I haven’t seen every single movie available on VOD, but I’ve seen enough to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff with a fair amount of confidence. I’ll be updating this list periodically throughout the year, so we’ll see if theMichelle PfeiffercomedyFrench Exitor the indie movieNorth Hollywoodmakes the cut in the coming weeks. If something isn’t on here, like, say, the misguidedVoyagersorDylan O’Brien’s confusing thrillerFlashback, it’s because I’m not recommending those films – or I just haven’t seen them yet, such is the case with bothMoffieandGully.
So have a look below, and remember that your mileage may vary, seeing as my personal taste is a bit peculiar. Then again, how many articles have you read aboutSilo? You’ll be thanking me for that recommendation, trust me. And even if you don’t like it, it’s just over an hour long, so the time investment is minimal. Picking the right movie to watch on any given night is a fine art, so good luck, stay safe, and God bless. Just remember, there are no refunds!
And for those of you who are paying for every streaming service under the sun and don’t want to shell out extra money for VOD-only titles, you can find our curated streaming recommendations by checking out our lists of theBest Movies on Netflix Right NowandBest TV Shows on Netflix Right NowandBest Movies on Amazon Prime Right NowandBest Horror Movies on Netflix Right NowandBest Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix Right NowandBest TV Shows on Amazon Prime Right Now.
Director:Robert Connolly
Writers:Harry Cripps, Robert Connolly, Samantha Strauss
Cast:Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell, James Frecheville, Martin Dingle Wall
This Australian murder mystery findsEric Banaplaying a Federal Agent who returns to his hometown after 20 years to attend the funeral of a childhood friend who stands accused of murdering his whole family before taking his own life. The man’s parents ask Bana to stay and investigate, and we learn how an incident from the boys' past may or may not have played a role in this latest tragedy. This is a solid drama anchored by a strong turn from Bana, even if it feels a bit flashback-heavy and there’s a reliance on clever wordplay, a la another murder mystery,Knives Out. If Aussie crime films are your thing,The Dryis worth a look, just keep your expectations in check, because this is a 2.5-star movie in my book (out of four).
RELATED:‘Georgetown’ Review: Vanessa Redgrave Is a Great Partner-in-Crime for Director Christoph Waltz
Georgetown
Director:C. Waltz
Writer:David Auburn
Cast:Christoph Waltz, Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, Corey Hawkins, Laura de Carteret
Two-time Oscar winnerChristoph Waltzmakes his directorial debut with this rather unusual crime drama, a high-minded murder mystery that’s based on a wild true story. Waltz playsUlrich Mott, an ambitious social climber who marries a wealthy widow (Vanessa Redgrave) in Washington D.C. in order to mix with powerful political players. When she winds up dead following a party, her daughter (Annette Bening) is suspicious of her mother’s much younger husband. Waltz and Redgrave are both quite good here, and even though a more experienced director might’ve made this movie better, Waltz acquits himself well enough behind the camera – certainly better than other actors-turned-directors did during their first time behind the camera.
Golden Arm
Director:Maureen Bharoocha
Writers:Ann Marie Allison, Jenny Milly
Cast:Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Olivia Stambouliah, Eugene Cordero, Dot-Marie Jones, Dawn Luebbe, Ron Funches, Aparna Nancherla, Kate Flannery
This delightful sports comedy starsMary Holland(Happiest Season) as a scrawny newcomer to the glorious sport of female arm wrestling. She’s aided on her quest for greatness by her best friend, a tough lady trucker played byBetsy Sodaro, who comes off like the energetic spawn ofJohn BelushiandMelissa McCarthy. Holland makes for a winning underdog, and directorMaureen Bharoochamilks this golden premise for all its worth, ultimately delivering a fun, breezy comedy that flies by in less than 90 minutes. It’s perfect for a Girls Night with your friends, though trust me, guys… you’ll enjoy this one, too.
Initiation
Director:John Berardo
Writers:John Berardo, Lindsay LaVanchy, Brian Frager
Cast:Lindsay LaVanchy, Froy Gutierrez, Isabella Gomez, james Berardo, Gattlin Griffith, Jon Huertas, Yancy Butler, Lochlyn Munro
I’ve seen a lot of bad genre movies this year butInitiationwas actually pretty decent, though it doesn’t really have anything to do with an “initiation” of any kind. It’s one of those college slasher movies where someone gets murdered and secrets get uncovered, blah, blah blah. But there are some gnarly kills and it manages to say something about the toxic influence of social media, plus it’ll keep you guessing, as the reveal of the killer(s) comes as something of a surprise. This one is actually worth a rental, given the slim pickings out there for horror fans, and I look forward to seeing what directorJohn Berardodoes next.
In the Earth
Director/Writer:Ben Wheatley
Cast:Joel Fry, Reece Shearsmith, Hayley Squires, Ellora Torchia, John Hollingworth, Mark Monero
Writer-directorBen Wheatleyis pretty hit-or-miss in my book, but I was effectively creeped out by his latest thriller, which follows a scientist and a park scout who encounter some trouble when they venture deep into the forest in the middle of a deadly pandemic that has everyone on edge.Joel FryandEllora Torchiaare both likable, sympathetic protagonists andReece Shearsmithmakes for a delightful madman, though I won’t say any more than that. Wheatley relies on strobe lights a bit too often during the film’s third act but the trippy imagery is appropriate mind-melting and at the end of the day, it was just what I needed when I saw it this past Sundance in the middle of a dreary awards season.
The Marksman
Director:Robert Lorenz
Writer:Chris Charles, Danny Kravitz, Robert Lorenz
Cast:Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick, Teresa Ruiz, Jacob Perez, Juan Pablo Raba
What can I say, I’m a sucker forLiam Neesonmovies even though they’re pretty much all the same! To his credit, every few years, Neeson makes a really good movie likeTakenorThe Grey, and while The Marksman may not be on that level, it hits its, um, mark. Neeson plays a rancher living on the Arizona border who becomes the unlikely defender of a young Mexican boy who’s desperately fleeing a pack of cartel assassins who have pursued him into the U.S. Neeson gets to show off a softer side here as he tries to bond with the boy, and even though this movie has some problems, it was never boring. I watch Liam Neeson movies to be entertained and this movie delivers exactly what you’re probably expecting from it, with a little drizzle of emotion on top as an added bonus.
Director:Timur Bekmambetov
Writers:Brittany Poulton, Olga Kharina, Timur Bekmambetov
Cast:Valene Kane, Shazad Latif, Christine Adams, Morgan Watkins, Emma Cater, Amir Rahimzadeh
I wish this movie was a bit better than it ultimately was, but it still made interesting use of the Screenlife format, and the two stars were both quite engaging.Valene Kaneplays an undercover British journalist who infiltrates the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, only to be sucked in by her recruiter, played by the charmingShazad Latif. DirectorTimur Bekmambetovis certainly onto something here with this provocative premise but the actual film never quite builds to a satisfying conclusion despite being 15 minutes too long. It thinks it’s a little too clever than it really is, but I give the filmmakers credit for the big swing, and can certainly see the potential of Screenlife when it comes to stories like this one.
RELATED:Timur Bekmambetov on ‘Profile,’ Making an Alien Invasion Movie With Ice Cube, and His Approach to the ‘Searching’ Sequel
Riders of Justice
Director:Anders Thomas Jensen
Writers:Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel
Cast:Mads Mikkelsen, Nicolas Bro, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Roland Moller, Lars Brygmann
I didn’tlovethis movie, but it’s interesting enough to merit my recommendation as a rental, especially with the greatMads Mikkelsenfront and center. The Danish sensation plays a man who learns that the tragic train accident that killed his wife may not have been an accident at all, and sets out to take revenge with the help of some academically inclined buddies. It’s a great setup for Mikkelsen, who is particularly intense here, but the tone is a bit all over the place, and to me, the comedic elements just didn’t jibe with the rest of the film. That said, I was still glad that I watchedRiders of Justice, even if an English-language remake may be more palatable to American audiences.
Director:Marshall Burnette
Writers:Jason Williamson, Marshall Burnette
Cast:Jeremy Holm, Jim Parrack, Chris Ellis, Jill Paice, Jack DiFalco, Danny Ramirez
This midwestern thriller, which is about 69 minutes long without credits, is one of the most unexpected gems of the year. I was on the edge of my seat watching this heart-pounding movie, which follows a young man who becomes the victim of a grain entrapment accident. Essentially, it’s like stepping into a giant pool of quicksand that pulls you under and slowly suffocates you – a horrific death by any measure. And so the rescuers have to figure out how to rescue this kid before he sinks under. DirectorMarshall Burnetteshould be on industry lists across town as a filmmaker to watch because this one greatly impressed me. He’s got a littleJeff Nicholsin him…
Together Together
Director/Writer:Nikole Beckwith
Cast:Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Tig Notaro, Julio Torres, Fred Melamed, Nora Dunn, Sufe Bradshaw, Evan Jonigkeit, Timm Sharp, Rosalind Chao
I really liked this charming surrogacy comedy starringEd HelmsandPatti Harrison, the latter of whom delivers a breakout performance. Writer-directorNikole Beckwithdelivers a sweet film that challenges perceptions of love, as Helms and Harrison have a strictly platonic relationship in the movie.Tig NotaroandJulio Torresdeliver laughs in supporting roles but I lovedSufe Bradshaw’s scene-stealing turn as a nurse, too. Of course, this movie comes down to its two leads, and not only is this role tailor-made for nice guy Helms, but Harrison’s sharp-tongued sense of humor is perfect for the part, and she makes more out of the character than what’s on the page. Some may roll their eyes at this movie but I happened to enjoy it quite a bit, and the ending moved me to tears.
KEEP READING:‘Together Together’ Stars Ed Helms and Patti Harrison on Birthing a New Kind of Love Story
