Sure-Fire Streaming: Out of Sight, Snowpiercer, and more
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
The best in TV and film from your living room.
Out Of Sight – Available On Netflix
A smart, infinitely-sexy little crime caper, this one has been in my lexicon of repeat viewing films for years.
An adaptation of the novel by the late Elmore Leonard – known for writing Get Shorty, Rum Punch (which became the film Jackie Brown) and TV show Justified – the film is equal parts classy and a dramatic carousel.
It follows a bank robber who breaks out of jail and begins a romantic tryst with the U.S. Marshal he’s holding captive.
The Screenplay and Film Editing were nominated for Oscars here, and the cast is just perfect.
George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez have amazing chemistry, and they’re joined by Ving Rhames, Steve Zahn and Don Cheadle.
Steven Soderbergh makes one of his best movies ever, and it’s a crime movie with some indie stylings. It’s a full-on thrill-ride.
Leave No Trace – Available On Netflix
An absolutely incredible acting showcase, this wilderness-set drama will leave you breathless.
It follows a stubborn father, convinced he knows best for his family, who lives in the woods with his 13-year-old daughter.
But when an issue alerts authorities to their unique living situation, the police in Portland, Oregon take action.
Based on Peter Rock’s novel, Anne Rosellini and Debra Granik – also the director – adapt this one into a touching feature.
The two main performances from Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are simply incredible, and it’s special to see Foster in a more muted role.
Leave No Trace focuses on questions of peaceful living and being off-the-grid, and the morality of exposing a young child to that existence. It’s a thought experiment for sure.
A Hero – Available On Prime Video
From celebrated filmmaker Asghar Farhadi comes this stinging portrait about honour.
The foreign language film follows young man Rahim, who tries to make good with his creditor while on a two-day leave from prison.
Incarcerated for his massive debt, Rahim comes into possession of a purse left at a bus-stop, and it’s filled with gold coins. Though circumstances are vague, the media, town and prison officials become aware that despite his fortunes, he returned the purse and gold.
His story becomes a media sensation – but things aren’t all that they appear to be.
This morality tale is absolutely stunning, and the entire thing is anchored by a fantastic performance from Amir Jadidi.
It’s a difficult, hugely interesting film that’s truly engrossing in how it all unravels before the audience. It’s also one of the best films of 2021.
Snowpiercer – Available On Netflix
Based on the show-stopping film of the same name, season three of Snowpiercer returns this week.
It follows the earth – now a barren wasteland – and the remaining population who inhabit a train that circles the globe.
Inside are class wars, with the rich inhabiting the front of the train and poor stowaways squatting in the rear. But they plan an insurrection against the brutal leader.
The cast of this show is truly fantastic, and includes Daveed Diggs – of Hamilton fame – as well as Jennifer Connolly, Mike O’Malley, Sean Bean, Mickey Sumner, Alison Wright and more.
It’s an addictive thriller that will have you craving more, and I’ve definitely fallen for its many various charms.
Eye In The Sky - Available On Prime Video
An intense political thriller, Eye In The Sky is an incredibly riveting piece of cinema.
It follows a military officer – Col. Katherine Powell – who suffers a crisis of conscience during her latest mission.
As she tries to capture terrorists in Kenya, she spots a young girl inside the kill zone and struggles with what to do.
Caught between carrying out an executive order and her heart’s need to keep this girl safe, Powell undergoes a hard process.
Director Gavin Hood creates a tense, taut thriller made better by turns from Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, the late Alan Rickman and Captain Phillips standout Barkhad Abdi.
It’s an underrated gem that you just have to see, and a great swan-song for the wonderful Rickman.