A film centered on the simple joys of life, Little Forest is about the importance of food, friendship, and family. After Hye-won fails her teaching exam, she decides to return to the countryside, where she was raised. The scenery shown and the preparation of Korean cuisine are eye candy that pop with color and vibrancy. This is a movie about character growth that leaves you with a sense of warmth and euphoria. You can watch it for free on Amazon Prime!

The film best known for winning the Best Picture at the 2019 Oscars, Bong Joon Ho's newest entry explores the social differences of two families, the poverty stricken Kims and the wealthy Parks. Parasite has amazing writing, witty comedy, and an inspiration cooking scene that taught me how to cook jjapaguri noodles.

Searching tells a story about a father trying to find his missing daughter. What makes this film so unique is its presentation. The entire film is filmed through a laptop screen, and director Aneesh Chaganty conveys emotion through text messages and subtle actions. In a style very similar to that of Up's opening, Searching's opening scene introduces us to the Kim family. In just a few minutes, we learn about all three family members, and its presentation immediately attachs us to these characters. In an age where we're all connected through media, Searching explores the disconnect between father and daughter.

Edge of Tomorrow stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, and is an adaption of the Japanese manga "All You Need is Kill". The film is set during a world war against an alien race who possess the ability to control time. When Tom Cruise's character, William Cage, inherates this power, he must join forces with soldier Vrataski (Emily Blunt) to find a way to destroy the enemy. This movie is very unique in its concept and presentation. Edge of Tomorrow is a great summer blockbuster that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.

The Farewell is a intriguing drama based on a true event. The movie follows a Chinese American family who has learned that their grandmother will soon die of cancer. Upon hearing the news, the family decides not to tell the grandma. This common Chinese practice is extremely hard for Billy, who was raised in the States. "Chinese people have saying, when you get cancer, you die. But it's not the cancer that kills you, it's the fear."

Whereas Toy Story 3 offered a satisfying conclusion to the Andy storyline, Toy Story 4 provides closure for Woody's. After Bonnie makes Sporky at her first day of kindergarden, Woody dedicates himself to care for this new toy. With the help of Bo Pep, Woody finds new purpose within himself. The animation is stellar, and the new toys are extremely likeable.

When a tragic death occurs in the family, high schooler Lindsay Weir finds herself conflicted with her own identity and moral compass. As the title suggests, Weir spends the show riding the line between the lifestyle of a "freak" and a deciplined student. In many ways, Freaks and Geeks reflects my own experiences in high school. Not in the moral conflicts it presents, but rather in how familiar the characters in the show felt. Similar to how the brilliant show was abruptly cancelled, my high school experience felt both quick and fulfilling. Freaks and Geeks brings back the nostalgia and reminds me of the important friendships during highschool.

Finally, a truly great Korean Drama! My Mister is a 16 episode drama about three bothers and a young women who are enduring the hardships of life. They learn to heal from one another in this story that can only be described as cathartic. The first few episodes are bit slow, but the themes present are extremely powerful. My Mister also features amazing performances from the whole cast, including IU.

When Marnie Was There is a newer Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. It follows Anna, a reclusive and introverted young girl, who discovers a mansion and a mysterious girl, Marnie. As questions begin to arise, Anna begins to connect to her family roots in a coming-of-age story that is both emotional and powerful.

The culmination of the historical Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers Endgame concludes the 10 year journey for our favorite characters. After the tragic events of Avengers: Infinity War, our heros must come to terms with reality, and when a chance to bring back their loved ones is presented, they embark on a journey to fight once more. This film is able to provide a conclusion to many of the characters' stories in an emotionally satisfying way.

The Imitation Game is based on a true story of mathematician Alan Turing and his momumental contribution during World War II. Turing is an English mathematician who is trying to decrypt the German code. Turing, who is an extremely important figure in mathematics and technological growth, is fighting more than one battle. He's gay, which was extremely illegal at the time. So while Turing is battling against the decryption of the Enigma, he must also hide his sexuality. Filled with great performances and an enthrilling story, The Imitation Game is a fantastic film about an unconventional hero.

When aliens arrive on Earth, linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team of investigators to find out what these new visitors want. Amy Adams gives her best performance alongside Jeremy Renner. Arrival is one of the finest extraterrestrial films. Its themes are extremely profound and the cinemetography is breathtaking.

One of the first movies I decided to watch on my HBO Max account was James Wan's The Conjuring, which opened me up to a new world of Wan's projects. Among those was its sequel, The Conjuring 2 . I was never a horror fan. I honestly found them to be disturbing and unpleasant. However, Wan's directional style and storytelling kept my eyes glued to the screen.

The Social Network, a film about the creation of FaceBook, is a collaboration between director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. The witty conversations and characters present keep the audience engaged. In a film consisting of all dialouge, Sorkin and Fincher are, somehow, able to keep the film engaging. The Social Network depicts how the pursuit towards greatness can result in a loss of humanity. Through Mark Zuckerberg's ambition to stand out, we witness his loss of apathy and the falling out with his best friend. This film holds a special place in my heart, since it was one of the first films that sparked my passion for movies.

The X-Men franchise has had a monumental influence on super hero films. Back in 2000, most comic book movies were not taken seriously. The X-Men movies, while featuring super heroes and fun action, are actually about discrimination and tolerance. Humans are at war with the mutants, and Wolverine must go back in time to save the future. Days of Future Past is one of my favorite super hero movies because of its great story, mature themes, and fun characters.

My first Netflix original, Stranger Things offered an intriguing plot about a group of kids who try to find their friend. Season 1 is, in my opinion, perfect. The creators were able to perfectly balance the roles of each characters and draw their arcs in an unexpected way. Seasons 2 & 3 are also great, and the production is astounding by season 3. This show alone is worth a subscription.

Green Book stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, and tells the true story of an unlikely friendship during a time of discrimination. Set in 1962, the film follows jazz pianist Don Shirley and Italian American Tony Vallelonga as they traverse the deep South. Although the topic of segregation in the U.S. is heavy and depressing, the film is able to take a more light-hearted approach. The performances by both leads are amazing and the story telling is spectacular. (Also, a story with piano performance is always a plus for me.)

While exploring her new home, a girl named Coraline discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate world that closely mirrors her own but, in many ways, is better. Coraline utalizes classic forms of story-telling, from the traditional template of children fairytales to grotesque imagery.

Warning! Do not watch Chef on an empty stomach. You will be miserable. Chef is a fantastic film about father and son. When Chef Carl Casper isn't allowed cook the food he loves, he embarks on a journey... in a food truck. Written, directed, AND starring Jon Favreau, Chef offers a heart warming story about food, family, and passion.

This was the film that got me really interested in the Star Trek franchise. Since the main TV shows were before my time, I never had a real exposure to this world. This movie, however, introduced me to this universe. I really love Star Trek - Into Darkness, and still remember watching this sequel in theatres with enjoyment. The cast is great, the visual effects are top notch, and the story is very compelling. This is my favorite entry in the sleek-looking 'Kelvin' trilogy, and although it is a divisive film amongst Star Trek fans, I can't help but have fun rewatching it. I think this film will appeal to anyone, Trek fan or otherwise.

With the final season of Attack on Titan nearing its conclusion, this show has developed into a renown anime series. The story is constantly engaging, the characters are all well realized, and the grand themes of war and friendship are fleshed out in extreme detail. There's a good reason why this show has constantly garnered attention throughout its long lifespan.

Knives Out is the newest film written and directed by Rian Johnson. Johnson shows his incredible imagination and writing abilities with this creative murder mystery. By altering the traditional structure of a who-done-it, Johnson is able to keep the audience surprised with the thrilling plot. The cast is also great, with well known talents throughout the screen.

Mission: Impossible- Fallout is here to make all other action movies look like baby movies. This is quite possibly the greatest action movie of the past decade. Tom Cruise gives it his all, with gripping and bare-knuckled fight scenes and chase sequences. The plot is also thrilling and requires you to really pay attention. This film is the perfect example of how exciting it is to see Cruise perform on screen.

After watching Stranger Things during quarantine season, I was ready to hop onto another TV show that would entertain me for a good month or so. However, it was tricky to find a show that would keep me consistantly hooked the way Stranger Things did... until Breaking Bad . This show is a masterpiece from start to finish. There is not one weak link of an episode! The characters are entertaining and the plot is intriguing. One thing that this show does that most TV shows fail to bring, is that the characters are constantly developing. Walter White and Jessie Pinkman, two of the main characters, go through deep change with each plot point. Breaking Bad is an instant classic.

Zootopia is an animated Disney movie about a rabbit who aspires to become a successful cop. Due to social prejudice, however, she finds that her job is harder than expected. This film is a fantastic family movie with a deep and mature message about discrimination. A movie that is so applicable in today's world, Zootopia is able to succeed in both its social commentary and its story telling.

After Avengers: Age of Ultron, the governments of the world decide to dictate and control the Avengers. When Steve Rodgers and Tony Stark disagree on if the facility should be governed, a civil war brews. Captain America - Civil War focuses on the clash between two characters who have gone through great arcs to define their character. Because of the events of Captain America - The Winter Soldier, Steve no longer trusts governments of power. He feels they can become easily corrupt, and that the safest hands are his own. However, Tony has lived through many mistakes, and with this guilt, he tries to controls the Avengers in an attempt to do the right thing. This is a great film that defines what the Marvel Cinematic Universe is all about: characters.

Your Name is one of the most celebrated Japanese animations, and for good reason. When Taki and Mitsuha wake up and realize they have swapped bodies, they must learn to live with this dramatic change. However, as Taki learns more about this phenomenon, both characters must act quickly if they are to prevent an impending tragedy.

The Peanuts Movie is an animated film about Charlie Brown and his struggles to be exceptional. This is a fantastic movie for both kids and adults with a great message for younger audiences. Nothing here is overly "modernized" and the film does not stray away from the source material. The animation is stellar and the movie honors Charles Schulz's legacy.

The second entry in the Star Wars sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi challenged the viewer on their conception of a Star Wars movie. Perhaps the most polarizing film, the story split fans and critics. With an audience score of 43% and a critic score of 90% on Rottom Tomatoes, this is definitely a film that sparks discourse. However, I enjoy this story for changing the Star Wars "formula", developing our characters in an unconventional way, and providing amazing spectacle for the eye.

Ip Man is a martial arts film based on the real life events of 葉問(Ip Man). During the Japanese invasion of World War 2, Ip Man struggles to provide for his family. A Japanese general establishes a dojo where Chinese martial artists can compete with his officials, and Ip Man gets entangled in their affairs. With fight sequences that leave you on the edge of your seat, Ip Man is one of the greatest martial arts movies ever made.

The first Star Wars live action show, The Mandalorian is a serialized Western set after the fall of the Empire. I am writing this brief description after the end of Season 2, and after its conclusion, I had to add this work to my list. Jon Favreau's newest creation is both exhillerating and diverse. What I appreciated most about this show was its diversity within each episode. Every episode has its own identity, setting, and unique style. Compared to Netflix shows, which feel like lengthy movies divided into "episodes", The Mandalorian provides a fresh experience for show lovers.

The final entry that concludes the Apes trilogy, War for the Planet of the Apes is a stunning masterpiece. It's hard to imagine the work that went into crafting this tale. From the great performances, flawless visual effects, and emotional story, War nails every aspect of telling a compelling story. This is one of the best trilogies, and although I never saw the original Planet of the Apes media, I was quite invested in the whole story.