Based on No particular criteria, here’s a list of films that you may enjoy during your long days and nights at home. Some can be seen free of charge on cable, some for rent.

What are you in the mood for?

Action

Faster (2010, CBS, Castle Rock) Dwayne Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton. Johnson is released from prison after the warden (Tom Berenger) goes through an unnecessary list of injuries he endured in a decade of hard time. Johnson plays Driver, a wheelman in a bank robbery in which his brother, Gary participated. Another crew finds out about their score and wants it. Gary is killed. Once outside the prison walls, Driver wastes no time starting his campaign for revenge.

This is a stellar small budget film. It explores revenge and forgiveness with a relentless score and a lot of suspense. Score: 8 of 10.

Fantasy, Family

Christopher Robin (2018, Walt Disney) Ewan McGregor is a grown Christopher Robin, whose job and nasty boss have him in a tight place. He must neglect his family and work too hard. He’s long forgotten the Hundred Acre Wood, and he doesn’t remember the day he left his best friends to go to boarding school. Until one day, someone from that long ago, an old friend comes looking for him. With Hayley Atwell and Brad Garrett. Definitely watch this one with your kids. You’ll surprise yourself. And it’s better than I thought it would be.

Drama

Silver Linings Playbook (2012, Weinstein) Two characters, Pat Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence) are reintroduced after Pat gets out of a Baltimore hospital and moves in with his parents. Pat and Tiffany are strongly attracted to each other, but that causes trouble. Because Pat’s just not right. He caught his wife cheating on him and nearly beat the other man to death, and a court ordered him to inpatient treatment for Bipolar Disorder. His wife has moved and has a restraining order against him, but he’s determined to get her back by reading books and losing weight. But he agrees to help Tiffany in a dance competition in exchange for her giving a letter from Pat to his wife, whom Tiffany’s sister is friends with. Meanwhile, Pat’s father (Robert De Niro) is an Eagles fan whose superstitions don’t go well with his bookmaking, and he’s convinced Tiffany is hexing the team. This film is a masterpiece from the opening scene to the credits and the soundtrack. Every character is perfect, including a nice turn by Julia Stiles as Tiffany’s sister and Chris Tucker as Danny, a friend of Pat’s from the hospital. Not a single line is off. The script is excellent and everyone pulls you into their character’s world with ease. It’s my number one favorite film, and I’m extremely critical. It’s funny, sad, handles the theme of mental illness perfectly for the characters. And really. Who doesn’t love Jennifer Lawrence?

War

Platoon (1986, Orion Pictures

Cast: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Dale Dye, Johnny Depp, John C. McGinley, Kevin Dillon, Keith David, Forest Whitaker.

The definitive film about (and against) the Vietnam War by Oliver Stone, based on his experiences as a veteran. The grittiness, the incomparable cinematography and sound put you there with characters that aren’t just convincing but will hold you in their grip until the credits roll. Stone wanted to show something more immediate, terrifying and sickening than John Wayne’s Green Berets, a film I’ve found laughable. But Platoon delivers on every level. If you’ve never seen it, you should. You’ll cry. You’ll be exhausted when it’s over. It’s intense, so be careful.

Missing Baseball?

It Happens Every Spring (1949, 20th Century Fox)

The incredible, inimitable Ray Milland is college professor Vernon Simpson, struggling to find a formula that will defend wood against insects. And what he comes up with is hilarious. A true blue classic. Worth it.

Comedy

The ‘Burbs (1989, Universal)

Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Corey Feldman, Rick Docummun, Gale Gordon, Henry Gibson, Courtney Gains, Brother Theodore, Wendy Schaal, Robert Picardo.

In a neighborhood cul-de-sac, something’s going on with the new neighbors, and three friends don’t like it at all. They try to get to the bottom of it and demonstrate life in suburban America so realistically that it’s one of the biggest cult comedies of all time. Beautiful film start to finish.

It’s Time For Superheroes

Marvel Cinematic Universe And Fox Crossovers

No need to go into detail. I have my favorites, others have theirs. But with over 20 films, binge away and remember that microwave popcorn is very bad for you. Try a hot air popper.

In order of Marvel Chronology, not release date:

Captain America: The First Avenger (finally, they got Cap right)

Captain Marvel

Iron Man

The Incredible Hulk (maligned but better than you think. And loaded with Easter eggs)

Iron Man 2

Thor (ok)

The Avengers (iconic classic)

Iron Man 3

Thor: The Dark World (crap)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (fan favorite)

Avengers: Age Of Ultron (crap but necessary to see Scarlet Witch and Vision’s origin)

Ant-Man (brilliant and fun)

Captain America: Civil War (essential and pretty damn good)

Spder-Man: Homecoming

Doctor Strange (one of the most underrated)

Black Panther (must see spectacle)

Deadpool (Funny, extreme gore and a classic. What’s not to love?)

Thor: Ragnarok (essential and the only good Thor movie)

Guardians of the Galaxy volume one

Guardians of the Galaxy volume two

(The Guardians films are the best of the whole series)

Avengers: Infinity War

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Avengers: Endgame (a three hour, satisfying payoff for loyal fans)

Spider-Man Far From Home (for Mysterio fans only)

Deadpool 2

How About Some Music?

A Hard Days Night (1964, United Artists)

The Beatles in glorious black-and-white, during a few days of a fictional tour. Great fun and one of the best soundtracks ever made. And it’s full of wonderful dry British humor; worthy of any collection.

All That Jazz (1979, 20th Century Fox)

Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Leland Palmer in a tripping Broadway story, and you have to trust me on this one.

American Graffiti (1973, Universal)

Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Candy Clark, Cindy Williams, Charlie Martin-Smith, Wolfman Jack, Richard Dreyfuss, Mackenzie Phillips and Paul Le Mat as John Milner in one of the greatest musical-comedies of all time. You’ll be hooked a few seconds in when Bill Haley and the Comets come on the radio with Mel’s Diner in the backdrop. It’s about teen love, cruising and music in 1962 California, a true icon of American film and culture from a period so profoundly romanticized, but never better than right here. But on that note…

Grease (1978, Paramount)

John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway (no, that is not Kevin Bacon. Stop it).

It was on stage before American Graffiti was released. Different but similar. High school seniors, love and racing, but unique from musicals because of its ridiculous casting, low brow comedy and a weird fan theory regarding the final scene that won’t go away. Don’t overthink it. Enjoy it for what it is.

That’s just a start. More to come. It’s important to stay home and be safe. Movies can be great therapy, so take advantage of them and enjoy. And don’t forget: microwave popcorn is bad for you. Get an air popper.