Maybe you’ve got the “Wuhan Coronavirus.” Maybe you’re just afraid of getting it. Either way, staying at home and self-quarantining doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time – or make money.
Something we believe about gun-owning Americans: They tend to have a lot more imagination than the average bear. I mean, why else are you prepping? Because you can visualize a future where it might be necessary to have enough food, water, weapons, and ammo (we’ve seen a huge increase in the sales of 40 cal, 223, 7.62x39mm and even 12 gauge shotgun shells since the outbreak) to sit things out for the long haul. So it probably won’t take a lot of convincing to get you to watch these apocalyptic movies that will remind you why you prep while you shelter in place.
We like these movies as much as the next guy. So we’d love to hear your take on the common thread that runs through all of them, which are better than others and why and how they impact your view of prepping in the 21st Century.
Who We’re Looking For
Someone passionate about both prepping and disaster movies who has time on their hands to watch some of our favorite prepper films.
The job role is simple: Watch 10 movies, one miniseries, and one television show episode within 30 days, and answer a few question along the way. You’ll receive a small worksheet to complete.
The ideal applicant:
- Is passionate about prepping.
- Would watch all of these movies for free.
- Pays close attention to everything they watch and read.
- Can binge-watch all 12 of these in a short period of time (30 days).
To apply, you must be over 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and in agreement with our Terms & Conditions. It’s also helpful for you to be a gun owner (though not required!) so that you can potentially spend your winnings on bulk ammo here at Ammo.com.
Here are the movies and series you’ll be watching:
The Road
Based on the gripping Cormack McCarthy novel, The Road picks at the scab that is every parent’s worst fear: Having to confront the end of the world with a child in tow. The actual catastrophe takes a backseat to what becomes of humanity after TEOTWAWKI. There’s no real word for this film other than “grim,” so have someone you care about nearby when you’re viewing this one. (1 hour, 51 minutes)
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime, Netflix
10 Cloverfield Lane
What if the person who saves you is actually the bad guy? This is the central question of 10 Cloverfield Lane, one to which we never get a satisfying answer. The result is something that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire length of the film. This spiritual sequel to Cloverfield is less about the end of the world than it is about the interactions between a small group of people who are left. (1 hour, 43 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu
Chernobyl
The Chernobyl disaster was a real-life catastrophe taking place during recent human memory. Chernobyl is a frighteningly accurate portrayal of events in the small Belarussian town on the day of the world’s biggest nuclear power disaster. Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, whose father was a Chernobyl liquidator, called the HBO miniseries “masterfully made.” There is likely not a more realistic depiction of apocalypse than this. (5 hours, 30 minutes)
Where to watch it: Hulu, HBO Now, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play
Captain Fantastic
Most of these are all pretty grim, so if you’re looking to lighten things up in the middle of your binge-watching, check out Captain Fantastic. The film depicts a family of left-wing anarchists who leave society for something more primitive and self-reliant, being forced back into society by circumstances outside their control. (1 hour, 58 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Hulu
Mad Max (1979)
This was the film that first introduced Mel Gibson to American audiences. Unlike many of the other films on our list, this is a society in the middle of decay, not one at the very end of the world. Gibson doesn’t talk much in this movie, but even when staring silently into the distance, he makes his point. Think of this film as less of a science fiction picture and more of a western transported into a dying Australia. (1 hour, 28 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Hulu
A Quiet Place
A Quiet Place does more in 90 minutes than most movies today can do in two hours. This is a quiet, but well-paced post-apocalyptic thriller that will make the parents uncomfortable – think about having a pregnancy in a world where sound brings death. This film definitely broke John Krasinski from his defining role on The Office. (1 hour, 30 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, Hulu
Black Mirror: “Metalhead”
Black Mirror has been hit or miss since moving over to Netflix for first-run episodes, but there is nothing missing in this taut, creepy and unnerving episode about a world where humans are hunted by unstoppable robotic dogs. The episode cuts to the heart of what it means to retain one’s humanity in a world where it is constantly under attack and reminds us that “man does not live by bread alone.” (41 minutes)
Where to watch it: Netflix
Children of Men
Children of Men flips the premise of some of the other films on our list on their heads: What if the problem is not that you’re making your way through an apocalyptic hellscape with a child, but that the apocalyptic hellscape is that there are no more children at all? While it lacks the nuance of the original P.D. James novel, Children of Men is a worthwhile watch, particularly thanks to Michael Caine. (1 hour, 49 minutes)
here to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Hulu
28 Days Later
28 Days Later sparked a resurgence in the zombie film subgenre, as well as introduced mainstream American audiences to both Danny Boyle and Cilian Murphy. Contrary to popular belief, it was not the first appearance of “fast zombies” – that distinction goes to Return of the Living Dead. More to the point, an entire generation of preppers has jokingly referred to their gear as their “zombie survival kit” at least once. (1 hour, 53 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Hulu
The Book of Eli
Given their similarities, one would think that there would be more attempts at combining apocalyptic fiction with the classic American Western. The Book of Eli was the only one that we could think of (other than the great, but a little too weird for this list, Six String Samurai). This film, about a quest to preserve the last copy of the Bible, was an unusual turn for Denzel Washington that we have little doubt our readers will enjoy. (1 hour, 58 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Into the Wild
Back here in the real world, Into the Wild is something that actually happened. Chris McCandless was an American hiker who moved into the Alaskan outback without proper preparation. The film is an excellent cautionary tale about the necessity of knowing what you’re doing long before you go off grid. (2 hours, 28 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Contagion
This medical thriller is perhaps the most relevant on our list. Inspired by the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, it depicts exactly how a pandemic event plays out. The screenwriter notably consulted with the WHO, the CDC, and medical experts to ensure the accuracy of how a virus can rapidly spread across the globe. The result is a terrifying look at the loss of social order during a pandemic that was praised by both critics and scientists. (1 hour, 46 minutes)
Where to watch it: YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
What You’ll Need To Do
Binge watch these 10 movies, one miniseries, and one television show episode inside of 30 days. Using a worksheet that we will provide, you’ll answer a few questions about what you learned from each of these movies and series. This allows us to share unique prepper ideas with our followers – and ensures you actually watched everything! – in order to claim your prize.
What You’ll Receive Once You Submit Your Report
- $1,200 cash, sent via PayPal or Venmo. (Sorry, gold bullion is not an option here!)
- A complimentary ammo can to keep your stash safe.
- The ultimate prepper shirt: “You are your own first responder” tri-blend t-shirt from Libertas Bella.
- The top-rated rod for survival fishing: The St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod from Your Bass Guy.
- A $100 Go Time Gear gift card so you can stock up on prepper essentials like a fire escape mask.
- A $100 Knife Depot gift card so you can get a spare pocket knife or bowie knife.
You’ll also get a $50 Amazon gift card once you’re chosen so that you can rent all the films you don’t currently have access to. No need to go out-of-pocket while you prep!
How to Apply
Fill out the application form at the bottom of the prepper dream job giveaway page on Ammo.com. Today (4/3/20) is the last day to apply so if you’d like to enter please do so quickly!
Below the application form you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions and terms & conditions for the giveaway.
Good luck and happy prepping!
That really sounds like work and man, I’m quarantining.
“The Road” is currently unavailable on Netflix or Amazon.
I read the book “The Road” and saw the movie already. What prize do I win? As a matter of fact, I’ve seen most of the movies on this list. Into the wild, the movie about McCandless doesn’t mention the state of Alaska ruled his death a suicide. Of course, the movie is directed by the leftist Sean Penn. The point he wanted to make was people are vermin and deserve to die at mother nature’s hand.
I’m in.
Let’s see if they accept my submission.
btw? the Amish “light” syrup is a lot darker than yours and I told the Maple Syrup Yoders (down the road from the Berry Picking Yoders and across the dell from the Sheep and Goat Raising Yoders) that your light syrup was a lot lighter than theirs and asked if they’d like to taste it.
They said yes, so I would still like a pint of it, iffen you have some ready to sell. I will give them a cup of it and share the rest with my mother, who has NEVER even tasted real maple syrup. She was raised on blackstrap molasses and cornbread.
Do you know who I see on the road when I’m out and about? UPS, FEDEX and food delivery vehicles.
(I’m in the food production industry and I told my new “hired” hands to rent and watch The Zookeeper’s Wife. I’m not paying them “yet” but it will get them on the road to this farm if they need a good excuse.)
People used to call me paranoid for having all the dried and canned food; now it is a hillbilly status symbol.
If you still have the LDS dehydrated apples?
I will tell you how to put apple pie in a jar, but you are not allowed to call it “Make Yer Own Biscuits” Pie (™). That is my trademark on the idea and recipe, though not yet registered.
So, I propose you call yours something else and make it with maple syrup instead of honey. And then trademark that.
LOL
By the way? The two quart jars on the far right by the Big Berkey water filter are maple syrup from the Amish. One is a tiny bit lighter and the flavor is milder, but not like that light amber syrup you sent. I told him and his wife I would bring them some of yours. It will be my ticket back into the village, you see. The kids need to see that I’m not a threat. They are still hiding behind stuff with those adorable little carts and Shetland ponies.
Do you think it has to do with elevation? I think he is around 1100 ft above sea level. We are just below 1000 feet here.
P.S. By the other way? All Mennonite built cabinets in a Mennonite built all oak log home sitting beside a Mennonite built barn. Let’s face it… the old man raised me to be Amish, didn’t he?
I have some exceptionally light fancy grade this year and will send some out to you just so those uppity Amish know they’re not dealing with a poseur.
Here’s my take on what makes the syrup different. Where you are the maples are called soft maple, or swamp maple and the sugar content is usually around 1%-2%. Up here where it is colder in climate we have rock maple or sugar maple and on a good year- like this- the content can be as much as 6% which may not sound like a big difference, but when you’re evaporating the water off those sugars spend less time at high temperature to reach 66 brix, or syrup, so they don’t caramelize to the same degree. A very light grade can appear almost like lemonade and still be 66% sugar in solution when it comes off the rig. That lack of caramelization allows the real flavor of what’s in the sap to come through- buttery and grassy.
In 2012 we went to the Mother Earth News fair in western Pa. and set up a table selling syrup and almost everyone who passed by claimed that they made their own, but when we gave them samples, they all bought ours because it was so unique to their experience.
Syrup, like wine is also a product of terroir, the nature of the soil. New Hampshire syrup doesn’t taste like Vermont syrup even though they have rock maple because the soil on the other side of the river is a completely different composition. Ours is fractured granite, their’s is sedimentary and the difference is easily recognizable to anyone who likes syrup. Those microscopic particles of granite that are sucked up by the roots impart a flavor, at least I believe they do, that sets it apart. Add to that our stand of maple is composed of about 50% trees that are 200-300 years old because we live on the south side of a mountain and they have survived centuries of Nor’easters that wrecked so many other stands.
Of course most of this is just conjecture. I’m sure a government scientist will tell you that if the sugar content is the same then there should be no difference in taste, but what do they know?
Yep … as a kid we never had maple syrup , but instead had plenty of jet black cane syrup which we used to pour in homemade hot biscuits after we poked a hole in them with our fingers. We never knew how special those days were.
Red Dawn (1984)
The movies listed are way too new.
Seen 7 of the 10 already. Do you have to watch them again? They should also add “The Survivalist” to the list… that one kept me from sleeping that night.
This one should definitely be on the list:
Sam, I like your stuff, but I’ve been a serious prepper since 2008, when I pulled my son out of high school to attend every Tea Party rally I could and tried to teach him that some things really are worth standing for.
Well, he’s in quarantine being paid and fed by Cerner Medical Group, which is a company fast-tracking locking down the medical data for the entire country and world. Turns out the little data network company is actually a multi-national corporation with tentacles in countries all over the world. Boy, a good hacker with a little bit of information about the sort of password methodology that young man uses…. well, a good hacker could track down information on just about anybody.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170607-why-printers-add-secret-tracking-dots
By the way? I finally got some good information about why the Russians started using typewriters for handing off messages.
Printers embed tracking codes too.
Anything electronical is able to do that.
So, as for the movies? I’ve seen 8 of them and read reviews for the others.
I didn’t check the links; I assume it is a sarcastic pun on the bait handed to the Free Shit Army to sit on their asses and take it like the trained seals they are. My stepson, God and I love him, called to let us know he’s been laid off his full-time job, but still has the other part-time work for now. His wife, mother of the autistic Cherokee boy, is still working part-time. They are about as paycheck-to-paycheck a family as can be, with the Cherokee boy’s Social Security money for his disability (approximately $750) being the largest part of their income right now. They can’t be evicted, so that’s good. For now.
He called to ask his father if we could loan them a thousand dollars and they will pay us right back when they get their $1200 from the government.
We cannot. We are dispensing with our cash because the government is putting us all on a Universal Basic Income and my husband and I know we need silver and if the two of them (with the Cherokee lad) were not Generation Xers, lost in time and space, they would be here in our barn.
They, like everyone else, thought there was time.