Ángel Manuel Soto’s buddy cop action movie The Wrecking Crew has been ruling Prime Video’s movie rankings for a while now, and the film is once again at the top of the charts this week. Starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged half-brothers reunited by their father’s mysterious death, the movie is a charming action comedy that’s been favorably received by both critics and audiences, as evidenced by its consistently high viewership. But if a buddy comedy isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there are still many great options to choose from on the streaming service, including both modern hits and evergreen classics. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at three movies that we think you should watch on Prime Video this week, including one that’s perfect for Winter Olympics enthusiasts.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.
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‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)
Written, directed, and co-produced by Emerald Fennell in her feature directorial debut, Promising Young Woman is a darkly comedic thriller, with emphasis on “dark.” The film stars Carey Mulligan as Cassie, who embarks on a quest for vengeance on behalf of her best friend, who committed suicide after being raped by a classmate. Besides Mulligan, the film also features Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Chris Lowell, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton in supporting roles.
One of the most notable Feminist New Wave films, Promising Young Woman premiered to critical and commercial success in 2020. An outstanding revenge thriller that deftly blends genres while exploring themes of trauma, forgiveness, and the desire to right wrongs, it’s a bold and provocative movie featuring a career-best performance by Carey Mulligan. The film earned several accolades as well, including two BAFTAs, four Golden Globe nominations, and an Academy Award win for Best Original Screenplay.
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‘Slap Shot’ (1977)
One of the most iconic hockey movies of all time, Slap Shot is a sports comedy directed by George Roy Hill and written by Nancy Dowd. The film revolves around a struggling minor league ice hockey team in the Rust Belt city of Charlestown, Pennsylvania, whose player-coach, Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman), attempts a desperate gamble to improve their standing by encouraging the players to use violent and disruptive tactics. The movie also stars Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, David Hanson, and more in supporting roles.
Slap Shot had a pretty divisive critical reception when it was first released in 1977, ironically because of its gratuitous use of violence, but it still became a modest box office hit in its day. The movie’s reputation has grown in subsequent years, and it’s now a cult film that has been critically re-evaluated as one of the best sports comedies ever made. An evergreen favorite among ice hockey fans, the film’s legacy continues in two direct-to-video sequels, Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice (2002) and Slap Shot 3: The Junior League (2008).
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‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby is a historical romantic drama co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. Like the book, the movie explores the opulent yet unstable world of 1920s New York through the eyes of young writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), who arrives in the city in 1922 and finds himself drawn to the fabulous life of his millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). The film’s ensemble cast also includes Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, and Elizabeth Debicki in key roles.
Baz Luhrmann’s vision of The Great Gatsby was quite divisive at the time of its release, at least among critics. Audiences, however, loved the film, and it grossed over $353 million worldwide, earning widespread praise for its maximalist visuals, compelling performances, and memorable soundtrack. The Great Gatsby was also awarded a number of accolades, including the Academy Awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, and it’s a highly entertaining entry in Luhrmann’s filmography.