Amazon Prime Video stands out among major streaming services thanks to its vast and diverse movie library. This July, Prime Video offers a captivating selection of new releases, including three Oscar winners for Best Picture that are must-watch titles. While our first choice, the 1990 Best Picture winner ‘Dances with Wolves,’ will only be available through the end of July, the other two films, ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘Rocky,’ will remain accessible at least into next month. However, with such exceptional films, there’s no reason to wait to enjoy them from the comfort of your own home.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Despite the box office failure of ‘Horizon’ this summer, Kevin Costner continues to revisit his favorite genre: the Western. His greatest hit, ‘Dances with Wolves,’ earned him Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. The film takes place shortly after the Civil War, where Union soldier John J. Dunbar (Costner) is assigned a remote post deep in the frontier, far from the battles that almost claimed his life. John forms an unlikely friendship with a nearby Sioux tribe, including a white woman named Stands with a Fist (Mary McDonnell), raised among them. The natives, in turn, bestow upon John his Sioux name, ‘Dances with Wolves.’ However, their peaceful coexistence can’t last forever, and even John’s efforts can’t prevent his fellow American soldiers from encroaching on Sioux territory. Witness this captivating story on Prime Video.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Set in 1980, ‘No Country for Old Men’ falls under the Western genre, albeit a neo-Western. This film is widely considered the Coen brothers’ masterpiece, a testament to their remarkable filmmaking talent. Josh Brolin stars as Llewelyn Moss, a man who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and finds himself in possession of thousands of dollars in cash. Naturally, the drug cartel wants their money back, as do American criminals who hire Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a ruthless killer who relentlessly pursues Moss. Tommy Lee Jones co-stars as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, a lawman completely unprepared for the level of violence that Chigurh and the cartel bring to his town. However, surrender isn’t an option for Moss, especially since Chigurh plans to target his wife, Carla Jean Moss (Kelly Macdonald), unless Llewelyn eliminates him first. Dive into this intense thriller on Prime Video.
Rocky (1976)
Sylvester Stallone earned nominations for Best Actor and Best Screenplay for ‘Rocky.’ Though he didn’t win either award, ‘Rocky’ took home three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for John G. Avildsen. Ironically, the film spawned five sequels and three ‘Creed’ spinoffs, despite not being intended as a franchise. Rocky Balboa (Stallone) was just a journeyman boxer meant to be an easy opponent for world champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). What makes ‘Rocky’ such a fantastic sports film is its heartfelt story that extends beyond the boxing ring. We see Rocky awkwardly trying to win the affection of a shy woman named Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire). The odds are stacked against Rocky, and all he truly desires is to go the distance and prove his worth. Following his journey is incredibly inspiring, and you might find yourself humming the ‘Rocky’ theme music for days after watching this unforgettable film. Watch ‘Rocky’ on Prime Video.
