That’s a Wrap! The Best of November at good.film
Ever feel like there’s a great new binge show that’s totally passed you by? We wrap up November with our streaming picks you can’t miss, and our best reviews from good.film users like you.
good.film
a year ago
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The Reviews Are In
Diminutive French dictators. Sexagenarian long-distance swimmers. Salty naked mansions. it’s been a busy November on the silver screen. Maybe that’s why good.film users like you have been posting so many brilliant reviews!
From anime to allegories, gourmet meals to prescription meds, here’s five that caught our eye in November. Haven’t seen these gems? Now’s the time to add them to your Watchlist.
“The characterisation in this series is phenomenal – a perfect time capsule of very real family dysfunction (with lots of latent trauma!). It’s at once deft and dense, intimately revealing without being condescending, and in doing so tackles tougher topics perfectly.”
@tiahnaparis
“Seamlessly blends heart-pounding action with poignant social commentary by addressing themes of sacrifice, empathy, and the human cost of indifference. As emotionally charged as you could want from an apocalyptic film.”
@anthemfox
“Part satire, part horror, part deep social commentary, Atlanta has so many sharp and prickly points to make about the state of Black society in modern America… I'm not sure there's been a better social satire made for television in the last decade.”
@leonmurrayvo
“Ambitious people wading into ethically ambiguous territory to make a ton of fast money, before their morals get the best of them when they see their good fortune is literally killing people. The evil of the moneymaking machine that is the healthcare system in the states never ceases to amaze me.”
@alisonmclennan
“It’s surprising how good this animated film is. The action sequences are top notch but it’s the strength of the characters and the story that make this stand out. It has particularly pertinent things to say about racial equity and gender equality, especially about a time where there was none.”
@jamesh
Our Streaming Pick of the Month
Fargo - Season 5
Themes: Law & Justice, Family & Community, Female Empowerment
Streaming on: SBS OnDemand / Stan
Hailed as “a superb return to peak form”, brush off your snow boots for the fifth season of this unlikely and brilliant anthology series, inspired by the Coen Brothers’ 1996 hall of famer. While every season has an entirely new cast, era and storyline, they all exist in the same strange, fictional Coen universe – and they all somehow connect to little old Fargo, North Dakota.
So who’s firing up their best “ahhh geeez!” accents this time around? Mad Men’s Jon Hamm, Ted Lasso’s Juno Temple, Stranger Things’ Joe Keery and Atypical’s Jennifer Jason Leigh all pull on their puffy jackets for this dark (and darkly funny) kidnap & ransom tale.
Critics have called Season 5 “absolutely inspired”, “masterful”, “utterly unique” and “an unmitigated treat”... and that’s after just 3 episodes. Better jump on board before the rest drop. And our runner-up?
A Murder at the End of the World - Limited Series
Themes: Female Empowerment, Law & Justice, Science & Technology
Streaming on: Disney+
Is it a seductive thriller? A maddening brain-teaser? Or an exploration of power & gender dynamics? The critical consensus would say it’s a dazzling mix of all three. And that stacks up: it’s the latest from creative duo Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, whose special interest in social impact entertainment saw them hit big with supernatural series The OA for Netflix in 2017.
A Murder at the End of the World sees Gen Z hacker Darby (The Crown’s Emma Corrin) invited to a remote retreat by a reclusive billionaire (Clive Owen), along with eight other guests… which soon becomes seven. As put by the New York Times, “Misogyny and technology are the twin themes of “A Murder”... Darby [has an] empathy for forgotten female victims. A common theme of her investigations is how little credibility she is granted as a young woman.”
With a spectacular Icelandic setting and other zeitgeisty themes in the mix (climate change, artificial intelligence), these sharp and atmospheric new eps are bound to have you hooked.
The Healing Documentary - Now Available to Rent or Buy
We’re proud to have supported one of the year’s most impactful Australian documentaries through its exclusive theatrical run – and now, The Healing is available online for you to rent or buy.
It’s an eye-opening account of a revolutionary program that brings together former first responders and military veterans with traumatised ex-racehorses. Through their connection, they help rebuild each other - and find their lives transformed.
Watch the film to discover why over 1,000 Australians who’ve experienced the magic of The Healing have left so many glowing reviews about the message of hope that the film provides.
“The most important, overarching theme of this movie: how alternative therapies like animal therapy can help people in their journey towards recovery. A beautiful film that demonstrates the power and value of connection.”
~ @jdub, good.film user
By renting or purchasing the film, you’ll also be helping to raise awareness about the urgent support needed for veterans and ex-racehorses alike. You can choose to rent the film, or buy a digital copy to keep, at the link below.
Cheeky Refugee Comedy “The Merger” is Leaving Netflix Soon!
We love a hidden gem at good.film, and The Merger is the little footy movie with a big heart and a surprising message of inclusion, mateship and acceptance.
It’s a film we’re excited to feature because it takes a lighthearted look at a serious issue: immigration and the ingrained racism aimed towards refugees. That’s not easy to tackle (pun intended)... but with its big laughs and backyard charm, The Merger makes a politically divisive issue feel funny, human and accessible.
“It’s the perfect message of hope and achievable community action that those fighting for refugee rights need.”
~ Kathleen Herbert, Amnesty International
You can catch The Merger on Netflix until December 29, and check out our Impact Page with more on the film here.
Our Reviews Dive Deeper
With our focus on impactful stories, you might think most of what we write about at good.film are documentaries. But a scroll through all our impact reviews this year could surprise you.
It’s not just non-fiction stories that can deeply affect how we look at the world. Ponder on the characters that have moved you – the stories that’ve had you on the edge of your seat – and it’s easy to see how narrative features belong in the realm of impact entertainment too.
This year we’ve explored the impact themes within close to 75 movies from bold dramas and dark satires to risque comedy and thoughtful horror. Because Barbie’s about more than just a doll, Oppenheimer’s about more than just a bomb, and AIR’s about more than just a shoe.
Hot tip: tons of the films we’ve covered this year are now available on streaming, so check out our Guides to get a deeper insight into the movies before you queue up your summer holiday binge!
As for our upcoming new release reviews, they’ll be screening in cinemas that accept Good Tix. Hit the link below to see the latest impact entertainment for less on the big screen - and know your ticket is giving to a good cause while you’re at it.
