More films to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Posted by James, 1 October 2021 (5-6 minute read)
If you’re looking for more films to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime, you’re in luck. Because since April 2021 – when I put together a couple of blog posts about great films we’ve been watching during our weekly ‘movie night’ – we’ve kept going and seen quite a few more.
So here are 7 more recommendations – more films to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) – Currently on Netflix
From a script that crackles with Aaron Sorkin’s usual electricity and fast-paced dialogue, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a superb depiction of a real-life event. In 1968, a group of anti-Vietnam War protestors are charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines. The group – known as the ‘Chicago 7’ – are then met with a series of injustices during their trial, including a clearly prejudiced judge (played brilliantly by Frank Langella).
The cast is uniformly rock solid. But special mention should go to Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the tricky role of conflicted assistant federal prosecutor Richard Schultz. The Trial of the Chicago 7 was nominated for plenty of awards (including an Oscar-nod for Best Picture). When you watch it, it’s easy to see why!
2. American Graffiti (1973) – Currently on Netflix
American Graffiti is one of those classics that – until recently – had passed me by. So when it appeared on Netflix, we jumped at the chance to catch up. The film is interesting for plenty of reasons. But it intrigues me most because it’s the project George Lucas worked on before creating the juggernaut we know as Star Wars.
The plot of American Graffiti is fairly slow, taking place across one night in Modesto, California. It stars Richard Dreyfuss as Curt Henderson, Ron Howard (yes, the Ron Howard) as Steve Bolander and a very young Harrison Ford as Bob Falfa – the role that would lead to him being chosen to play Han Solo.
American Graffiti is a coming-of-age tale about cruising and early rock ‘n’ roll culture in the United States. If you’re after a real shot of nostalgia, watch it now!
3. Murder Mystery (2019) – Currently on Netflix
Is Murder Mystery a film for the ages? No. Does it leave you thinking long after it ends? Absolutely not. Is it great fun? Yes.
Starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as a couple who become embroiled in a murder plot, the film is full of plot holes and outlandish set pieces – including a car chase that defies the laws of physics. But if you’re looking for a bit of light relief and a night in front of the box with a bowl of popcorn, Murder Mystery is well worth a couple of hours of your time.
4. Bill (2015) – Currently on Amazon Prime
From the original Horrible Histories troupe comes Bill – a film about the lost years in the life of William Shakespeare. This one’s full of fun, plenty of jokes and has a great turn from the late Helen McCrory as Queen Elizabeth I. It’s also full of nods and winks that’ll keep adults engaged and has funny set pieces for the kids too. (Cue jokes about a band called ‘Mortal Coil’ and a character named ‘body collector’)
But for me, the soundtrack is Bill’s trump card. Most of it was composed by Andrew Hewitt. And the songs – notably ‘A Series of Funny Misunderstandings’ – were written by Bernard Hughes and Laurence Rickard (Rickard co-wrote the film and plays plenty of its characters too).
5. Worth (2020) – Currently on Netflix
Worth tells the story of those largely forgotten in the aftermath of 9/11. It focuses on how compensation and remuneration were decided for the families who lost loved ones on that fateful day in 2001. Michael Keaton plays Kenneth Feinberg, an attorney who specialises in what the law calls ‘mediation’ and ‘alternative dispute resolution’.
At times, Worth is a tough watch. It asks questions like ‘what value do you put on life?’ and examines the way that even a tragedy of 9/11’s magnitude continues to remind us of extreme income inequality.
There are certainly a couple of clunkier elements. Most notably, a ‘countdown’ device used to remind the audience of Feinberg’s deadline to get enough victims to accept the government’s compensation deal. For me, a trite countdown like this doesn’t really work in a film with such a serious and emotionally raw subject matter.
That said, Worth is still a powerful watch – an important story that needed to be told.
6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – Currently on Netflix
Another 70s classic we watched recently was Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The film tells the story of Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss), whose life is turned upside down by a close encounter with a UFO (or unidentified flying object).
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a cinematic masterpiece. But it’s the haunting, iconic 5 note motif from John Williams that stays with you long after the credits roll (you know the one I mean!). In fact, the scene where the humans communicate with the aliens using classical music is one of the most powerful I can remember seeing for a long time.
7. On the Basis of Sex (2018) – Currently on Amazon Prime
It still seems strange to think that we lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020. But On the Basis of Sex will always be there to remind us of just how important she is in America’s legal history. The film tells the story of Ruth’s early life and first big court case – representing Charles Moritz, a man declined financial aid as a care giver on the basis of his sex (at this time, American law only recognised women as primary care givers).
Felicity Jones plays RBG with all her usual poise and grace. And she’s ably supported by a cast that includes Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston and Kathy Bates. The end of the film is particularly emotional given what happened to the real-life Ginsburg just last year. It’s well worth a watch – and a story that really does need to be told (and retold).
So there you have it – 7 more films to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Do you have a favourite? You can comment below, head over to my Twitter page (@JWCopywriting) or send me a message on Facebook.
And if you need a copywriter for your business, get in touch and let’s start working together. Take a look at my portfolio and then contact me here – I aim to respond within 24 hours.
In two weeks, I’ll be looking at SEO and why it’s so important for your business.
Speak soon,
JW