Best movies to stream on Netflix, Binge and more
With the virus spreading outside, it’s never been more important to find a good movie to watch for a night on the couch. Leigh Paatsch reviews the best movies to stream on Netflix, Foxtel Binge, Amazon and more.
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The one where you simply must not see the point
THE INVISIBLE MAN (MA15+)
***1/2
RENT VIA FOXTEL STORE, GOOGLE, ITUNES, YOUTUBE MOVIES
The rental services are no longer charging over 20 bucks a throw to catch this recent box-office hit, so it can now be recommended without reservation (don’t pay any more than $6, OK?). What we have here is a very pleasing unpleasant surprise. Against all odds, one of the oldest thriller concepts on Hollywood’s books gets a riveting modern refresh in the fear-inducing form of The Invisible Man. With the retooling into a sleek, efficient and deceptively intimidating thriller comes a contemporary relevance few would have seen coming. Especially in a movie with a villain you will never see coming. Elisabeth Moss convincingly anchors proceedings as Cecilia, a former architect whose life has been demolished and redesigned by a controlling, conniving husband. After escaping from his clammy clutches and establishing a new life, Cecilia gets word her tormentor is dead. However, the inkling he is not quite done with her yet never quite goes away. Though the movie can stretch credibility beyond breaking point, a fearless, up-for-anything performance by Moss prevents everything from snapping. Some commentary by stealth on toxic relationships raises the stakes and collects handsomely.
The one where everything old is (sort of) new again
CHARLIE’S ANGELS (M)
**1/2
FOXTEL, AMAZON
A check of the time tells us it is reboot o’clock. Yet again. A check of the pulse tells us there is no real reason to get excited. Yet again. This time it is the turn of Charlie’s Angels to bring on the brand reactivation to moderate effect. For those who missed the franchise’s earlier incarnations – most notably, the cheesy mid-1970s TV series, and the early-2000s movies – you won’t be at a disadvantage joining the party at this late stage. The premise remains the same: three good-looking spies-for-hire glamorously globe-trot the world to teach bad dudes all the lessons they had coming. Our trio of high-flying, haute couture heroines are comprised of a rebellious one (Kristen Stewart), a conscientious one (Naomi Scott) and a learning-on-the-job one (Ella Balinska). All three leads run hot and cold throughout, but so too does the movie. Some terrific set-piece action sequences, however. Co-stars Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin.
The one where not even Santa can save the day
BLACK CHRISTMAS (M)
***
BINGE, FOXTEL, AMAZON
The setting is an American college campus, largely vacated due to the Christmas break. Within the walls of an all-female sorority house, the residents gradually notice their slender numbers are being further reduced by an unknown menace. Is it one of the boys from one of the rambunctious frats down the street? Or might it be a serial killer with no real motive other than a pronounced dislike of smart young women? A clever fusing of regulation horror tropes with contemporary #MeToo and #TimesUp themes keeps you thinking while your pulse is pounding. Stars Imogen Poots.
The one with an epic true crime tale to tell
THE IRISHMAN (MA15+)
*****
NETFLIX
If you never got around to seeing this because of that prohibitive 210-minute running time, why not rectify that oversight during Lockdown 2.0? The 25th feature of directing ace Martin Scorsese’s storied career ranks alongside GoodFellas and Raging Bull as one of its true high points: a bona fide masterpiece. So make a special occasion of it. For that is exactly what Scorsese, longtime allies Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, and new recruit Al Pacino (his first movie for Scorsese) have done with their exemplary work here. The movie is based on a disputed, yet compelling true story drawn from the experiences of ex-WWII veteran and Mafia henchman Frank Sheeran (De Niro). With the aid of de-ageing screen effects, the narrative spans almost fifty years in Sheeran’s life, including his admission to the inner circle of imposing mobster boss Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and his role in the still-unsolved disappearance of charismatic American union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). An exemplary experience that simply glides by with grace, precision, menace and sorrow.
The one where science meddles with nature
PROJECT NIM
****1/2
DOCPLAY, or RENT via FOXTEL STORE, GOOGLE, APPLE, YOUTUBE
An astonishing doco, playing the “did that really happen?” card with panache and precision. Here we have the sad and sobering tale of a chimpanzee named Nim. As part of a scientific study in the 1970s exploring if human language could be taught to animals, Nim was raised for the first five years of his life as “one of us.” The experiment, which at one point had Nim living at an exclusive New York address, was nothing short of a debacle. All who played a part in the short rise and protracted fall of Nim state their case, but it’s the bewildered and angry look on the face of the chimp as an adult that really says it all. Directed by James Marsh (Man on Wire).
The one where Keanu kicks butt
JOHN WICK CHAPTER 3 (MA15+)
***1/2
BINGE, FOXTEL, NETFLIX
The John Wick franchise will never be down for the count as long as it keeps upping the ante. Just as movie number two in the Keanu Reeves-starring series of revenge thrillers bested the original, number three takes higher aim than its predecessors and hits a bullseye. The new instalment picks up where we left off last time, with Mr Wick making the most of a one-hour head start he has been granted from a horde of contract assassins on his trail. Joyless Johnny violated a code of conduct so precious to his hitmen brethren that there is now a $14 million bounty on his head. What follows is yet another stunning collection of action set pieces for which the franchise has become renowned, every one of them intricately choreographed to the last millimetre. Some sequences are flat-out insane, such as an all-in brawl staged in Morocco where the most dangerous fighters turn out to be a pair of comically combative canines. The unworldly shot composition of unheralded director Chad Stahelski continues to astonish, too.
The one that’s a ‘toon that can hold a tune
SING! (G)
***
STREAM via FOXTEL, or RENT via various services
A quality animated movie musical offering for children. Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) is a theatre owner who has fallen on hard times. (He is also a koala with an American accent, which takes some getting used to.) Buster’s bright idea to save the day is to stage a singing contest for all comers, which is all the excuse the movie needs to keep cutting from one catchy cover version to another. All of the voice cast also did their own singing, and there are some very impressive renditions churned out by those known to carry a tune effortlessly (Jennifer Hudson, Tori Kelly both have showstopping moments here) and those who have clearly put the work in (Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and Reese Witherspoon). Starts a bit slow and runs a bit long, but any child who loves their TV talent shows won’t care a jot.
