GoldenEye

GoldenEye is currently streaming in Australia on MGM Amazon Channel, and in the US on fuboTV and MGM+ Amazon Channel, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Pierce Brosnan's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on MGM Amazon Channel whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, GoldenEye is worth clearing space for. GoldenEye treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. When a powerful secret defense system is stolen, James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using it. The writing gets a boost from Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean, who sell every scene they're in. GoldenEye came out in 1995. GoldenEye is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, GoldenEye will keep you hooked. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Pierce Brosnan carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.