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Movies on lockdown: Best films to stream this week

Our weekly guide to the best films available on home entertainment platforms
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Movies on lockdown: Best films to stream this week

Our weekly guide to the best films available on home entertainment platforms

Here at The List we tend to look forward to what's on the horizon, but when that's a whole lot of staying in knowing what to watch right now in the comfort of your home has never been more needed. To help ride out these challenging times, we will be casting our expert eye over what's new to TV and streaming services each week, bringing you the cream of the current movie crop. Let us do the decision-making for you, and then just sit back and enjoy.

Extraction ★★★★☆

With blockbuster season a casualty of Covid-19, action fans will be desperately looking elsewhere and what they desire Extraction will provide. In spades. This simplistically plotted but enjoyably directed and ultra-violent thriller benefits from a strong cast giving it some emotional oomph in between banging heads together. Set in Bangladesh, Chris Hemsworth plays the preposterously named Tyler Rake, a brooding mercenary tasked with rescuing the kidnapped son of an Indian drug lord. Golshifteh Farahani, Randeep Hooda and David Harbour get stuck into some ace action themselves in support.
Watch Extraction on Netflix.

Birds of Prey ★★★★☆

If you're looking for a double dose of ass-kicking then you're in for a real treat this week as the terrifically entertaining, surprisingly sweary Birds of Prey has been hastened onto home entertainment and is available to buy and keep. Cathy Yan's enjoyably feminist, super slick and properly punchy comic book flick is a marvellous vehicle for Margot Robbie's cheeky chatterbox Harley Quinn, who stole the show in Suicide Squad and gets to rock her skank-style unencumbered here, as this full-throttle film takes us on her journey of 'fantabulous emancipation'.
Watch Birds of Prey On Demand.

Calm With Horses ★★★★☆

Those looking for a more realistic representation of violence and its consequences should check out the incredibly impressive debut of director Nick Rowland, a film which deserved more time to thrive in cinemas but is an essential watch on any sized screen. Set in rural Ireland, it's a characterful picture of criminality starring a hypnotic, heart-breaking Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth) as anguished bruiser Douglas 'Arm' Armstrong, the reluctant heavy for a bunch of low-life crooks and father to an autistic son. It's a compassionate, beautifully photographed film that's utterly alive to the tragic waste of life.
Watch Calm With Horses On Demand.

Moffie ★★★★☆

Our pick of last Friday's new rental releases is this striking drama from Oliver Hermanus which is set in apartheid-era South Africa and focuses on a tortured young man compelled into the military to defend a racist regime. Starring the excellent Kai Luke Brummer as Nicholas, Moffie documents the gay teenager's struggle to hide his sexuality in intensely homophobic, extraordinarily punishing environs. It's a brutal and emotionally devastating film that recalls Beau Travail and Full Metal Jacket.
Watch Moffie on Curzon Home Cinema.

Beastie Boys Story

Due to premiere at this year's South by Southwest and enjoy a limited theatrical run but instead heading straight to streaming, this music doc sees hip hop phenomenon the Beastie Boys profiled by regular collaborator Spike Jonze (who directed their legendary video for 'Sabotage' amongst others). Taking the form of a live stage show, it finds Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz (credited as co-writers with Jonze) reflecting on their musical legacy, friendship and the 2012 death of bandmate Adam Yauch.
Watch Beastie Boys Story on Apple TV+.

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