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Close (2019) - a Netflix original movie 

Noomi Rapace, Sophie Nelisse, Indira Varma

Written & Directed by: Vicky Jewson 

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 5.6/10, RT: 39% Rotten

Synopsis: Sam, a bodyguard and counter-terrorism expert, takes a job protecting a rich young heiress named Zoe. Neither party is keen on the arrangement until a violent kidnapping forces them to go on the run.

Verdict: Predictable story offering nothing new but good acting and a good performance by Rapace made this an entertaining watch.

Clinical (2017) - a Netflix original movie 

Vanessa Shaw, Kevin Rahm, India Eisley

Directed by: Alistair Legrand

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 5.1/10

Synopsis: A psychiatrist tries to put her life back together after a violent attack by seeking to repair the life of a new patient, but he has his own terrifying history.

Verdict: Cliched and boring.

City Slickers (1991)

Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, Patricia Wettig, Helen Slater, Tracey Walter & Jack Palance

Directed by: Ron Underwood (Tremors, Mighty Joe Young)

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 6.7/10, RT: 88% Fresh

Jack Palance won an Oscar & Golden Globe for best supporting actor

Synopsis: On the verge of turning 40, an unhappy Manhattan yuppie is roped into joining his two friends on a cattle drive in the southwest.

Verdict: Really good “feel good” comedy drama, Crystal is on top form and Palance is as intimidating as ever. Recommended!

Cidade de Deus (City of God) (2002)

Language: Portuguese with English subtitles 

Based upon: semi-autobiographical novel “Cidade de Deus” (1997) by Paulo Lins

Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen, Seu Jorge & Alice Braga

Directed by: Fernando Mereilles 

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 8.6/10, RT: 91% Fresh

Synopsis: In the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.

Verdict: Violent, compelling, fantastic, recommended!

The Circle (2017) - a Netflix original movie 

Based upon the novel “The Circle” (2013) by Dave Eggers

Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Ellar Coltrane, Glenn Headley, Bill Paxton, Karen Gillan & Patton Oswalt 

Directed by: James Ponsoldt

Platform: Netflix

IMDB: 5.8/10, RT: 15% Rotten

Synopsis: When Mae (Watson) is hired to work for the world's largest and most powerful tech and social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is encouraged by the company's founder, Eamon Bailey (Hanks) to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics and ultimately her personal freedom. Her participation in the experiment, and every decision she makes, begin to affect the lives and future of her friends, family and that of humanity.

Verdict: By the end of the movie I was still waiting for something to happen, it’s well acted but just ambles along and by the end it just serves as a cautionary tale about privacy, social media and big tech companies, no drama, no tension, no nothing. Don’t waste your time.

Anitrust from 2001 at least has a conspiracy theory, drama and some tension while following a somewhat similar premise, watch that instead!

Chef (2014)

Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Emjay Anthony, Robert Downey Jr, Dustin Hoffman & Oliver Platt

Written & Directed by: Jon Favreau (Swingers, Iron Man)

Platform: Recorded from TV

IMDB: 7.3/10, RT: 87% Fresh

Synopsis: A head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

Verdict: Favreau back to his “Swingers” best in this comedy/road trip movie, really enjoyable. Recommended!

Cheech and Chong’s The Corsican Brothers (1984)

Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Roy Dotrice, Shelby Chong, Rae Dawn Chong

Directed by: Tommy Chong (Up in Smoke)

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 4.7/10

Synopsis: Two brothers who can feel each others' pain and pleasure mess up the French revolution.

Verdict: God this was awful.

Chui lung (Chasing The Dragon) (2017)

Language: Cantonese & Thai with English subtitles 

Remake of “To Be Number One” (1991) Based upon the real life gangster Ng Sek-ho

Donnie Yen, Andy Lau, Phillip Keung, Kent Cheng, Ben Ng, Bryan Larkin, Dongdong Xu

Directed by: Jason Kwan, Jing Wong, Aman Chang

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 6.8/10, RT: 50% Rotten

Synopsis: An illegal immigrant from Mainland China sneaks into corrupt British-colonized Hong Kong in 1963, transforming himself into a ruthless and emerging drug lord.

Verdict: Decent crime drama with very good performances by Yen & Lau, it does drag at times and is a little hokey in the beginning but once it gets going it’s good. I don’t know why they dubbed over the white actors voices as the lip sync is awful, why not hire actors who can act and save dubbing!

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell, Kelly Lynch and Tim Curry

Directed by: McG

Platform: NowTV 

IMDB: 5.8/10, RT: 68% Fresh

Synopsis: Three women, detectives with a mysterious boss, retrieve stolen voice-ID software, using martial arts, tech skills, and sex appeal.

Verdict: Awful, turned it off after 10 minutes.

Chappie (2015)

Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser

Directed by: Neil Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium)

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 6.8/10, RT: 32% Rotten

Synopsis: In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Verdict: Enjoyable enough, Jackman has the worst haircut in the history of cinema!

Changing Lanes (2002)

Ben Affleck, Samuel L Jackson, Kim Staunton, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack & Richard Jenkins

Directed by: Roger Michell (Notting Hill)

Platform: NowTV 

IMDB: 6.5/10, RT: 77% Fresh

Synopsis: The story of what happens one day in New York City, when a young lawyer and a businessman share a small automobile accident on F.D.R. Drive, and their mutual road rage escalates into a feud.

Verdict: Enjoyable thriller with good performances from both leads.

Central Intelligence (2016)

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet, Amy Ryan, Jason Bateman & Aaron Paul

Directed by: Rawson Mitchell Thurber (Dodgeball, Skyscraper)

Platform: Recorded from TV

IMDB: 6.3/10, RT: 71%

Synopsis: After he reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage.

Verdict: Enjoyable action comedy, more for the chemistry between the two leads rather than the tired plot.

(there is a short blooper reel before the credits)

Catfight (2016)

Sandra Oh, Anna Heche, Alicia Silverstone

Written & Directed by: Onor Tukel

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 5.8/10, RT: 75% Fresh

Synopsis: The rivalry between two former college friends comes to a head when they both attend the same glamorous event.

Verdict: Dark, Violent but funny at the same time. The first 20 minutes seems like another usual comedy till takes a turn for the violent and then weird and never leaves that destination! Both leads are awesome and commit, I really enjoyed this odd black comedy!

I didn’t even recognise Alicia Silverstone!

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Based on the biography “Catch Me If You Can” by Frank Abagnale Jr

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye & Amy Adams

Directed by: Steven Spielberg 

Platform: NowTV 

IMDB: 8.1/10, RT: 95% Fresh

Synopsis: A seasoned FBI agent pursues Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully forged millions of dollars' worth of checks while posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor.

Verdict: Really fun, true story of a con man who began at 16 years old. Leo at his best, the movie goes at a good pace with genuine funny moments. Recommended!

Cardboard Gangsters (2017)

John Connors, Fionn Walton, Kierston Wareing, Toni O’Rourke, Jimmy Smallhorne

Directed by: Mark O’Connor 

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 6.4/10, RT: 94% Fresh

Synopsis: A group of young Cardboard Gangsters attempt to gain control of the drug trade in Darndale, chasing the glorified lifestyle of money, power and sex.

Verdict: Pretty good indie Irish crime drama, worth a watch.

The Captive (2014)

Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario Dawson, Mireille Enos, Kevin Durand & Alexia Fast

Written & Directed by: Atom Egoyan

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 5.9/10, RT: 30% Rotten

Synopsis: Eight years after the disappearance of Cassandra, some disturbing incidents seem to indicate that she's still alive. Police, parents and Cassandra herself, will try to unravel the mystery of her disappearance.

Verdict: Beautifully shot, the best thing about this movie is Ryan Reynolds performance which really does show he has some range, unfortunately the film itself is convoluted and time jumps all over the place, it was booed at Cannes film festival which is a bit harsh.

Capote (2005)

Based upon the true story of Truman Capote’s coverage of the murders of the Clutter family in Kansas in 1959 which he would later detail in his non-fiction book “In Cold Blood”

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Clifton Collins Jr, Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper & Bruce Greenwood

Directed by: Bennett Miller (Moneyball, Foxcatcher)

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 7.8/10, RT: 90% Fresh

Synopsis: In 1959, Truman Capote learns of the murder of a Kansas family and decides to write a book about the case. While researching for his novel “In Cold Blood”, Capote forms a relationship with one of the killers, Perry Smith, who is on death row.

Verdict: Captivating performance by Hoffman which earned him an Oscar for best actor.

Captain Phillips (2013)

Based on the true story detailed in the book “A Captains Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS and Dangerous Days at Sea” by Richard Phillips

Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener, Faysal Ahmed

Directed by: Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum, Jason Bourne)

Platform: NowTV 

IMDB: 7.8/10, RT: 93% Fresh

Synopsis: The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.

Verdict: Tense drama with top notch acting from Hanks, great movie. Recommended!

Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

Tony Todd, Kelly Rowan, William O’Leary, Bill Nunn, Timothy Carhart

Directed by: Bill Condon (Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1& 2, Mr Holmes)

Platform: Netflix 

IMDB: 5.3/10, RT: 29% Rotten

Synopsis: The Candyman moves on to New Orleans and starts his horrific murders once more. This time, his intended victim is a school teacher. Her father was killed by the Candyman, and brother wrongly accused of the murders

Verdict: Boring sequel.

Canaries (2017)

Hannah Daniel, Robert Pugh, Robert Boulter, Craig Russell, Sheena Bhattessa

Written & Directed by: Peter Stray

Platform: NowTV 

IMDB: 4/10

Synopsis: The first wave of an alien invasion coincides with a New Years Eve party in a Welsh valley.

Verdict: Awful.

The Campaign (2012)

Will Ferrell, Zach Galafianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Katherine LaNasa, Sarah Baker, Brian Cox, John Lithgrow & Dan Ackroyd

Directed by: Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents)

Platform: Netflix 

IMdB: 6.1/10, RT: 66% Fresh

Synopsis: An incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.

Verdict: I don’t normally like Will Ferrell but he works here in this quite entertaining political comedy.

(There is a mid-credits scene)