Film: The Greatest Showman
Genre: Biography, Drama, Musical
IMDb Synopsis: Celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
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TV & Films Recommendations
- Thread starter Toshinden
- Start date
Film: The Greatest Showman
Genre: Biography, Drama, Musical
IMDb Synopsis: Celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of June 2nd to June 8th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: The Incident (1967)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: Late one night, two young toughs hold hostage the passengers in one car of a New York subway train.
#Soft Flex
Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Description: A mother whose daughter was the fatal victim of heinous crimes sets out to stir the pot with local authorities when the crime is not solved over half a year later. IMDb lists it as a comedy first, which is not INaccurate, since there are brief respites from the dark nature of the matters discussed, but it is a drama first and foremost.
The cast is truly excellent all around, and makes me wonder if I've been sleeping on Frances McDormand all these years, especially after seeing this and Fargo for the first time so close together and recently.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Matinee (1993)
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: The teenage son of a navy sailor newly stationed in Key West gets some excitement with his friends when a small-time film producer comes to town to premiere a kitschy horror film during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
+sluv (the artist formerly known as sluffy)
Film: What Josiah Saw (2021)
Genre: Horror
IMDb Synopsis: A family with buried secrets reunite at a farmhouse after two decades to pay for their past sins.
+yackback
Film: Godzilla Minus One
Genre: Action, Thriller
Description: It won Godzilla's first Oscar (for VFX). Japanese Godzilla movie that came to US streaming finally. It's good.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of June 9th to June 15th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Breakdown (1997)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
IMDb Synopsis: A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.
#Soft Flex
Film: The Menu
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Description: A couple join a select group of patrons for an exclusive dining experience on a private island, and some shocking twists and revelations take place throughout the night.
This is in my top 2-3 recent movie experiences (recent for me, that is - it came out a couple years ago now) because when the concept of a film is so simple and there are so few set changes over the full duration, you really need the cast and script to carry, and they do so effortlessly here. There are twists, turns and reveals to keep you engaged, and as someone who was biting their nails the whole time praying that the biggest of those wasn't /that/ tired old turnabout seen in many other films, I am happy to report that I was not disappointed!
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Genre: Action, Biography, Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Bored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks.
%Queen of Narnia
Film: No Way Up
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, & Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: Characters from different backgrounds are thrown together when the plane they're travelling on crashes into the Pacific Ocean. A nightmare fight for survival ensues with the air supply running out and dangers creeping in from all sides.
+sluv
Film: I Saw The Devil (2010)
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action
IMDb Synopsis: A secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.
(Available on Max)
JAKE GYLLENHAAL WAS SNUBBED IN THIS YEAR'S OSCARS.
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
Letterboxd Synopsis: When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of June 16th to June 22nd
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Brubaker (1980)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Frankie Machine is a skilled card dealer and one-time heroin addict. When he returns home from jail, he struggles to find a new livelihood and to avoid slipping back into addiction.
%Queen of Narnia
Film: Mixtape
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Letterboxd Synopsis: On the eve of Y2K, orphaned 12-year-old Beverly discovers a broken mixtape crafted by her teen parents. Raised by her grandmother – who struggles talking about her late daughter – Beverly sees the mixtape as a chance to finally learn more about her parents.
Television
#Soft Flex
Show: The Boys
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Description: The Boys are BACK with Season 4, having debuted just last week on Prime Video! So in the spirit, I'm here for my multiple-yearly reminder that my favourite show is worth the wait every time, and even though they went with a more understated season premiere than S3, the first 3 episodes are setting up some good stuff. And for those not on board yet, the show is absolutely worth the time and praise!
%Zipzapadam
Show: Malcolm in the Middle
Genre: Sitcom, Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: A gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.
(+sluv)
Movie: Aftersun (2022)
Genre: Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn't...
(Available on Starplus)
Genre: Romance, Drama, Fantasy
Letterboxd Synopsis: An other-worldly story, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, where a mute janitor working at a lab falls in love with an amphibious man being held captive there and devises a plan to help him escape.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of June 23rd to June 29th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Buffalo '66 (1998)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
IMDb Synopsis: After being released from prison, Billy is set to visit his parents with his wife, whom he does not actually have. This provokes Billy to act out, as he kidnaps a girl and forces her to act as his wife for the visit.
#Soft Flex
Film: Prey
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
Description: The latest installment in the Predator franchise, Prey follows a young Comanche gatherer named Naru who is desperate to prove her hunting prowess to her fellow tribe members in the early 1700's as they're faced with an encounter with an early Predator landing on Earth.
Amber Midthunder is excellent in the lead role and the wilderness backdrop is both beautiful to look at and perfect as a backdrop for the various showdowns that take place throughout. The last franchise addition I watched was the 2010 film and it left a lot to be desired for me - this satisfied the craving I've had for a while and I look forward to the next sequel/prequel.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Tampopo (1985)
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: A truck driver stops at a small family-run noodle shop and decides to help its fledgling business. The story is intertwined with various vignettes about the relationship of love and food.
%Queen of Narnia
Film: The Boogeyman (2023)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: Still reeling from the tragic death of their mother, a teenage girl and her younger sister find themselves plagued by a sadistic presence in their house and struggle to get their grieving father to pay attention before it's too late.
Television
%Zipzapadam
Show: House of the Dragon
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
IMDb Synopsis: An internal succession war within House Targaryen at the height of its power, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
(Currently on Cinemas)
I HATE YOU ORANGE EMOTION
Genre: Animation, Familiar
Letterboxd Synopsis: Teenager Riley’s mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of June 30th to July 6th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Frozen River (2008)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: A mom looks for another source of income when her husband leaves with the money meant for the new mobile home. A nearby Indian territory stretches across the border to Canada with a drivable frozen river between. Smuggling?
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Once Were Warriors (1994)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.
%Queen of Narnia
Film: No Escape (2015)
Genre: Action, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: In their new overseas home, an American family soon finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup, and they frantically look for a safe escape from an environment where foreigners are being immediately executed.
Television
#Soft Flex
Show: The Bear
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Description: Hot off of binging the entire series from start to the newly dropped season 3 last week, I feel it's only right to nominate this series next. About an outstanding chef from a highly dysfunctional (yet oddly close) family who returns home to take over his late brother's restaurant and transform it into something more.
The performances are incredible all around, and the show has already won many awards over its 3-season run (with a 4th recently confirmed). Some episodes are relatively lighthearted, but prepare for some emotional whiplash that hits you when you're not expecting it. Can't recommend enough!
%Zipzapadam
Show: My Adventures with Superman
Genre: Animated, Action, Superhero
IMDb Synopsis: Clark Kent builds his secret Superman identity and embraces his role as the hero of Metropolis, while sharing adventures with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of July 7th to July 13th
Movies
Movies
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Misery (1990)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: After a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse.
%Queen of Narnia
Film: Sting (2024)
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family's survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.
%sluv
Film: The Descent (2005)
Genre: Horror, Adventure, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.
Television
#Soft Flex
Show: The Mandalorian
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Description: Gather 'round and allow me to regale you with praise for this brand new Star Wars series I'm just getting into that released in... 2019
Once again I'm late to the party on a hit show but better late than never because this one is an extremely fun watch. It's an episodic space western that doesn't rely TOO heavily on nostalgia and Easter eggs, but does tap into deep lore when it can make effective use of it. I'm not exactly a SW superfan but I do enjoy it on a casual level and this one scratches an itch that the recent movies just don't/can't. It certainly doesn't hurt that I really like a lot of the actors on both the main cast and cameo side.
At the time of this recommendation I'm a few episodes into season 2 and after a great opening season, this one wastes no time picking up momentum again - definitely give it a go!
Posting on behalf of arch of life (who doesn't remember their smogon password...)
Movie: The Basketball Diaries
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: A teenager finds his dreams of becoming a basketball star threatened after he free falls into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
Movie: The Basketball Diaries
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: A teenager finds his dreams of becoming a basketball star threatened after he free falls into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
Movie: Miracle (2004)
Genre: Sports/Biography/Drama
IMDb Synopsis: The true story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet squad.
Genre: Sports/Biography/Drama
IMDb Synopsis: The true story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet squad.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of July 14th to July 20th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Three O'Clock High (1987)
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: Mild-mannered Jerry Mitchell gets into hot water with quiet bad boy Buddy Revell, who challenges Jerry to a fight on the grounds of their high school after the school day's end.
#Soft Flex
Film: A Quiet Place: Day One
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Description: Another installment in the franchise has arrived, and despite what I've seen among internet comments, this one was very strong! It's funny how the same event from another angle works perfectly fine as another standalone movie. The effects are well-done, and the creatures are just as menacing as they are in the previous films. Our small cast does great, including Frodo, the adorable service cat who's present throughout.
At the time of this post, the film is still in theatres, so let me recommend that you check it out if you're curious about the film/franchise or just need a reason to get out and aren't sure what to see!
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
IMDb Synopsis: A successful veterinarian & radio show host with low self-esteem asks her model friend to impersonate her when a handsome man wants to see her.
Television
%Zipzapadam
Show: King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch
Genre: Reality
IMDb Synopsis: Ken Goldin and his savvy team run the thrilling action, venturing inside a leading auction house specialising in rare collectibles.
+marillvibes
Show: Power
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a wealthy New York nightclub owner who has it all; dreaming big, catering to the city's elite, and living a double life as a drug kingpin.
Note: Rewatching the show, and as of Season 4 I'm still drawn in. I love the characters in Power, and 50 Cent is always a fun one to see.
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TV & Films Recommendations for the week of July 21st to July 27th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: The Kings of Summer (2013)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Three teenage friends, in the ultimate act of independence, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land.
#Soft Flex
Film: Babylon
Genre: Comedy, Drama, History
Description: The movie follows a collection of stars, directors, producers and more in a period piece set in an early and rapidly evolving Hollywood. The real star, unsurprisingly, is the cinematography - it's not often you get to see the behind-the-scenes praised while the cameras are moving, and the film does a great job giving us insight into just how many moving pieces there are in our favourite productions. The leading cast also do an excellent job playing individuals with high ambitions who take different paths in their quest for a piece of the pie.
I put off seeing the film myself because word-of-mouth can be a powerful marketing tool and much of what I'd heard after its release suggested that the film just fell flat of expectations. Also, a 3-hour picture is not always easy to squeeze into a busy schedule. However, I'm glad I finally did because I loved it and it really does work as both a great period drama and a love letter to movies in general.
Television
@ The Benz Mafia
Show: Veronica Mars (2004)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
IMDb Synopsis: After her best friend is murdered, and her father is removed as county Sheriff, Veronica Mars dedicates her life to cracking the toughest mysteries in the affluent town of Neptune.
+Queen of Narnia
Show: Secrets of Sulphur Springs
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Time-Travel
Disney+ Synopsis: Griffin and his family move to the old Tremont hotel in the town of Sulphur Springs. The entire town believes that the hotel is haunted by the ghost of a girl named Savannah.
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TV & Films Recommendations for the week of July 28th to August 3rd
Movies
Movies
#Soft Flex
Movie: Ford v Ferrari
Genre: Docudrama, Motorsport, Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Description: An American automobile designer pairs up with an English racer to form a stubborn team working for Ford to elevate motorsports and upstage Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I threw it on for some background noise a couple nights ago and found myself drawn in after not too long. The stars are great and work well together on screen. I have zero knowledge of the real history behind this event, so any massaging of the truth only elevated the story for me as a viewer coming in blind.
%sluv
Movie: Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Genre: Horror/Fantasy
IMDb Synopsis: Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.
Television
@ The Benz Mafia
Show: The Big C (2010)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.
%Zipzapadam
Show: The Tortellis
Genre: Sitcom
IMDb Synopsis: Nick Tortelli, "Cheers" barmaid Carla Tortelli's loutish husband, moves to Las Vegas to try to reconcile with his bimbo second wife Loretta, who now lives with her more sensible divorced sister Charlotte and nephew Mark.
+ParkerMayCry
Show: My Adventures with Superman (2023)
Genre: Animation, Action, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Clark Kent builds his secret Superman identity and embraces his role as the hero of Metropolis, while sharing adventures and falling in love with Lois, a star investigative journalist, who also takes Jimmy Olsen under her wing.
+Queen of Narnia
Show: Ghostwriter (2019)
Genre: Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Apple TV Synopsis: When a ghost haunts a neighborhood bookstore and starts releasing fictional characters into the real world, a group of friends team up to solve an exciting mystery surrounding the ghost’s unfinished business.
Show: Reacher
Genre: Crime, Action, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Itinerant former military policeman Jack Reacher solves crimes and metes out his own brand of street justice. Based on the novels by Lee Child.
Genre: Crime, Action, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: Itinerant former military policeman Jack Reacher solves crimes and metes out his own brand of street justice. Based on the novels by Lee Child.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of August 4th to August 10th
Movies
Movies
#Soft Flex
Film: American Made
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Description: Tom Cruise is Barry Seal, a pilot with a side hustle smuggling Cuban cigars who attracts the attention of the CIA and is coerced into surveilling various bases across Central and South America. Before long, the operation goes awry, and Barry attracts even further attention from even more government agencies, as well as the Cartels.
Although based on a true story, facts and timelines are greatly exaggerated. Nevertheless, it's a fun film that plays with high tension moments and Tom is always electric on screen.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Dick (1999)
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: After wandering off during a White House tour, two high school girls inadvertently become Richard Nixon's top secret advisers at the height of the Watergate scandal.
%sluv
Film: Monster (2023)
Genre: Drama/Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: A mother demands answers from her son's teacher when her son begins acting strangely.
%Zipzapadam
Film: They Shot the Piano Player
Genre: Animated, Drama, History
IMDb Synopsis: New York, 2010. Jeff Harris, a music journalist, sets out to uncover the truth about Francisco Tenório Júnior, a young Brazilian samba-jazz pianist who disappeared in Buenos Aires on March 18, 1976.
Television
+Queen of Narnia
Show: Bump (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Stan Synopsis: Bump is a drama about an ambitious teenage girl who has a surprise baby; and explores unplanned motherhood, unwelcome new relatives, unintended consequences and the complications that ensue for two families.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of August 11th to August 17th
Movies
Movies
#Soft Flex
Film: Reptile
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Description: I think I may have recommended this film before, but in recent times it has started to become a bit of a favourite of mine to rewatch. Benicio is always great at what he does, but the rest of the movie is acted well and cast members are good at letting moments breathe. Nothing is overacted, and the pacing of information reveal is very appropriate for a mystery/thriller.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: At Le Hollandais gourmet restaurant, every night is filled with opulence, decadence and gluttony. But when the cook, a thief, his wife and her lover all come together, they unleash a shocking torrent of sex, food, murder and revenge.
%Zipzapadam
Film: Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Genre: Crime, Heist, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: Danny Ocean, a gangster, rounds up a gang of associates to stage a sophisticated and elaborate casino heist which involves robbing three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously during a popular boxing event.
Film: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: In the 1970s, an anchorman's stint as San Diego's top-rated newsreader is challenged when an ambitious newswoman becomes his co-anchor.
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: In the 1970s, an anchorman's stint as San Diego's top-rated newsreader is challenged when an ambitious newswoman becomes his co-anchor.
TV & Films Recommendations for the week of August 18th to August 24th
Movies
Movies
#Saburo
Film: The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
IMDb Synopsis: An employee who develops a lucrative secret process for his corporation is tempted to betray the company when higher ups attempt to take the process from him. Dastardly intrigue ensues.
#Soft Flex
Film: Open Water
Genre: "Adventure", "Horror", "Thriller"
Description: This is my least favourite movie of all time. It's god awful and I recommend you DON'T watch it.
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: Blast from the Past (1999)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
IMDb Synopsis: Following a bomb scare in the 1960s that locked the Webers in their bomb shelter for 35 years, Adam Weber must venture out into Los Angeles and obtain food and supplies for his family.
%sluv
Film: Paths of Glory (1957)
Genre: Drama, War
IMDb Synopsis: After a failed attack on a German position, a general orders three soldiers, chosen at random, court-martialed for cowardice and their commanding officer must defend them.
Television
%Apple
Show: Boomers
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: A comedy series about three groups of friends coming to terms with retirement.
+marillvibes
Show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: Five friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Note: Probably my favorite role of Danny Devito by far in this show.
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