Action & adventure
‘Black Panther (2018)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s unceasing expansion reached Africa in 2017 with Black Panther, which explored the fictional, super high-tech country of Wakanda following the events of Captain America:
Civil War. Best movies on Netflix
Following the death of his father, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) takes the throne of Wakanda — a nation built over the world’s only source of the quasi-magical metal vibranium — following a ceremonial duel. Although he is now a political leader, T’Challa prefers to get his hands dirty and sets out to
capture the arms dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), who stole vibranium from Wakanda during his father’s reign.
T’Challa’s focus on the world outside Wakanda makes some of his isolationist allies uneasy, and when his long-lost cousin Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) returns and asserts his own claim to the throne, T’Challa’s reign may be in danger. Although its third act devolves into the typical CGI
chaos of most Marvel movies, Black Panther is an entertaining action movie with gorgeous costume design and a talented cast.
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‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)
Tech mistake | – As superhero movies swarm theaters in such great numbers that they block out everything else, it can be hard to tell one from the other. Thor: Ragnarok, directed by comedy auteur Taika Waititi, stands out with aplomb, embracing the Thor series’ outlandish nature.
After an introductory table setting to tie Ragnarok in with the larger Marvel cinematic universe, the film knocks Thor (Chris Hemsworth), its eponymous, cocksure hero down a few pegs. His older sister Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death, returns from long imprisonment, smashes Thor’s hammer, and kicks him out of Asgard, the realm of the gods, over which she claims dominion.
Thor ends up on a planet called Sakaar, sold as a slave to the planet’s ruler, the hedonistic, scenery-chewing Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), who forces Thor to fight in his gladiatorial games. With the help of some unexpected friends, Thor must escape the Grandmaster’s clutches, return to Asgard, and overthrow Hela. Thor: Ragnarok pulses with energy, moving through a variety of colorful locales and amping up the comedy, with particularly delightful performances from Hemsworth and Goldblum. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Kill Bill Vol. 1‘ and ‘Vol. 2‘ (2003)
Quentin Tarantino’s two-part bloodbath is a masterful pastiche of various genres (martial arts films, Westerns, and more) and arguably his best work. The story concerns a woman known as The Bride (Uma Thurman).
A former assassin, The Bride tried to get out of the business, but her former comrades, led by her
mentor and lover, Bill (David Carradine), decided not to let her walk away, murdering her entire wedding party and putting a bullet in her head. Years later, she wakes up from a coma, with one thing on her mind: Revenge.
Spanning roughly four hours and a few continents over its two parts, Kill Bill shows Tarantino’s style in all its glory and excesses. It’s a film with hyper-stylized action, sharp dialogue, and a soundtrack that samples classic film scores, country music, and more.
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’13 Assassins’ (2010)
A remake of a classic Japanese film, 13 Assassins is set in 19th-century Japan, where the shogun’s half-brother, Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu (Gorō Inagaki), rules his province with cruelty. Deciding that Matsudaira must die, a government official enlists veteran samurai Shimada Shinzaemon (Kōji Yakusho) to assemble a team of samurai to
assassinate the lord.
They convert a remote village into a giant death trap and lead Matsudaira and his personal army there for a bloody confrontation. Director Takashi Miike is known for outlandish violence, but here he exercises restraint, taking time to establish the characters and their relationships before tossing them into the fray. For those who enjoy historical drama and bloody battles, 13 Assassins is sure to please.
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‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)
In this unique outing in the Marvel cinematic universe, renowned surgeon Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose hands suffered nerve damage in a car crash, turns to magic to try and recover. He travels to Kathmandu, Nepal to meet the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), a
sorcerer who demonstrates the mystic arts to Strange and agrees to train him as a sorcerer.
There, Strange learns that Earth is under constant threat from supernatural forces, including the Ancient One’s renegade former pupil, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen). Doctor Strange is a mind-bending superhero film, one that uses special effects to create bizarrely, Escher-esque set pieces, as even city streets bend and rearrange themselves at Strange’s command.
Horror
‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ (1992)
The most famous vampire of all, Count Dracula has appeared in more movies than any other creature of the night, and yet so few films capture author Bram Stoker’s original story. Francis Ford Coppola and screenwriter James V. Hart went back to the original text for their 1992 adaptation, titled Bram Stoker’s Dracula, to emphasize the novel’s influence, and while the film isn’t as loyal to the plot as the title might suggest, it does capture the menace of Stoker’s creation.
After a prologue telling the tragic story of 15th-century warlord Vlad Dracula (Gary Oldman), the film jumps ahead to the 19th century, where English lawyer Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) is journeying to Transylvania to assist a client, Count Dracula, with the paperwork about his new real estate in London. Best movies on Netflix
Jonathan discovers that the seemingly decrepit Dracula is stronger than he appears and that he has an obsession with Harker’s wife, Mina (Winona Ryder), who bears a striking resemblance to Dracula’s long-dead wife. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a lush, psychosexual story, with sumptuous visuals and costume designs, and Oldman giving one of the best performances of his career, dancing between seductive and unsettling.
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‘Apostle’ (2018)
Gareth Evans’ new horror-thriller Apostle has drawn more than a few comparisons to the classic horror movie The Wicker Man, and it’s easy to see why. As in The Wicker Man, Apostle follows a man coming to a remote island in search of a missing person, only to find a cult that is up to something sinister.
The apostle begins in 1905 when Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens) heads to Erisden, a remote island community where his sister is being held hostage by a
mysterious cult. Thomas pretends to be a new initiate and sets about exploring the island, looking for clues as to where his sister might be. His investigation takes some strange turns, as he learns more about the cult, and the sacrifices they are willing to make. Although Apostle starts calm, it quickly becomes a frenetic movie, reveling in gore and violence. This is a horror movie that throws all restraint to the wind.
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‘The Witch’ (2015)
The Witch is a singular achievement that captured the attitudes and spiritual paranoia of Puritan New England to create a remarkably old-fashioned vision of horror. Set in the 17th century, the film begins as William (Ralph Ineson), due to a disagreement over theology, is cast out from his
township, along with his family. Striking out into the wilds, William and his wife, Katherine (Kate Dickie), along with their children — Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), twins Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson), and newborn Samuel — build a house on the edge of a dark forest. Best movies on Netflix
One day while Thomasin is watching Samuel, something snatches the baby, taking it into the woods. As the family struggles with its hardscrabble existence, the evil in the woods stretches out, threatening to consume them. The Witch is an effective horror story, tense and heavy on atmosphere, and its commitment to historical authenticity gives it a distinct aesthetic.
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‘The Shining’ (1980)
Although Stephen King may have mixed feelings about Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of his novel The Shining, there’s no denying that Kubrick’s film is a monumental achievement, a bleak, surreal character study that still ranks highly on lists of the greatest horror movies ever.
The Shining begins with Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer and recovering alcoholic, taking a job as the caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, which will be empty for the winter. Jack brings his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), with him. Jack hopes the quiet of the hotel will allow him to focus on his writing, but as the days drift by, his novel remains elusive, and his attitude sours.
Meanwhile, Danny, who possesses
burgeoning psychic powers, sees various entities within the hotel. The Shining is a creepy, ambiguous horror film, giving the audience room to interpret it in multiple ways: Some will see it as the story of an abusive husband’s mental breakdown, others as a tale of a family trapped with supernatural forces. However one reads the events, The Shining remains a great horror movie, full of creepy imagery and claustrophobic cinematography. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Ravenous’ (2017)
Ravenous (originally titled Les Affamés) begins after a mysterious plague has annihilated much of Quebec, turning its victims into shrieking, flesh-eating monsters.
The story follows various survivors who eventually band together to fight back the horde, but despite the familiar plot, this isn’t a typical zombie movie; it is a deliberately paced, eerily beautiful horror film.
A protagonist is a man named Bonin (Marc-Andre Grondin), who wanders the countryside, finding other survivors and slaying zombies. As the group grows, the film gives each character proper development, so they feel fully fleshed out, unlike the stock survivors of many a zombie film. While the film has its gory moments, Ravenous frequently employs an atmosphere of dread built through uncanny imagery, such as when the zombies
congregate before a shrine made of furniture. Best movies on Netflix
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‘The Ritual’ (2017)
Following the death of their friend Rob, four men — Luke (Rafe Spall), Phil (Arsher Ali), Dom (Sam Troughton), and Hutch (Robert James-Collier) — go backpacking in Sweden, mourning throughout their march through the untamed wilderness. When one man injures himself, the group decides to take a shortcut through a primeval forest.
Creepy occurrences, including a gutted deer, are a prelude to the horror waiting for them in the woods, as they realize that something is stalking them. The Ritual is hardly a revolutionary horror film, but it executes the traditional
trappings of horror well, and the characters feel real enough for the audience to care about their fates. It’s a well-made, straightforward monster movie. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)
An adaptation of a novel by Stephen King, Gerald’s Game takes a mundane premise and transforms it into a nightmare. Married couple Jessie (Carla Gugino) and Gerald Burlingame (Bruce Greenwood), hoping to reignite their passion, take a vacation to a remote lake house. Gerald wants to experiment with bondage, handcuffing Jessie to the bed, but after an argument, he dies of a heart attack, leaving Jessie bound with no help nearby. As dehydration and shock set in, Jessie struggles to escape. Best movies on Netflix
Gerald’s Game maintains a tight focus on the
psychological state of its lead, and although most of the film takes place within a single room, director Mike Flanagan makes great use of the limited space, playing with the boundaries between reality and Jessie’s imagination.
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‘I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House’ (2016)
Osgood Perkins’ I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House eschews a lot of the trappings of modern horror movies, trading in jump scares and gory reveals for long, haunting shots of darkened hallways and subtly unsettling sequences. The film stars Ruth Wilson as Lily Saylor, a live-in nurse assigned to care for elderly horror author Iris Blum (Paula Prentiss). Blum’s house, nestled by New England woods, is creepy in ordinary ways — the lights dim, the furniture dusty from lack of care.
As the night’s pass, the house becomes creepy in some unnatural ways as well, and Lily discovers she may not be alone with Iris. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House moves at a deliberate (some might say glacial) pace, but it uses every second to great effect, creating an atmosphere of steadily
approaching doom. Best movies on Netflix
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‘The Wailing’ (2016)
This critically acclaimed horror movie from Korean director Na Hong-jin follows a cop investigating a series of strange and gruesome murders in the small village of Goksung — an ominous setting, given the name translates to “wailing.” Lackadaisical police sergeant Jong-du (Kwak Do-won) at first seems an unlikely
protagonist, a coward who can’t manage an investigation effectively. He writes the murders off as mundane, but strange dreams — and reports of a demon in the woods — lead him toward supernatural causes. Best movies on Netflix
The Wailing is a disturbing, thought-provoking film, and like the best scary movies, it takes time to build up the characters and atmosphere before spewing gore. Set in rural Korea and rooted in local folklore, it is a horror movie with a unique style, and Na carefully balances the beauty of the countryside and the horror lurking in its dark places.
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‘It Follows’ (2014)
Great horror films produce a sense of inevitable doom, and It Follows delivers that sensation from the minute you see a teenage girl flee an unseen pursuer. The film follows a girl named Jay (Maika Monroe), who becomes a target of the creature after having sex with her boyfriend. He quickly reveals that the mysterious entity is actually a curse passed through sex — a sort of supernatural STD — and now she must flee or else risk passing it on to somebody else. All the while, the entity slowly approaches her in disguise. In addition to its singular creepy premise, the film features first-rate
cinematography; director David Robert Mitchell often uses camera movement and background composition to hide the creature as it approaches, leaving viewers wondering where it will strike from next.
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‘Raw’ (2016)
The best horror stories double as explorations of human nature. In the sexually charged Raw, from French director Julia Ducornau, a young, straight-laced woman goes to veterinary school, and amid the untamed jungle of the dorms, develops an appetite for flesh (in more ways than one). The central character is Justine (Garance Marillier), the latest in a family of vets who arrives at the same school her sister attends. After a hazing ritual in which Justine, a vegetarian, is forced to eat rabbit kidneys, she starts to crave meat and becomes
feral. On the surface, Raw is a creepy body horror film, but it also serves as a tale about social pressures, repression, and how pressure can transform people. Best movies on Netflix
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‘The Void’ (2016)
It’s hard to argue there was a better decade for horror movies than the ’80s — it certainly explains why so many recent filmmakers have mined the decade for ideas. The Void is the latest in the ‘80s horror revival, drawing inspiration from the likes of John Carpenter for a stylish, grotesque tale of cosmic horror. The film’s premise is simple: A group of robed cultists surrounds a rural hospital late at night, and when the people within learning that the walls won’t protect them, they work to maintain their sanity and survive as horrifying creatures begin to appear inside. Good
cosmic horror movies are a rare treat, and while The Void has its flaws, fans of the genre should savor it. Best movies on Netflix
Thrillers
‘Seven’ (1995)
David Fincher’s breakout film (following the regrettable Alien 3), Seven is a gruesome crime drama following two detectives on the trail of a cunning killer. The film opens with weary veteran detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) getting a new partner, the younger, emotional David Mills (Brad Pitt). Their first case together is a disturbing one: A serial killer is
committing crimes inspired by the seven deadly sins. As Somerset and Mills try to decipher the killer’s motivations, they risk their own lives and souls in the process. The subject matter of Seven is horrific, but Fincher doesn’t go for the cheap thrills of modern serial killer films; he keeps the crimes largely off-screen, giving the audience enough information to imagine them.
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‘The Invitation’ (2015)
There are few social situations more nerve-wracking than meeting your ex’s new partner. As Will (Logan Marshall-Green) learns in The Invitation, dinner with the ex can truly be a nightmare. The film opens with Will and his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) driving to his ex-wife Eden’s (Tammy Blanchard) house, where she and her new husband David (Michiel Huisman) are holding a dinner party. The reunion brings up bad memories for Will, and the night takes a darker turn as Eden and David, along with some of their new friends introduce the guests to the Invitation, a group they formed to get over grief. The Invitation is a taut thriller, and once the tension sets in, it never lets up. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Oldboy’ (2003)
Oh, Dae-Su (Choi Min-Sik) doesn’t know who killed his wife and imprisoned him in a sealed hotel room. For 15 years, he has been trapped, training himself through shadow boxing and plotting his revenge. At last, he is set free and begins his quest to find out what happened to his daughter during his captivity and to seek revenge against the man behind it all. Oldboy is a violent, gruesome revenge thriller, with shades of Greek tragedy and more than a few twists throughout. It’s also an impressive feat of filmmaking; a sequence set in a hallway, filmed in one take, is one of the most intense fight scenes ever put to film.
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Sci-fi
‘Moon’ (2009)
After three years manning a moon base, Sam Bell is ready to head home. He has a wife and young child waiting for him, and his only companion for the length of his tour is a robot, GERTY (Kevin Spacey). Two weeks away from the end of his contract, Sam crashes his rover on an assignment; things go downhill from there. Moon is a sparse film, built around ominous, largely empty spaces and a stark aesthetic
reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Rockwell delivers a stellar performance, conveying all the desperation of a man who’s been on his own for too long. Best movies on Netflix
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‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)
Alan Moore’s dystopian vision of Britain translates fairly well to the silver screen, with help from the iconoclastic Wachowski Brothers. In a country ruled by a fascist cabal, all information is regulated by the government, and the police maintain an iron grip on all aspects of life. When Evey (Natalie Portman), an employee for the state television network, is rescued from an assault by a masked man known only as V (Hugo Weaving), she is drawn into his campaign to overthrow the government. At first, charmed by V’s passion and knowledge, she quickly finds that his methods might be too extreme for her tastes. Can violent methods produce a better world, post-revolution? Excellent
choreography and bold set design make V for Vendetta an exciting if melodramatic, thriller.
Romance
‘Her’ (2013)
Given society’s increasing fascination with the impending trend of robotic lovers, it’s hardly surprising that one of the best romance films of the last decade is about a man and his digital assistant. Her — written and directed by Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) — establishes its themes early, as Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) narrates a letter to a spouse, but despite the cracks in his voice as he reads, the scene unveils the truth:
Theodore works for a company that ghostwrites personal letters for people, the words spilling out of his mouth are artificial, written on behalf of a customer. It’s a wrenching introduction to the future She depicts, one of the sterile apartments overlooking vast, cold cities, where human connections vanish like snowflakes in the sun.
Theodore is reeling from the collapse of his marriage, and to get his life in the order he buys the latest model of artificial intelligence assistants. Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), as his AI calls herself, proves a
charming companion, and even though she exists only as a voice on his phone, the two falls in love. Her is a remarkable film, with gorgeous cinematography, sterling performances, and a story as thought-provoking as it is emotive. Best movies on Netflix
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‘To the Wonder’ (2012)
Is there any city that more easily evokes romance than Paris? The City of Lights is a proper setting to open Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder, an experimental film that begins with American Neil (Ben Affleck) meeting a woman named Marina (Olga Kurylenko). The two quickly fall in love, and Marina — along with her daughter — move to
Oklahoma with Neil. A love that began in a flash cools just as quickly, and Neil soon reconnects with childhood friend Jane (Rachel McAdams), as Marina considers moving back to Europe.
Malick and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki compose beautiful imagery throughout the film; whether reveling in the majesty of Mont Saint-Michel or the golden radiance of American fields, the film always has the perfect shot to convey the mood.
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International
‘Clouds of Sils Maria’ (2014)
Olivier Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria follows an actress named Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) who worries that her career is starting to wane after years of acclaim. Maria launched her career in Wilhelm Melchior’s play Maloja Snake, cast as Sigrid’s young woman who seduces — and eventually destroys — an older woman.
A popular director seeks out Maria, asking her to star in his new production of the play, this time as the older woman, Helena. The director offers the role of Sigrid to a scandalous, teenage
starlet named Jo-Ann Ellis (Chloe Grace Moretz). Along with her assistant, Valentine (Kristen Stewart), Maria spends some time at Melchior’s remote house, coming to grips with the passage of time and her own personal drama. Clouds of Sils Maria is a complex, meditative drama that finds Binoche at the top of her game. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Y Tu Mamá También’ (2001)
Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También follows two teenagers, Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna), whose girlfriends have left for a summer vacation in Europe. After meeting Luisa, an older woman who is the wife of Tenoch’s cousin, they invite her on a road trip to an invented beach called Heaven’s Mouth. After learning of her husband’s infidelity, she accepts their offer. Along the way, the three companions swap stories and get to know each other intimately, though that’s not always for the best. It’s a profound film about growing up amid
societal upheaval in Mexico, full of stunning shots of the Mexican countryside, courtesy of acclaimed cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki.
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Documentaries and music
‘Springsteen on Broadway (2018)
Early in Springsteen on Broadway, the rock icon describes himself thusly: “I’ve never held an honest job in my entire life. I’ve never done any hard labor. So i’ve never worked 9 to 5. Now i’ve never worked five days a week until right now …Here i’ve never seen the inside of a factory and yet it’s all I’ve ever written about.” The bard of the blue-collar life is, as he puts it, a sort of magician, weaving an illusion across decades, and over the course of his Broadway show, he reveals himself to the world. Springsteen on Broadway is a sparse one-man (for the most part) show, with the Boss playing stripped-down
acoustic guitar and piano versions of his songs, interspersing them with monologues about his childhood in New Jersey, his ceaseless quest to run away from the dead-end town of his youth, and his father, the man he frames as both his foe and the inspiration for his working-class persona. It’s a raw, funny, tender performance, and a great encapsulation of Springsteen’s oeuvre.
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‘The Tigers of Scotland’ (2018)
Scotland, the opening narration of The Tigers of Scotland intones, is a place of rich culture, and spectacular, natural beauty. Among the many creatures who roam Scotland’s bumpy wilds is the Scottish wildcat, which to the untrained eye resembles a normal tabby, but notably bigger. It’s the only wildcat left in Scotland, and its population is dwindling. The Tigers of Scotland explores the nature of these rare beasts, the challenges that face them, and the last-ditch efforts to preserve their existence. The film uses interviews with various experts, and Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) provides measured
narration.
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‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
In an age of micro jobs and ever-shifting opportunities, it can be hard to imagine working in the same position for decades. Yet that is what sushi chef Jiro Ono has done; having run his own restaurant in Tokyo since 1965, Jiro is one of the most accomplished chefs in Japanese history, the first sushi chef to attain three Michelin stars. David Gelb’s documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi examines this man who, despite his long career and superb accomplishments, does not feel that he has mastered his craft yet. Like Jiro’s sushi, Gelb’s style is minimalist; he eschews fancy camerawork, letting the exquisite sushi be the star of every shot. Best movies on Netflix
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‘The Resurrection of Jake the Snake’ (2015)
Aurelian Smith Jr. — better known by his ring persona, Jake “The Snake” Roberts — is a former professional wrestler who dominated the WWF in the late-’80s and ‘90s. As “The Snake,” Smith was notorious for conquering his opponents, taunting them, and even torturing them with his live snake, Damien the Python.
Sadly, however, the former wrestler spent the better part of the following decades battling addictions to alcohol and crack cocaine, both of which took a heavy toll on his physical health, family, finances, and even Damien.
The
Resurrection of Jake the Snake also follows Smith’s fellow wrestler “Diamond” Dallas Page — who found post-wrestling success as a yoga teacher — and his efforts to rehabilitate Smith and Scott Hall, another friend and former WWE superstar. The candid doc sometimes feels like a reality show and an infomercial for Page’s enterprise, sure, but the interviews with wrestling greats such as Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, and Adam Copeland render it a comeback story with plenty to offer. Apparently, the only place to go from rock bottom is up. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Icarus’ (2017)
Bryan Fogel’s first documentary, Icarus, began as an attempt to document the effects of doping, with Fogel taking drugs to compete in a bicycle race. In an act of journalistic serendipity, Fogel meets a Russian doctor, Grigory Rodchenkov, who leads Fogel to a far bigger story: A Russian, state-sponsored doping program that could cast doubt on the validity of international sports. The story behind Icarus is interesting enough to recommend it; despite some occasional bloat, it is essentially a real-life political thriller.
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‘Miss Sharon Jones!’ (2015)
The late, great Sharon Jones was a force to be reckoned with, particularly when at the helm of her fellow Dap-Kings. The singer’s undeniable penchant for ‘60s-style soul and classic R&B isn’t the central force behind this heartrending documentary, however. Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple’s film functions as a no-holds-barred examination of Jones’ more recent triumphs and lifelong hardships, one that opens with her being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that would kill her three years later. The rest of it plays out with a healthy mix of interviews and candid observations, each punctured with invigorating concert footage that serves as both a testament to the unflinching strength of her perseverance and yet another reminder of just how ruthless last year truly was.
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‘Fire At Sea’ (2016)
Gianfranco Rosi’s 2016 documentary examines the refugee crisis in Europe through a narrow lens, zeroing in on the small island of Lampedusa, which lies between Sicily and Tunisia. The film follows two disparate stories: That of a group of refugees crossing the sea to Lampedusa, and that of the islanders, including a young boy named Samuele. Although many have criticized the film’s structure, citing a lack of connection between the two stories, Rosi’s approach is striking.
The refugees, crammed onto rafts, thinned by starvation, make for a shocking juxtaposition to the story of the islander’s, living in such innocent solitude, it seems incomprehensible that war and famine could be so close. Fire At Sea takes a bold approach to documentary filmmaking, regardless of one’s political views.
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‘The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
David France’s The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson explores, ostensibly, a death. Johnson, a self-identified drag queen, and pillar of LGBT activism died in 1993. Her body was found floating in the Hudson River, and police ruled the death a suicide, a story many who knew Johnson doubted. France’s film follows activist Victoria Cruz as she seeks evidence to reopen Johnson’s case, but the documentary is not just a true-crime story. The film delves into the history of the gay rights movement, particularly the Stonewall riot, and how different factions in the movement are often at odds. It’s an insightful documentary, even if it doesn’t solve the central cold case.
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‘It’s Not Yet Dark’ (2016)
At the Sundance film festival, director Simon Fitzmaurice’s star was rising. The festival screened his short film, The Sound of People, but a pain nagged at him, the first sign of a tragedy to come. Not long after Sundance, doctors diagnosed Fitzmaurice with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), estimating he had four or so years to live.
Fitzmaurice survived 2017, and along the way he managed to make one feature film, My Name is Emily, and write a memoir. It’s Not Yet Dark chronicles Fitzmaurice’s work in the face of his illness, writing and communicating using a device that tracked his eye movements. Colin Farrell narrates, giving voice to Fitzmaurice’s thoughts. Life is all too brief, but as It’s Not Yet Dark shows, there’s always time to accomplish great things. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Saving Capitalism’ (2017)
In an age of ever-widening inequality, economics has become a more contentious field than usual. Multiple candidates in the 2016 election made populist, economic grievances key parts of their message, and even economists have grown more pugilistic, taking to soapboxes to proselytize for or against capitalism.
Robert Reich, the former secretary of labor under Bill Clinton, has become one of the most popular speakers on the subject of capitalism’s woes, and his new Netflix documentary, Saving Capitalism, tries to diagnose the economy’s problems and offer a way forward. Over the course of the film, Reich travels the country, speaking to workers, business owners, and political leaders to get a sense of the country’s attitudes. Saving Capitalism is hardly radical — Reich is trying to save capitalism, not overthrow it — but is instead an informative documentary. Best movies on Netflix
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‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000)
One of Disney’s first films in the aughts, The Emperor’s New Groove eschews the dramatic tone of Disney’s ’90s offerings (Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc.) for goofy vibes and slapstick humor. Set long ago in the Inca empire, the film tells the story of the young emperor Kuzco (David Spade), a callous imbecile who only thinks about his own glory and goes as far as hatching a plan to demolish the home of the peasant Pacha (John Goodman) to build himself a resort.
Kuzco’s megalomania gets the better of him after he fires his conniving adviser, Yzma (Eartha Kitt). After using a magic potion to turn Kuzco into a llama, Yzma takes control of the empire. The llama emperor runs into Pacha, who offers to help if Kuzco will change his mind about destroying Pacha’s home. As the two journey through the jungle together, Kuzco gets in touch with his humanity, and the two develop a shaky friendship. The Emperor’s New Groove is a lovely film, composed of bright colors, and its easygoing humor can amuse anyone.
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‘Coco’ (2017)
Pixar’s 2017 film Coco is yet another example of the studio’s adventurous spirit, a hero’s journey that celebrates the Mexican holiday Día de Los Muertos. The story follows a young boy named Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), who lives with his family in Mexico. Miguel aspires to be a musician. Idolizing the long-dead Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). After discovering that Ernesto may have been his great-grandfather. Who left the family to pursue his career, Miguel breaks into his mausoleum to take his guitar. In doing so, he passes into the realm of the dead. Where he meets his ancestors and learns that he must return to the world of the living before sunrise, or remain among the dead forever. Coco is a spirited journey, and a moving tale of family and how the past is always with us.
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‘The Iron Giant (1999)
Animation legend Brad Bird made his directorial debut with The Iron Giant. An animated film with a brilliant script and unflinching vision. Set in 1957, the film opens as a large object falls from space, landing in the woods near Rockwell, Maine.
A young boy named Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal) investigates, stumbling upon the object: A giant robot. After helping the giant escape from some power lines, Hogarth befriends him. Trouble comes to Rockwell in the form of a government agent, Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald). Who comes to investigate the mysterious object in the woods. Believing it may be a Russian superweapon.
Though set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The Iron Giant is not an overtly political film. Instead of focusing on Hogarth’s friendship with the giant and attempts to teach it how to forge its own identity. Best movies on Netflix
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‘Mulan’ (1998)
Since its initial release in 1998, Mulan has been a film riddled with feminist quandaries and controversial stereotyping. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most beloved cartoons in the classical Disney arsenal, portraying the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) with a set of memorable songs and lighthearted
camaraderie. The animation is superb, and the film addresses themes of honor. And duty while still managing to deliver a story suitable for children of all ages. Mulan isn’t a prim Disney princess, either, and her resounding bravery is a conscious decision we can all learn from. Best movies on Netflix
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The article was originally published here.
