August has arrived, bringing a selection of fresh films to Paramount+. This influx of new content comes at a perfect time, particularly with the highly anticipated return of Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness and an exciting UFC showdown set for this weekend, featuring UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry.
As we settle in for movie night, there’s still plenty of time to explore several great recommendations. Included in this week’s list are a psychological thriller drenched in deceit, a globetrotting drama starring Brad Pitt, a chilling alligator horror flick, and my top pick—the classic film that catapulted Tom Cruise to fame.
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10 Cloverfield Lane
Just when you thought you could trust John Goodman
John Goodman, beloved for roles like the affable Dan in Roseanne and the gentle giant Sulley in Monsters, Inc., seems like someone you’d feel safe with in an underground bunker during an alien invasion. However, in the 2016 horror thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane, Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, discovers otherwise through a harrowing experience.
Serving as a “spiritual successor” to the 2008 film Cloverfield (also available on Paramount+), the plot centers on Michelle, who awakens following a car accident in a bunker owned by Howard (Goodman). He claims to have saved her from an external apocalypse and insists that the air outside is toxic. As they spend time below ground, fellow bunker inhabitant Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) supports Howard’s narrative. However, Howard’s unpredictable actions soon lead Michelle to question his story. With a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, this tense film is a gripping choice for your next movie night.
3
Babel
A single bullet rings across three continents
The final installment of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Death Trilogy, which includes Amores Perros and 21 Grams, Babel received seven Oscar nominations and won the Golden Globe for Best Drama following its release in 2006. This film intricately weaves together three global narratives, all initiated by a singular tragic event. It begins in Morocco, where two young boys playing with a rifle accidentally injure Susan (Cate Blanchett), an American tourist traveling with her husband, Richard (Brad Pitt).
As Richard rushes to save Susan in a remote village, their nanny, Amelia, is forced to take the couple’s children into Mexico for a wedding due to the incident, which doesn’t go smoothly. Meanwhile, the story also connects to Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi), a deaf teenager in Tokyo grappling with her mother’s recent suicide and feeling disconnected from her father.
2
Crawl
A surprise horror hit with bite
Sometimes, a successful horror movie capitalizes on the combination of a natural disaster and the unseen menace looming beneath murky waters. Director Alexandre Aja’s 2019 film Crawl exemplifies this perfectly, delivering a nail-biting experience in just 87 minutes.
When Haley (Kaya Scodelario) ventures to check on her estranged father (Barry Pepper) during a severe hurricane in Florida, she finds him trapped and injured in the crawlspace of his house. As floodwaters begin to invade their home, they face their worst fears when two enormous alligators intrude, stalking them in the rising water. Crawl stands out as an intense survival horror flick, holding an impressive 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
1
Risky Business
Tom Cruise, socks, underwear, and an epic slide
When my parents first left me home alone while they traveled, I certainly paid homage to Tom Cruise’s iconic character Joel Goodsen from Risky Business by sliding across the floor in my sock-clad feet while belting out Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock and Roll. However, unlike Joel, I did not turn my house into a temporary brothel.
This R-rated coming-of-age film catapulted Cruise to stardom as Joel finds himself enmeshed with alluring call girl Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) and her pimp, Guido (Joe Pantoliano). After accidentally rolling his father’s Porsche into Lake Michigan, Joel finds himself needing quick cash. In a desperate move, he opens his family home for one night to the world’s oldest profession. Risky Business remains a quintessential teen comedy from the 1980s, showcasing a style that’s rarely replicated today.
Nail-biters to nostalgia
At How-To Geek, we explore an array of genres, from gripping documentaries and thrillers to award-winning series and films, helping you curate an ideal streaming experience. Keep an eye on our streaming section for ongoing updates about the latest releases.
