I love a good movie that strikes an inherent chord and leaves a long-lasting impact. The unforgettable ones tend to linger for quite a while, and when a movie does that, you know it’s done its job of inspiring insight, deeper understanding, and different perspectives.
This week’s top pick on Amazon Prime Video is a classic, heartfelt comedy starring the late comedic master Robin Williams. Other unforgettable picks include a breath-holding Guy Ritchie war movie, a gorgeously choreographed martial arts flick from Jet Li, a 2023 Oscar-nominated dramedy doubling as a scathing indictment of pop culture, and a 1997 psychological thriller about a mysterious real-life game.
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The Game
No tables or boards required
Don’t worry, Michael Douglas fans—there are no rabbits in The Game, but there are plenty of psychological thrills, courtesy of director David Lynch, who gave us classic hits such as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. The fast-paced narrative is packed with unforgettable twists and paranoia, requiring a total suspension of disbelief from viewers regarding the logistical capabilities of the game at hand.
Douglas stars as Nicholas Van Orton, a successful banker who keeps mostly to himself. On his birthday, his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) shows up with a mysterious gift, which Nicholas reluctantly agrees to accept. The catch is that he must participate in a personalized, initially harmless, real-life game. However, as the game grows increasingly personal, Nicholas begins to fear for his life as he eludes agents from the game’s organizers. With no one left to trust and his money all gone, it’s up to him to find his own answers.
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American Fiction
Satire, stereotypes, and literary frustrations
Boasting a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, the Oscar-nominated dramedy American Fiction is one of 2023’s most unforgettable movies. The hit film is based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett and follows a frustrated Black novelist and professor in his attempt to mock the industry’s obsession with stereotypical hardship narratives. Prepare yourselves for a scathing indictment of society and pop culture at large.
Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) stars as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, an elite novelist and academic whose books don’t really sell and whose publishers just rejected his latest manuscript for “not being Black enough.” So, in an attempt to mock them, he writes a standardized, formulaic book under a pseudonym, and much to his shock (and horror), it becomes a bestseller. American Fiction is a witty, thought-provoking script that challenges distorted perceptions—in this case, of Black identity—and it’s one you’ll want to see.
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Jet Li’s Fearless
A lesson on the art of redemption
If you haven’t seen Jet Li’s Fearless, you’re totally missing out on one of the most gorgeously choreographed and beautifully filmed works of art to ever grace the big screen. Loosely based on the life of Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, the movie tackles the legendary master’s efforts at redemption by restoring China’s honor against foreign imperialism.
After a tragic family loss in Tianjin stemming from his arrogance, brash martial artist Huo Yuanjia (Li) retreats to a remote village to gain a new perspective on life and an appreciation for all it holds. When his restorative path leads him back to Tianjin to reconcile his past with the present, he finds himself caught up in a duel to the death against foreign fighters, defending China’s honor. In chronicling Master Huo’s journey from arrogant fighter to a compassionate, mature instructor who reinvents martial arts as a tool for personal and national redemption, Fearless becomes an unforgettable lesson on the art of redemption through self-discovery.
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Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
A breath-holding look at the power of interpersonal bonds
While there are a ton of elements that make Guy Ritchie’s taut action-drama The Covenant unforgettable, what draws me in most about this war movie is Danish actor Dar Salim, whom you may better know as the fierce Dothraki warrior Qotho from Game of Thrones. In The Covenant, he gives a powerful performance as a dedicated Afghan interpreter who risks his life to save a United States Army sergeant. While the film is not based on a single true story, it is inspired by the immense debt owed to wartime interpreters.
In 2018, amidst the war in Afghanistan, Master Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his unit are ambushed by the Taliban during a routine vehicle inspection that killed his interpreter. After hiring the widely disliked Ahmed Abdullah (Salim) in his place, Kinley’s unit is overtaken on patrol by Taliban fighters, who kill everyone but Abdullah and Kinley, who is left severely injured. In a remarkable feat of strength and determination, Abdullah risks his life to carry Kinley across miles of Taliban-controlled desert territory, saving him from certain death. Weeks later, John attempts to return the favor when Ahmed lands in trouble of his own. This one will grip your heartstrings.
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Patch Adams
Laughter really is the best medicine
The late great Robin Williams stars as the titular character in Patch Adams, a biographical dramedy about a medical doctor and social activist who believes that holistic care—specifically joy and laughter—is an essential tool for healing and improving a patient’s quality of life. What makes this movie so unforgettable is Williams’ deeply heartfelt performance. Whether you’re sick or sad, by the time this movie gets rolling, happiness settles in, as does the realization of the true power of empathy. Passion can be found everywhere, but where it’s needed most, as Patch Adams points out, is in helping those who are suffering.
Rather than adhere to the status quo, medical student Patch Adams would rather challenge the traditional, detached healthcare system by using humor, compassion, and child-like play to treat patients. As he clashes with medical establishment figures who believe in maintaining strict professional distance, he works harder to create a medical community focused on cost-free healthcare, highlighting the importance of listening and human connection over cold, calculated medicine.
Whether your mood screams action, comedy, drama, or psychological thriller, there’s plenty here to keep you satisfied. Be sure and check out our list of Prime Video’s April lineup to ensure you don’t miss a thing this month!
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Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
