Amazon’s Prime Video: 5 Great Movies to Watch This Weekend

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

Amazon’s Prime Video is the home of exclusive NBA basketball, original TV series such as Reacher and Fallout, and a long lineup of free TV channels including local news programs. But one of the features that I like best about Amazon Prime is its extensive library of old and new movies. You can scan the virtual aisles of Amazon and find dozens and dozens of films that you would want to watch, or watch again. With the weekend approaching, here are five movies on Amazon’s Prime Video that I would highly recommend that you check out.

LA Confidential (1997)
What Kind of Movie: Neo Noir Drama
Who’s In It: Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pierce, Kim Basinger
The 1997 Curtis Hanson-directed neo-noir drama about corrupt cops in the City of Angels in the 1950s is the best of pulp fiction on screen. Rapier dialogue, over-the-top action, stylish cinematography and juicy performances from Russell Crowe, Guy Pierce, Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger, among many, many others. It’s based on the James Ellroy novel, which was smartly pared down by Hanson and co-writer, Brian Helgeland. (Although Ellroy didn’t like the film; he’s wrong. It’s great.)

Fargo (1996)
What Kind of Movie: Black Comedy
Who’s In It: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi
The Oscar-winning film from the Coen Brothers stars William H. Macy and Frances McDormand (wife to Joel Coen) who both turn in career performances as a bumpkin car salesman and pregnant police chief respectively. Steve Buscemi and Peter Stomare are equal parts funny and creepy as two kidnappers who bungle the job. This is comedy as black as a 6 a.m. 7-Eleven coffee and no film buff should wait another day before seeing it. Brilliant, brilliant stuff from all involved. You betcha!

Raging Bull (1980)
What Kind of Movie: Biofilm
Who’s In It: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci
Robert De Niro delivered an Oscar-winning performance as Jake LaMotta, a raging bull inside and out of the ring. This is De Niro’s peak performance with the actor piling on 60 pounds to play LaMotta in his post-boxing years. Joe Pesci is also terrific as Jake’s sad sack brother and let us not forget director Martin Scorsese’s flawless work from the auteur chair. Great film!

The Conversation (1973)
What Kind of Movie: Intrigue, Drama
Who’s In It: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Harrison Ford
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, starring Gene Hackman is a masterfully crafted thriller that explores the intricate world of surveillance and paranoia in the post Watergate era. Hackman delivers a quiet but powerful performance as security expert Harry Caul who accidentally uncovers a murder plot while on the job. His obsession to stop the crime before it occurs puts himself and everyone around him in danger. The terrific cast also includes John Cazale as his disrespected aide; Robert Duvall as a mysterious corporate executive; and Harrison Ford as Duvall’s equally mysterious assistant. Coppola directed The Conversation in between the first two Godfather films and one could argue that, pound for pound, it’s just as good.

Eight Men Out (1998)
What Kind of Movie: Sports Drama
Who’s In It: Charlie Sheen, David Strathairn
Director/writer/actor John Sayles’ underrated 1998 drama about the Chicago ‘Black Sox’ scandal in the 1919 World Series is a winsome look at an American tragedy through the lens of modern socialism. If that seems a bit much for you, you’ve never seen a Sayles film before.  You’ll be ready to vote Joe Jackson into the Hall of Fame before the final credits roll. The great cast includes Charlie Sheen, David Strathairn, John Cusack, DB Sweeney (who shows a fine swing as Joe Jackson), John Mahoney and Sayles himself as sports writer Ring Lardner.

Please consider making a donation to The TV Answer Man site here at the Buy Me a Coffee site. Any donation size is appreciated and will help me continue to provide these articles to you.

Have a Question? Ask The TV Answer Man!
Have a question about a cable/satellite service, streaming service, TV product, or favorite show? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com.