The best movies leaving Neon this week

Sunday, 28 July 2024

One of Tom Cruise's most compelling performances and two terrific World War II tales are amongst the flicks you've only got a few days left to watch.

While there are constant arrivals of fresh movies and TV shows on Neon, there’s also a regular churn of content dropping off the Kiwi-owned and curated streaming service.

In order to assist those keen to get the most out of their subscription, and to help with your viewing priorities, Stuff to Watch has come up with a list of five fabulous flicks that won’t be around come Thursday (August 1).

Collateral and The Dirty Dozen are among the great movies leaving Neon this week.

Collateral (2004)

Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx star in this atmospheric Michael Mann-directed thriller about a cab driver who finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer, as he makes his rounds from hit-to-hit during one night in Los Angeles. He must find a way to save both himself – and one last victim.

“The best kind of genre filmmaking: It plays by the rules, obeys the traditions and is both familiar and fresh at once,” wrote The Washington Post’s Stephen Hunter.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Described in 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle as a movie “real men” are supposed to shed tears while watching, this World War II action-drama focuses in on a rebellious US Army major who is assigned 12 convicted murderers for an operation aimed at assassinating high-ranking German officers.

The impressive ensemble assembled includes Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Telly Savalas and Donald Sutherland.

“Director [Robert] Aldrich manages to zero in on the griping and grime, the chaos and cohesiveness of Americans at war, and in so doing, makes The Dirty Dozen a clean hit that packs the highest-echelon example of wit and wallop,” wrote Chicago Tribune’s Clifford Terry.

Dunkirk (2017)

This lean and highly effective World War II drama is essentially three stories in one, as it portrays the evacuation of British troops from land, sea and air perspectives.

Dialogue is essentially put on the backburner, as Christopher Nolan and his team deliver a blitzkrieg of action and practical effects to draw the viewer into the middle of the conflict and make them care about the characters’ fate.

The eclectic cast features everyone from Kenneth Branagh to Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and Harry Styles.

Oddball (2015)

Charming Australian crowd-pleaser, based on the true story of an eccentric chicken farmer, who with the help of his grand-daughter, trained a mischievous dog (a Maremma Sheepdog) to protect a penguin sanctuary from fox attacks in an attempt to reunite his family and save their seaside town.

The charming Oddball is based on a true story.

Shane Jacobson, Alan Tudyk and Succession’s Sarah Snook star.

“Tugging at the heartstrings from the first scene, this adorable family adventure mirrors its canine hero – overcoming any flaws by being utterly charming,” wrote Radio Times’ Victoria Luxford.

A Simple Favour (2018)

Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively team up for this sassy little stylish thriller about a small-town blogger who tries to solve the mysterious disappearance of her new, well-heeled best friend.

Based on Darcey Bell’s 2017 novel, it represents something of a dark departure for Bridesmaids and Spy director Paul Feig.

Lively is a revelation as the Catherine Tramell-esque Emily, truly inhabiting a character as arch as her eyebrows. Kendrick also impresses, creating a believable arc, as her seemingly innocent super-mum turns Nancy Drew – with both hilarious and compelling results.