My Top 10: Netflix Original Films

After initially becoming nothing more than a streaming service, Netflix are gradually becoming a major film distributor.
With a few exceptions, the early years saw Netflix as more of a distributor for films that feel as they don't feel good enough for a big screen release.

However, the last few years has seen the studio acquire more and more high-quality films that are getting a healthy amount of nominations for major awards.
While Netflix haven't quite won Best Picture at the Oscars yet, they have already bagged several Academy Awards since 2017.

So far, I have seen 27 Netflix originals.

Just missing out on my top 10 just deserves an honorable mention, is The Two Popes and Dolemite Is My Name. The former is an engaging performances of Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins gave us a surprisingly moving and funny comedy drama based on the transitional period between Pope's Benedict XVI and Franchis. Their chemistry really made a story that cold have been a real slog work. I can see this one surprising a lot of people. It managed to do that for me.

As for Dolemite Is My Name, it's an absolute return to form for Eddie Murphy as he portrays comedian Rudy Ray Moore who became a rap pioneers under the name of Dolemite.
It's a highly entertaining comedy drama with many memorable moments, including a showstopping performance by Wesley Snipes.
This is a lot of fun and makes you want to check out the real story.

Below are the ones that I have seen and are missing out, as well as a short review for each of my top 10. They are as follows:
Mute
The Lovebirds
The Cloverfield Paradox
Bird Box
High Flying Bird
Apostle
Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle
The Other Side Of The Wind
They'll Love Me When I'm Dead
The Half Of It
The King
The Christmas Chronicles
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
Da 5 Bloods
The Kindergarten Teacher
Roma
The Two Popes
Dolemite Is My Name

10) The Irishman - While a 3hrs 30mins film isn't for everyone, the hook of it being a Martin Scorsese gangster epic will many people over.

I don't usually go nuts for Scorsese's gangster flicks. But the strength of the performances made it gripping viewing, and there's plenty of those to get your teeth into.

9) The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs - A really enjoyable western drama that contains six short stories about different ways of life int he Wild West.

Directed by the Coen Brothers, this has their magical style all over it.
It's certainly worth it for the pure gold opening story.

8) The Game Changers - A quite startling documentary that could show the beginnings of a new approach to what we eat.

While it can be bias and inconclusive at times with its findings, it's content is hard to ignore and could even attract the attention of the most hardcore of meat eaters.

This is a well presented documentary and is highly engaging.

7) Outlaw King - The true story of Robert The Bruce's attempt to defeat the English army was a great watch and I was gutted this never got the big screen release.

Chris Pine is great in the lead, you can feel the scale of this famous tale and the battle scenes are worth the watch alone.
A Braveheart for the next generation.

6) The Night Comes For Us - If you love 'The Raid' films, then you'll eat this one up.

It sees a tough gang member get caught in an uprising within this Triad family.

It has the most creative and jaw-dropping combat sequences with the most adventurous cinematography.

5) Annihilation - From the director of 'Ex Machina', we have a complex sci-fi drama that sees a group of science experts sign up for a dangerous mission in a place where the laws of nature are falling apart.

It's gorgeous to look at, it really messes with your mind and the level of imagination rewards us with many memorable sequences.

4) Klaus - When a postman gets reassigned to a remote town that is divided, he encounters an elderly toy-maker that could reunite their community.

The story as well as the characters are so rich, the animation is refreshingly old-school in its appearance and it's full of so much heart and joy.

Certainly the best Christmas film I have seen in a long time.

3) Uncut Gems - A constantly thrilling and anxiety inducing crime thriller that sees a career best performance from Adam Sandler.

He plays a New York jeweler discovering a precious items that could erase all his debts.

It's chaotic, out of control and left me exhausted after such a strong pay-off.

2) Marriage Story - This Oscar-winning romantic comedy-drama is like a modern day 'Kramer vs. Kramer' with a screwball comedy edge.

The performances of Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern are nothing short of fantastic, and this film will really mess with your emotions in the most satisfying way.

1) Beasts Of No Nation - They say originals are always the best, and the first ever Netflix original is still top of the tree for me.

It sees a group of children soldiers take matters into their own hands during a civil war.

It's powerful, beautifully made and has a number of powerhouse performances.