As we celebrate the passing of one year and welcome the arrival of a new one, we’re doing so in style with Amazon Prime Video.
This week, you finally get to see what all the fuss is about with Michael B. Jordan’s latest flick before ringing in 2026 with one of the most inspirational New Year’s Eve movies ever made. After that, we’re going on an outdoorsy family vacation, taking an intense car ride, then having some comic book fun with my favorite superhero.
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Sinners
If you’ve yet to see Sinners but have heard all the awards chatter, now you can finally see what the epic supernatural flick is all about.
Set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta, Michael B. Jordan stars in dual roles as criminal twin brothers and World War I veterans Elijah and Elias, otherwise known as Smoke and Stack. Upon their return from Chicago to their hometown, they open a juke joint and face sinister forces in the disapproving Jim Crow South and in supernatural creatures. It seems the twins’ musical haven is a main attraction for a horde of thirsty vampires.
What’s so great about this movie is its use of the creatures to explore themes of racism and generational trauma as well as the power of music, all through a creative blend of gangster tropes and horror. Here, the creatures aren’t just monsters—they’re metaphors for oppressive systems. It also features plenty of action, outstanding performances, and some powerful blues music that’ll have you on your feet by the movie’s end, just in time for the vampiric finale.
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It’s a Wonderful Life
One of the most rewatched holiday classics of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life is the perfect movie to get into on New Year’s Eve. It leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy, set up with a new lease on life, and that should inspire you to go forth and have the best year possible.
James Stewart stars as George Bailey, and, after falling into financial ruin, he’s not in a good place mentally. His self-sacrifice and benevolence have left him overwhelmed with despair, and on Christmas Eve he’s contemplating suicide—that is until his guardian angel appears and shows him what life would’ve been like without him. After seeing the profound impact he has on others, George realizes his value, and his life is forever changed.
The film holds classic status because it was one of the first to modernize the holiday spirit. Furthermore, it still stands as one of the most inspirational movies ever made. It’ll remind you of the importance of gratitude, kindness, and community. And if you start it at 9:51:66 p.m., you’ll be ringing in your New Year as the whole town sings Auld Lang Syne at the end.
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The Great Outdoors
Growing up, The Great Outdoors was one of my favorite movies. It’s also a highly underrated John Candy classic.
Chet Ripley (Candy) is a wholesome family man happy about their summer vacation at a cabin in Wisconsin. For all intents and purposes, things are going great, but then his obnoxious brother-in-law, played by Dan Aykroyd, shows up, with his highbrow wife and their creepy twin daughters in tow. As a clash of personalities and family rivalries ensue, as do a memorable jet skiing experience, an encounter with a bear, and a steak so big that just watching Chet eat it will give you the meat sweats.
The Great Outdoors is indeed very 80s in spirit, but it boasts relatable modern-day fun and vacation mishaps. In addition to excellent slapstick comedy, it also features great on-screen chemistry, beautiful scenery, and nostalgically chaotic family experiences. It’s one of the best feel-good flicks to watch with your family.
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The Passenger
The Passenger is one independent flick you don’t want to overlook. It’s a viscerally thrilling psychodrama full of shocks, twists, and deep emotional expeditions through guilt and trauma, but it all leads to redemption and a huge emotional release.
Randy (Johnny Berchtold, of Reacher) is a meek, timid, and unassuming fast-food employee. His co-worker, Benson (Kyle Gallner, of Outsiders), is not. Benson is explosive and violent, and when his past catches up to him while on the clock, he snaps and goes on a killing spree, sparing Randy, then forcing him on a road trip. Fascinating to watch are Gallner’s explosive performance and the ways in which Randy navigates Benson’s dangerous, unpredictable behaviors.
This intense, character-driven journey becomes a confrontation of the past for both of our leads, and it’s there we find our opportunity to delve into their psychology. It’s interesting to contrast Benson’s psychopathic tendencies with Randy’s passive nature, because in that exploration, through this road trip, we see how their different responses to violence and trauma shape their actions as well as their roads to redemption.
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Blade
Having just arrived on Prime Video, I couldn’t pass on the chance to talk about Blade. Unlike Sinners, its vampire story is set in modern-day times. It’s also based on a Marvel Comics superhero.
Wesley Snipes stars as Blade, a human-vampire hybrid equipped with supernatural strengths, mad fighting skills, and a badass blade, but none of the vampire weaknesses. As a powerful daywalker fueled by vengeance, he spends his time hunting and killing other vampires who are technologically advanced. They’re also after Blade’s blood, which they need to summon an evil god to help them wipe out the human race.
As an influential cult classic, Blade helped pave the way for modern superhero films. It features a supreme blend of stylish action and comic book thrills with bits of horror, amazing martial arts, influential visuals and special effects, and a killer soundtrack to boot. Everything about it is all-around cool and so much fun, you’ll fly right into the rest of the franchise to follow his story.
However you choose to enjoy the festivities this season, make sure you do it with Prime Video, buttered popcorn, and the rest of your favorites in tow. Happy new year, everyone!
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