It’s already the end of June, and that usually means one thing – planning your 4th of July vacation.
But before you hit the road or fire up the grill at home, Watch with us recommend that you access your Netflix subscription to watch some great movies this weekend.
The streamer just added several under-the-radar films, like the Depression-era boxing picture Cinderella mancontributor Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger.
Netflix is also streaming another biography, Piece by Piecebut this one is primarily told with Legos to tell about the musician’s life Pharrell Williams.
Last but not least, we suggest you check out the crime drama 5 lbs of pressurewhich functions Luke Evans and an unnamed Culkin brother Macaulay or Kieran.
‘Cinderella Man’ (2005)
Russell Crowe, Paul Giamatti in Cinderella Man
Universal/courtesy Everett CollectionJames J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) is an Irish-American boxer who is good with his fists and bad with his wallet. His wife, Mae (Renee Zellweger), wants him to quit, which he reluctantly does out of love for her – and the growing fear that he will die in the ring. But after the Great Depression causes him—and many others—to lose his job, BRaddock reluctantly accepts an offer from his longtime manager, Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), to return to do what he does best: knock people out. But how long before Braddock pays the price for his profession with his life?
Cinderella man is based on the true story of Braddock, but it is told in an old fashioned style that would have done Frank Capra proud. Directed by Ron Howardthe film is unabashedly sentimental, with an underdog sports narrative so shameless it would make Rocky Balboa shudder. But damn, the movie works, and that’s partly because of its stars. Crowe and Zellweger evoke old Hollywood actors such as James Cagney and Jean Arthurwhile Giamatti steals every scene he’s in as someone who believes Braddock can beat anyone – even the heavyweight champion of the world. Cinderella man lives up to its title – it’s a real-life adventure and it’s so good you’ll be sad when it’s over.
Cinderella man streaming on Netflix.
‘Piece by Piece’ (2024)
Pharrell Williams (center) with Daft Punk in piece by piece
Focus Features / Courtesy Everett CollectionMusic biographies are typically fairly routine rags-to-riches stories (ahem, Michael), but there is no routine about it Piece by Piece. The film from 2024 documents the life story of the musician and fashion icon Pharrell Williamsbut instead of live-action, it uses animated Legos to portray Pharrell’s unique worldview.
From an early age, Williams knew he wanted to make music. Inspired by artists like Steve Wonder, the Virginia Beach native didn’t wait to realize his dreams and landed a record deal as a founding member of the rap/pop production duo The Neptunes before he graduated high school. The Neptunes are good enough to work with acts as big as Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Doggbut Williams does not want to spend the rest of his career in the studio working for others. He wants to create and sing his own music, but becoming a solo artist isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Piece by Piece’s biggest flaw is that it isn’t dramatic enough. Pharrell doesn’t encounter any of the pitfalls that big music stars like him usually experience, so the dramatic effort is a bit muted. But the film remains compulsively watchable because of its obvious visual flourishes. Watching reruns of Pharrell’s interview with Oprah Winfrey and win a Grammy with Daft Punk is a hoot and gives Piece by Piece a watchability factor it wouldn’t otherwise have if it were a run-of-the-mill biopic.
Piece by Piece streaming on Netflix.
‘5 lbs of Pressure’ (2024)
Rudy Pankow, Luke Evans in 5 lbs of pressure.
Lions Gate Films/Courtesy Everett CollectionAdam (Luke Evans) is a murderer. When he was a teenager he killed another man in a turf war and he has paid the price. Now, after serving 16 years in prison, he is at the end of his probation and he is ready to start a new life. But he makes the mistake of going to his old track in Brooklyn, where his family – and his enemies – still live. Adam is desperate to connect with the son he barely knows, but first he has to deal with Eli (Zack Adams), brother of the child Adam shot all those years ago. Eli still holds a grudge and he won’t be satisfied until Adam is six feet under.
Netflix is bringing back some old favorites this summer, and we doubt the streamer will have many complaints about it. There are also a handful of new shows premiering in June, but it’s usually the established shows that keep people coming back to Netflix. Now the Watch With Us team shares its (…)
5 lbs of pressure (the title refers to the force of a handgun’s trigger) is a crime film that runs on other, better images such as Martin Scorsesemasterpiece from 1973 Mean Streets or James Gray’s underrated 2000 film, The shipyards. That doesn’t make it bad; I’d take a copy of a great movie over a mediocre original any day of the week. The film paints an interesting portrait of desperate New Yorkers who turn to crime to improve their lives. Adam knows it’s a mistake, but he’s helpless to stop those around him from repeating the sins he committed—and atoned for—years ago.
5 lbs of pressure streaming on Netflix.
