Worth the Watch - September
Clarification to our Netflix Recommendations:
We want to clairfy that our recommending Netflix movies/documentaries does not mean we endorse Netflix’s position on certain important issues. However, we also believe that if you are not in the “public arena” (ref. areopagus sermon by St Paul, Acts 17:16) but choose to remove yourself from it, then companies like Netflix will never know - with their algorithms - which material actually is of value to their audience. By doing these monthly recommendations, we want to help you sift through the dross, in order to get to the good stuff! We hope it helps!
These recommendations are based on the Netflix that is streamed in Ireland, which is different from other countries. So depending on which country you are in, you may or may not have them.
Films
Bridge of Spies (2015)
Tom Hanks stars as the American attorney tasked with negotiating the release of a U-2 spy plane pilot who was shot down over Russia at the height of the Cold War in this historical drama. Rotten Tomatoes* - 90% / 87%
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash, Jr. experiences it all. A mathematical genius, he made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery once he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After many years of struggle, he eventually triumphed over this tragedy, and finally, late in life, received the Nobel Prize. Rotten Tomatoes - 75% / 93%
Bird Box (2018)
When a mysterious force decimates the world's population, only one thing is certain: if you see it, you take your life. Facing the unknown, Malorie finds love, hope and a new beginning only for it to unravel. Now she must flee with her two children down a treacherous river to the one place left that may offer sanctuary. Impressively tense. Worth noting: some scenes may be too graphic for some viewers. Rotten Tomatoes - 63% / 57%
The King’s Speech (2010)
The story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer. Really good film! Inspiring. Rotten Tomatoes - 94% / 92%
Documentaries
The Last Dance (2020)
A compelling and comprehensive portrait of one of basketball's great teams, The Last Dance's blend of archival footage and candid interviews confirms there's nobody quite like Mike or the team he led to victory. Really gripping docu-series. Rotten Tomatoes - 96% / 95%
Whitney: Can I Be Me (2017)
Whitney: Can I Be Me offers a sobering inside look at the tragic downfall of a brilliant performer. This documentary tells the story of Whitney Houston's extraordinary life and tragic death. Rotten Tomatoes - 87% / 63%
American Factory (2019)
In post-industrial Ohio, a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in the husk of an abandoned General Motors plant, hiring two thousand blue-collar Americans. Early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America. Rotten Tomatoes - 97% / 80%
Dawn Wall (2018)
In an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan. Rotten Tomatoes - 100% / 95%
*Rotten Tomatoes is a review-aggregation website for film and television. It can give a pretty accurate review of a film based on multiple reviews from both film critics and audience.