We list the must-watch titles on Disney Plus!

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A CURE FOR WELLNESS

Why you should watch: This is a strange thriller, coming in at over two hours. It does take a while to get where it’s going, but it is compelling viewing. The setting for the sanitorium is spectacular. Apparently during WWII it was a hospital for injured soldiers, and Hitler is rumoured to have stayed there. The story follows an ambitious young executive who is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from an idyllic but mysterious “wellness centre” at a remote location in the Swiss Alps. He soon suspects that the spa’s miraculous treatments are not what they seem. When he begins to unravel its terrifying secrets, his sanity is tested, as he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests here longing for the cure.

Director: GORE VERBINSKI
Cast: DANE DEHAAN, JASON ISAACS, MIA GOTH, CELIA IMRIE, MAGGIE STEED, ADRIAN SCHILLER, IVO NANDI, HARRY GROENER.

NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU

Why you should watch: This horror thriller is certainly minimalistic when it comes to dialogue. There is very little. An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who’s found its way into her home. Kaitlyn Dever is excellent as a young woman whose home is invaded by aliens. There’s no cute little ET phoning home in this one. These guys are very nasty. Stephen King is said to have written that the film is “brilliant, daring, involving, scary.” It’s certainly the latter.

Director: BRIAN DUFFIELD
Cast: KAITLYN DEVER, ZACK DUHAME, DANE RHODES, GERALDINE SINGER, LAUREN L. MURRAY

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 3

Why you should watch: Guardians of the Galaxy would have to be my favourite in the Marvel universe. Coming in at over 2 hours, it could have done with a bit of a trim, but it’s entertaining viewing with, of course, an excellent soundtrack, humour and sentimentality. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. We learn a lot more about Rocket’s past and what has shaped him. An exciting trip through the galaxy once again.

Director: JAMES GUNN
Cast: CHRIS PRATT, CHUKWUDI IWJUI, BRADLEY COOPER, ZOE SALDANA, KAREN GILLAN, DAVE BAUTISTA, POM KLEMENTIEFF, SEAN GUNN

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

Why you should watch: Wonderful to have Harrison Ford as Indiana back once again. It’s like meeting up with an old friend whose company is always enjoyable. Plus, he’s joined by a talented ensemble cast which includes Mads Mikkelsen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Once again archaeologist Indiana Jones give us an exhilarating race against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history, whilst wrestling with his own dilemma of approaching retirement. Time to get the kids, no matter how old they are, and have an entertaining night in front of the telly.

Director: JAMES MANGOLD
Cast: HARRISON FORD, PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE, MADS MIKKELSEN, ANTONIO BANDERAS, JOHN RHYS-DAVIES, TOBY JONES

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Why you should watch: One must applaud director John Madden for assembling the cream of the crop of British thespians to star in Ol Parker’s adaptation of Deborah Moggach’s novel. It was always going to be a winner with audiences. The story follows a group of British retirees who travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than advertised, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways, as does its host Sonny, who has big ideas, but very little cash. There would be a lot of retirees out there who took off to find their own Exotic Marigold Hotel after viewing this one. Pleasurable viewing in every way.

Director: JOHN MADDEN
Cast: JUDI DENCH, BILL NIGHY, MAGGIE SMITH, TOM WILKINSON, PENELOPE WILTON, RONALD PICKUP, CELIA IMRIE, DEV PATEL

CHEVALIER

Why you should watch: Based on factual story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African enslaved and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, before an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court. Bologne was known as one of the earliest European musicians and composers of African descent. In fact, he published numerous string quartets, sonatas, and two symphonies. He was jailed without a trial in 1793, on false charges of misusing public funds, for nearly a year, going on to become an abolitionist and soldier of the French Revolution. A lavish, entertaining production.

Director: STEPHEN WILLIAMS
Cast: KELVIN HARRISON JR., SAMARA WEAVING, LUCY BOYNTON, RONKE ADEKOLUEJO, MARTON CSOKAS, ALEX FITZALAN, MINNIE DRIVER

ENOUGH SAID

Why you should watch: One of the main reasons I enjoyed this heart-warming romantic comedy, was to see James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus step out of their recurring roles in the Sopranos and Seinfeld. And what a treat it was. They appeared very relaxed and connected in this film. Louis-Dreyfus stars as Eva, a divorcee who begins a relationship with sweet, funny Albert, only to learn that a woman she has befriended is his ex-wife whose opinion causes her to doubt her feelings. Sadly, James Gandolfini never saw the finished film as he died on 19 June, 2013 prior to its release.

Director: NICOLE HOLOFCENER
Cast: JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, JAMES GANDOLFINI, CATHERINE WHEELER, TONI COLLETTE, EVE HEWSON, TRACEY FAIRAWAY, TOBY HUSS

I HEART HUCKABEES

Why you should watch: This unusual comedy from David O. Russell philosophically explores the value of human existence and the meaning of life, which I think most of us have questioned at times. It certainly is different, but highly entertaining with an excellent ensemble cast. Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin are wonderful as a husband-and-wife team who help others solve their existential issues, the kind that keep you up at night, wondering what it all means. One of my favourite films.

Director: DAVID O. RUSSELL
Cast: JASON SCHWARTZMAN, JUDE LAW, NAOMI WATTS, MARK WAHLBERG, DUSTIN HOFFMAN, LILY TOMLIN, ISABELLE HUPPERT

CLEOPATRA

Why you should watch: It’s always entertaining to go back in time when films had an overture and an intermission, no special effects or CGI. It is reported that at times there were 10,000 extras employed. I remember going to see this three-hour epic by Joseph L. Mankiewicz at the theatre in 1963. I was 13, it had Taylor and Burton and was so romantic… I certainly didn’t notice how bad the acting was back then. I mean, that entrance into Rome was spectacular! The story is of Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt who experiences both triumph and tragedy as she attempts to resist the imperial ambitions of Rome. It is mainly notable for production overruns that nearly bankrupted 20th Century-Fox and the off-screen affair between Elizabeth and Richard.

Director: JOSEPH L. MANKIEWICZ
Cast: ELIZABETH TAYLOR, RICHARD BURTON, REX HARRISON, RODDY MCDOWALL, CESARE DANOVA, MARTIN LANDAU