Currently, the catalogs of online platforms must compete with each other for subscriber attention and preference. After reaching a considerable boom during the pandemic emergency, the different health services streaming they now face the consequences of their popularity. Within this recent flurry of platforms, Prime Video movies are particularly interesting for their novelty and exclusivity.
Its catalog includes recent releases, but also independent and auteur film curiosities. Which makes it attractive, precisely, because of its mix of blockbuster titles and small works. Classics, highly successful romantic comedies or experiments by well-known film and television figures. Prime Video movies can boast of being an unusual combination that allows the platform to compete with its more popular or larger rivals.
So that you can exploit its full potential, we leave you five Prime Video movies that you probably didn’t know were on the platform. From a curious adaptation of Lovecraft that became a cult work, to the directorial debut of a beloved actress. The catalog covers the best of recent cinema, an advantage that rivals the quality of the online giants.
The Vast of Night
This experiment in auteur cinema and science fiction, directed by Andrew Patterson, pays tribute to the stories of HP Lovecraft. Taking its references to cosmic terror and the arrival of unknown creatures from outer space, James Montague and Craig W. Sanger’s script connects two popular culture mysteries. What begins with a radio broadcast in the best style of Orson Wells and the War of the Worlds ends up transforming into a catastrophe narrated in a non-linear way.
The call Kecksburg incident and the disappearances of Foss Lake come together in a story that delves into the paranoia of sightings of unexplained objects. But this Prime Video film also pays tribute to 1950s fiction, with all its limitations and exaggerations. The result provokes, with limited resources, a feeling of imminent danger through close shots in a radio booth and the exploration of whatever is happening around the small town of Cayuga, New Mexico. Although the most interesting thing is that the lurking danger is never shown, only its signs.
Rays of light on the sand, storms of putrid water or a creature whose shadow is only visible. What happens in the town is connected through the anguished testimonies of a radio program. By its end, the mystery of this peculiar Prime Video film is half revealed and manages to connect all the dots without explanation. Which makes the feature film a very attractive option for science fiction lovers.
The lost Citythe romantic movie from Prime Video
The romantic comedy never dies. Something that this feature film by Aaron and Adam Nee demonstrates. Without being too pretentious or wanting to reinvent the rules of the typical “boy meets girl”, this Prime Video movie is fun in its simplicity. Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) is a writer who, in the midst of widowhood mourning, has lost inspiration for her love novels. She is convinced that she is going through her last moments of success.
However, the novelist has an admirer who is worth everyone. Dash (Channing Tattum), the cover model for her books, is convinced that Loretta is the most attractive and brilliant woman of all. So he will not hesitate to go in search of her when she is kidnapped by a millionaire maniac and conspirator.
Funny, friendly and uncomplicated, this film, which you can now watch on Prime Video, became an unexpected box office hit in the middle of the pandemic. With a cameo by Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock who crosses the jungle in a sequined dress, parodying herself, The lost City it’s quite a surprise. Also, a funny option for a leisure afternoon or for lovers of great romantic adventures.
Creed III
The third part of the saga Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is probably the best of the trilogy based on the classic Rocky by Sylvester Stallone. Shot after the public confrontation between the producers and the actor, the character that inspired the saga is not mentioned in the plot. However, the spirit of the boxer remains the central point of the story.
Only this time, the dark side of sports competition is shown. Damien (Jonathan Majors) committed a crime that condemned him to prison and failure. Despite his talent in the ring and having every chance to become the next champion. The film, available on Prime Video and directed by Michael B. Jordan, reflects on triumph as a form of redemption. Although the character seeks revenge against Adonis, whom he saw triumph while he remained behind bars.
Creed III is a sports drama full of emotion and a careful exploration of the world of sports. Its director, an anime fan, turns the fights into tributes to Dragon Ball Z. What makes this Prime Video film a tribute to Rocky – despite the conflict – and the invitation to join the saga for a younger generation of fans.
Catherine’s book
Catherinenicknamed Birdie (Bella Ramsey, of The Last of Us) is a rebel with a cause. In the middle of the Middle Ages, she must deal with a forced marriage, the greed of her father, and the passive role of women in her culture. All of her as she tries to understand what place she occupies in her family and what she wants to achieve in her future.
Under the direction of Lena Dunham, this Prime Video film shows a typical growth story that, however, moves away from the usual formulas. Birdie She is not a heroine, nor a martyr. She’s just a teenager like any other. Although, instead of going to college or looking for first love, she must think about the well-being of the family inheritance. However, the director is intelligent enough to avoid creating a drama and, to avoid this, she uses humor in the same way as Karen Cushman’s work of the same name.
The result is a sensitive film about the role of women, which does not wish to promote any other idea than the right of everyone to find happiness. Something that this very young and strong protagonist will strive to achieve. Even if it means burning down her father’s castle.
Jackass Foreverthe riskiest Prime Video movie
In 2022, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and their group of pranksters arrived to relaunch the franchise Jackass, based on the MTV series of the same name. Something they did at a time when the formula of videotaping oneself doing dangerous nonsense was no longer original.
The film, available on Primer Video, knew that it was facing a phenomenon on social networks, so it mocks itself between stupid and scatological scenes. Without shame and without limits, it is a large-scale joke that only wants to make you laugh. An effective element that allowed it to become an unexpected box office success at the end of the pandemic.
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With the same casual tone of the original saga, Jackass Forever does not ignore that its protagonists are middle-aged men carrying out adolescent physical pranks. In fact, it bases its premise right on that. Everyone’s ability to get laughs by diving headfirst from moving cars is simple. What is not so good is making a good tribute to physical comedy, rare in current cinema.