1- Blade Runner 2049 [2017]

What? A sequel that doesn’t suck? You heard it. The original film had Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a blade runner who hunts for fugitive, murderous replicants. Having vanished for 30 years, it’s up to K, a young blade runner (Ryan Gosling, never better), to look for him. It’s hard not to be spellbound, from the word go, with eye-popping special effects and mesmerizing images to keep you hooked-up at every turn. If you haven’t experienced “Blade Runner 2049” on the big screen, now’s the time to do so on Netflix. It’s one of the best sequels of all time.

2- I, Tonya [2017]

I knew almost nothing about Tonya Harding, the American figure skater who was involved in a national sports scandal back in the 90’s. So it was up to Margot Robbie to give me a reason to care. To say that she succeeds with flying colors would be an understatement. Robbie is simply sensational, as she delivers a fearless and sympathetic portrayal of a young figure skater who rose to fame in the early 90’s, before she found herself being led into dark places by the people around her. Screenwriter Steven Rogers and director Craig Gillespie employ a dark/funny structure, beginning their film with a montage of interviews with the characters in the story, then showing how Tonya began her turbulent journey with her mother (a terrific Allison Janney), and later on with her husband, played by Sebastian Stan. Great acting, along with a dose of “humor”, make “I, Tonya” the perfect film to stream on Netflix.

3-Instant Family [2018]

It doesn’t reinvigorate the comedy genre in any way, but there’s something truly irresistible about “Instant Family”. I was drawn instantly to its appeal, and I had a good time watching the story unfold. Also, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed seeing Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne in a movie. They play a couple who decide to start a family by adopting not one, but three siblings. You can probably guess how chaotic things will eventually get. It’s a one joke premise for sure, but a fun one.

4- Easy A [2010]

The movie that put Emma Stone on the map permanently. “Easy A” was one of the highlights of 2010, a clever “teen” comedy and a great showcase for its star. Now that it’s on Netflix, I can’t think of a better high school movie to recommend. It does borrow from a lot of 1980’s movies, but it still manages to stand on its own, making it the perfect film to stream during lockdown.

5- Suite Francaise [2015]

If there can be such a thing as a sweet, reflective fable about love during WWII, “Suite Française” would be it. Based on the best selling novel by Irène Némirovsky, who perished in Auschwitz in 1942 before she could finish her book (her daughter finally took care of it and published it in 2004 to worldwide acclaim), the film tells the story of Lucile (Michelle Williams), a woman living with her mother-in-law (Kristin Scott Thomas) in a small french town, while her soldier husband is away at the front. Things get complicated when Germans invade this peaceful town and Lucile meets a refined German officer called Bruno (Matthias Schoenaerts). A bond grows, and some valuable and important life lessons are learned. The simplicity of Irène Némirovsky’s novel seems a drawback at first. But skilled director Saul Dibb (“The Duchess”) slowly, effectively draws us in. Williams, an underrated actress, gives a touching, vital performance. And Kirsten Scott Thomas (who is always worth watching), does a fine job as well. “Suite Française” walks on familiar ground, to be sure, but it never seems shopworn. The situations are realistic, the moral choices genuine, and the emotions honestly portrayed. I found it extremely moving. “Suite Francaise” is a must-see.

6- Woman In Gold [2015]

Based on real events, the movie tells the story of Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren, never better), the Austrian refugee who sued her homeland for the return of Gustav Klimt paintings the Nazis took from her family during World War II. One of the paintings, entitled “Woman in gold” isn’t just a celebrated portrait of an Austrian woman: she was also Altmann’s beloved aunt. If you haven’t read anything about this real-life incident, the film will hold a fair number of surprises. They will likely inspire frustration and (probably) tears, all of them well justified. But it’s the reactions on Mirren’s expressive face that really hit home, as she makes one discovery after another in her search for justice. Although Ryan Reynolds is surprisingly good as Altmann’s lawyer,  it’s Mirren who makes “Woman in Gold” well worth the price of admission. I highly recommend it.