Sundays Are For Movies

 Written by Autumn Scott

We know how overwhelming it can be to choose what to watch, especially with so many movies being released in theatres every week and so many more available across different streaming platforms (we're not complaining, but we know the feeling all too well). So, to make things a little easier for you, we decided to start a new series called "Sundays Are For Movies."

Every Sunday, we'll recommend a new movie, whether it's a recent release, an underground gem, or simply a cult classic we think everyone should watch. This watchlist will be updated every week, growing into a collection of 26 film recommendations by the end of the year.

See you every Sunday with a new recommendation!

Sunday, June 26

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Set amongst the turbulent political landscape of Mexico at the turn of the 21st century, right on the edge of a revolution, Y Tu Mamá También follows best friends Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna). Divided by class, the boys are united by women, weed, and wishful thinking. Not to mention, a diving board or two. The summer looks like it will stretch out endlessly for them until they meet the older and enigmatic Luisa (Maribel Verdú). In an effort to impress, our protagonists boast of their (fake) plans to visit the elusive Boca del Cielo. Luisa, in the midst of a personal crisis, decides to take them up on their offer and accompany them on their journey. In their scramble to make their dream a reality, the three embark on a trip that will change the course of their lives forever. Cuaron delivers an evocative, provocative exploration of masculinity, desire, and the unspoken rules that govern our relationships with ourselves and each other.

Where to watch: Available on Netflix (Canada, U.S)

Sunday, July 5

Aftersun (2022)
Directed by Charlotte Wells

A devastating and dazzling directorial debut, Aftersun lingers far beyond the credits. The film begins with an adult Sophie (Celia Rowlson Hall), on the verge of turning thirty-one, sifting through grainy camcorder footage of a formative childhood vacation with her young, mercurial father. Wells plays with the fragile mechanics of memory and how we turn moments over and over in our minds, looking for residual glimmers of meaning, only to dissolve the moment we try to hold them tight. It’s a reminder that the way we relate to the past is constantly evolving. Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio anchor the film with natural, grounded performances, completely believable as a father-daughter duo. Beautiful and startling in its simplicity, Aftersun plays like a stolen home video. The audience is left to reconcile the bittersweet innocence of childhood with the inevitable weight of adult perspective.

Where to watch: Available on MUBI (Canada)

Sunday, July 12

Companion (2025)
Directed by Drew Hancock

Are you lonely? Iris can fix that. Or someone almost exactly like her. Welcome to Companion, the embodiment of a world where desire can be custom-ordered and overnighted. In an era where personality traits can be reduced to a slider on an app, real only through the lens of our phone, director Drew Hancock hits the nail right on its shiny, artificial head. Sophie Thatcher steals every scene, cementing her status as one to watch while Jack Quaid plays the requisite Nice Guy with chilling realism. In a world where we feel entitled to every whim, what are our limits? And how long will it take to replace consciousness with compliance?  If you’re looking for a litmus test in your dating life, this is a good place to start.

Where to watch: HBO Max (U.S) and Crave (Canada)

Sunday, July 26

Oldboy (2003)
Directed by Park Chan-wook

Looking for something guaranteed to make your jaw drop? Oldboy is your best bet (the 2003 original version, not the remake obviously). The audience joins Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) after he is mysteriously released from a 15-year imprisonment for the supposed murder of his wife. With no knowledge of who his captors are or where his now adult daughter has ended up, Dae-su plunges back into his labyrinth with verve to enact his long-awaited vengeance. Park Chan-wook unflinchingly pulls us along for a visceral, frenetic ride of gut-wrenching decisions and a twisted tour of the depths of the human psyche. Just a tip: not recommended for family viewing. Trust me on this one.

Where to watch: Crave, Télé-Québec and Tubi (Canada) and Kanopy (U.S)

Sunday, August 9

Another Round (2020)
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Another Round follows Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) and his friends as they launch a controlled experiment to consume alcohol everyday to improve their lives. Their justification? Finn Skårderud (who has now had his medical license revoked, in a shock to no one) claimed humans are born with a blood alcohol deficit of 0.05% and that maintaining that perpetual buzz unlocks peak creativity and relaxation. If it’s good enough for Churchill, it’s good for them, right? Famous last words. The rules are simple: keep the BAC at a steady 0.05% during work hours, but no drinking after 8:00 p.m. or on weekends.

Marking the second collaboration between Mikkelsen and director Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round is deeply human, darkly humorous, and ultimately cathartic. It’s a portrait of the ennui we feel when we’re in the thick of a plateau, observing its protagonists without judgment and the knowledge that nothing in life is black or white. If you’re still not convinced, Mikkelsen’s performance should be enough motivation. Mads, if you're reading this, I'm free on Thursday.

Where to watch: Netflix, Tubi (U.S), Prime Video, Crave, and Tubi (Canada).