The Best Movies on Amazon Prime: Hidden Gems and Crowd-Pleasers
While Netflix and Disney+ have been battling it out for the most prestigious film offerings, Amazon Prime Video has quietly amassed an impressive collection of cinematic treasures. From festival darlings to beloved favorites, the streamer’s library is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. If you missed these gems the first time around, now is the perfect opportunity to catch up.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: A Celebration of Self-Expression
Based on a true story and adapted from the stage play of the same name, this uplifting musical follows the journey of Jamie New (Max Harwood), a young man who dreams of escaping the bullying and homophobia he faces at school through the art of drag. With the guidance of his mentor, retired drag performer Hugo Battersby (Richard E. Grant), Jamie embarks on a quest to bring his inner queen “Mimi Me” to life. Set against the backdrop of Sheffield, England, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie explores themes of class, culture, and the liberating power of self-expression.
Bottoms: A Subversive Twist on the High School Comedy
In this unconventional high school comedy, PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), known as the “ugly, untalented gays,” devise a plan to win over their crushes, popular cheerleaders Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), by starting an all-girl fight club. While the premise may sound like a throwback to exploitation films, Bottoms defies expectations at every turn, delivering a queer, rage-filled, and hilarious take on the genre.
Saltburn: A Darkly Comedic Psychological Thriller
When Oxford student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) befriends the popular and wealthy Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), he finds himself drawn into a world of privilege and invited to spend the summer at the Catton family estate, Saltburn. As Oliver’s obsession with Felix takes increasingly disturbing turns, writer and director Emerald Fennel (Promising Young Woman) crafts a film that oscillates between black comedy and psychological thriller. Shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, Saltburn creates a voyeuristic viewing experience that amplifies its unsettling moments, making it one of the year’s most divisive yet captivating films.
The Burial: A Darkly Humorous Courtroom Drama
In this true story, funeral home director Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) and his flamboyant lawyer Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) take on a major player in America’s “death care” system, exposing the massive inequality and overcharging of Black communities. Director Maggie Betts (The Novitiate) infuses the grim proceedings with a dark sense of humor, while Jurnee Smollett delivers a scene-stealing performance as Mame Downes, Gary’s rival attorney. Despite its somber subject matter, The Burial proves to be a life-affirming tale.
A Million Miles Away: An Inspirational Biopic
This biopic, based on José Hernández’s own book, chronicles his journey from migrant farm worker to becoming the first Mexican-American astronaut. Michael Peña delivers a compelling performance as Hernández, portraying a man driven to reach space at any cost, while Rosa Salazar shines as his wife Adela, who puts her own dreams on hold to support her husband’s aspirations. Director Alejandra Márquez Abella balances the splendor of space with the small beauties of life on Earth, creating a rare and delightful film.
Red, White, and Royal Blue: A Gloriously Cheesy Rom-Com
Adapted from Casey McQuinston’s best-selling novel, this intercontinental rom-com follows the relationship between First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), the “spare” to the British throne, as they go from rivals to lovers. While often ludicrous, with Uma Thurman vamping scenes as President Ellen Claremont with a bizarre “Texan” accent, Red, White, and Royal Blue is irresistibly wholesome and upbeat—the movie equivalent of pizza, not good for you but still delicious.
Shin Masked Rider: A Fresh Take on a Japanese Icon
For those tired of cookie-cutter Hollywood superhero movies, this ground-up reboot of one of Japan’s most beloved heroes is a must-see. Helmed by Hideaki Anno (Evangelion, Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman), Shin Masked Rider revamps the 1971 TV series Kamen Rider, following motorcyclist Takeshi Hongo (Sosuke Ikematsu) as he uses his newfound cyborg powers to take down the terrorist organization S.H.O.C.K.E.R. Anno’s approach taps into the body horror of the core concept while challenging characters and audiences to hold onto their humanity in a dehumanizing world. Although more violent than expected, Shin Masked Rider offers an exciting outing for those seeking something fresh from their hero movies.
Air: The Untold Story Behind the Iconic Sneakers
In 1984, Michael Jordan was a rookie, and Nike was on the verge of closing its basketball shoe division. Enter Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a talent scout who spots a rising star in Jordan and must convince everyone that he’s worth betting the company on. While we all know the outcome, Air is more than a two-hour shoe advertisement. Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, and director Ben Affleck deliver strong performances, but it’s Viola Davis who steals the show in a magnetic and powerful turn as matriarch Deloris Jordan. Alex Convery’s script keeps the focus on the people and personalities involved, making Air a refreshing change of pace in an age of franchises and endless blockbusters.
Cinematic Gems on Amazon Prime: A Curated Selection
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Shock and Awe in Trump’s America
In this audacious sequel, Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic Kazakh reporter, accompanied by his mischievous daughter, embarks on a wild journey across the United States. From encounters with fervent QAnon believers to awkward interactions with high-profile politicians, the duo’s antics expose the absurdities and contradictions of American society. Even amidst a global pandemic, Baron Cohen manages to deliver a provocative and darkly humorous commentary on the state of the nation.
Shotgun Wedding: A Riotous Twist on the Classic Romcom
What begins as a picturesque island wedding quickly descends into chaos when the ceremony is hijacked by ruthless pirates. Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel shine as the bride and groom, Darcy and Tom, whose special day morphs into a hilarious and gory fight for survival. With scene-stealing performances from the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Shotgun Wedding is a raucous and entertaining ride that breathes new life into the romcom genre.
Nanny: A Haunting Portrayal of the Immigrant Experience
In her powerful debut feature, director Nikyatu Jusu tells the story of Aisha, a Senegalese nanny working for a wealthy New York couple. As she navigates the challenges of her job and the longing for her own child back home, Aisha’s dreams become increasingly disturbing, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. With a mesmerizing performance by Anna Diop and stunning cinematography, Nanny offers a poignant and unsettling exploration of the sacrifices made by those seeking a better life.
Coming 2 America: A Nostalgic Return to Zamunda
More than three decades after the beloved original, Eddie Murphy reprises his role as Prince Akeem, now the king of Zamunda, in this long-awaited sequel. When Akeem discovers he has a son in America, he sets off on a journey that reunites him with familiar faces and introduces new characters to the mix. With a clever script that flips the formula of the first film, Coming 2 America proves that nostalgia, when done right, can make for a thoroughly enjoyable comedy.
Thirteen Lives: A Gripping Tale of Heroism and Survival
Ron Howard’s gripping dramatization of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue follows the harrowing efforts to save a Thai soccer team trapped in a flooded cave system. With an all-star cast, including Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton, the film captures the claustrophobic tension and incredible bravery of the rescuers as they navigate treacherous underwater passages. Thirteen Lives is a testament to the power of human resilience and the extraordinary lengths people will go to save others.
One Night in Miami: A Powerful Convergence of Icons
Adapted from the acclaimed play, Regina King’s directorial debut imagines a pivotal meeting between Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Muhammad Ali in 1964. As the four men discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and their impact on society, the film delves into the complexities of their lives and the weight of their legacies. With electrifying performances from its talented cast, One Night in Miami is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of a defining moment in history.
Kingsley Ben-Adir is on fire as Malcolm X, with Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr., and Eli Goree—as Brown, Cooke, and Ali—all utterly magnetic.
The Report: Uncovering the Truth Behind Enhanced Interrogation
This gripping political thriller follows Daniel Jones, a Senate investigator tasked with uncovering the truth behind the CIA’s controversial “enhanced interrogation” program. As Jones, played brilliantly by Adam Driver, delves deeper into the investigation, he faces increasing resistance from both political forces and the CIA itself. The Report is a taut and engrossing depiction of one man’s relentless pursuit of justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Sound of Metal: A Profound Exploration of Identity and Resilience
When punk-rock drummer Ruben begins to lose his hearing, his entire world is thrown into turmoil. Faced with the prospect of giving up his passion or adapting to a new reality, Ruben must confront his own demons and redefine his sense of self. Riz Ahmed delivers a tour-de-force performance as the troubled musician, while Olivia Cooke shines as his girlfriend Lou, who grapples with her own struggles. With its innovative sound design and deeply moving narrative, Sound of Metal is a cinematic triumph that will resonate long after the final credits roll.
1 Comment
Oh, because what we needed was more screen time, right? But hey, I’m in for a movie marathon!