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Sometimes the sequel IS as good as the original… Well, we’ll see. This week, we’ve given film blabbermouth, and ignorer of word counts, John, an extra 200 words to recommend more quality films, ideal for making your quarantine pass quickly.

Hello, me again. Ding, ding! A second round of film recommendations from your friendly, neighbourhood, self-appointed ‘Film Guy’. A sequel, if you will… and this time, I won’t go over my word count (I got a slap on the wrist last time).

Sequels are a tricky thing to pull off. I mean, they aren’t all bad, it just feels like, a lot of the time, something is written by a first time writer, it’s successful and the company he wrote it for likes how it performed, they rush me to write another one, and here we are… Wait, what? Clears throat, moves on…

Okay, don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a long rant about sequels, nor is it going to be a cut and paste copy of my last piece about films. No, as this is a sequel itself, in order for it to work, it’s got to be “same, same, but different”. So, here we go, here are my recommendations for, not just some exceptional films, but exceptional double-bills, to fill your free time during this extended lockdown period… in exactly 800 words. 

Belter.  

One of my favourite films of the last 10 years is Green Room, starring the late, great Anton Yelchin. It’s only a fiver on Prime, and if you’re into watching punk bands going up against Neo-Nazis led by Patrick Stewart, in super intense siege movies, this is the film for you. 

Having said that, if a horribly convincing “Stanley knife to the stomach” visual effect is something you’d rather not see, steer clear. The film is violent, surprisingly funny, and incredibly fierce. Certainly a hat tip to John Carpenter’s earlier work, it pairs exceptionally well with Thoroughbreds, again starring Anton Yelchin. In the film, streaming on Netflix, Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke play two dysfunctional, murder plotting adolescents. It’s Heathers for millennials.

 Belter. 

How’s that word count looking? Okay…

Next up we’re kickin’ it feel good with Hearts Beat Loud, starring the delightful Nick Offerman and the remarkable Kiersey Clemons. It’s an adorable film about a record shop owner bonding with his daughter over the music they play together. Find it on Amazon Prime for £5.49.

Double bill wise, this film would actually go perfectly with Jon Favreau’s Chef, but I recommended that in my first lockdown list. Instead, pair with girl gang comedy, Someone Great, a vibrant Netflix original starring Gina Rodriguez, DeWanda Wise and Brittany Snow. It’s part rom-com, part chick flick, but ultimately it’s a lovely wee film about friendship, day drinking… and the importance of a good kitchen based sing-song to Truth Hurts by Lizzo. 

Belter.

Last but not least, a fantastic double bill that didn’t exist until last year. The absolutely timeless, horror classic, The Shining, and its genuinely worthy sequel, Doctor Sleep. Put the kids to bed, this one’s not fun for all the family… unless you’re my family – my Mum and Dad bought me a VHS of The Shining when I was about 8 or 9. (100% getting told off on our next Zoom catch up for writing that on the internet). 

What can I say about The Shining  that hasn’t already been said? It’s a masterpiece, but you know what? The sequel’s great too. Mike Flanagan did a tremendous job of making a sequel to both King’s book and Kubrick’s film (two very different works), while also creating his own faithful adaptation. Anyway, splash out on this double bill, it’s worth it. Both titles are on Amazon Prime Video, priced £7.99 and £13.99. P.S. – make sure you get the Director’s Cut of Doctor Sleep. It was my favourite film of 2019, and quite frankly, I think Ewan McGregor deserved an Oscar for his performance as all growed up Danny Torrance. 

Word count is creeping up… Oh, actually, speaking of Ewan McGregor, if you’ve got Apple TV, for £3.49 a piece, you can watch a double bill that pairs two films together so well, I can’t watch them on their own now, it’s (a) double (bill) or nothing – Trainspotting and T2 Trainspotting! 

Belter. 

Right, I’m edging horribly close to my 800 word count, but there are still so many good double bills out there to talk about! I don’t want to go over, but I also don’t want to leave you short changed. Think, John! Think! I’ve got about 70 words left… 

Oh, I know… Please watch Two Fat Guys Talkin’ Sauce on YouTube. It’s a ten episode web series that I am *cough* in no way, *cough* shape or form, *cough* a part of *cough*… It’s a show in which there is sauce… and it is talked about… by two… fat… guys? It’s great. Watch it. Watch all of it. You can find it here.

Ha, word count achieved. 

Belter. 

You can find John (and his opinions about films) on Facebook and Instagram.