A modern Western hailed by one fan as “simply perfect”, is streaming now in the UK. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) is an anthology Western comprised of six stories about the bleak reality of life on the American Frontier.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? star Tim Blake Nelson plays the titular singing cowboy, Buster, but there are a number other famous faces on show, including Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, James Franco, and legendary singer songwriter Tom Waits. It was directed by multi-award-winning filmmaking duo the Cohen brothers, known for classics like No Country for Old Men, and The Big Lebowski.

Fans have flocked to Rotten Tomatoes to lavish praise upon the unconventional Old West epic. One Audience Reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes wrote: “I loved this movie the first time and I have lost count of the number of times I’ve seen it again. I got several extended family members and friends excited too. They all watched it and loved it!”

Another called it an “uncompromising collection of stories of hardship, loss, and betrayal in the old west”, describing the film as: “Simply perfect.”

A third said: “I avoided watching this movie for years, because the trailer looked so bad. I broke down and watched it recently, and it was excellent. The photography was wonderful, the stories offbeat and humorous at times, and the acting was excellent all around.”

A fourth said: “Witty, absurd, and sharply satirical, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is yet another showcase of the Coen Brothers’ masterful command of storytelling.”

A fifth added: “With a stellar cast portraying each of their characters with gusto, this is unlike any other western movie you’ve ever heard of!”

The film is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, and has a 89% score on the site’s Tomatometer (which reflects the percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given the film a positive review). It also has a strong 78% score among general audiences.

The film has a rating 15, and contains strong bloody violence, according to the British Board of Film Classification – so it may not be for everyone.

The Ballad of Buster Scuggs is streaming now on Netflix.

Some films are praised. Others are called classics. And then there are the rare few that viewers describe as the “best film ever made”. One war drama starring Cillian Murphy continues to earn that level of praise nearly 20 years after it was released.

It has a 90% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 87% audience rating. On top of that, fans regularly call it a masterpiece and say it is a must-watch. It may not be as widely discussed as some Hollywood blockbusters, but those who have seen it rarely forget it.

The film in question is The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Released in 2006 and directed by Ken Loach, the film is set during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.

It follows two brothers from County Cork, Damien and Teddy O’Donovan, played by Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney, who join the Irish Republican Army to fight for independence, only to later find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

The film takes its title from a song about the 1798 rebellion in Ireland and went on to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.

It was widely praised and became one of Loach’s most successful films at the box office at the time.

Viewers have also not held back in their praise.

One person wrote in a review on Rotten Tomatoes: “If this movie was made today Cillian Murphy would have been the youngest actor to win an Oscar ever, but times were different so this movie only won the Cannes film festival and was barely noticed. An incredible movie, Ken Loach’s best in my opinion. A hard watch but a must-watch!”

Another added: “I love this movie. I’ve watched it four times and keep returning to it over the years. Masterclass in filmmaking with a powerful story and great performances.”

A third wrote: “Masterpiece war film. Might be the best film ever made. It’s hauntingly heartbreaking.”

Someone else commented: “Outstanding. A truly beautiful and wonderfully crafted period film. Eye-opening for its exploration of events quite unknown to most outside Ireland.

“The humanity, inhumanity, and hopelessness of mankind are vividly and intimately on display here. Mandatory viewing, in my opinion.”

The film does not shy away from difficult moments. It explores loyalty, betrayal, ideology and the personal cost of war.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is available to stream on BFI Player.

Fans of dark romantic comedy-dramas are in for a real treat with this gripping new film.

Pillion only arrived in cinemas last year, yet it has already made its way on to at least two streaming platforms.

It is available to those with a standalone subscription to HBO Max, as well as those with Sky Cinema or a Movies Pass through the NOW platform.

According to its synopsis, the film centres on Colin, a shy and unassuming man who encounters Ray, a magnetic, strikingly handsome biker who completely sweeps him off his feet, drawing him into a submissive relationship.

This turns Colin’s humdrum life on its head and sparks personal development through their unconventional dynamic.

Harry Melling, widely recognised for his portrayal of Dudley Dursley in the original Harry Potter films, takes on the role of Colin, while Alexander Skarsgård — known for True Blood, Succession, and Murderbot — steps into the shoes of Ray , reports the Mirror.

Upon its release, the film proved a resounding success with critics, earning a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. One review declared: “Pillion is a bold, bawdy film told through small looks and big feelings. It broke my heart and put it back together again.”

Though another cautioned: “Pillion isn’t a film for everyone. But those who know what it means to grovel for their beloved…will find in a subject for analysis in Pillion’s erratic relationship and outlandish romance.”

Another agreed but also drew attention to how it approaches its subject matter.

The reviewer wrote: “While the cringe is strong (and deliberate) in many scenes of Pillion, Lighton makes it clear that kink isn’t an embarrassing detour for Colin – it’s how he comes to know himself. For him, in a very real sense, submission becomes empowering.”

Fans who have already watched the film have been equally bowled over. One viewer shared their thoughts online, saying: “Unforgettable film in so many ways. Yes, it’s explicit, but that isn’t the lasting footprint of this film. I left the cinema having been enlightened, embarrassed, happy, and so very sad.

“It’s a masterclass in the subtlety of truly great acting where so few words are needed to elicit such emotion from an audience. There won’t be Oscar nominations as it’s a small, independent film with a small budget, but there really, really should be.”

While another remarked, “A beautiful, unflinching look at queer BDSM life. While it might not be for some (the faint-hearted), it is soulful enough to warrant consideration of anyone capable of empathetic, non-discriminatory understanding of joy in all relationships, and ultimately how fleeting and precious it is.”

One viewer offered their verdict, posting: “It is a rare film, dealing with a theme seldom explored in cinema and, above all, very raw. I have seen some opinions suggesting that the ending was unpleasant. For me, the ending was one of the best parts.”

Pillion is streaming on HBO Max, Sky Cinema and NOW for those with a movies pass.