to indulge your sub-plot theories. Finding like-minded seniors who share your hobbies and interests isn’t always that easy. Check out the fast-growing MyHealthAngel.com senior community, with over 500K members. You’re bound to find a fellow movie buff you can swap reviews with. 

Let’s Binge Netflix

In 2018, the term binge-watching first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary. We all know that it means to spend hours and hours on the sofa, watching series episodes, back-to-back. With so many great shows and streaming services to choose from, it’s easy to forget there are thousands of great movies available too. Fun fact: For the price of a single movie ticket, you can choose from thousands of movies, TV shows, and original entertainment with a monthly subscription to Netflix.

Click on the Netflix home screen and scroll down the current top ten movies ranked by customer views. Watch them all or make your must-see list after previewing random trailers. Some favorite Netflix movies for seniors include Driving Miss Daisy, As Good as it Gets, The King’s Speech, Howard’s End, and The Highwaymen.

It’s easy to lose track of time when you jump in the movie rabbit hole, so mix it up. Stand up and stretch. Join a virtual book club, yoga class, or watch a live cooking demonstration with a master chef. Meet some new people or join your best friends for entertaining live events and real conversation at My Health Angel. 

Drama, Romance, and Funny Movies for Seniors

So, what are the best movies for an older audience? The senior audience is not a monolith, just sipping tea and watching black and white classics like their parents. Today’s seniors have choices, and they want it all: to laugh, to think, to learn, or take a brief break from reality. They love action, crime thrillers, comedies, drama, documentaries, and stories of romance. The great news is that we can enjoy anything from the latest blockbuster action movies to brilliant independent films from our living rooms. No phones ringing, loud whispering, or $12 popcorn.

Entertainment Without the Monthly Fee

If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, check out My Health Angel for unlimited access to weekly live events, a library full of informative videos, and other resources. And, unlike other sites you have to pay for, My Health Angel is always free. So brush up on your movie trivia, get to know interesting historical figures, or hum along with some favorite Broadway tunes.

 

So, get out there—virtually, of course—and meet new friends, learn new skills, and find new challenges. Visit My Healthangel.com to see what’s coming up on their calendar. And once you become an expert at Zoom, you can host your own movie night by simply sharing your screen. Online movie nights have become an increasingly popular way for families and friends of all ages to stay connected.