Which Recent Movies Do You Recommend?

By Shane Rivers

AskDeb.com readers must think I’m a real movie expert, as I’m always getting asked, “Which recent movies do you recommend?”. I’ll do my best to answer the question, but keep in mind that terms like “top movies recommendations” and “best movie recommendations” are all a matter of opinion.

Newly Released Movie Recommendations

These newly released movie recommendations I suggest may simply not be your cup of tea. Watch a few of the films listed below and see if our tastes are remotely similar. If they are, you can probably watch the rest of the list with confidence. If not, you may need to search elsewhere on the Internet for a movie guru. Either way, you’ll get to spend time watching some movies, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

  1. Taken - When slave traders kidnap his teenage daughter, retired government agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) springs into action to rescue her. While it’s hardly an all-time classic movie, it’s fun watching the middle-aged Neeson run around and dispatch villains with ease. Every once in a while, it’s nice to be reminded that the good guys can actually win.
  2. Gran Torino - Directed and starring Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino tells the story of Korean war veteran Walt Kowalski (Eastwood). When his young neighbor becomes involved with a local gang, Walt is drawn into a situation which forces him to re-examine long-held prejudices. It’s also the highest-grossing film of Eastwood’s illustrious career. When I’m asked, “Which recent movies do you recommend?”, Gran Torino is at the top of my list.
  3. The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke completes his Hollywood comeback in this touching tale of redemption. As broken-down wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, Rourke tries to come to terms with a world which seems to have passed him by. Marissa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood co-star.
  4. Twilight - If you’re trying to relate to a teenager in your life, seeing Twilight is a good way to start. All the rage among the younger set, this tale of vampire romance in a high school is drawn straight from the best-selling novel of the same name. The movie is uneven in places, but it’s a must-see simply for its pop culture significance.
  5. Coraline - Adapted from the novella by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is an animated horror/fantasy film about a young girl who tries to escape her dull life by traveling through a door into a parallel reality. Things don’t go as planned, however, and the girl and her family must soon seek to escape back into the real world. Features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane and Keith David.
  6. Which Recent Movies Do You Recommend?Milk - A movie about one’s man relentless pursuit of social change and equality, Milk stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the state of California. An uplifting film about how everyone can make a difference. Josh Brolin also delivers an excellent performance.
  7. Valkyrie - This World War II drama concerns a real-life plot by key Germans to assassinate Adolph Hitler. At the center of this plot was a decorated officer named Claus von Stiffener (Tom Cruise). Even though you already know the outcome of the plan, the movie still manages to ratchet up the tension to an incredible level. Another film which answers the question, “Which recent movies do you recommend?”.
  8. Frost/Nixon - This compelling film takes a look at the events surrounding the famous interviews conducted between reporter David Frost (Michael Sheen) and disgraced former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella). While many of the facts stray from real-life events, it’s still a riveting movie about truth and the perception of the truth.
  9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - As a man who ages backwards, Brad Pitt shines in this tale about living life to its fullest. Clocking in at nearly three hours, the film has more than enough time to thoroughly examine the interesting turns a man’s life can take. Also starring Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond and Tilda Swinton.
  10. Slumdog Millionaire - A young man competes on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and attempts to pull himself out of a life of poverty. Along the way, he must also try to reconnect with an old love and convince suspicious officials that he’s not cheating. Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting and 28 Days Later).

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