8 Outstanding Recent Movies You Definitely Should Watch

      It's time to highlight some recent films that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Perhaps you took your kids to the local multiplex for "Chicken Jockey" or to see "Lilo & Stitch." After a week, with positive buzz building, you decided to watch "Sinners." Well done! Each cinema season brings a mix of blockbuster hits and less impressive films that rake in cash like [insert your most criticized politician] produces hot air. Then there are those hidden treasures that often go unnoticed.

      These special films typically find a home on boutique streaming services or independent cinema chains, often missing a broader audience that would truly appreciate them. That’s where Flickering Myth steps in to bring them to light. Alternatively, we could focus on Tom Cruise and his “Final Reckoning,” which, regrettably, is having trouble becoming profitable, likely due to substantial production costs. But let's stick to this list of determined underdogs and select international films that haven’t resonated as widely as "Parasite." Here are eight recent films you may have missed but really should see.

      **The Girl With The Needle**

      Magnus von Horn’s beautifully shot yet profoundly bleak Danish film made a significant impact during the recent awards season, even earning an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature. It has attracted a few viewers among arthouse and indie enthusiasts as well as world cinema lovers, but not nearly enough.

      Set in 1919 Copenhagen, a young pregnant woman in need starts working at an adoption agency under the kind Dagmar (Trine Dyrholm), hoping for a better future for her child. As she helps find homes for babies, her husband, who has returned disfigured from the war, reappears, bringing with him a horrifying revelation. It’s a difficult watch, yet utterly captivating. Vic Carmen Sonne gives an astonishing performance, conveying deep emotion with minimal dialogue. It's now available on Mubi, making it an ideal time for newcomers to snag a free trial, often offered for new users, and check it out.

      **Bound**

      Escaping an abusive uncle and her drug-addicted mother, Bella relocates to New York, but faces numerous challenges. Initially resorting to petty theft for survival, she soon meets a group of people who help her discover joy in her new life—though her past is destined to surface.

      This gem from Isaac Hirotsu Woofter exemplifies a low-budget indie film done right, delivering a heartfelt and authentic story. Woofter’s skillful direction is matched by a stellar cast, with Alexandra Faye Sadeghian delivering a remarkable lead performance. US audiences can find this film on various platforms, and hopefully, it will become available in other regions soon.

      **The Ballad of Wallis Island**

      You know the kind of film that usually screens at small indie cinemas, attracting a few older viewers during daytime showings? If it doesn't feature Ian McKellen or Jim Broadbent, gorgeous yet gloomy British landscapes often draw in the silver-haired audience. However, "The Ballad of Wallis Island" transcends that norm and deserves a broader fanbase. This beautifully bittersweet dramedy exemplifies British filmmaking at its finest.

      With nuanced, well-crafted characters enriched by dry British humor, it steers clear of clichéd cheerful resolutions. From “Brassed Off” to “The Full Monty,” the Brits excel in this vein of filmmaking, good at creating poignant yet endearing musicals like "Once" and "Sing Street." "The Ballad of Wallis Island" originated as a long-standing passion project by Tom Basden and Tim Key (known as Sidekick Simon to "Partridge" fans), progressing from a short film to a feature, likely aided by Carey Mulligan's involvement.

      Basden and Key co-star, with Key playing a lottery-winning recluse who spends extravagantly to host his favorite musical duo for a private concert on his remote island home. Meanwhile, Basden and Mulligan portray former lovers and creative muses who awkwardly reunite after nearly a decade apart. Expect plenty of typical British awkwardness, humor, and emotional moments. The film hinges on the quality of its musical numbers, and since Basden penned the songs and performs them beautifully alongside Mulligan, who harmonizes perfectly, it delivers on all fronts. If you can't embrace this film, you might as well not enjoy kittens, beer, and candy, you joyless creature. It’s a fantastic movie with a brilliant cast; catch it on the big screen if you can.

      **Crossing**

      Released to widespread critical acclaim last year, "Crossing" tells the story of mismatched travel companions. A Georgian teacher discovers her estranged transgender niece has crossed into Turkey to become a sex worker. With the help of her aimless young neighbor, who wishes to start fresh in Turkey, she ventures across the border searching for her niece. Their journey introduces them to a transgender human