Film

All the movies added to streaming services in the past week that Natya has added to her watchlists and hopes to watch. But might not

I thought I’d go with a little mix this week! Some sublime options, some stupid options, I know – hello, Pierce, please tell me you sing in this one, too – but isn’t that the beauty of movies?

Netflix

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

A CIA researcher is shocked to see that all of his co-workers are dead. He is bookish and has little knowledge of how to outwit those responsible. How does he figure out who he can really trust?

Disney+

West Side Story (2021)

Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks – two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.

Amazon

The Misfits (2021)

A band of modern-day Robin Hoods known as “The Misfits”, recruit renowned thief Richard Pace (Pierce Brosnan) to help them pull off the heist of the century. Hold on tight for a globe-trotting, action-packed thriller from the director of Die Hard 2.

MUBI

Petite Maman (Little Mother) (2021)

After the death of her beloved grandmother, eight-year-old Nelly meets a strangely familiar girl her own age in the woods. Instantly forming a connection with this mysterious new friend, Nelly embarks on a fantastical journey of discovery which helps her come to terms with this newfound loss.

Klassiki

Короткие встречи (Brief Encounters) (1967)

The debut feature from Kira Muratova, one of Russian-language cinema’s most fearless auteurs, Brief Encounters is a quietly devastating gem. Banned for twenty years and only rediscovered in the late ‘80s, this beautifully staged domestic drama uses flashbacks to tell the story of a love triangle, female rivalry, and dashed dreams. Starring Muratova herself opposite legendary singer Vladimir Vysotsky and debutante Nina Ruslanova, Brief Encounters marks the first step in the career of one of the most singular female directors of all time.

All the movies added to streaming services in the past week that Natya has added to her watchlists and hopes to watch. But might not

I’m really going to get better at this. Promise. Just in case you were wondering, I have actually managed to watch all these films since I last reviewed anything:

• Belfast (2022)
• The Tragedy of Macbeth (2022)
• A Few Good Men (1992)
• Wasp (2003)
• Dave (1993)
• The American President (1995)
• Down With Love (2003)
• The Love Witch (2016)
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

See! I’m not shirking!

You’ll notice, I really, really hope, that at least two of those – okay, I admit it, just two – have featured here, so I’m not leading you astray, honest.

Let’s stick to one movie per service, though. Is that okay?

Netflix

Passing (2022)

In 1920s New York City, a black woman finds her world up-ended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white. Rebecca Hall’s feature directorial debut

Disney+

The King’s Man (2021)

In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions. Yes, it’s a prequel to the Kingsman movies, all of which are now on Disney+.

Amazon

Time is Up (2021)

An accident will force Vivien and Roy to come to a stop and reclaim their lives, one minute at a time, and finally start living in a present that perhaps will prove to be more exciting than any predefined.

MUBI

Śniegu Już Nigdy Nie Będzie (Never Gonna Snow Again) (2020)

The Eastern European masseur Zhenia possesses an almost magical gift. Working in a gated community in Poland, he quickly becomes a guru-like figure to his wealthy clients. However, Zhenia’s background remains a mystery—leaving the residents to wonder what secrets he might be carrying with him.

Klassiki

Врач (Doctor) (2016)

In his deeply personal directorial debut, Gosha Kutsenko explores the high-wire life of a neurosurgeon. Dr. Yury Mikhailovich spends his day in and out of the operating theatre, with only brief interludes to comfort patients’ relatives. As he distracts himself from the realities of his job with multiple love affairs, he is haunted by one thought: is he truly saving lives, or just prolonging suffering? Dedicated to his mother, who lost a two-year battle with brain cancer, Doctor is at once a personal thank you to medical professionals, and an honest acknowledgement of the crushing responsibility that comes with this line of work.

iPlayer

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Oscar-winning thriller about the bigoted sheriff in a small Mississippi cotton town who finds himself forced into collaboration with a black homicide expert from Philadelphia. 

Sparta, Mississippi is a small, quiet town broiling on a steamy September night. At the train station Virgil Tibbs, a solitary black man from out of town, is arrested for the murder of a rich northern industrialist. Police chief Gillespie has no experience of a murder inquiry and subjects Tibbs to a bigoted, insolent interrogation. But when Tibbs reveals himself to be a top city homicide cop, his is just the assistance Gillespie can do without.

All the movies added to streaming services in the past week that Natya has added to her watchlists and hopes to watch. But might not

Not such a big list of additions to my watchlist this week, but here’s what I really think might be fun or interesting to watch. I chose one from each service that most people will have!

Netflix

• Emma. (2020): In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends – come on, it’s Jane Austen. You know this one! (Trailer)

Apple TV+

• The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021): A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power – come on, it’s Shakespeare. You know this one! Plus it’s directed by Joel Coen (Trailer)

MUBI

• Galveston (2018): Starring Elle Fanning and Ben Foster, this striking thriller is the English-language debut from Mélanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds). With hardboiled pedigree in True Detective creator Nic Pizzolato’s source novel, and a stunning one-take set-piece, Galveston is a prime slice of pulp fiction. (Trailer)

Disney+

• The Last Duel (2021): King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jodie Comer and Adam Driver (plus Matt Damon) (Trailer)