Happy April. Sorry we’re late. Spring has sprung. Baseball is back. The birds are chirping. And there are still plenty of great movies to watch on all of your favorite streaming platforms, including these great options below.
Netflix: The Woman King (2022)
This historical epic will have your heart racing. The action is top notch, the depth and clarity of the characters is surprisingly strong, and Viola Davis is spectacular in the lead role (no surprise there).
I’m upset that I didn’t have this movie more on my radar during it’s theater run last year. This would have been a great flick to catch on the big screen. It probably should have made a bigger splash both at the box office and in the awards circuit than it did. A big, badass original blockbuster movie is always something I can get behind.
FOR FANS OF: Braveheart; Gladiator; Black Panther
Prime Video: Ambulance (2022)
A lot of folks have sold their Michael Bay stock in recent years. It’s totally understandable. The onslaught of Transformers sequels seemingly reinforced all of his worst sensibilities. Luckily, with Ambulance, Bay appears to have reclaimed the sensibilities that made him one of the most fun action film directors of the 90’s and early 2000’s. The set pieces are thrilling. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s calm presence is the perfect counter to Jake Gyllenhaal’s absolutely manic performance. Plus, Michael Bay seems to have realized that he can create really fun and inventive shots with the use of drone cameras. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Rock or Bad Boys II, but it’s great to see Bay back in good form.
FOR FANS OF: Bad Boys II; Heat; Baby Driver
HBO Max: Miami Vice (2006)
Michael Mann’s Miami Vice is just so damn cool. The grain of the digital photography is sure to throw some people off. The dense dialogue and narrative will throw off others. However, once you get past those things (or better yet, buy into them) this becomes one of the most enjoyable movies you’ll watch. Being on the same wavelength as a movie with such a distinct vibe is a true blessing. This movie is not only packed with awesome action, but it’s also dripping with an unmatched sex appeal. Which I guess isn’t that hard to do when it stars Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.
Only downside here is HBO Max does not currently offer the Director’s Cut. A worthwhile watch nonetheless.
FOR FANS OF: Collateral; Drive; Lethal Weapon
Hulu: White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
Hands down one of the best basketball movies of all time. Some would say it’s the best ever made and I would be inclined to agree with them. Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes play perfectly off each other, but obviously Rosie Perez steals the show.
The rumors of a remake make me incredibly sad. The aesthetics of early 90’s Los Angeles are such a crucial aspect of what makes this movie so enjoyable. The slang, the clothes, and the music all lend themselves beautifully to the narrative at hand. There’s no need to remake something that worked so well the first time around. Just let us live in a world where we only have to worry about rewatching this version of White Men Can’t Jump.
FOR FANS OF: Uncut Gems; Semi-Pro; Space Jam
Disney Plus: Jane Goodall: The Hope (2020)
Our last recommendation for this month is some good wholesome content from the National Geographic section of Disney Plus. Jane Goodall represents the best of what humanity has to offer. We can all learn so much from her work, her teachings, and her life story. Jane Goodall: The Hope provides a valuable glimpse into her life and legend. As the title suggests, this movie is a helpful reminder of why it’s so crucial to hold on to our hope. Sometimes it feels like all that we’ve got. And sometimes it feels like more than we’ll ever need. Thanks, Jane.
FOR FANS OF: Tarzan; Black is King; George of the Jungle
That’s it for this month. Make sure you check out all of these awesome options. And be sure to let us know the best hidden gems you’ve streamed recently. Share in the comments and help us expand the list!
