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 with 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). 

Sunday, August 16

Challenger (2024)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino

It’s that time. The last stretch of August, the wind-down of the season. Around this time, everyone springs into action. Challengers is a tennis movie. In theory. And honestly, I don’t care for sports movies. There are exceptions, and this is one of them. 

Patrick (Josh O'Connor) and Art (Mike Faist) play doubles tennis, and they’re pretty good. They’ve just won the boys’ junior doubles title at the US Open. Some would say they’re joined at the hip. Until they meet Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), the recent winner of the singles junior title. She just likes to watch good tennis. Their meeting sends shockwaves through all of them and kicks off a 13-year saga, which culminates in the present day, with Art and Patrick set to play each other for the Challenger title.

The thing about Luca Guadagnino is that he knows how to capture a moment. Specifically, hot summer nights where the air is thick with possibility. There’s heat present in every frame, and every choice is charged with this same intensity. The score is pure, pulsing energy. The cinematography places you inside the game, close enough to see every bead of sweat. It’s a collision of people bound by fixation, two men who can only truly talk across the net, and the spark that wakes you up and reminds you that you’re alive. Perfect summer fun.

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

Sunday, August 30

La Piscine (1969)
Directed by Jacques Deray

Glistening bodies of water, scorching heat, glances that hold more emotion than words can express. I’m continuing this week with a film that is perfect for those last days of summer, when we’re grasping at the last rays of sun. La Piscine is one you’ve probably heard about. Or at the very least, you’ve scrolled across edits of Jane Birkin or Alain Delon. Probably the closest your grandparents got to thirst traps. Jean-Paul (Delon) and Marianne (Romy Schneider) are enjoying the heat and a gorgeous villa in Saint-Tropez. Seems perfect, right? It is until Harry (Maurice Ronet), who shares a past with the couple, and his daughter Penelope (Birkin) arrive. Deray folds beauty into every frame, using the location, the clothes, and the cast to cast a lens of pure fantasy over every character. But remember, kids: never judge a book by its cover, and especially never trust something that looks too good to be true. 

Beneath its golden surface, La Piscine quietly slides into something far more volatile, reminding us that the real truth is always tucked away in the quiet spaces between us and everything we choose to leave unsaid.

Where to watch: Criterion Channel and HBO Max (U.S)

Sunday, September 14

Before Sunrise (1995)
Directed by Richard Linklater

Ever had a moment where you meet a stranger and instantly know they’ll alter your trajectory? Before Sunrise captures that rare, electric instant when two lives collide, even if only for a few stolen hours. Spread out over a dreamy late summer night resplendent with possibility, we follow Céline (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) as a chance encounter on a train leads to a spontaneous night wandering Vienna. 

The city itself is its own character and imbues every scene with quiet charm while our protagonists make us feel like we’re in on their secrets. Linklater delivers a tender and captivating exploration of intimacy, chance, and the connections that shape us, fleeting or otherwise. Watch it with someone you love and remember, as our leading lady says, "If there's any kind of magic in this world... it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, sharing something." Then, watch the trilogy over and over again, like I do. And even better, if you’re already a fan, one of my dearest friends gifted me with a copy of the screenplay, and it’s one of the best things that I own. Thank me later.

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