With all the isolation, and nonstop grief from the everyday COVID nightmare, people have never been this desperate to take a break from reality. In this exhausting cycle of uncomfortable realities, art has been the form of escape. People have plenty of options of recreation to unwind and distance themselves from this pandemic, like reading books, painting, taking photos, dancing to any rhythm, singing, and watching movies -- which became one of the most popular forms of entertainment as of date. Watching characters that radiate the emotions that people want to feel regulate a different satisfaction from within.
Figuring what next movie to watch is a struggle, but here’s a list of must-watch movies that can be binge-watched during your spare time in a condo.
Shawshank Redemption
This classic film is a story about the hope, friendship, redemption, and freedom of people who are imprisoned by injustices and dreariness. Shawshank Redemption narrates the life of a banker unjustly convicted for a crime he didn’t commit. But more than depicting life in prison, this film shows that those who are seen as bad guys are not always the bad guys, and those we think of as good guys are not always the good guys at all. Watching this film in a time where people are also imprisoned makes them realize that living life to the fullest while having the liberty they always take for granted is a privilege.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Although this film was showcased in the early 2000s, this remains to be one of the most inspiring films that gives the audience the determination to strive even harder, and reach even higher, even when it feels so impossible. This is a rags to riches story of a father and son who survived the difficulties of life and never stopped to reach their American dream, even when everything seemed to be falling apart. This is perfect to watch in a condo with the whole family because it centers on many family values. In this time where everything feels so uncertain, determination to continue is something that everyone needs. The determination to continue looking for a condo that is ready for occupancy, the determination to finish studies despite the things that may hinder the journey, the determination to start the long-time dream business, the determination to start a change, the determination to do something. This film will teach people to stay focused on dreams and just keep on going.
Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella)
While most Holocaust films are crafted with a serious tone, this film is unique because it is mixed with comedy to deliver a narrative of the main characters’ Holocaust experience. La Vita E Belle, or Life is Beautiful, is an Italian film about a father and son that were sent to a concentration camp. To help his son survived inside the camp, Guido, the father, uses his imagination and taught his child that Holocaust is a game and that there is a prize awaiting them. Humor was the weapon Guido used in order to survive the haunting experience. Although this film is full of laughter, this film is a tearjerker, for it shows a moving story of love. The title itself is the main message of the story. While watching this inside the condo, make sure to ready a box of tissues, because this film entertains, and saddens at the same time. This is best viewed together in a condo with the whole family, most importantly to parents, because it also portrays how the world where children grow up will shape the person they grow into.
Pan’s Labyrinth
El Laberinto del Fauno or Pan’s Labyrinth is a wonderful fairy tale about the power of magic in dark times. Pan’s Labyrinth narrates how Ofelia, an 11-year-old daughter, witnesses the sadistic brutality and abusive leadership of her stepfather, and how she was drawn into Pan's Labyrinth, a magical world of mythical beings. This is a juxtaposition of real and unreal worlds that were portrayed through fantasy. This dark and twisted fairytale is mesmerizing and excruciatingly beautiful because of how it was crafted. Though this is somewhat dark, the main message of this film is that magic, love, and strength are hidden even in the coldest bits of our realities, and there will always be a glimmer of hope in order for us to escape from it.
Call Me By Your Name
The film captures the transformations of young love. This is a story of a precocious 17-year-old who falls in lust and love with his father’s 24-year-old graduate student. This film gives pure emotions and delivers deeply human experiences. Call Me By Your Name highlights its message on the love, desire, and selflessness of an adolescent boy who possesses a powerful romance with someone. It offers a positive message that relationships are defined by how we deal with them, and accepting it is always a choice.
This film was set in 1983 in northern Italy, thus, the design of the house conveys emotions. The richness of its visual aesthetic could be used as a reference in starting a condo design. Planning ahead of what it would be considered as the home is a proactive action. Hence, looking into films with great set design can be an inspiration to level up the condo living experience.
Happy Old Year
Happy Old Year is a visual narrative of moving forward. The story revolves on a girl who went back to their home and radically decluttered their home. Yet she found herself reminiscing about her past while tidying up, the Marie Kondo style, for a major renovation of their home. This gives a message to the audience that confronting the ghosts from the past is a stepping stone to find a lost self. Going back to square one after going through painful history is harder than anyone can think of, yet this movie gives a guide on how to start the journey of letting go. This film is also perfect for people who are searching for a ready for occupancy condo and are still hesitant to let go of their old properties. The sentimental value of old properties hinders people from their journey of looking for ready for occupancy condos, but this film might help them start their condo living once they get to choose from the ready for occupancy condo.
Parasite
This film is a portrayal of the upward economic mobility in this world we live in. It is a story of a family that seeks opportunity through working with a rich family. This is a portrayal of the wealth disparity of both families, condemnation of the working class, and how the poor struggle to keep their heads above water. Filled with suspense and mystery, mixed with the portrayal of meanness and unfairness, these created meanings and interpretations to the audience. The deeply-rooted problems in society made this film relatable to the audience during this time of isolation. This is better watched with friends and family inside the condo so that social circles from the different statuses of life would be able to relate and connect to each other.
And if there is one thing that really stands out from the elements of this film, it will be the set design of the house. The set in this film is intricately crafted by the team, both from the internal and external designs. If people are looking for a ready for occupancy condo, the set can be an inspiration to get the ideas together in starting a home.
Memories of Murder
Another work from Parasite’s director, Bong Joon-ho, is a crime thriller film -- Memories of Murder. This is a fast-paced film about an investigation of serial killings headed by two cops who have different views on how to solve a crime. The haunting cinematography, poignant music score, and cinematic brilliance of storytelling made it more engaging and intriguing to the audience. What makes this film more interesting is the idea that this film is based on a true story of a South-Korean little village in which someone begins to murder a young woman. Make sure to watch this together with a friend!
Up
Maybe this has been replayed multiple times on televisions, but this Pixar movie is a testament that animations can make magical messages for audiences of all ages. This film starts with a story full of romance and dreams, but went on as an adventure and brought people to places they had never been before. This film made it possible for houses to soar. This is a perfect blend of visual designs and storytelling. Up gently tugs at every heartstring, then it sends people soaring aloft. Searching for condos that are ready for occupancy is a tough adventure, but it is also a journey of finding a way to a new home.
Soul
Another Pixar film that can be watched inside the condo is Soul. This is about a jazz pianist who has a near-death experience and gets stuck in the afterlife, leaving him contemplating and doubting, making him regret all the things he never got to do during his existence. Soul is a midlife crisis story that makes the audience reflect on life decisions. This film tries to venture into something personal and emotional seeping within you, waiting to be unleashed. It tries to answer existential queries and deep thoughts -- What is my purpose? What makes this life worth living? What am I passionate about?
It feels like people have the answers for this, but in reality, people keep looking far from the answer when it is already within. Watching this film in a condo alone would make people reflect and connect from within.
A Star is Born
If classics and feel-good movies are not top choices, A Star Is Born would be a great addition to the list. This is a romantic drama film about two lovers on the verge of separating paths -- a famous man racing to the bottom, and a woman soaring to the top. This heartbreaking story brings tears from the narrative of its romance and the thrills between it. But more than the romantic relationship of these characters, this film also shows how a patriarchal mindset would continue to push down women to its limit just to carve them. But this film gives voice to all women whose ambitions are equal to that man who rises on top. The star is indeed hard to reach, especially when things are not created equal. Watch this with loved ones in the condo and absorb the lessons that can be applied in real life.
Most of the films listed above are available on online platforms, such as Netflix, HBO Go, Disney +, etc. This list ranges from classics, feel-good, heavy drama, to thriller films. There are many more films that are left undiscovered, but may this list be a guide to help people decide what movies to watch next. This isolation may have hindered people to go out and enjoy, but this movie list can, for at least an hour or two, save them from this pandemic. You may also opt to watch Pinoy Indie Movies that are available on different online platforms that you and your family can enjoy.
Whether a condo has already been purchased or you are still in the process of searching for ready to occupancy condo, a little spare time is needed to unwind and take a breath of fresh air through this entertainment. In this time where social circles are not easy to access, movies are the best way to connect with loved ones and with yourself. Watch, enjoy, and just keep on learning.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., which offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila and Quezon City that are strategically located within inner-city areas, in close proximity to premium universities and developed business districts.
Vista Residences has ready for occupancy condo projects in Manila such as Vista Taft, Vista Heights, Vista GL Taft, 878 Espana, and Crown Tower University Belt. It also has pre selling projects in the said area which include Vista Recto, Plumeria Heights, Tennyson Heights, Bradbury Heights, Sky Arts Manila, and Kizuna Heights.
Meanwhile, its ready for occupancy projects in Quezon City include Wil Tower, the Symphony Towers, Pine Crest, and Vista 309 Katipunan. It also has pre selling condo projects in the said city such as Hawthorne Heights and Vista Pointe.
Vista Residences is part of Vista Land’s roster of condominium brands that cater to millennials and young professionals. The other vertical brands include Camella Manors, COHO, and Crown Asia.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.