MUST-WATCH: One of 2021’s best films is out now!

Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) ponders the recent changes on his ranch in Jane Campion's the Power of the Dog. Courtesy of TIFF

By James Mackin

Posted December 6, 2021 12:10 am.

A bunch of documentaries, including one about a famous superfan, are entering the MUST-WATCH Top 10 this week! But will any of them take the top spot? Or could it go to one of the best films to come out this year? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

The Rescue

Where to watch: Disney+

Starting this week off with a film about intense heroism!

Cave divers search for a missing soccer team in the Rescue.

The Rescue is a documentary directed by married couple Elizabeth Chai Vaserhelyi and Jimmy Chin, who previously directed Free Solo. This film takes a look at one of the biggest news stories of the past few years, the Tham Luang Cave rescue in Thailand. 12 young boys on a soccer team, and their 25 year old coach, were trapped in a cave during the beginning of monsoon season. They were flooded in, and nobody knew how to get them out. This documentary focuses on the immense rescue efforts from Thai Navy seals in conjunction with a pair of British divers, who rescued all 13 people against all odds.

You can watch this documentary on Disney+ now!

Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story

Where to watch: CBC Gem

Next up, another documentary about a local icon!

Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story is a documentary about (you guessed it) Nav Bhatia. Arguably the biggest fan of the Toronto Raptors since the team’s inception, his story starts with him moving to Toronto in the 1980s. He fled India during a series of anti-Sikh riots, and became a car salesman. He’s become one of the best-selling car salesman in the country, and ended up becoming a huge fan of basketball. He’s attended every home game of the Raptors from 1995 to 2020, and inspired lots of Sikh youth around the country. Now, a Hollywood biopic about Bhatia is coming, with Kal Penn (from the Harold & Kumar series) playing him!

You can watch this documentary on CBC Gem!

Listening to Kenny G

Where to watch: Crave

Now, let’s take a listen to some smooth jazz!

Listening to Kenny G is another entry in HBO’s Music Box series. This focuses on one of the most successful artists of all time, as well as the best-selling instrumental artist of all time, Kenny G. Armed with a variety of saxophones, he took over the airwaves from the mid 80s to the present day. Lots of people have never understood the popularity of his music, partially because they refuse to enjoy and vibe with his smooth, dulcet tones. This documentary, featuring interviews with tons of industry experts as well as Kenny G himself, attempts to take a look at his resounding and sustaining success.

You can watch it on Crave now!

The Power of the Dog

Where to watch: Netflix

Now, it’s time for one of the year’s best films!

The Power of the Dog is the latest film from acclaimed New Zealand director Jane Campion (who directed the Piano and In the Cut). It’s also her first film with a male lead, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (from Doctor Strange and the Imitation Game). This is a Western, and Cumberbatch plays a ranch owner who runs it with his brother (played by Jesse Plemons from I’m Thinking of Ending Things and the Master). Plemons’ character gets married to a woman played by Kirsten Dunst (from Melancholia and Spider-Man), who moves into the ranch along with her son played by Kodi Smit-McPhee (from X-Men: Apocalypse and ParaNorman). Cumberbatch is greatly displeased by them moving to the ranch, and tension between all members of this new family increase. You can read a review of the film from TIFF here.

The film is out on Netflix now!

Benedetta

Where to watch: Cinemas

Lastly, a new film from one of Europe’s most famous provacateurs!

A nun ponders love, lust, and the Lord in Benedetta.

Benedetta is the newest film from acclaimed Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven (who directed RoboCop, Basic Instinct, and Black Book). This is his latest French film, and it stars Belgian actress Virginie Efira (who also appeared in Verhouven’s other French film Elle). She plays Benedetta Carlini, an infamous nun in 17th century Tuscany. She’s plagued by strange religious visions, and ends up finding comfort in the arms and bed of another nun. She’s arrested for her lesbian inclinations, and does her best to fight against it. Verhoeven has long been a filmmaker unafraid of putting himself out on fringe of filmmaking. And he continues to do so with his newest film he released in his 80s!

You can watch this film in cinemas now!