With new content making it to the OTT platforms regularly, we often miss out on a lot of good stuff. With our busy lives, we hardly get time to watch the most recommended. But there are times when we look for something off beat, something that might not make it to the list of most recommended but is worth investing the time. We got you sorted on this front, and have exactly what you are looking for.
Here’s a list of not so talked about movies of 2019 on Netflix :
1. Marriage story
Starring Scralett Johansson and Adam Driver it is a drama film written, directed and produced by Noah Baumbach. The isn’t a tragedy story about the divorce but about the long legal process of divorce through which a couple undergoes and it eventually poisons all the noble intentions the couple might have had of remaining amicable at the beginning of separation. The film presents an incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together. This movie had nomination in several categories at the Academy Awards 2020.
2. Paddleton
Equal parts buddy comedy and poignant tearjerker, an unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbours becomes an unexpected emotional journey when a young man is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Don’t worry it’s not an inspirational film about beating the said diagnosis. Instead, Michael (Mark Duplass) decides that he wants to die on his own terms, with no major bucket list items to check off and in the company of his neighbor and only real friend, Andy (Ray Romano). The refreshingly authentic friendship between these two misfits distinguishes the movie directed by Alexandre Lehmann.
3. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s feature directorial debut. If you’re a fan of Ejiofor’s work (his impressive filmography includes prestigious dramas like Children of Men, 12 Years a Slave, and The Martian, as well as blockbusters like Doctor Strange and The Lion King), you won’t want to miss The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. It’s based on the real life of William Kamkwamba and his memoir of the same name, which detailed his incredible achievements as a young boy growing up in a small village in Malawi. When his village suffers from a long drought that results in famine, William (Maxwell Simba) must put his skills to good use to create a windmill that will power an electric water pump.
4. The two popes
Change is never something to be taken lightly and nowhere is that more true than in the Roman Catholic Church, one of the oldest institutions in the world. Inspired by true events, the movie centers around Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), the soon-to-be elected Pope Francis, and the aging Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins). Their ideological and temperamental differences, and the theological debates that spring from them, drive the movie’s action as the leaders spar over the future of 21st-century organized religion. The movie has been directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour, Bohemian Rhapsody).
5. Atlantic
Atlantic, directed by Mati Diop, opens with a group of construction workers who are angry over not being paid for over three months. After the foreman assures them their wages, they return to their towns. Souleiman (Ibrahima Traore), one of the workers, rekindles his relationship with Ada (Mama Sane), a young woman trapped by her strict, iron-fisted parents and soon-to-be-married to a wealthier guy from the city. In search of work, Souleiman and his fellow co-workers make the perilous journey across the Atlantic towards a better future but might have a perilous fate on the way. But this is not another harrowing story of an ill-fated journey. Diop instead turns the camera on Ada and all the other women left behind. The story quickly shifts from a star-crossed romance to detective drama to supernatural revenge film, keeping its mystery wide open until the end.
6. I lost my body
It is a French animated drama fantasy film directed by Jérémy Clapin. The film is about a severed hand’s extraordinary journey through the dangerous urban terrain of Paris to reunite with its owner, a pizza delivery boy Naoufel. Hard to believe, right? In parallel, we see flashbacks of its owner, Naoufel’s (Hakim Faris) backstory. In the present, Naoufel has fallen in love with a librarian Gabrielle. There is no shortage of imagination in this thought provoking, unique and emotional animated feature.
7. Dolemite Is My Name
In this movie, the story is about Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy), who creates an outrageous chaharcter ‘Dolemite’ for his stand-up acts. Later, in 1975, Moore decides to take this character to the big screen and thus creates a cult blaxploitation comedy film by the same name. He becomes the singer, nightclub comic as well as proto-rapper who in 1975 produced and starred in the cult blaxploitation comedy Dolemite. With funny characters and strong acting this movie is a must watch.
8. Always Be My Maybe
Everybody loves a romantic comedy once in a while. Nahnatchka Khan directs this movie about two childhood sweethearts who reunite as adults. The spark is still there, but circumstances aren’t conducive for an easy relationship. Sasha (Ali Wong) is a celebrity chef. Marcus (Randall Park) is a struggling musician who lives at home. The story revolves around how they overcome their awkwardness accumulated over the years. Watch this to have heart warming and feel good experience.
9. The king
Directed by David Michôd and based on Shakespeare’s Henriad plays, The King follows Hal (Timothée Chalamet), a young prince, heir to the English throne, who isn’t much of a fan of his father King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn). After his father’s death, the reluctant prince is crowned King Henry V. He faces a tough transition from wayward prince to king. The period drama will leave you with a feeling of anticipation, waiting for some great moment to never happen.
10. High Flying Bird
This sports movie is not only directed by an Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) but also has the script by an Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCartney (Moonlight). In the midst of a pro basketball lockout, sports agent Ray Burke (André Holland) finds himself caught in the face-off between the league and the players. With his career on the line and only 72 hours to pull off a daring plan, he outmaneuvers all the power-players as he uncovers a loophole that could change the game forever. A little trivia – High Flying Bird is shot on an iPhone.
11. Close
Close is an action thriller directed by Vicky Jewson, starring Naomi Rapace whose character Sam is based on real life world leading female bodyguard Jacquie Davis. An expert in counter-terrorism and used to war zones, Sam is hired to protect Zoe (Sophie Nélisse), a young and rich heiress. Things take a spin when Zoe is threatened by kidnappers and they are forced to run. For a change this action thriller has a strong female orientation to watch out for.
12. IO
It is an American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Helpert. This Netflix movie is a post-cataclysmic adventure. When everyone is leaving earth and moving to Jupiter’s moon IO, Sam Walden (Margaret Qualley) is trying to save the dying earth. But will she be able to do so before everyone abondons earth?
13. Let it snow
Adapted from the book by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, director Luke Snellin’s “Let It Snow” follows a group of high school seniors on a snowy Christmas Eve, each with some void to fill, or a vulnerability to be addressed. It is a Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Luke Snellin. The movie is a little clichéd but definitely has the right amount of holiday cheer.
14. Earthquake bird
This one is based on the novel of the same name by Susanna Jones. Written and directed by Wash Westmoreland, this movie is a psychological thriller. Set in the 1989 Japan, Lucy Fly (Alicia Vikander) is suspected of murder after her friend (Riley Keough) goes missing following her affair with a local photographer (Naoki Kobayashi), with whom Lucy had an intense relationship. It’s beautifully shot, hauntingly scored, and wonderfully acted.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
