Sure-Fire Streaming: The Way Back, Bad Moms, Till Death, and more
The best in TV and film from your living room.
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
Bruised - Available On Netflix
Halle Berry has struggled for the better part of a decade to find her footing, but everyone knows Hollywood loves a comeback.
Bruised marks a fantastic return to the type of roles we're used to with Berry, as well as her directorial debut.
She stars as a down-on-her-luck former MMA fighter who returns to the cage while dealing with the fact the son she gave up as a baby is back in her life.
Berry is harrowing and intense, and elevates the predictable material. But the tone and atmosphere of this one are also just right.
This is a good film made great by Berry's best performance since her Oscar win, and it is becoming clear she's back in a big way.
The Way Back – Available On Netflix
Often underrated and pushed aside, people seem to forget that Ben Affleck is a two-time Oscar winner with a career spanning 30 years.
Content to focus on the Gigli years, Hollywood is consistently calling him an underdog, despite the fact he's played Batman, Superman actor George Reeves, and has directed some of the best films of the 2000s in Gone Baby Gone, Argo and The Town.
So it should come as no surprise that his starring turn in drama The Way Back is an incredible showcase.
A role that feels deep for the star with a history of substance abuse, he plays a former high school basketball phenom who becomes a reluctant coach for his alma mater while struggling with alcoholism.
Directed by Gavin O'Connor – known for Warrior and Affleck's action vehicle The Accountant – it's an interesting, intense sports drama with more verve than the regular genre film.
Affleck carries this one, in a role forgotten as the film was released at the beginning of the pandemic. If you, like 80 per cent of people, missed this one upon release, it's time to stop sleeping on The Way Back.
Bad Moms – Available On Prime Video
When I first saw trailers for Bad Moms, I just kind of shrugged. I didn't see anything new or fresh in the concept of three hard-toiling moms who decide it's time to leave responsibilities behind and start having fun.
But man, was I wrong. Playing to a sold-out opening-night show, the whole audience was erupting in laughter every 10 minutes.
Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, it's the story of bucking societal trends, and a “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” plotline with raucous ideals.
Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell are all absolutely hilarious, and they own the roles. Their chemistry is absolutely perfect.
Throw in strong supporting turns from Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay Hernandez, and you have a fantastic ensemble.
Try this one and its sequel A Bad Moms Christmas out immediately, and you'll get some much-needed adult belly laughs.
The Power Of The Dog – Available On Netflix
The best film of the year so far, The Power Of The Dog is a moody, atmospheric drama you won't be able to take your eyes off of.
It follows charismatic, entirely cruel rancher Phil, a man who torments everyone around him for the sheer joy of it.
When his brother George brings home his new wife – a widow with a teen boy – to the family farm, George is determined to break the union up.
But once he realizes the mother and son are there to stay, he begins to soften to young Peter, a move that leaves the entire family suspicious. As doubt and fear creep in, tragedy looms in this tale of family ties and what will break those bonds.
Benedict Cumberbatch gives the performance of a lifetime, and he's joined by Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPheee, all in roles that merit Supporting Actor Oscar talk.
But make no mistake, Cumberbatch is our star and the biggest reason to watch this one.
A beautifully-shot film from director Jane Campion, it's one of the best movies of the last decade by a longshot.\
Till Death – Available On Prime Video
Perhaps the best thing about this gory delight is Megan Fox's performance.
Often shrugged about as the former Transformers star who annoyed Michael Bay to no end, most don't realize she's actually a pretty good actress.
In this thriller, she stars as a woman handcuffed to her dead husband in a revenge bid. As two assassins come to kill her as well, she must try to fight them off while chained to her deceased flame.
It's wicked and bloody, and Megan Fox gives an incredible, nuanced and often funny performance.
It's entirely B-movie, but in the best sort of way. If you take it for what it is, I guarantee you'll enjoy every minute.