Key Points
© Juan Ci/Shutterstock.com
#10: Sound of Metal (2019)
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Mathieu Amalric
Running Time: 2 hr
Rating: R
#9: Night Comes On (2018)
Powerful acting and a moving plot ground this movie and turn it into the memorable film that it is. Based on a true story, it centers around a woman who’s released from juvenile detention on her 18th birthday. With her 10-year-old sister in tow, she sets out to avenge her mother’s death. Directed by Jordana Spiro, the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018
Stars: Jill Rene, Dominique Fishback, Tatum Marilyn Hall, James McDaniel, John Earl Jelks
Running Time: 1 hr, 30 min
Rating: TV-MA
#8: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
This is no romantic comedy or light-hearted family adventure. One of the most classic horror films of all time, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a longstanding fan favorite. Though there was a remake in 1978 with the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Donald Sutherland, and Leonard Nimoy, the original version has the benefit of black-and-white authenticity — it lends another layer of scary altogether. Directed by Don Siegel, the plot follows Dr. Miles Bennell as he returns to his small-town practice only to discover that some of his patients are suffering from the paranoid delusion that their loved ones are impostors. If you’re looking forward to streaming a good old-fashioned horror flick, this is the one.
Stars: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Carolyn Jones, Larry Gates
Running Time: 1 hr, 20 min
Rating: PG
#7: One Child Nation (2019)
A groundbreaking documentary from award-winning filmmakers Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang, One Child Nation explores China’s history of extreme population control measures and the human rights violations that resulted. While the practice hasn’t been employed since 2015, its traumatic effects continue to ripple to this day, as families pay the price for their past.
Running Time: 1 hr, 25 min
#6: The Band’s Visit (2007)
A witty Israeli film about overcoming ethnic barriers, The Band’s Visit was received with a solid dose of critical acclaim upon its release in 2007. The story follows eight Egyptian musicians as they mistakenly wind up (and subsequently get stranded) in a small town in the Negev Desert. The movie went on to become a highly praised Broadway musical, which has won everything from Tony Awards to the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award.
Stars: Sasson Gabai, Ronit Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri, Khalifa Natour
Running Time: 1 hr, 26 min
Rating: PG-13
#5: Blow the Man Down (2019)
Stars: Sophie Lowe, Morgan Saylor, June Squibb, Marceline Hugot
Running Time: 1 hr, 31 min
#4: Blackfish (2013)
This heartbreaking documentary tackles the emotionally-charged topic of killer whales in captivity and offers a window into the real-life horror of what happens when lack of freedom causes them to become aggressive. The grim story focuses on Tilikum, an orca in captivity at SeaWorld, and the surrounding controversy as he kills three people, including his experienced trainer. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and brought to light the oft-ignored issues regarding animals held captive for entertainment.
©Ami Parikh/Shutterstock.com
Stars: Tilikum, John Hargrove, Samantha Berg, Mark Simmons
#3: The Big Sick (2017)
Loosely based on a true story, this romantic comedy follows the life of star Kumail Nanjiani’s courtship with his wife, who discovered she was ill when they began dating. The film tackles the culture clash as the interethnic couple struggles to meet the challenges of family drama and their burgeoning love. It premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and went on to garner an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano
#2: Ash is Purest White (2018)
This Chinese film from director ZhangKe Jia is an intimate story about love and loss, with performances that wow. Qiao, a young Chinese dancer, falls in love with a gangster named Bin, who (tragically) doesn’t return her feelings. During a fight between local rival gangs, Qiao fires a gun to protect Bin, for which she pays the price and is sent to prison. Described by critics as a poetic piece that blends social commentary and a quest for emotional justice, this poignant movie is nothing short of powerful.
Stars: Tao Zhao, Fan Liao, Xiaogang Feng, Yi-nan Diao
Running Time: 2 hr, 16 min
Rating: Not Rated
#1: The Terminator (1984)
In one of his most iconic roles to date, Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a legendary (and hyper-muscular) performance as a cyborg assassin from the future who travels back in time to take out the woman whose son will one day save the world. The film secured Arnold’s position as a leading man and led to multiple sequels — including the most recent one in 2019. Directed by James Cameron (Aliens, Titanic, Avatar), the best-selling film wound up grossing around $78 million compared to its $6.4 million budget. A successful venture, indeed, and one that influenced the next generation of science-fiction and action films. With its monumental action sequences and fast-paced flow, The Terminator is worth grabbing the family and making a night of it.
©Stefano Chiacchiarini ’74/Shutterstock.com
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michal Biehn, Paul Winfield
Running Time: 1 hr, 47 min
