Good Movies I’ve Seen Recently

By Peter Kowalke on May 11, 2021

Here are the movies I’ve watched and loved lately.

Note that some of these films are not on Netflix. You’ll have to find them on Amazon Prime Video or one of the many free movie sites (reach out if you need some links).

Lucky Grandma (2019)

Set in New York City’s Chinatown, an ornery, chain-smoking Chinese grandma goes all in at the casino, landing herself on the wrong side of luck – and in the middle of a gang war.

Ina, whose ex-boyfriend runs off, leaving her in debt, manages to catch on a cunning con artist who tries to con her. But instead of turning him to the police, she hires this con artist to swindle her ex-boyfriend to get revenge.

Blacklist (TV)

A new FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen, has her entire life uprooted when a mysterious criminal, Raymond Reddington, who has eluded capture for decades, turns himself in and insists on speaking only to her.

Capote (2005)

In 1959, Truman Capote learns of the murder of a Kansas family and decides to write a book about the case. While researching for his novel In Cold Blood, Capote forms a relationship with one of the killers, Perry Smith, who is on death row.

First They Killed My Father (2017)

Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung recounts the horrors she suffered as a child under the rule of the deadly Khmer Rouge.

Also Seen Recently (Honorable Mention)

These are some of the other movies I’ve seen recently that are worth a watch. While not quite as good as the films above, they still are well worth your viewing time. Consider these honorable mentions.

Minari (2021)

A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas.

Suddenly 20 (2016)

“Parn” is a stubborn old woman in her 70’s who one day learns that her son is planning to send her off to a nursing home. While wondering around the street in grave, she is drawn to a mysterious light and walks into a photo studio to take a nice photo for her funeral. After she comes out of the studio, she’s gone back to being a vibrant 20-year-old young woman again!