Anyone But You (2023) – Netflix

Romantic comedies often tiptoe around the edge of edginess, but “Anyone But You” takes a bold leap into R-rated territory. Directed by Will Gluck and loosely inspired by Shakespeare's “Much Ado About Nothing,” the film follows the tumultuous journey of Ben (Glen Powell) and Bea (Sydney Sweeney), who begrudgingly agree to pose as a couple to win back their exes at a lavish wedding. However, what starts as a charade soon blossoms into something unexpected, as they navigate the complex landscape of love and desire.

While Anyone But You isn't all that original or surprising (especially if you know your Shakespeare), it's still fun and genuinely funny. The film makes great use of its primary assets: the beautiful Australian setting, and the magnetic charisma of both its leading stars. When they share the screen together, Powell and Sweeney showcase palpable chemistry, and elevate a standard rom-com into a near-great one.

L.A. Confidential (1997) – Hulu

Step into the shadowy underworld of 1950s Hollywood with “L.A. Confidential.” Directed by Curtis Hanson, this neo-noir crime thriller follows the intertwining lives of three Los Angeles policemen – a by-the-book officer, a brutal enforcer, and a sleazy detective – as they unravel a web of corruption, deceit, and murder.

A neophyte detective, Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), must team up with a brutish, morally ambiguous LAPD cop, Bud White (Russell Crowe), to investigate two separate crimes: a bloody shoot-out at a diner, and the murder of a struggling young actor. Their investigation unveils every shady layer of 1950s Hollywood: sleazy pimps, prostitutes who get plastic surgery to look like movie stars, and a tabloid journalist desperate to find some redemption. There's a lot more going on in L.A. Confidential, but to reveal more would be almost as criminal as taking bribes or murder, both of which occur throughout the movie.

Now streaming on Hulu, “L.A. Confidential” remains a timeless classic, showcasing the dark underbelly of Tinseltown with unflinching realism.

Late Night with the Devil (2023) – AMC+

While spring might not seem like the season for scares, “Late Night with the Devil” defies expectations with its chilling tale of desperation and dread. Set in 1970s America, the film follows Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), a struggling late-night show host who seeks to boost ratings by delving into the supernatural. However, when a teenage girl claims to be possessed by the Devil, Jack's quest for fame takes a sinister turn.

On October 31, 1977, he thinks he's hit the jackpot by having a parapsychologist and her subject of study, teenaged Lilly D'Abo, on his show. Lilly claims she's been possessed by the Devil, and Jack wants to conjure up ol' Beelzebub so that millions of eyeballs will tune in and save his crumbling career. Is he successful? Well, you'll just have to watch the movie to find out.

Available on AMC+, “Late Night with the Devil” delivers spine-tingling suspense and psychological intrigue, making it a must-watch for fans of the horror genre.

Anatomy of a Fall (2023) – Hulu

Enter the courtroom drama of “Anatomy of a Fall,” a French thriller that grips viewers with its tale of suspicion and scandal. Directed by Justine Triet, the film centers on Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller), a woman accused of murdering her husband in a remote Alpine town. As the trial unfolds, secrets are unearthed, and the truth becomes increasingly elusive, leaving audiences to ponder the nature of guilt and innocence.

Their perfect existence is shattered when Samuel is found dead below their chalet and the police suspect Sandra. As her tumultuous relationship with her husband is dissected in the courtroom, the audience is invited to be both judge and jury and determine if Sandra is truly guilty or as innocent as she claims.

Now streaming on Hulu, “Anatomy of a Fall” is a riveting exploration of justice and morality, guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
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