As EF Academy’s first semester comes to an end, students, teachers, and staff are beginning to enjoy more and more downtime. In case you get bored, we made a list of things you should watch and play–and also included some things you shouldn’t.
Nobody Wants This
Instead of shoving cheesy, lovey-dovey lines down your throat, Netflix writers decided to spotlight the awkwardness of dating and mixed it with some spice, resulting in a genius, new twist on romantic comedy: Nobody Wants This. For instance, the sixth episode titled “The Ick,” uniquely portrays the complexity that comes with love. Ick is the only word that describes that awful feeling you get when your partner does something that just rubs you the wrong way and you can’t figure out why. Especially in a new relationship? Yikes. As Joanne says in her podcast, Nobody Wants This, “the ick cannot be reversed.” Nobody Wants This is streaming on Netflix. (Miles Bauman)
Rewatching The Lion King (1994) before Mufasa
The upcoming release of Mufasa on December 20th invites us to reflect on one of the central themes of the franchise: the figure of Mufasa. One of the most iconic films from Disney, The Lion King is simply irresistible, as the on-screen action is an epic saga of survival, with highly memorable characters combined with music that defined a generation. The 1994 film tells a perfect tale of drama, adventure, and circle-of-life wisdom. Even today, its cultural resonance may be unmatched. The Lion King is streaming on Disney+. (Beatrice Fertonani and Maia Pradelli)
Venom: The Last Dance
Venom: The Last Dance marks a return to the chaotic, antihero charm of Eddie Brock and his symbiotic partner, Venom. With fans holding out for an action-packed finale, Venom 3 has not quite reached its full potential. Critics worry that it can’t do much better than lean on a tired superhero formula, where fresh narratives or even character depth are limited. Despite amazing visuals and humor, the storyline at times does tend to be predictable, and the fact that Knull spends very little time on screen is somewhat upsetting for those hoping for a deep dive into the villain’s history. Still, Venom 3 manages to include enough action, wit, and heart to make it an entertaining choice, especially for fans who are invested in Eddie and Venom’s journey. If you’re a fan of an entertaining action flick that binds dark humor to explosive action, then watching Venom: The Last Dance is worth it. Venom: The Last Dance is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and AppleTV+. (Riccardo Limonta)
Joker: Folie à Deux
While the first Joker (2019) was really deep and impactful, this second one, Joker: Folie à Deux, disappointed many viewers and critics. The dark musical scenes with the psychological plot made it strange and forced, thus failing to hold the audience’s attention. An industry insider says that it was “a total rejection by the public,” meaning that earnings fell well short expectations, possibly putting the next DC film in question. No one’s laughing at this sequel. Avoid. Joker: Folie à Deux is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video. (Alessandro Lombardo)
The Wolf of Wall Street
This film takes you through the insane life of Jordan Belfort (based on a true story), a guy who starts off trying to make a living on Wall Street and ends up becoming insanely rich by scamming people with shady stocks. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan perfectly—he’s intense, hilarious, and just crazy enough to keep you watching. Even though the movie is over 10 years old, it’s still worth watching because it feels so relevant. The Wolf of Wall Street is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video. (Luciano Reyes Retana)
Terrifier 3
Terrifier 3 it’s a movie that is supposed to be really scary/disgusting and make people leave the movie because of how it’s created, yet it’s just a low budget horror movie. Nothing can prepare you for the scenes that this thriller is offering to the viewer. This thriller is brutal and the scenes are visual, yet you can tell that the movie is low budget and not very realistic which is good for an audience with lower tolerance for brutal scenes. Terrifier 3 is a movie that everyone who likes horror movies should see. Terrifier 3 is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video and AppleTV. (Antoni Stoklosa)
Thần Trùng (The Death)
Thần Trùng (The Death) is a Vietnamese horror game developed by DUT Studio, set in Hanoi. It immerses players in a haunting atmosphere inspired by Vietnamese folklore and urban legends. The game features first-person exploration with a strong focus on storytelling and puzzle-solving, drawing players into an eerie world filled with supernatural elements and psychological horror. Thần Trùng is available for purchase on Steam. (Ben Tran)
