1. The Tender Bar 2021，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 34344, ID: 3108894 Photo by pixahive.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Tender Bar is a heartwarming coming-of-age story set in a working-class neighborhood in Long Island. The film is a valentine to J.R.’s Uncle Charlie, who steps in to mentor the boy after his biological father turns out to be an MIA deadbeat. Ben Affleck delivers a beautifully offbeat performance as Uncle Charlie, making the film a small-scale charmer that resonates deeply with viewers.
2. Cinderella 2021，IMDB Rating: 4.4, IMDB Votes: 47329, ID: 10155932 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 This modern reimagining of Cinderella is a vibrant musical that brings a fresh perspective to the classic fairy tale. The film features Camila Cabello as Cinderella, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Despite some criticisms for its modern update, the film is a delightful watch for its music and performances, offering a refreshing take on a beloved story.
3. Le bal des folles 2021，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 4249, ID: 11681282 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Le Bal des Folles, directed by Mélanie Laurent, is a French thriller that tells the chilling story of a woman unjustly institutionalized by her family. The film is a poignant exploration of the misogynistic roots of psychiatry and the tension between God, science, and the spiritual world. Despite its serious subject matter, the film has been praised for its compelling narrative and outstanding performances. However, some critics have noted that the film’s storytelling can be uneven. Overall, Le Bal des Folles is a gripping film that sheds light on a dark chapter of history.
4. Paterson 2016，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 89763, ID: 5247022 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Paterson, directed by Jim Jarmusch, is a drama film that follows the daily life of Paterson, a bus driver and aspiring poet living in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. The film is a celebration of the mundane, highlighting the beauty and poetry in everyday life. Critics have praised the film for its contemplative pace, attention to detail, and Adam Driver’s performance. However, some viewers may find the film’s slow pace and lack of a traditional narrative challenging. Despite this, Paterson is a thoughtful and beautifully crafted film that offers a unique cinematic experience.
5. Ah-ga-ssi 2016，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 176041, ID: 4016934 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Ah-ga-ssi, also known as ‘The Handmaiden’, is a visually stunning and absorbingly idiosyncratic film. The film is set in South Korea and revolves around a Korean con man who devises an elaborate plot to seduce and bilk a Japanese woman out of her inheritance. The film’s narrative is complex and layered, with a focus on role-play, desire, secrecy, power dynamics, and revenge. Despite its complexity, the film is praised for its sumptuous art direction and black humor, making it a must-watch.
6. The Neon Demon 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 104751, ID: 1974419 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Neon Demon is a visually striking film that explores the dark side of the fashion industry. The film follows Jesse, a young model who becomes the victim of her own hype and is drawn into a world of ruthless vixens and elusive designers. Despite its stylish visuals, the film has been criticized for its underdeveloped plot and thinly written characters. However, it has also been praised for its surreal narrative and the performance of its lead actress, Elle Fanning.
7. The VVitch: A New-England Folktale 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 306484, ID: 4263482 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The VVitch: A New-England Folktale is a chilling horror film set in 1630s New England. The film follows a Puritan family who are torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic, and possession. The film is praised for its atmospheric storytelling, its exploration of historical and religious themes, and its unsettling depiction of witchcraft.
8. The Lobster 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 302642, ID: 3464902 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Lobster, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a black-hearted comedy that presents a dystopian world where being single is a criminal act. The film is funny, bitter, and ruthless, making it a unique viewing experience. It’s a film that transports us to another time and place while maintaining its worth as a piece of visual art, offering a darkly humorous critique of societal norms.
9. The Big Short 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 491116, ID: 1596363 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Big Short is a film about several traders and hedge fund managers who made fortunes because they saw that the housing market’s decline would cause a collapse of bonds contrived from sub-prime mortgages. The film is entertaining and engaging, but also mortifying. It’s a film that brings out the best in leading man Matt Damon and director Ridley Scott.
10. The Revenant 2015，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 883254, ID: 1663202 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Revenant, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, is a film about an astronaut surviving on a desolate planet. It’s a shipwreck story that takes the form of a science fiction adventure. The film effectively transports us to another time and place, while always maintaining its worth as a piece of visual art, showcasing the harsh beauty of survival.
11. The Hateful Eight 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 666690, ID: 3460252 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Hateful Eight, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is an ultraviolent, ultra-talky sorta-Western. It’s a film that is gleeful in its violence and nihilistic in its world view. It’s a film that feels as though the director is daring his detractors to see it as a confirmation of their worst fears about his art, making it a provocative and intense viewing experience.
12. The Martian 2015，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 935152, ID: 3659388 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, is a film about an astronaut surviving on a desolate planet. It’s a shipwreck story that just happens to take the form of a science fiction adventure. The film effectively transports us to another time and place, while always maintaining its worth as a piece of visual art.
13. The Danish Girl 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 200168, ID: 0810819 Photo by th.bing.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A poignant tale of identity and love, ‘The Danish Girl’ is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film. Eddie Redmayne delivers a powerful performance as Einar Wegener, a painter who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. The film’s exploration of gender identity is both timely and thought-provoking. Despite its historical setting, the themes are universal and relevant, making it a must-watch.
14. The Intern 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 277901, ID: 2361509 Photo by blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘The Intern’ is a delightful blend of comedy and drama, featuring Robert De Niro in a charming role as a senior intern at an e-commerce company. The film explores generational differences in the workplace with humor and sensitivity. Its portrayal of friendship and mentorship across age barriers is heartwarming, making it a feel-good movie that leaves viewers with a smile, highlighting the value of intergenerational connections.
Amazon Prime Hidden Gems: Must-Watch Films You Can’t Miss!
