With Oscar buzz-worthy movies coming out consistently, and a year with re-watching old classics, many entertaining feature films have been lost among the award winners. Spanning from multiple years and multiple platforms, the following are some movies that are hidden gems, and definitely deserve a watch.
Sorry to Bother You (2018), Hulu
“Sorry to Bother You” is a sci-fi dystopian comedy that takes place in an alternate reality version of Oakland and follows a struggling telemarketer on his rise to success. I watched this movie barely knowing the plot, and that is the best way to go into it. The story follows Cassius “Cash” Green (LaKeith Stanfield) and his fiancee Detroit (Tessa Thompson) in a world filled with classism and racism. The story consists of social commentary, hilarious dark humor, and a twist that will almost make you want to turn off the TV. Though the ending is a bit disturbing, this movie was definitely lost in the shadows and has a stellar cast, great writing, and really weird yet endearing message.
Away We Go (2009), Peacock
“Away We Go” is absolutely my favorite rom-com ever. The plot circles around a newly pregnant couple (Maya Rudolph, John Krasinski) traveling across the United States to find a new home. They visit Phoenix, Madison, Montreal, and Miami looking for a place to start a family. I would recommend this movie for a good laugh, a good cry, or a terrific romance that is one for the masses.
The Way I See It (2020), Peacock
“The Way I See It” is an NBC documentary about Barack Obama’s White House photographer during his eight years in office. Pete Souza took the most astounding photos of Obama’s presidency, which not only shows the importance of photography but also capturing the moments that will end up in history books. Think of the iconic Kennedy photo with his son peeking out behind his desk. Souza has mountains of photos of the hardships of strifes of the presidency, but also the moments of beauty. I was initially hesitant to watch a political documentary, but it is about so much more than politics. It is about the embodiment of the human spirit. I would recommend this documentary to anyone who enjoys politics, photography, or a simple story about capturing the in-between moments of life.
Mike Birbiglia: The New One (2019), Netflix
I am an enormous fan of comedy, and after hearing some of Mike Birbiglia’s comedy on the radio, I figured I would give one of his specials a watch. His most recent is this one, which is all about the story of him becoming a father. Unlike many other stand-up comedy specials, which have many different jokes on a variety of topics, this special is one long story. I don’t think I have ever laughed as hard as I did while watching this special. If you are a fan of comedy, I would definitely give this one a watch.
Swing Kids (1993), Amazon Prime
“Swing Kids” is a period piece during WWII following a gang of adolescences battleing internal and external struggles under the Nazi Regime. It shows a different perspective on WWII, besides the guns and bombings that are often seen in wartime films. It follows the German Youth and how they rebelled against the regime, combined with a swing music score that lightens up a dark movie. I always love when a movie has a good soundtrack, in fact, I think it makes or breaks a movie, which is why “Swing Kids” makes for a great one. If you enjoy historical dramas but also coming-of-age stories, then this film is definitely for you.
Collateral Beauty (2016), Hulu
This hidden gem tells the story of a businessman Howard Inlet (Will Smith) struggling with loss and how he copes. It involves drama, fantasy, and the story of grief. After encounters with love, time, and death, Howard is fighting to find acceptance. In a tear-jerking ending, this movie has a beautiful message and a unique take on grieving. If you’re looking for an emotional and hopeful movie, then “Collateral Beauty” is for you.
Emma (2020), HBO Max
The iconic Jane Austen story follows self-proclaimed love enthusiast Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she interferes with the love life of her friends, and eventually finding it herself. If you have read the book, then absolutely check out the movie. In a fascinating comedy-drama with beautiful costumes and makeup as well as a stellar cast, this movie was well worth the watch despite its lack of deserved attention. If you’re a fan of the 1995 film “Clueless”, then you’ll love “Emma”, since they are based on the same Austen novel. If you enjoy early 1800’s fashion and cadence, then I highly recommend this movie.
Clue (1985), Amazon Prime
As my last recommendation, I thought I’d add with an older gem that has lost popularity as it’s aged. Though this is more of a well-known movie, it still seems like not many people have seen it. Based on the board game of the same name, “Clue” is the classic murder mystery movie with shocking twists, laughs, unknown suspects, and a triple alternate ending. I watched the movie before ever playing the game, but I still felt like I was playing along with the actors. I was making guesses and figuring out which weapon they used and where. If you’re looking for a quick and easy comedy, then “Clue” would be my top suggestion.