Discover 7 Hidden Gems on Prime Video You Must Watch Right Now!

Currently, Amazon’s Prime Video service features popular titles such as “You’re Cordially Invited,” “Blink Twice” starring Channing Tatum, the animated sensation “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Jurassic World,” and another Prime original titled “Shotgun Wedding” in their Top 10. However, there are other movies that may not be visible on the Prime Video homepage but deserve attention, regardless of your preferred genre. These films, which range from initial blockbusters to moderate successes, might easily escape notice. Whether it’s your first time watching them or you’ve seen them before, these movies are definitely worth pressing the “Play” button.

These films span a variety of themes, from the fight against drug abuse to an imaginary battle against werewolves. For those seeking extra humor, there’s also a romantic comedy thrown in following the hilarity of You’re Cordially Invited.

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From fighting drugs to battling mythical creatures like werewolves, these movies cater to diverse tastes. And if you need more laughter after watching You’re Cordially Invited, there’s a romantic comedy added for an additional dose of humor.

50 First Dates

Adam Sandler shines brightest when he departs from his usual roles, like in “Uncut Gems,” or when he collaborates with Drew Barrymore, such as in “The Wedding Singer” and “50 First Dates.” The latter film, while sometimes vulgar, is endearing, showcasing the same charm between Sandler and Barrymore that they had in “The Wedding Singer.” It also introduces a uniquely creative plot twist. As for “Blended,” it’s probably best to leave that one untouched.

In this heartwarming tale as a movie reviewer, I found myself immersed in the life of character Henry Roth, portrayed brilliantly by Sandler. A charming veterinarian with a penchant for weekend flings, Roth’s playboy lifestyle takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with enchanting art teacher Lucy Whitmore at his favorite neighborhood cafe. However, their second encounter leaves Whitmore completely clueless about him. The plot thickens as we learn that Whitmore suffers from a unique form of amnesia, which erases her short-term memories upon waking each day. This sets the stage for Roth’s relentless pursuit to win over Whitmore anew with each sunrise.

The Cabin in the Woods

This film titled “The Cabin in the Woods” breaks genre norms by combining elements of comedy and horror, similar to “The Evil Dead.” Instead of the typical setting, it follows a group of young adults embarking on an adventure to a secluded cabin deep within woodlands. However, unlike ordinary horror tales, these woods are inhabited not just by zombie hillbillies but by ones controlled by an unassuming team of technicians. The intriguing aspect is: who exactly do these technicians work for?

Drew Goddard’s directorial debut, an off-balance movie, was a standout film in the 2010s, offering one of the most immersive cinematic experiences. It serves up numerous surprising twists that even those who dislike horror might find intriguing enough to rewatch. The film also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Kristen Connolly from “House of Cards,” Chris Hemsworth fresh off his role in “Thor” (both movies were filmed around the same time), and the humorous duo of Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford as the technicians.

Commando

Arnold Schwarzenegger was famed for delivering catchphrases during action sequences. More than likely, these memorable lines originated from either “Predator”, the initial two “Terminator” movies, or “Commando”.

Commando” was released merely a year following “The Terminator,” which significantly boosted Schwarzenegger’s fame, even though it portrayed him as a villain initially. Interestingly, “Commando” marked his first significant lead action hero role (excluding “Conan the Barbarian”). The plot revolves around Colonel John Matrix, a character aptly named, who embarks on a brutal mission to rescue his daughter, Jenny (Alyssa Milano), from a ruthless Latin American dictator. Throughout this journey, he partners with a laid-back flight attendant (Rae Dawn Chong) and finds himself in confrontations with the relentless Captain Simon Bennett, a discharged comrade due to his uncontrollable bloodlust.

Dog Soldiers

While it remains uncertain when Neil Marshall’s Dog Soldiers will receive its long-awaited sequel, fans can continue enjoying the original film that has steadily gained popularity over the years. Despite its growing fanbase and reputation, there is always potential for further expansion. The narrative revolves around a group of British soldiers who are engaged in a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, expecting to battle against a Special Air Service unit. However, they discover that the SAS unit has been brutally killed. As members of the British squad begin to mysteriously disappear, they seek refuge in a secluded house, guided by a zoologist named Megan. But the tranquility of the isolated home is soon shattered as the assailants of the SAS squad storm the house, according to Megan, these creatures are werewolves.

In his debut, director Neil Marshall proved impressive with the film “Dog Soldiers”, a movie that would later be followed by another modern horror masterpiece called “The Descent” in three years’ time. Regrettably, his subsequent body of work failed to match the potential displayed in those initial two films (with “Doomsday” and “Centurion” being noteworthy exceptions), but “Dog Soldiers” showcased a creative mind capable of breathing fresh life into a genre that had become tired. This film offers an enjoyable viewing experience for fans of both action and horror, and its third-act twist is truly outstanding.

The Grey

Starting from 2008, Liam Neeson experienced a dynamic shift in his acting career following the massive success of the movie “Taken”. Prior to this phase, he had appeared in action films, but this time around, he became the dominant force in those movies. His co-stars primarily supported or were targets for his character’s actions. From 2011’s “Unknown” to 2024’s “Absolution”, Neeson led a total of 17 action films with relatively small budgets. Some of these films, like the sequels to “Taken”, “Honest Thief”, “Blacklight”, and “Retribution”, were box office flops. However, others, such as “Non-Stop”, “A Walk Among the Tombstones”, “The Marksman”, “Cold Pursuit”, and especially Joe Carnahan’s “The Grey”, surpassed the film that ignited this career phase for Neeson.

The movie focuses on John Ottway, a skilled marksman assigned at an Alaskan oil facility to ward off grey wolves. Grieving over the loss of his wife, Ottway finds himself charged with protecting his coworkers. Unfortunately, their plane from the facility to Anchorage has crashed, leaving them stranded in a bitterly cold wilderness. Although he could manage wolf attacks better at the station, out here in the wild, wolves are everywhere and seem to be closing in.

Pitch Black

The film “Pitch Black,” which launched the Vin Diesel franchise (a year before “The Fast and the Furious” began its lucrative run), is a significantly more subtle production compared to the critically panned “Chronicles of Riddick.” In this movie, Diesel’s character, Riddick, is merely a mysterious convict being transferred to his next prison. However, after their transport spacecraft is hit by comet debris and crashes on a desolate planet, they discover that the planet, normally illuminated by three suns, is about to undergo an eclipse. During this event, it appears countless light-sensitive creatures with sharp teeth will take over. Here, Riddick is not yet the main character; he’s simply one of the prisoners on board.

In this film, Diesel truly shines. Despite having fewer scenes, he skillfully brings depth to every moment as Riddick. The intricate character he portrays, with a troubled past and a compassionate core hidden beneath a tough facade, is arguably his finest work yet. Supported by strong performances from Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, and Keith David of “The Thing,” and backed by “Pitch Black,” this creature feature stands out as one of the best from the 2000s.

Sicario

It might be beneficial for Emily Blunt not to appear in a third Sicario movie, as she didn’t participate in Sicario: Day of the Soldado either. This is because her character, Kate Macer, had one of the most compelling character arcs to emerge from 2010s cinema. As an FBI special agent, Kate was part of a raid on a cartel safe house that resulted in a catastrophic explosion. However, this unexpected turn of events led her superiors to recognize her potential for a greater role in the fight against the cartels. She was then recruited to join a joint task force, under the supervision of Matt Graver, a stern CIA officer, and Alejandro Gillick, a former prosecutor who became an assassin.

As an outsider within the group, Macer gradually comprehends the perils of this conflict, mirroring the audience’s experience. As her ethical compass is tugged in opposite directions, the viewers find themselves deeply sympathetic towards her situation. The more Macer uncovers about Graver and Gillick, the clearer it becomes that the group she’s joined is intricate and far from the black-and-white image of the war on drugs she once held.

2025-02-14 06:12