10. Ant Man and Wasp: Quantumania!!!(In Theaters)
As more and more superhero movies saturate today’s movie market, it can be hard to find reason to keep up with all the madness especially when it comes to Marvel films. However,Ant Man and Wasp: Quantomania manages to keep things fresh by upping the stakes for Ant Man and his supporting crew. While the story does lose its’ footing from time to time, the movie is definitely carried by fantastic performances by the likes of Jonathan Majors; who amazes as Kang The Conqueror and Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne. Taking inspiration from the likes of Star Wars and Spy Kids, Ant Man 3 is certainly a treat for the family.
9. Luther: The Fallen Sun (Streaming on Netflix and Selected Theaters)
Idris Elba fans are in for a treat with this one. Luther: The Fallen Sun is a continuation of the award-winning BBC series; Luther, starring Idris Elba in the titular role. The plot involves agruesome serial killer that terrorizes London while the brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther sits behind bars. While those who haven’t kept up with the show may not be as emotionally invested in the characters and their motivations, the film does a good job at filling in gaps that newcomers may not be aware of. This allows the film to really stand out on it’s own. With a nearly James Bond-esque story and villain, the movie is a lot of fun and definitely deserves a peek.
8. You People (Streaming on Netflix)
Now hear me out. While the film did receive quite a bit of backlash on Twitter and by critics alike, You People does get a lot right. It tells the story of the struggles of Ezra (Jonah Hill) and Amira (Lauren London) and their family’s trying to cope with their kids loving each other by trying too hard or just not trying at all. The story especially in our day and age has a lot in it to appreciate and with a cast including the likes of Eddie Murphy and Nia Long there to help carry things along, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that deserves a ride.
7.M3GAN (Amazon Prime Video)
The success of M3GAN has been quite the sight to behold. The trailer to the movie made it seem like an incredibly campy and stale retelling of the Chucky films. Instead M3GAN manages tostand apart by acknowledging its whacky premise and introducing characters that actually happen to be impressively well written. M3GAN follows the eponymous artificial intelligent doll who develops self-awareness and becomes hostile toward anyone who comes between her and her human companion.
6. Cocaine Bear (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV)
What happens when a bear overdoses on a bunch of abandoned cocaine? Well madness and chaos of course. This incredibly violent action comedy is a fun crowd pleaser. The premise couldn’t be simpler… It's about a bear…on cocaine. Comparisons to films like “Snakes on a Plane” are inevitable but it stands apart with use of some great visual effects and fantastic writing, Cocaine Bear is a frenzied joyride to behold.
5. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Amazon Prime Video)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On… shocked me. I’m going to be honest; I went into the film a little skeptical. It was getting nominated for all of these animation awards, and for a film that from the outside looking in seems to be heavily live action, I wasn’t sure it deserved those nominations. But wow, Marcel absolutely blew me away. Not only is the character and film itself endlessly charming and unbelievably funny, but it’s incredibly profound, as well. Written by Jenny Slate and directed by animator; Dean Fleischer Camp, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a charming film that anyone and everyone should give a try.
4. Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix)
Okay this isn’t a movie but it would be an atrocity to not add Chris Rock’s enigmatic special to this list. In an era where comedy has been handicapped by aggressive critics and overly sensitive audiences, Chris Rock delivers some of his best stand up performances in recent memory. Taking no prisoners, he glides through various topics ranging from spoiling his kids, non-racist yoga pants and the infamous “slap” at the Oscars. His show is available to stream now on Netflix.
3. John Wick 4 (In Theaters)
Not only is the John Wick franchise one of the best action franchises in recent memory, but John Wick 4 definitely stands as one of the best action films of the decade. With a 3 hour runtime that flies by, John Wick 4 has a beautiful blend of amazing fight cinematography, stunning cinematography and brilliant writing. Keanu Reaves lends one more fantastic performance as the forever stoic John Wick as he fights to win back his freedom from the organization he once worked for. Bring tissues for this one.
2. Creed 3 (In Theaters)
What do you get when you mix Michael B. Jordan as actor AND director (his directorial debut), Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, and a screenplay by Ryan and Keenan Coogler? A ridiculously awesome movie, that's what! I felt like this movie started, picked up steam, and then slammed to a halt. It was over all too fast. Those two hours flew by! This is the first Creed/Rocky film without Sylvester Stallone, and honestly, his presence isn't missed.Michael B. Jordan proves he's as capable a director as he is an actor, displaying some exciting cinematic flourishes that worked beautifully. I'm looking forward to his next outing in the director's chair.Jonathan Majors is fantastic as Damien Anderson. No notes! His screen presence is palpable.
1.Rye Lane
If you ever wondered what the “Before Sunset” movies would feel like if they were set in South London, look no further. Now Rye Lane isn’t just some suave or hip rendition of “Before Sunset”. Rather it sets itself apart with its incredibly real characters, Dom and Yas (David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah). Instead of going through the same dull exchanges you’d usually expect from a romcom, Rye Lane wins by having many exchanges in the film move through improv, making the characters feel more real and tangible. The visuals in this movie are really amazing, vibrant colors, great fashion, and beautiful scenery add onto the uniqueness and artistry of this film and really sets it apart from similar themed films.The chemistry and dialogue between characters feels natural, fun, and inviting. I love the storytelling dynamics and the various methods used by the director to give us a front row seat to the thoughts and feelings of the characters when they're sharing stories about their past.
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