Films to watch on Netflix or Amazon Prime. (Part 2)
Posted by James, 16 April 2021 (5 minute read)
Two weeks ago, I started my rundown of our best Film Night picks from the past few months. And here’s 7 more films to watch on either Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Time to get streaming!
1. Rebecca (2020) – Currently on Netflix
Rebecca is a novel with a long history of adaption. But this version – directed by Ben Wheatley – doesn’t really explore the romance thriller in an especially new way. Just like in du Maurier’s book, the main character is never named (simply referred to as ‘Mrs de Winter’) and played by Lily James.
Rebecca was okay. Worth watching, although not particularly ground-breaking. The iconic twist in the narrative is handled well and the performances are generally strong (especially Kristen Scott Thomas as Mrs. Danvers). But to be honest, it felt like Wheatley spent way too much time focusing on what the film looked like – and never really considered what it should be about!
2. Babyteeth (2019) – Currently on Netflix
Babyteeth is an Australian coming-of-age film about a teenage girl with terminal cancer finding love and companionship in the unlikely arms of a young drug addict. At times, it’s a pretty tough watch, with a couple of scenes (especially towards the end) getting increasingly dark. But it also explores some really powerful stuff. And the acting is uniformly excellent – especially Eliza Scanlen in the lead role.
Definitely one that keeps you thinking, Babyteeth is a story about coming to terms with mortality. But it’s also emotionally shattering for the viewer (in a good way).
3. Ex Machina (2014) – Currently on Netflix
Sci-fi often teeters on the edge of the ridiculous. But when it’s done right, you get a film like Ex Machina. Written and directed by Alex Garland, the film centres on programmer Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) and his opportunity to meet boss Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac).
At his luxury, isolated home in the wilderness, Nathan shows Caleb a female humanoid robot he’s built called Ava. From here, the film explores a series of ‘sessions’ between programmer and humanoid. Alicia Vikander is perfectly cast as the hypnotic and mysterious Ava – every time she’s on screen you’re captivated by her performance (which is entirely the point…).
At its core, Ex Machina asks us to consider the power of AI, the consequences of technology and that now very fine line between what’s real and what isn’t. A superb watch!
4. The Dig (2021) – Currently on Netflix
The Dig tells the story of the 1939 excavations at Sutton Hoo, attempting to re-attribute the importance of the role Basil Brown played in the discovery of the famous Saxon burial ship. The film is a visual treat and both Ralph Fiennes (as Brown) and Carey Mulligan (as Edith Pretty) are excellent.
Unfortunately, The Dig gets rather bogged down in an invented romantic subplot between Peggy Piggott (played by Lily James) and Rory Lomax (Johnny Flynn). It’s also a shame that the film completely changes and undermines the real-life figure of Piggott – who in reality was a highly experienced archaeologist by the time she arrived to help excavate the Saxon ship.
The Dig is a good film – albeit not a great one.
5. The White Tiger (2021) – Currently on Netflix
The White Tiger is an adaption of Arvind Adiga’s novel of the same name. It tells the story of Balram Halwai – a poor boy from an Indian village who uses his wit, cunning and intelligence to become a driver for one of the country’s most powerful families.
It’s an energetic, frenetic watch with gorgeous visuals throughout. Special mention should go to Adarsh Gourav, who plays lead character Balram with real gusto. A darkly comic thriller, I cannot recommend The White Tiger more highly.
6. A Few Good Men (1993) – Currently on Amazon Prime
Despite knowing the infamous line uttered by Jack Nicholson (something about ‘handling the truth’), I’d never seen A Few Good Men. But I’m really glad I now have. Adapted by Aaron Sorkin from his own stage play, the film is a tense courtroom drama about the court martial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of their fellow officer.
The film stars a young Tom Cruise as hotshot lawyer Daniel Kaffee, as well as Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon. But it’s Nicholson that steals the show. Despite appearing in just a handful of scenes, he embodies the cold, callous Colonal Nathan Jessop brilliantly.
A Few Good Men cleverly explores American law and justice, the brotherhood of U.S. military service and acts to powerfully critique the true meaning of honour and bravery. A compelling story that’s both fantastically told and superbly acted!
7. Dating Amber (2020) – Currently on Amazon Prime
I loved watching Dating Amber, a coming-of-age story about two closeted teens in 1990s Ireland. Amber is played wonderfully by Lola Petticrew, who recognises an uncanny similarity with school mate Eddie (Fionn O’Shea). The two then pretend to be in a relationship to keep their contemporaries from mocking them for being gay.
Dating Amber is a funny, moving film about two teenagers working out who they truly are in a sadly all-too-familiar environment of societal oppression and homophobia.
So now you have a real choice when it comes to films to watch on Netflix or Amazon Prime. I hope you enjoy some of them as much as we did.
If you want to discuss any of the films in this list, comment below, tell me on Twitter (@JWCopywriting) or message me on my Facebook page. And if you need a copywriter for your business, let’s start working together today. Take a look at how my copywriting service works and then contact me here – I aim to reply within 24 hours.
In two weeks, I’ll be looking at the power of effective billboard advertising.
Until then,
JW