Evade exams with these four films

The theatres are open this weekend. Escape exams with these fine flicks.

The theatres are open this weekend. Escape exams with these fine flicks.

Collapsing under the weight of exams? Need to deflate after a few all-nighters? Whether you’re diving into the Oscar onslaught or looking for a few hours to escape your calc. teacher’s wrath, here are (in no particular order) four films you can consider catching this weekend:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Don’t know if you’ve heard of it. It’s only this long-awaited sci-fi sequel that has lapped all contenders, soaring well past $1.7 billion this week with the speed of the Millennium Falcon. Bolstered by a fresh cast (including newcomers John Boyega and Daisy Ridley) and just the right dose of nostalgia, J.J. Abrams jolts the world of Star Wars back to life.  Anyway, if you are indeed one of the two people who hasn’t partaken yet, strap in, fly to a galaxy far, far away and regain faith in this fan-favorite franchise.

The Revenant: Okay, perhaps you need something a little more weighty and intense than any story involving spaceships and laser swords. Well, if you enjoy some old fashioned blood and guts spilling in the ol’ frontier, have I got the film for you! If you can stomach a nearly three hour runtime peppered with some vicious, downright throttling fight scenes, catch this champion of the Golden Globes. Watch DiCaprio brave the elements in a battle for survival (and maybe snag his first Academy Award along the way). Besides, seeing a stranded man go through marathon of troubles like this may just convince you you can combat this last push of work.
Sisters: But, hey, it’s midterms and you need to laugh away the pain of that fumbled FRQ or broken calculator, right? Dynamic duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey team up once more for this movie about two siblings returning to their childhood home and do not disappoint, delivering a full, unadulterated raunchfest. It may not be the classiest of comedy, but the chemistry between these two leads and no shortage of actors with comedic chops make this film well worth a try.
The Big Short: This counts as studying for A.P. Econ., trust me. Boasting a star-studded cast and its own peculiar style, this movie on the makings of the Great Recession is dark and cutting without forfeiting an ounce of funny, regularly flexing the comedic talents of Steve Carrell and even drama veterans Brad Pitt and Christian Bale. Yes, there’s plenty of financial mumbo jumbo in it to go around but it’s made digestible enough that any viewer can enjoy the ride. Bet on The Big Short if you want the better blend of an Academy Award contender and a purely fun film this midterm-marred weekend.