by Daniel Lucas
March is full of so many special dates, so we’ve found
you some brilliant films to help you celebrate all month!
St. David’s Day (1st March)
The Black Cauldron
1985 – 1h 20min – Dir. Ted Berman,
Richard Rich – PG – Disney+
Based on Welsh folklore, Disney’s The Black Cauldron was their first – and last – foray into dark fantasy. With such evils as the villainous Horned King, an army of the undead, and poor performance at the box office, The Black Cauldron is one of the darkest chapters in Disney’s filmography (apart from when nobody would stop singing the songs from Frozen).
World Book Day (2nd March)
Dead Poets Society
Starring Robin Williams – 1989 – 2h 8min – Dir. Peter Weir – PG – Apple TV+
When John Keating (Robin Williams), becomes the new English teacher at an all-boys prep school, known for its ancient traditions, he uses unusual methods to connect with his students. He faces both the school and the student’s parents in his attempt to break them out of their shells and pursue their dreams. In typical Robin Williams fashion, Dead Poets Society follows a loveable oddball as they show the squares how to let loose. It’s Mrs. Doubtfire, with books. It’s Flubber, also with books. It’s Dead Poets Society, books prepackaged.
International Women’s Day (8th March)
Thelma & Louise
Starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis – 1991 – 2h 9min – Dir. Ridley Scott – 15- Apple TV+
Thelma and Louise (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) go on a fishing trip, but it turns sour when a man assaults Thelma, and Louise shoots him dead. The two of them run, and their fates are bound together. Thelma & Louise is one of the big milestones in feminist cinema, choosing to focus on the escapades of two women who refuse to be secondary to anyone but each other. Thankfully, they never made a pointless sequel which would have been a total car crash.
Pi Day (14th March)
Good Will Hunting
Netflix – Starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon – 1997 –
2h 6min – Dir. Gus Van Sant – 15 – Netflix
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a janitor at MIT, despite being a maths genius who impresses a professor so much that he chooses to help Will reach his potential. But after he attacks a policeman Will must receive treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) if his mentorship is to continue. Another Robin-Williams-makes-the-squares-see-the-bright-side type of film, Good Will Hunting’s only link to Pi Day is that it’s got some maths in it (feel free to link it further at home by encasing some things in pastry while you watch, or by throwing steak and kidneys at the screen).
Ides of March (15th March)
Monty Python’s Life of Brian
Starring Monty Python – 1979 –
1h 34min – Dir. Terry Jones – Netflix
A film that needs no introduction (yet here I am, introducing it), no explanation (and explaining it), and hardly needs recommending (making this quite redundant), Monty Python’s Life of Brian is one of the comedy troupe’s best-known works. With such memorable moments as what have the Yeomans ever done for us (I think that’s it), always look on the bright side of Fife (that can’t be right), and Biggus Somethingus (it’s on the tip of my tongue…), Life of Brian is a classic for a reason (it made Malcolm Muggeridge furious).
St. Patrick’s Day (17th March)
Wolfwalkers
Apple TV+ – 2020 – 1h 43min – Dir. Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart – PG – Apple TV+
Robyn journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last of the wolves, but after saving the native girl Mebh, she discovers the world of the Wolfwalkers and transforms into the thing she and her father had come to hunt. Nominated for an Oscar and winner of a BAFTA, Wolfwalkers is a sweetheart of modern animation. If only it was about wolves going for a walk, like Creature Comforts in 1650’s Ireland.
Mother’s Day (19th)
Freaky Friday
Starring Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis – 2003 – 1h 37min – Dir. Mark Waters – PG – Disney+
Have you ever wanted to swap bodies with your mother? Me neither, yet they made it into a film. After receiving cryptic fortunes in a Chinese restaurant (where all cryptic fortunes are, obviously), Tess and Anna (Jamie Lee Curtis and Linsay Lohan) wake up in each other’s bodies and have to live as one another until they turn back. If only we could all see the world through each other’s eyes, then I probably wouldn’t need glasses.