Worth the Watch - January
We are continuing in the ground-hog day experience with our on-going interminable lockdown. What can I say! It sucks mightly, but fear not! Entertainment is here to brighten your day :)
Restrictions in movie-making due to this pandemic has meant that there are less movies/documentaries being released. However, there is some great stuff out there, even if not produced in the last year.
Films
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
It covers the trial of seven defendants charged with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Excellent film. Well worth the watch.
Available on Netflix. RT 89%/91%
The Invisible Guest (2016)
A young businessman wakes up in a locked hotel room next to the body of his dead lover. He hires a prestigious lawyer to defend him, and over the course of one night, they work together to find out what happened.
This movie has great pace and intrigue. It’s scary enough to keep you on the edge of your seat but not so scary that you need a cushion to hide yourself behind. The last scene is mind-blowing.
Available in Netflix. RT 67% / 86%*
Same director also did another film called “Mirage” (2019)- also available on Netflix. There is so much artisitc license in this film that it is laughable but very entertaining. RT 80%.
The Big Short (2015)
In the mid-2000s, a few finance experts observe the instability in the US housing market and predict its collapse. Through their research, they discover the flaws and corruption in the system.
Fast-pace, entertaining and insightful. The Big Short is a great film to understand how the financial crash happened. Midway, you might need to pause the movie to get a better explanation on how it all happened. Link to a good YouTube Video that explains it well.
Available on Netflix. RT 86%/88%
Bridge of Spies (2015)
James B Donovan defends an alleged KGB spy, Rudolf Abel, in the US courts. He is eventually called upon to negotiate an exchange of Rudolf with a US pilot, Francis Powers, who was caught in the USSR.
Tom Hanks is an excellent actor and he certainly excels in bringing this film to the next level of tension and depth.
Available on Netflix. RT 90%/87%
Also worth looking out for the release of the News of the World (2020). Another Tom Hanks film that is excellent aswell.
Documentaries
Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018)
An in-depth and intimate portrait of Coldplay's rise to fame, from playing in pubs to selling out stadiums across the world. Using extensive, unseen, behind-the-scenes and live footage, the band reflects upon their two decades together.
Available on Amazon Prime. RT 50% / 89%
Katie (2018)
After a 10-year winning streak and an Olympic Gold victory, Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor aims to rebuild her career amid personal losses.
Whether you can stand watching boxing or not, this documentary does an excellent job at showing the courage and tenacity of Katie Taylor. She is an incredible sportswoman.
Available on Netflix. RT 100%/80%
The Elephant Queen (2018)
A worthwhile nature watch that show on how important elephants are. Informative, compassionate, and beautifully filmed.
Available on Apple TV. RT 90% / 91%
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb
The film follows a team of Egyptian archeologists that discover a tomb from the 25th century BC in the Saqqara necropolis, just outside of Cairo that had been untouched for 4,400 years.
Visually appealing and a great insight into a culture that is so different to our own (especially the heat!).
Available on Netflix. RT 82%
Series
Lupin
A retelling of the classic French story about Arsène Lupin, the world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise. This is like Sherlock Holmes a la francaise. Gripping and entertaining. Omoy Sy, the main actor, is a joy to watch. He also stars in a great movie called The Intouchables (2011).
Available on Netflix.
Song Exploder
Musicians dig deep into the creative process of songwriting and reveal their intimate thoughts in a series based on the hit podcast.
Special mention:
Alicia Keys. She is super Zen!
Lin-Manuel Miranda (explaining the making of “Wait for it” from the Hamilton Musical).
Dua Lipa.
Available on Netflix
Note: RT rating is from Rotten Tomatoes, an American review-aggregation website for film and television. When looking at ratings with Rotten Tomatoes, it’s worth noting that these critics can be ideological driven so it’s important to take in both percentages: the audience review and the film critics.