Awesome Dramas

This limited-run crime drama from HBO Europe takes place in the not-too-distant future, in a world where refugees from the stone age, the Viking era, and the late 19th century have somehow settled in Oslo, Norway. Naturally, conflicts emerge between the modern folks and the time travelers.

Joseph Lee Anderson wrote, directed, and starred in this short film about a man who starts his day on a very positive note, but things take a tragic turn after he heads out for his morning jog. It’s a powerful story about racism and prejudice, boiled down to five powerful minutes.

Daniel Radcliffe stars in this true story about two men convicted of terrorism by the South African government for being part of an underground anti-Apartheid movement in the late 1970s. This fictionalization follows the story of Tim Jenkin and two fellow inmates and their dramatic 1979 escape from Pretoria Prison.

Director Tom Waller’s film tells the true story of the Thai soccer team who found themselves trapped deep within a cave, kicking off a global rescue effort, resulting in acts of true heroism and bravery, and some strange behavior from Elon Musk. Premieres at the Busan Film Festival.

Clint Eastwood directed this retelling of the tragic story of the security guard who went from being lauded as a hero to being treated as a terrorist after the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta. If ever there was a cautionary tale for irresponsible journalism, it’s this.

It looks like the final season of Mr. Robot plays out during the Christmas season, but there’s no sense of joy or holiday spirit here. Instead there’s darkness, and a real sense of doom. We’re guessing Elliot and his Dad are on Santa’s naughty list too. Premieres 10/6/19 on USA Network.

This Netflix film offers a cool twist on the typical crime drama, as cop becomes obsessed with hunting down a serial killer who only resurfaces every nine years, and it turns out there’s something far more complicated at stake than just the lives of her victims.

Nicolas Cage and Laurence Fishburne star in this action drama about members of a drug cartel who are sent on a mission to figure out why their supply chain is breaking down. Along the way, they have run-ins with other gangsters, the feds, and many others who stand in their way.

Actor Sacha Baron Cohen gets serious for this new Netflix limited series about Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who managed to infiltrate deep into the political and military machines of Syria back in the 1960s, ultimately becoming Chief Adviser to their Minister of Defense.

Edward Norton wrote, directed, and stars in this drama about a private detective living with Tourette Syndrome, who finds himself on a quest to solve the murder of his mentor and friend, and ends up diving deep into the seamy underbelly of New York. The soundtrack features the new song Daily Battles by Thom Yorke and Flea.

(PG-13) Actor Shia LaBeouf wrote and stars in this fictionalized retelling of his own stormy life, from his rise to childhood fame, through his battles with his mental health, drug addiction, rehab and recovery. LaBeouf portrays a version of his own father, a deeply troubled man himself.

(Spoilers) After helping Netflix launch its awesome catalog of original programming back in 2013, Orange Is the New Black is coming to an end. The final season spends more time outside of Litchfield Prison than ever before as one of the show’s main characters struggles to return to her “normal” life. Drops 7/26/19.

Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine and Chloë Sevigny lead off a fantastic cast in this drama about a couple who get pulled over by a cop on their first date, and end up being responsible for the officer’s death – but was it a criminal act or self-defense? Drops 11/27/19, just in time for Oscar season.

Nope, this isn’t a Gregor Clegane/Game of Thrones spin-off. Instead, The Mountain is an unusual indie film starring Jeff Goldblum as a renowned lobotomist who finds himself on a tour to try and promote the benefits of the waning procedure, and the relationships that develop along the way.

Every frame is truly a painting in director Alfonso Cuaron’s black and white love letter to his home – a film about a difficult year in the life of a family in 1970s Mexico City. Arrives in theaters 11/21/18 and on Netflix 12/14/18.

Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) stars as a man suffering with a multiple personality disorder whose inner demons battle it out over a girl that one of his personas starts to date. Naturally, she doesn’t know that he can be two very different people.

As far as we know, Dirty John is the first TV drama to be based on a podcast. The Bravo limited series takes on the dark and gritty true crime story of a woman who falls in love with a handsome and successful doctor, but who ends up being anything but the man of her dreams.

(PG-13: Language) A woman finds herself stuck at a red light that never seems to want to change in this surprisingly tense and emotive short by writer/director/editor Sam Benenati. It’s a fantastic example of how less can sometimes be more in filmmaking.

Willem Dafoe portrays Vincent van Gogh in this non-traditional biopic which attempts to paint a picture of the artist’s life and mental health struggles through scenes based on letters he wrote. From director Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)

Peter Dinklage stars in this HBO film about the final days of actor Hervé Villechaize (of Fantasy Island and Live and Let Die fame) and an encounter with an LA journalist that impacts both of their lives greatly.

Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in this Netflix drama about a school teacher who becomes obsessed with the talent and potential of a kindergarten student, and the extreme levels to which she will go to to ensure his abilities are exposed and appreciated. Drops 10/12/18.

“You are not a real person. You are a man in a box.” Jim Carrey stars as an iconic children’s TV character, whose bright and shiny persona masks the despair of his personal life. Frank Langella, Catherine Keener, and Judy Greer co-star in this compelling new Showtime series.

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon star in this HBO movie adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel about a bleak future in which so-called “firemen” burn books to control the minds of the people. Drops May 2018.

Luther creator Neil Cross’ mini-series looks incredibly intense. Hard Sun is a fresh take on police dramas, as two cops stumble onto details about a coverup that reveals the end of the world is upon us. Streaming now on BBC Player, and starting 3/7/18 on Hulu.

Now that Ridley Scott has presented his take on the story of J. Paul Getty and his kidnapped grandson, Danny Boyle and Simon Beufoy are here with a very different approach – an FX series inspired by the tale of greed and family dysfunction. Premieres 3/25/18.

(PG-13) Hot on the heels of Atomic Blonde comes Red Sparrow. Based on Jason Matthews’ eponymous spy novel, the movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as one of the products of a Russian program that trains girls to become wily and seductive secret agents.