The Union is so bland it just feels like so many other mediocre films Netflix has vomited at us this year. Honestly, I think we all need this, because Netflix’s ratio at this point seems far more quantity over quality, and they don’t even really allow for the random missteps even a talented writer/director/actor can make. So, what is putting out more positivity today is to talk about ten great films that are on Netflix that aren’t The Union.
- Beasts Of No Nation
- this doesn’t float to the front of Netflix very often, so you have to remember that Netflix once had this Oscar contender, which is a brutal look at child soldiers in Africa, with a stunning supporting performance from idris Elba, who should have gotten an Oscar nomination for this.
- 2) the Fundamentals Of caring
- I really enjoyed this (likely pickup) Netflix original, and it has stayed with me. Paul Rudd plays a man who seems like he doesn’t care that much about things, but he’s agreed to help this permanently wheelchair bound young man on his journey. When we learn what Rudd’s past looked like, it is devastating, and this film it features an early strong supporting performance from Selena Gomez. I’m cheating, as In know this is a Sundance film, but Netflix maybe should pick up more festival films.
3) the little Prince
Now, this was an acquisition. I remember this was supposed to be released by a larger studio like Sony, and they backed out, and Netflix picked it up. this is such a delightful and heartfelt adaptation. It is so odd that anyone would have sold this, and regular moviegoers agree. this film has a 7.6 on IMDB, and really should have put Netflix in the Animated Feature race.
4) Okja
Bong Joon-Ho directed a Netflix film. After Snowpiercer, but before he directed the Best Picture winning Parasite, he stopped in with this very odd tale of a creature, a girl who loves this creature, and a scathing look at the slaughterhouse industry. tilda Swinton is terrific in this as well.
5) To The Bone
Netflix released this eating disorder drama which might just be Keanu Reeves’s best performance. He’s totally toned down as a counselor for this house full of people struggling to stay alive with some truly controlling eating disorders. Lily Collin’s is also surprisingly good here. You wouldn’t know she can act from watching Emily In Paris, but To The Bone shows off her range.
6) The Meyorwitz Stories
Noah Baumbach had his little Ben Stiller/Adam Sandler drama picked up by Netflix, and this is so underrated. Baumbach is such a unique storyteller, White Noise be damned. But, he got two strong performances out of two actors who their performances aren’t usually the focus of any film. it reminded me a little bit of The squid And The Whale, only really in tone.
7) Dumplin
I thought this story that featured Jenifer Aniston as a washed up beauty queen, and her unconventional and overweight daughter had a lot to say about the importance and value of self-worth. For most of the movie, our main teenager is reminiscing about all the lessons her grandmother passed along to her,and the impact one person can make on your life can be profound. Not only does it resonate with just one, but it bleeds out into this terrific story about doing something even when people think you can’t. I think this is underrated.
8) Dolemite Is My Name
One of the few Netflix titles I’ve watched twice. i put a review up on my channel, since DaVine Joy Randolph didn’t have many options that weren’t The Holdovers to celebrate her Oscar nomination. She’s great, but so are Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes.
9) the Irishman
Netflix sometimes does some good. They threw a ton of money at martin Scorsese and told him to make this epic mob drama based on a true story, which was good enough it not only brought together Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino again, but Joe Pesci returned to acting for this. The Oscars rewarded it with nominations, and the R rating and 3 1/2 hour runtime on this are the reasons I believe the Snyder cuts of Rebel moon are nothing except bullshit.
10) 10) Da Five Bloods
They also paired up with Spike Lee for this excellent Vietnam war drama that really showcased everyone, but specifically Delroy Lindo, who deserved more praise for his performance here. I get that not every time Netflix can bank on a Spike lee, Martin Scorsese, Noah Baumbach, Wes Anderson, Russo Brothers, Coen Brothers, or any of the other major directors they have worked with.But, it seems like their success rate is much higher, and their films are far more memorable when they do, or when they buy festival hits.
The Union does have audio description, and it is very useful. lots of action, some hand to hand combat, people looking at cell phones, special images, etc. But, no one will remember this six months, or a year from now. It has nothing to do with the audio description, but in a year that has brought us The Union, Trigger Warning, Atlas, Find Me Falling, Irish Wish, Mother Of The Bride, and other desperately mediocre films, it is nice to every once in a while be reminded that Netflix has a few films you definitely should see, and films I’d be perfectly happy watching again.
Final Grade: C-