It’s Not The End of The World, It’s Just A Pandemic –– Movie Recommendations
Coronavirus (COVID19) was declared pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since then, we have seen a spike of views in pandemic themed movies. In this post of “It’s Not The End of the World, It’s Just A Pandemic”, I’m going to add some more movie recommendations to your already brimming to watch list.
In times like this, it’s understandable that self-quarantining––even when it’s for the best––could suck at times. When you’ve done all that you can to take your mind off the virus such as cooking, napping, crocheting and reading, what else can you do next?
Answer: wrap yourself into a burrito blanket, keep your loved ones save and ride this wave of pandemic out with some good as movies. Despite the panic out there all around the world, it’s important that we all try approach this matter as rationally as we can. Remember: it’s not the end of the world, it’s just a pandemic. We have survived many pandemics before, just like we will survive this one.
Not to mention, back then we didn’t even have the luxury to stream movies and tv shows in the comfort of our own homes while worrying about the pandemic 24/7. Small privileges, but in times like this, it really does make a difference.
1. Train to Busan (부산행)
Genre : Action, Horror, Thriller
Starring : Yoo Gong, Yu-mi Jung, Dong-seok Ma
Director : Sang-ho Yeon
Released : July 2016
BLURB :
Sok-woo, a father with not much time for his daughter, Soo-ahn, are boarding the KTX, a fast train that shall bring them from Seoul to Busan. But during their journey, the apocalypse begins, and most of the earth’s population become flesh craving zombies. While the KTX is shooting towards Busan, the passenger’s fight for their families and lives against the zombies – and each other.
2. 28 Days Later
Genre : Drama, Horror, Science Fiction
Starring : Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston
Director : Danny Boyle
Released : June 2003
BLURB :
Animal activists invade a laboratory with the intention of releasing chimpanzees that are undergoing experimentation, infected by a virus -a virus that causes rage. The naive activists ignore the pleas of a scientist to keep the cages locked, with disastrous results. Twenty-eight days later, our protagonist, Jim, wakes up from a coma, alone, in an abandoned hospital. He begins to seek out anyone else to find London is deserted, apparently without a living soul. After finding a church, which had become inhabited by zombie like humans intent on his demise, he runs for his life. Selena and Mark rescue him from the horde and bring him up to date on the mass carnage and horror as all of London tore itself apart. This is a tale of survival and ultimately, heroics, with nice subtext about mankind’s savage nature.
3. Rec
Genre : Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Starring : Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano
Director : Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Released : June 2008
BLURB :
“REC” turns on a young TV reporter and her cameraman who cover the night shift at the local fire station. Receiving a call from an old lady trapped in her house, they reach her building to hear horrifying screams — which begin a long nightmare and a uniquely dramatic TV report.
4. Contagion
Genre : Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Starring : Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
Director : Steven Soderbergh
Released : September 2011
BLURB :
Soon after her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff dies from what is a flu or some other type of infection. Her young son dies later the same day. Her husband Mitch however seems immune. Thus begins the spread of a deadly infection. For doctors and administrators at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, several days pass before anyone realizes the extent or gravity of this new infection. They must first identify the type of virus in question and then find a means of combating it, a process that will likely take several months. As the contagion spreads to millions of people worldwide, societal order begins to break down as people panic.
5. The Night Eats the World
Genre : Drama, Horror, Thriller
Starring : Anders Danielsen Lie, Golshifteh Farahani, Denis Lavant
Director : Dominique Rocher
Released : March 2018
BLURB :
After waking up in an apartment where only the night before a party was raging, Sam is forced to come to grips with reality: He is now alone and the living dead have invaded the streets of Paris. Petrified with fear, Sam is going to have to barricade himself inside the building and organize his survival. But is he really the sole survivor?
6. The Flu (감기)
Genre : Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Starring : Hyuk Jang, Soo Ae, Roxanne Aparicio
Director : Sung-su Kim
Released : August 2013
BLURB :
The worst epidemic ever seen is sweeping through Bundang, the suburb of Seoul. After smuggling illegal immigrants into the country, Byung-woo dies from an unknown virus. Soon after that, the same symptoms are plaguing scores of residents in Bundang. People are helpless against the airborne disease and the number of infected increases quickly, spreading chaos. As the worst-case scenario precaution, the city of half a million people, just 19 kilometers from Seoul, is about to be sealed off. The government orders a complete shutdown. Meanwhile, infectious disease specialist In-hye and rescue worker Ji-goo go into the closed city to find the blood serum of the index case, a crucial part of developing the vaccine.
7. Children of Men
Genre : Drama, Thriller, Fantasy
Starring : Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director : Alfonso Cuarón
Released : December 2007
BLURB :
In 2027, 18 years of human infertility have left society on the verge of extinction. When one woman miraculously gets pregnant, Theo, a bureaucrat, must transport her to safety.
8. The Host (괴물)
Genre : Drama, Horror, Action
Starring : Kang-ho Song, Hee-Bong Byun, Hae-il Park
Director : Bong Joon Ho
Released : July 2006
BLURB :
An unidentified monster appears from the Han River in Seoul, kills hundreds and also carries off Hyun-seo. When her family learns that she is being held captive, they resolve to save her.
9. 10 Cloverfield Lane
Genre : Drama, Horror, Mystery
Starring : John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr.
Director : Dan Trachtenberg
Released : March 2016
BLURB :
After an accident, Michelle finds herself in a bunker with Howard, a stranger who informs her that she is safe with him and the world outside is inhabitable. Left dazed, she decides to escape.
Other posts:
- Chill With 10 Binge Worthy Korean Dramas While In Coronavirus Quarantine
- KDrama Review: Crash Landing On You (사랑의 불시착) –– Is It Binge-Worthy?