With summer heat in full swing, the air-conditioned living room is becoming the perfect sanctuary for movie enthusiasts. On August 1, Prime Video expanded its catalog with a massive addition of 51 new movies, including some gems that deserve a top spot on your watchlist. After diving into the new releases, here are three titles that stand out for quality and originality: two hilarious comedies and a creative biopic that will win over music lovers.
Joy Ride turns a business trip into a wild adventure among friends
The first gem is "Joy Ride" (2023), the R-rated comedy directed by Adele Lim, already known as a writer and producer of "Crazy Rich Asians". The film follows Audrey Sullivan (Ashley Park), a lawyer on a business trip to China with the goal of closing an important deal to get a promotion. By her side are her childhood best friends Lolo (Sherry Cola), actress Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and Lolo's eccentric cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu). What was supposed to be a formal trip quickly turns into a whirlwind of unpredictable events, from the search for Audrey's birth mother to situations bordering on the absurd. With a style reminiscent of movies like "Superbad" and "Bridesmaids", the film combines raunchy humor with moments of genuine friendship, offering a reflection on identity and bonds that stand the test of time.
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Piece by Piece tells Pharrell Williams' story through Lego bricks
For music enthusiasts, "Piece by Piece" (2024) represents a unique visual and auditory experience. Director Morgan Neville chose a bold approach: telling Pharrell Williams' life using Lego bricks. The film follows his rise from his hometown of Virginia Beach, where he formed the duo The Neptunes with Chad Hugo, to international success with collaborations with Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, and many others. The choice of Lego is not purely aesthetic: it allows for a creative visualization of Pharrell's synesthesia, where he perceives musical notes as colors. With five new original songs written by Pharrell specifically for the film, this movie is a vibrant and witty tribute to an artist who has shaped contemporary music. While the narrative structure is more fragmented than traditional biopics, its ability to entertain and surprise makes it a perfect title to enjoy lightly.
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Licorice Pizza brings '70s nostalgia with a magnetic cast
Closing the selection is "Licorice Pizza" (2021), directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. Set in the San Fernando Valley in 1973, the film follows the story of Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman), a fifteen-year-old who on school picture day decides to court Alana Kane (Alana Haim), a twenty-five-year-old photographer's assistant. What starts as an almost comedic attempt turns into an on-and-off relationship full of chases, unlikely jobs, and surreal encounters. Gary goes from being a child actor to selling waterbeds, dragging Alana into increasingly crazy ventures. The soundtrack, with classics by David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Nina Simone, The Doors, and Gordon Lightfoot, wraps the viewer in an atmosphere that is both melancholic and vibrant. With a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is a gem that combines the nostalgia of the past with intelligent and surprising comedy. For more ideas, the August catalog also includes titles like the Marvel news discussed by our editors and the latest streaming apps we recommend. For a deeper look at streaming platforms, check out Tom's Guide.
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