IMDb is a great website to go to see if a movie you’re interested in watching is actually good or not.
That’s what Watch With Us sometimes uses to select which films are worth your time and attention.
This September, we selected three movies on different platforms — Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube — that feature such stars as Sean Connery, Ryan Reynolds, Angela Lansbury and more.
If you’re in the mood for an underrated fantasy flick, an action thriller or one of the best political thrillers of all time, these films should satisfy any cinematic appetite you might be craving.
3. ‘Dragonheart’ (1996)
Dragonheart wasn’t warmly received by critics upon its release, but audiences have largely enjoyed this fantasy story about the last dragon, Draco (Sean Connery). Years ago, Draco sacrificed part of his heart to save the life of Prince Einon (David Thewlis) in exchange of his promise to be a just ruler. As king, Einon broke his oath and became a tyrant, which crushed the heart of his mentor, Sir Bowen (Dennis Quaid).
Before Bowen and Draco learn about each other’s connection to Einon, they form an odd friendship and run cons around the countryside where the former can pretend to slay the latter. But when Kara (Dina Meyer) and other peasants rise against Einon’s rule, Bowen and Draco have little choice but to do so as well. And as long as Einon is connected to Draco’s heart, he’s essentially immortal.
Dragonheart is streaming on Prime Video.
2. ‘Safe House’ (2012)
Denzel Washington portrays former CIA agent Tobin Frost in Safe House, and he was one of the agency’s top operatives before going rogue. After a deal gone bad, Tobin’s only hope for survival is to surrender to his former employer. Ryan Reynolds costars as Matt Weston, a young CIA agent who runs the agency’s safe house in South Africa. Tobin’s arrival for interrogation marks the first action that Matt has seen in his career.
When Tobin’s enemies track him to the safe house, he and Matt form a tenuous alliance to escape with their lives. That doesn’t make them friends or even trustworthy allies. Tobin’s intel makes him dangerous to both the CIA and its enemies, which makes Matt a target as well. Matt has to watch his back at all times, because losing Tobin may cost him more than just his career and his life.
Safe House is streaming on Netflix.
1. ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (1962)
Younger movie fans may not realize that music icon Frank Sinatra was a great actor during the peak years of his stardom, and his performance as Major Bennett Marco in The Manchurian Candidate is one of his very best roles. Marco and his fellow soldier, Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), were both captured behind enemy lines in Korea. When they emerge from captivity, neither man realizes that Shaw has been brainwashed into becoming the ultimate sleeper agent for the Soviet Union and the Chinese government.
While Marco is haunted by half-remembered memories of his ordeal alongside Shaw, the latter’s mother, Eleanor Shaw Iselin (Angela Lansbury), and his stepfather, Senator John Yerkes Iselin (James Gregory), manipulate Shaw into a position of political power. By the time Marco realizes what’s happening, it may already be too late to prevent Shaw’s rise.
The Manchurian Candidate is streaming for free on YouTube.
