Amazon Prime Video boasts one of the most impressive streaming libraries around, and this December, Watch With Us is spotlighting three must-see movies that we consider true masterpieces two newly added this month and one classic noir you simply can’t miss.
Leading the list is Platoon (1986), the Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama starring Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe. We’re also featuring Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a chilling sci-fi horror with Donald Sutherland, and Good Will Hunting, the beloved drama starring Minnie Driver and Matt Damon.
Read on to discover the full list of must-watch titles.
Naive college student Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) puts his studies on hold in 1967 to enlist in the military and serve in the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, he is thrust into the brutal realities of combat, witnessing the death and suffering of his fellow soldiers. Tensions rise further when two of his sergeants clash over their beliefs about the innocence of the villagers, splitting the squad and testing loyalties on both sides.
Inspired by director Oliver Stone’s own experiences in Vietnam, Platoon delivers a raw and unflinching portrayal of war, anchored by unforgettable performances from Sheen and Willem Dafoe. The film also features Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker, and Keith David. In addition to winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, Platoon earned Oscars for Best Director, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing.Set in San Francisco, Invasion of the Body Snatchers follows health inspector Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) as he investigates a disturbing change in his colleague Elizabeth’s (Brooke Adams) boyfriend, who suddenly begins acting strangely. At first, they assume it’s just relationship troubles, but soon Matthew and Elizabeth realize that more and more people are exhibiting the same bizarre behavior. The duo uncovers a terrifying conspiracy: a plan to replace every human with an identical, emotionless duplicate.
A gripping exploration of consumerism and conformity, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a paranoid sci-fi thriller that continues to rank among the greatest films ever made. Atmospheric and evocative, with impressively crafted practical effects, this 47-year-old classic still feels strikingly modern and unnervingly relevant.
‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)
This iconic black-and-white noir stars Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, following insurance salesman Walter Neff (MacMurray) as he becomes entangled in the deadly plot of the alluring Phyllis Dietrichson (Stanwyck). Phyllis schemes to kill her husband for the insurance payout, and everything seems to go according to plan until Mr. Dietrichson’s daughter grows suspicious and enlists an insurance investigator.
Stylish, sensual, and suspenseful, Double Indemnity may be over 80 years old, yet it remains a captivating crime drama thanks to its sharp dialogue, compelling performances, and a mystery that keeps viewers on edge even when they know the outcome. Today, it is celebrated as a quintessential example of classic “film noir,” exemplifying the highly stylized, cynical crime stories of the 1940s and ’50s.
