Local movie picks

What 2020 has meant for most people is lots of extra time at home. We’ve all likely found ourselves turning to streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu a little more often than usual. Want to know the top movies for different genres on Netflix? Well, here’s what some locals had to say.

Portales resident Meggan Trudeau’s top children’s/family movies

1. The Lorax: No matter the age, you still fall in love with the meaning of the movie. It definitely gives off positive views unlike a lot of the kids’ movies coming out these days.

2. Ralph Breaks the Internet: Because it teaches a good lesson about learning to accept that friendships can change, and it’s not a bad thing for friends to want different things in life.

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: Gives you a different way to understand human and weather interaction. It shows that no matter how tough a storm can be, you can overcome anything that you put your mind to.

4. The Cat in the Hat: It’s a classic, but has so much heart and truth to it. The Cat in the Hat teaches you that no matter how bored you are, you can always make your own fun with imagination which is what a lot of kids lack nowadays.

5. The Croods: This movie has so much to learn from, but the biggest thing you take from this movie is the price you pay for your unwillingness to face your own fears and to have the courage to believe you can do anything that you put your mind to. It teaches you that not all things are bad, you just have to trust new things once in a while.

Clovis resident Randi Sellers’ top suspense/horror thrillers

1. Boondock Saints: It’s gritty, gory; it’s a great example of the anti-hero story. Willem Dafoe’s character won’t let anything stop him from solving the case. Plus, it has tattooed Irish punks, so sign me up.

2. Django Unchained: It’s not a movie that you can just play for pleasant background noise. Every single second puts the audience’s nerves on edge.

3. Demonic: One of my favorite horror films. It has paranormal elements in it while being grounded in reality. It’s a movie that bounces back and forth between past/present and two different viewpoints, one believing in supernatural and the other only believing in what humans are capable of doing to each other. The point at which those meet in the movie is very clearly executed, which can be incredibly difficult to pull off.

Clovis resident Maggie Chavez’ top fantasy flicks

1. A Knight’s Tale: Amazing cast, great come up story, a knight in shining armor, and Heath Ledger. What else does a girl need?

2. Pan’s Labyrinth: Beautifully directed fantastical movie that I can watch over and over again.

3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail: A classic that I had memorized at age 5, and everyone should have seen at least once in their life. Argue and I’ll say “Ni” to you.

4. Stardust: A favorite from Neil Gaiman’s book. Clearly, I’m a fantasy fan. Great story and another with a great cast.

Portales resident Katlyn Gore’s top coming of age movies

1. Sierra Burgess is a Loser: I identify with that movie so much, especially going through the harshness of reality when it comes to social views on body image. I want to be a sunflower, not a rose.

2. To All the Boys I and II : They were great books and great movies

3. Work It: Who doesn’t like Liza Koshy’s comedic spirit?

4. Dumplin’: Dolly Parton, drag queens, self-confidence. “Everybody is a swimsuit body.”

5. Tall Girl: Another one about body positivity and being confident with who you are.

Floyd resident Shelby Essary’s top romantic comedies

1. Dumplin’: Super cute. Who wouldn’t love Dolly Parton? Body positivity and feel-good movie.

2. When We First Met: Time travel with a photo booth. Sometimes the people we think we are destined to be with and the people who we are supposed to be with are two different people. It’s cute.

3. Set it Up: Funny romantic comedy about two manic workaholics set up by their interns who need a break. Cute, funny, probably going to watch it now that I’m thinking about it.

4. The Kissing Booth: Oh no, you’re falling in love with your best friend’s brother? Enjoyable, fresh, and a good watch (haven’t watched the sequel yet but will soon).

5. What a Girl Wants: Very early 2000s movie, so it has all the early 2000s nostalgia you need. Plus, Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth.

— Compiled by Correspondent Alisa Boswell-Gore