When you think of streaming, naturally your thoughts will go towards Netflix and Hulu. If you’re somewhat of a die-hard movie watcher, perhaps you will also be a user of other services like Apple TV, Disney+ and HBO too. What you mustn’t forget, is that an incredible perk associated with Amazon Prime Membership, is access to Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.
From critically acclaimed television series, to oscar-winning films; documentaries to Amazon originals, Prime Video really is the streaming service unlike any other. Amazon Originals can only be viewed on this streaming service; produced, released and promoted solely for Amazon Prime members. When you have had quite enough of endless scrolling through these typical streaming services; don’t worry, and prepare yourself to binge many top films available on Prime Video now!
The Top Movies Currently On Amazon
Anna Karenina, 2012
Anna Karenina tells the fateful love affair between Alexei Karenin (Jude Law), a prosperous cavalry officer, and Anna (Keira Knightley), the wife of an important statesman and general socialite. The epic sees Keira Knightly work once again with Joe Wright; after previously working with the director on 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. Anna Karenina has achieved a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 63%. Though recognition must be given for Anna Karenina’s flamboyant style, the film unfortunately lacks the content worthy of making it a great film.
Anna Karenina
A Simple Plan, 1998
When Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), Hank (Bill Paxton) and friend Lou (Brent Briscoe) discover the site of a fallen plane, dark events begin to occur. The three men, with Hank’s spouse Sarah (Bridget Fonda), begin to feel the stress of keeping the special discovery secret. Tensions and suspicions lead to murderous consequences. Receiving two Academy Award nominations, this film is definitely worth a watch.
A Simple Plan
The Big Sick, 2017
Jointly written by Kumail Nanjiani (Dinesh of HBO’s Silicon Valley) and his wife Emily Gordon; The Big Sick loosely mirrors their actual interethnic relationship and the difficulties and differences experienced culturally during times of ill-health. Grossing $55 million with a $5 budget, the stats speak for the quality of this film.
The Big Sick
Cold War, 2018
A winner of the ‘Best Film Award’ in 2018 from the 31st European Film Awards; Cold War depicts the lengthy love story of a youthful singer and a musical director, inspired in part on director, Pawel Pawlikowski’s parents. Seeing as the film is co-produced by Polish, British and French producers, subtitles will certainly be needed for English speakers! Set in Poland and France from the period of the 1940s until the 1960s, the film is a worthwhile watch.
Cold War
Coming to America, 1988
African-American stars Eddie Murhpy, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Arsenio Hall and Shari Headley lead the A-List cast of 1988’s Coming to America. Story creator and lead actor, Eddie Murphy, stars as Akeem Joffer, the prince of fantasy nation, Zamunda. Akeem travels to America in search of a wife, building love without royalty playing a role. Unusual for films which receive notoriety for lackluster comedic acting and an empty story; Coming 2 America, the sequel, was showcased on Amazon Prime in March 2021.
Coming To America
Crawl, 2019
Producing with a modest $15 million budget, Crawl exceeded expectations by grossing $90 million. With the costs of CGI being considerable these days, this is a rather impressive feat. The horror epic follows Haley (Kaya Scodelario) attempting to survive while rescuing her father (Barry Pepper), daughter (Morfydd Clark) and dog while inside their home during a Category-5 hurricane. The additional issue being the invasion of dangerous alligators trapped alongside the family inside the house. The film surpasses expectations by keeping a solid pace, being visually creative, great acting performances and realistic display of alligators.
Crawl
Crouching Tiger; Hidden Dragon, 2000
Produced on a modest budget of $17 million, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was certainly an international success. The film was the first foreign-language epic to earn over $100 million in gross sales from a US based market. Constantly named on lists of culturally important, non-English based films; this Chinese martial arts film is respected for top cinematography, a meaningful story and excellent choreography.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Dazed and Confused, 1993
A major box office flop, Dazed and Confused follows many groups of Texan teenagers on their final day of school. Set in 1976, the film was a huge let down, starring a cast of now-famous stars including Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg, Milla Jovovich and Matt McConaughey. Funnily enough, it was ranked third on Entertainment Weekly’s list of “50 Best High School Movies”.
Dazed And Confused
The Dead Zone, 1983
Based on Stephen King’s, The Dead Zone, the movie (and novel name-sake) stars Christopher Walken as teacher, Jonny Smith. A victim of a horrific accident-induced coma, Smith obtains psychic powers. After a power struggle between morals and power, Smith finds his ultimate fate while using his powers for good. Holding an 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating, according to the site ‘Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and a rich performance from Christopher Walken’. The film is largely considered one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King novel.
The Dead Zone
Election, 1999
Election, based on Tom Perrotta’s book also named Election, stars Matthew Broderick as Mr Jim McAllister, a social studies teacher, a staunch hater of student Tracy (Reese Witherspoon). An American black comedy, it isn’t surprising to discover that Broderick’s highly likeable character goes to high lengths to assure the failure of Tracy Flick’s election campaign. An average film by box office standards, the film did however earn an Oscar nomination for best Adapted Screenplay. Witherspoon also scored a Golden Globe nomination for the Best Actress category.
Election
The Farewell, 2019
An English-Cantonese spoken film, The Farewell boasts a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In a heartwarming film, a Chinese family create a final family reunion for their dying grandmother, unaware of her imminent passing. A must-see.
The Farewell
Fast Color, 2019
Gugu Mbatha-Raw of Apple Tv+’s The Morning Show, stars as a wanted superhero, evading both law enforcement and scientists in Fast Color. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times praised director Julia Hart for her ‘genuinely moving, engrossing supernatural-sci-fi mystery’ film with ‘impressive special effects’.
Fast Color
Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 2008
A hilarious and crude film featuring comedy-actor greats Jason Segel, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Russel Brand; Peter (Segel) visits Hawaii to get over his break up from Sarah (Bell). Awkward situations with exes, new love and a beautiful island all coincide for a must-watch for any adult comedy fan.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Gemini Man, 2019
An ultimately disappointing story with incredible special affects used to depict Will Smith at an age much younger than his actual, Gemini Man very much lacks substance. Questioned by Michael Sragow of Film Comment Magazine as to how director Ang ‘Lee and such a gifted cast andcrew’ were able to end up with a ‘vacuum’. An empty story with numerous holes; advisory to come for the visual representation, not for the story.
Gemini Man
Generation Wealth
A film selected to be played during the opening night of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Generation Wealth, according to Joseph Walsh of Time Out, ‘lays bare society’s obsession with affluence and excess with scalpel-sharp insight… makes for bleak and compelling viewing’. The film follows director Greenfield’s book, also called Generation Wealth to moderate succes.
Generation Wealth
Grizzly Man, 2005
With direction from World-class director, Werner Herzog, Grizzly Man is a documentary-production following through the life and demise of Timothy Treadwell. An environmentalist, bear enthusiast; Treadwell was murdered alongside his girlfriend from a deadly bear attack, 2003. The use of Treadwell’s personal footage and testimony from real associates of Treadwell come together for a well-depicted piece from Herzog.
Grizzly Man
The Handmaiden
With inspiration from Victorian crime novel, The Fingersmith; The Handmaiden depicts the story of a Japanese woman, who is being seduced and tricked by a Korean criminal (con-man) to be robbed of all her wealth. Park’s mastery is well depicted here, even in ‘matters of overwrought sexual melodrama’- K. Austin Collins.
The Handmaiden
High Life, 2019
A film about criminals on death row, under strict conditions not to fornicate, that are sent into space in the hope of extracting energy from a black hole. A plot with a destiny of something going wrong. Robert Pattison, Mia Goth and Andre 3000 star in this film.
High Life
I’m Your Woman, 2020
When Jean’s husband disappears, she discovers his association with organized crime, and finds herself on the run or she will obtain a similar fate. Boasting an 80% approval rating on rotten tomatoes, the film is cleverly made and features an impressive acting performance from Rachel Brosnahan. Director Julia Hart is at the top of her game here.
I’m Your Woman
Inception, 2010
There is no hiding that Inception is an extremely complex film. A film that one may experience difficulty in trying to explain. A Christopher Nolan masterclass, Inception requires the full attention of the viewer. Rapid-action scenes, stellar acting from all involved (Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, Tom Hardy and Elliot Page to name a few) and a great story make for great viewing.
Inception
Inside Llewyn Davis, 2003
Director brothers Joel and Ethan Coen depict Oscar Isaac as a singer progressing during the 1960s Greenwich Village folk era. A black comedy-drama, Inside LLweyn Davis is loosely inspired by the journey of singer, Dave Von Ronk.
Inside Llewyn Davis
King Of New York, 1990
US made Neo-Noir crime epic, King of New York, features A-list Hollywood stars Larry Fishburne, Christopher Walken, David Caruso, Wesley Snipes and Ginacarlo Esposito. Frank White (Walken) takes the role of a newly-free drug-lord seeking out the authority of New York’s criminal underworld. An R-rated film, expect R-rated action.
King Of New York
Knightriders, 1981
A George A. Romero horror classic; Knightriders depicts a moving group of renaissance fair entertainment artists. Noted for an ‘exceptional soundtrack, excellent photography, sharp writing, directing and editing’ the film is ‘worth the time and effort to see’- Christopher John, Ares Magazine. Considered one of the top movies of 1981, the film is a great option for viewing.
Knightriders
Landline, 2017
Initially shown at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival; Amazon were quick to pick up the comedy film. Dana (Jenny Slate) investigates her intuition that her father is being unfaithful to her mother. Receiving favourable reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, Landline is worth the watch.
Landline
The Last Black Man in San Francisco, 2019
The winner of two awards during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, The Last Black Man in San Francisco stars Jimmie Fails as a young man in his attempts to reclaim his valuable childhood family home in a white-majority neighbourhood of San Francisco. Named as one of the top films of the year by Former POTUS, Barack Obama; you should watch this film.
The Last Black Man In San Francisco
Leave No Trace, 2018
Leave No Trace, based on 2009 novel, My Abandonment, follows the story of a military veteran who is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Veteran, played by Ben Foster, survives in the forest with his daughter (Thomas McKenzie). Debra Granki depicts a truly honest and sensitive epic, compelling the viewer to sympathize and feel for this emotional story.
Leave No Trace
The Lincoln Lawyer, 2011
Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a criminal defense lawyer who is based out of his Lincoln Town Car. The legal thriller is based on Michael Connelly’s book of the same name. Reportedly, Connelly was able to view an early edition of the film, exerting that he was extremely pleased with the film. The film stayed ‘loyal to the story of Mickey Haller’, ‘those who love the book will love the movie’. He also says that ‘those who don’t know the book will love it just the same’. McConaughey is once again at the top of his game here.
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Lost City of Z, 2016
Featuring a star cast of Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and Charlie Hunnam; The Lost City of Z explores the story of British explorer, Percy Fawcett. Attempting to discover a forgotten ancient Brazilian city, Fawcett ultimately is unsuccessful in his attempts. Making a loss on a $30m budget, technically a flop, the film isn’t actually so bad according to numerous critics.
The Lost City Of Z
Manchester By the Sea, 2016
Grossing $79 million on a $9 million budget, Manchester by the Sea was a solid box office success. Casey Affleck also was the winner of Best Actor at the 89th Academy Awards, with the movie itself winning Best Original Screenplay. The film was extremely popular, making significant waves upon its release.
Manchester By The Sea
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, 2003
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World depicts between a Royal Navy captain, Aubrey (Russel Crowe) and Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bethany). The winner of Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing at the 76th Academy Awards, the film also the recipient of 10 Oscar nominations. They may have lost all of them to Lord of the Rings, but that amount of nominations cannot be ignored.
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, 2020
Sacha Baron Cohen reprises his role as Borat, a Kazakh journalist, who has been released from prison in order to go on a special visit to the United States. Only this time, he is accompanied by his fifteen year old daughter. Prepare to laugh and be shocked in this unique type of cinema that you will surely enjoy. The film even boasts an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Selah And The Spades, 2019
Five factions manage the underground life of a prestigious east coast boarding school. The head of The Spades faction walks a fine line between love and fear. The film is clever, features some good acting in a refreshingly disjointed coming-of-age story. An impressive drama, the film boasts a rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and is certainly worth a watch.
Selah And The Spades
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, 2011
Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a disgraced financial reporter who finally comes across an opportunity where he can restore his honor. Hired by Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) to solve the 40-year-old murder of Vanger’s niece, Harriet. The film grossed $102 Million at the box office and sits with a respectable 86% rating on the Tomato-meter.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Night Eats The World, 2018
Sam wakes up in an apartment the night after a party, but slowly becomes aware of a new reality outside. Paris has been taken over by an army of zombies! One of the only survivors, Sam tries barricading himself inside the building to stay alive. How long can he last in complete silence alone, though? Well that would depend on whether or not he really is alone…
The Night Eats The World
500 Days Of Summer, 2009
Zoey Deschanel stars alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an alternative kind of love story, not necessarily about boy meets girl and a happily-ever-after, but a story about the concept of love itself. The film jumps between various stages of Tom’s (Gordon-Levitt) life, and how his feelings for a girl change over time. A great film that is a different take on love.
500 Days Of Summer
The Fifth Element, 1997
Bruce Willis stars here as Korben Dallas, a former special forces commando currently working as a taxi driver in 23rd Century New York City. Leelo (Milla Jovovich) crashes into his cab, at which Korben is instructed by wise space-priest Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm) to protect her at all costs. The world is full of much good, but also much evil.
The Fifth Element
A Knight’s Tale, 2001
A Knight’s Tale stars late Health Ledger as William, a young peasant with a special talent for jousting. He poses as a knight and goes forth on a quest for fame and glory alongside friends Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk). A funny film featuring romance, comedy and interesting characters, you should give this one a watch.
A Knight’s Tale
Mean Streets, 1973
Martin Scorsese comes in here hard with a fantastic crime drama in Mean Streets. Charlie Cappa (Harvey Keital) stars as a young Italian-American man torn between loyalties. Will he choose faith, his uncle or his roughneck gambler associate (Robert DeNiro)? Find out for yourself.
Mean Streets
Minority Report, 2002
Spielberg’s adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s short story brought audiences into the realm of hand gesture-assisted augmented reality. Tom Cruise stars as captain John Anderton, leader of a police force dedicated to catching criminals before they’ve even committed the crime. Anderton finds himself in hot water and has to uncover the dark secret behind the whole system.
Minority Report
Orange County, 2002
Starring Colin Hanks as Shaun Brumer, the story follows a clever, yet underachieving teen growing up in California. His life turns upside down after discovering a novel by Marcus Skinner, an English professor. After an application mishap, Shaun and friends travel to Stanford determined to correct the mistake.
Orange County
The Prestige, 2006
Nolan’s 2006 Prestige features three distinct acts. What begins with exposition (an introduction to the film’s protagonists (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) attempting to beocme the greatest magician. The second is the sour repercussions of an on-stage accident. followed by a climax of everything we thought we knew about the characters, with a big twist from director Christopher Nolan.
The Prestige
The Princess Bride, 1987
A film that has everything- adventure, good acting, humor and a good love-story to top it all off. The Princess Bride is a fantasy fairytale that plays with everyday tropes, breathing new life into them. Pop culture references and quotes only make the film more relatable. A sweet, witty film, the film is certainly worth a watch.
The Princess Bride
School Of Rock, 2003
A film with a major cult following, Jack Black stars as rock-star Dewey Finn, depressed after being kicked out of his the band that he formed. In a mix-up, Dewey takes a call meant for his teacher-roommate and takes on the role of substitute teacher at a preppy school. Dewey forms a hairbrained scheme to use the kids of the class to form a band and win the $10000 prize money. A humorous movie full of comedy and heart; you will surely love this film (if you haven’t already seen it).
School Of Rock
Sneakers, 1992
Sneakers is a different take on crime. A feel-good epic, which can only rival films like Ocean’s 11, the film stars Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell, River Phoenix, Sidney Poitier, and David Strathairn as intelligent hackers on a quest to procure ‘the thing’. If you’re looking for retro technology and some cynical, witty humor- sneakers is certainly the film for you.
Sneakers
State Of Play, 2009
Starring Russel Crowe and Rachel McAdams, investigative journalists Cal and Della work to uncover the mystery behind the murder of Sonia Baker- a chief researcher for U.S. Representative Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). A film with a good story and top cast- you should tune in for this one.
State Of Play
Brittany Runs A Marathon, 2019
The 2019 comedy “Brittany Runs a Marathon” stars Jillian Bell as Brittany, a woman in her twenties living in New York City, trying to get her life together. She begins by preparing to run the New York Marathon. However, as Brittany becomes more involved in running and meets new people along the way, she realizes that a change on the inside may be the most wise way to steer her life in the correct path. Bell is great in the starring role, and writer/director Paul Downs Colaizzo’s script takes Brittany’s story in unexpected directions.
Brittany Runs A Marathon
Suspiria, 2018
Following his Oscar-winning romance “Call Me by Your Name,” Luca Guadagnino gave a go at a horror classic with “Suspiria” in 2018. Dakota Johnson is a young woman who leaves her Mennonite family in Ohio to audition for and learn as a dancer at a prestigious institution in 1988 Berlin. However, as her training progresses, it becomes evident that this dance ensemble is up to something wicked and witchy. Guadagnino’s version of the narrative is brilliant in how it blends supernatural horror to depict a real-life horror story about fascism and evil. Tilda Swinton is intriguing in this film, playing both the leader of the dancing troupe and a male doctor who is intrigued about what is going on at the school.
Suspiria, 2018
The Report, 2019
Check out “The Report” if you’re looking for a real-life investigative thriller in the manner of “All the President’s Men.” The true-story thriller, which was released in 2019, stars Adam Driver as Daniel Jones, a staffer for Senator Dianne Feinstein (played by Annette Bening) tasked with researching the CIA’s use of torture in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Scott Z. Burns, the writer/director, creates a picture that is both tense and dramatic in its quest of the truth. Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, Corey Stoll, Ted Levine, and Maura Tierney are among the cast members.
The Report, 2019
Do the Right Thing, 1989
“Do the Right Thing,” a pioneering 1989 film by Spike Lee, is tragically still relevant today, but is also a stone cold classic. On a sweltering summer day in a Brooklyn neighborhood, racial tensions between the Italian-American proprietors of a pizzeria and the neighborhood’s African-American residents grow. As the film progresses to a tragic and violent conclusion that relates to race relations in America, the comedy is beautifully placed.
Do The Right Thing, 1989
Late Night, 2019
Mindy Kaling drew inspiration for her 2019 comedy “Late Night” from the world of late night television. The film stars Emma Thompson as a veteran late night TV personality who is on the verge of being fired by the network and enlists the help of a new (and inexperienced) writer (played by Kaling) to add some diversity to her all-male writing staff. The comedy contains elements of a mismatched buddy movie, a behind-the-scenes Hollywood story, and middle-aged drama. Thompson is outstanding as she plays a woman attempting to keep up with the times.
Late Night, 2019
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, 2011
The fourth film in the franchise, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” is unquestionably one of the best “Mission: Impossible” films, even featuring Tom Cruise hanging over the world’s tallest skyscraper. Brad Bird, the director of “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” made his live-action debut with the picture, which embraces the “team” part of the “Mission” genre by pairing Ethan Hunt with a cast of people on the run after being framed for a Kremlin explosion. In this thrilling installment of the franchise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg perform excellently as Cruise’s allies.
Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, 2011
The Prestige, 2006
Christopher Nolan has always been a connoisseur of secrets and complicated storytelling, and his 2006 film “The Prestige” – which is actually about magicians – this is quite evident. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale star as dueling magicians in 1890s London, with Jackson’s character becoming obsessed with an apparently impossible performance that Bale’s character is creating. This is a film about the lengths to which people will go for their work, as well as the sacrifices they make in the process. It’s one of Nolan’s most accomplished films.
The Prestige, 2006
Something’s Gotta Give, 2003
You can’t go wrong with a Nancy Meyers picture if you’re looking for a feel-good movie, and her romantic comedy “Something’s Gotta Give” from 2003 fits the bill. Diane Keaton plays a famous playwright who is compelled to care for her daughter’s much-older lover (Jack Nicholson) after he suffers a heart attack, and these two polar opposites begin to attract despite all obstacles. The film features Meyers’ trademark wit and humor, but it also has a deep emotional core as the narrative of a successful 50-something single lady. Both Keaton and Nicholson are excellent in this film, and the home at the center, as in all of Meyers’ films, is breathtaking.
Something’s Gotta Give, 2003
Inside Llewyn Davis, 2013
In the 2013 Coen Brothers film “Inside Llewyn Davis,” Oscar Isaac plays a soulful and melancholy folk musician. The story covers a week in the life of Llewyn Davis, a failing folk musician who can’t get his life in order, in 1961, shortly before Bob Dylan brought folk mainstream. The film has a fantastic soundtrack, with Isaac performing and singing himself, as well as a strong cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham, and Adam Driver. The Coen Brothers are at their saddest in this film.
Inside Llewyn Davis, 2013
It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946
You can’t go wrong with Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” if you want to get into the holiday spirit. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck man who is shown what life would be like in his little village if he had never existed after attempted suicide. While the film is eventually uplifting, it is a fantastic tale about life and the relationships we form (and take for granted) along the way.
It’s A Wonderful Life, 1946
The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001
“The Royal Tenenbaums,” a comedy directed by Wes Anderson and released in 2001, is a great blend of sorrow and dry humor. The film follows three talented siblings who were very successful as children but have struggled as adults. When their eccentric and slightly alienated father informs them that he is dying, the kids become entangled in a series of escapades that push them to confront their problematic upbringing. Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston lead a superb cast that includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Danny Glover, and Owen Wilson.
The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001
Dead Poets Society, 1989
“Dead Poets Society,” directed by Peter Weir in 1989, continues to inspire generations, and the picture (which received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay) holds up remarkably well three decades later. A charismatic English teacher played by Robin Williams forces a group of pupils at an elite conservative Vermont boarding school to reassess their place in the world and embrace the power of art – specifically through poetry. The picture has a special relevance at this time, as young Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, and others give outstanding performances.
Dead Poets Society, 1989
Cold War, 2018
The 2018 film “Cold War” is a must-see for fans of period dramas. Pawel Pawlikowski directed and co-wrote the Polish-language drama, which takes place in Poland and France from the 1940s through the 1960s and explores the relationship between a musical director and a teenage singer he discovers. The conflict continues to rage against the backdrop of their love affair.
Cold War, 2018
Alien, 1979
“Alien,” a true horror and science fiction classic, is simply one of the best pictures ever created. The 1979 picture, directed by Ridley Scott, is set in deep space and follows the crew members of a commercial tug ship who, after being redirected to an unknown planet by its corporate owners, must battle with a vicious alien species lurking onboard. In the same way that “Jaws” kept the audience on the edge of their seats with the horror of the unknown, “Alien” revels in shadows and the strain of quiet. It’s a horror sci-fi film that doesn’t care about advancing too quickly, and it’s all the better for it.
Alien, 1979
The Handmaiden, 2016
Park Chan-Wook’s 2016 epic erotic drama “The Handmaiden” is unquestionably one of his best films, and it’s a blast from beginning to end. The psychological thriller is divided into three parts, each with its own set of twists and turns. It opens with a con man and a pickpocket hatching a scheme to marry a Japanese heiress and commit her to an asylum, thus taking her riches. However, the plot twists and turns as numerous love and sexual entanglements occur. This one is only for adults.
The Handmaiden, 2016