Synopsis: "Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out."

Our Take: Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are beyond spectacular, performing off one another and gracing us with some of the greatest dialogue centric sequences in the history of cinema. Is that high praise? Yes. But Jonathan Demme absolutely earned it by directing one of the greatest thrillers of all time.

Synopsis: "Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9."

Our Take: For its budget and scope, District 9 is a technical marvel. More importantly, writer/director Neill Blomkamp brings a striking level of political awareness to the film that feels more relevant today than it could have in 2009.

Synopsis: "A young lawyer joins a small but prestigious law firm only to find out that most of their clients are on the wrong side of the law. The company is helping to launder mob money, get clients off charges and even murder partners who threaten to blow their cover. But when the FBI come calling to gather evidence on the lawyer's colleagues, he is caught between a rock and a hard place, juggling his life and his liberty."

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Our Take: Based on the novel by John Grisham, The Firm is a classic legal thriller with a script and ensemble cast that elevate it above traditional blockbuster fare. It's thrilling, filled with mature themes, and completely worth catching before it leaves Netflix.

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