You know the score; it’s a Sunday night and you’ve got your standard speciality hangover cure/end of weekend dish simmering on the hob (Thai green curry, obvs – a touch of class added with the homemade poppadoms) when your boyfriend’s like, ‘Oh I’ll just a pick a film for us to watch on Netflix.'
Both you and your boyfriend are relatively intelligent people. You yourself are partial to the odd girlie film providing it's got some sort of merit but they don’t fall under your normal remit and, in fact, you kind of pride yourself on the standard of the DVDs you used to own when people used to own DVDs. Your boyfriend, though, no matter what his age, IQ or cultural appreciation is normally like, seems only capable of suggesting films for the two of you to watch that feature either Danny Dyer or Jason Statham.
READ MORE: The Films To Watch To Sort Today's Hangover. No Matter What Streaming Service You've Got
Now you’re more than fine with an action film, just providing it's not the stupidest thing you’ve ever seen – something that is kind of a problem when it comes the cinematic careers of both Messrs Dyer and Statham. And since the boy will be a fucking terror if you ask him to sit down and watch a film that’s aimed even slightly towards a female audience, it’s up to you yet again to compromise. Here’s a few films on Netflix that you’ll enjoy that you can pop on your pre-approved list for him to choose from. Because we all know these things work better when they feel like they’ve got a choice in the matter.
If you want a documentary – The House I Live In
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By and large one of the most impressive things to come out of 2012. This film about the War On Drugs in America is damning in its indictment – exploring a world where drug use is only getting worse, despite prisons getting worryingly near to overflowing. Not an easy watch, but an important one.
If he’s into The Walking Dead – The Mist
Before The Walking Dead, creator Frank Darabont made The Mist. It’s where he picked up loads of the actors he went on to use in the show. Keep your eyes peeled for Angela, Carol, Dale and a few others in this sci-fi horror about a storm that brings a mysterious cloud full of monsters to suffocate a small town.
If you want a thinking man’s action – The Next Three Days
Don’t judge this film by its cover, which makes it look like a stupid shoot ’em up action flick. Actually this Paul Haggis thriller is real edge-of-your-seat stuff and stars Russell Crowe as an ordinary guy who goes to extraordinary lengths to help his wife who’s been accused of murder. Think how tense you felt watching Argo, this is kind of like that.
Something with a female lead – The Whistleblower
Based on the true story of Kathryn Bolkovac, a police officer turned UN peacekeeper after the Bosnian war. Starring Rachel Weisz, the film tells the story of a sex trafficking ring that Bolkovac stumbled upon and the ensuing steps she took to make the UN sit up and take notice in a corrupt world.
Something with John Cusack – The Frozen Ground
Everyone loves John Cusack, it’s pretty much the law. From High Fidelity to the insipidly wonderful Serendipity, he’s the guy you sort of fancy but have no idea why. This film that stars Cusack as the prostitute murdering serial killer should just about clear up any of your confused feelings on that front and watch out for the pretty impressive performance from Vanessa Hudgens. Who knew?
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
The Endless Problems Of Living Between Home And Your Boyfriend's House
Ask An Adult: How Do You Make A Long-Distance Relationship Work
Follow Jess on Twitter @Jess_Commons
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.