Amazon Prime Video: The 25 best films to see this week
Like last week, a total of zero new movies arrive on Amazon Prime Video this week. Here are a few highlights that arrived at the beginning of July, definitely not including the Rotten Tomato 50 percenters. My picks include: Alien (1979), An Education (2009), Hellboy (2004), Julie & Julia (2009), Midnight In Paris (2011), Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008), Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), Snatch (2001), The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) and The Lady In The Van (2006).
Let’s talk about Only Lovers Left Alive. The Jim Jarmusch film — he’s known for an idiosyncratic, minimalist style with a focus on character development — follows a musician and his lover, whose reunion is disrupted by her uncontrollable younger sister. Did I mention they’re all vampires? Did I also mention Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska star? The comedy-drama ranks high on lists of best films of the 2010s. If you haven’t caught it yet, this is your time to shine.
If none of the above picks take your fancy, check below for the best original Amazon films, including films Amazon has the rights to distribute in the US.
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Best Amazon Prime Video Original movies
Sci-fi
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
Amazon Studios
Following in the footsteps of Palm Springs, The Map of Tiny Perfect things is a rom-com exploring the lives of its protagonists through a time loop. Katheryn Newton and Kyle Allen star as Margaret and Mark, two teens repeating the same day over and over again. Their meet cute involves saving someone from being knocked into a pool by a beach ball. Charming and heartfelt, this is solid if not totally perfect viewing.
Amazon Studios
The Vast of Night is a curious indie sci-fi flick from debut director Andrew Patterson that plays with narrative in clever ways. Long, sweeping shots carry us after two young radio workers who investigate an audio frequency they think could be traced to aliens. The distinctive 1950s New Mexico setting, and characters delivering monologues with the smooth intonations of those on radio, all build an eerie atmosphere with satisfying payoff.
Luca Guadagnino’s horror picture framed in a bleak, art house window won’t be for everyone, but for those who go down the rabbit hole of its prestigious Berlin dance school, you’re in for a twisted treat. Tilda Swinton is the majestic lead teacher, who mentors young ingenue Dakota Johnson. Be warned: The flexible dancers bring new contortions to body horror. It’s a long movie, at over two and a half hours, but if you’re into disturbing visuals and a touch of witchcraft, there are a couple of jaw-dropping scenes you’ll want to stick around for.
Thriller
Amazon Studios
The Coen Brothers meet Wes Anderson in this black comedy thriller steered by two brilliant young female leads. Set in a snowy fishing town in Maine, Blow the Man Down follows sisters, played by Morgan Saylor and Sophie Lowe, who try to hide the body of a man after he attacked one of them and she fought back. While on their crime caper, they find themselves digging up the town matriarchs’ dark secrets, spinning this into a noir mystery. It’s as wonderful as it sounds.