What are you streaming this month? The plots of most films or television shows involve making a choice, so narrowing the field of movies to stream this month to ten was difficult. Choices can be about split-second life-defining moments or decisions about love, personal growth, or career. Instead of making my usual list and telling you who, what, and why, I’ll be grouping these titles by a type of choice the main character(s) make(s). Fees may apply for streaming or subscriptions may  be required to the various services and availability can change at any time.

Life and Death Choices:

Sophie’s Choice- This incredible film stars Meryl Streep as Sophie. During the Holocaust, Sophie’s family is rounded up by Nazi’s to be sent to an Interment camp. A soldier forces Sophie to choose which one of her children will live. She begs to die instead, but the soldier tells her he will kill both unless she chooses between her son and her daughter. After her choice, Sophie must decide how she will survive and if she wants to survive. It’s an unforgettable film. Available for streaming on Plato Tv, Philo, Tubi, Amazon Freevee, or Plex. Buy or rent from Apple TV.

V for Vendetta – Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, and Stephen Rea star in this near-future dystopian tale about London after a world war. The government is a police state being controlled by a fascist government. A masked vigilante (Hugo Weaving) known only as “V” uses terroristic tactics to fight the oppressive government. When “V” rescues Evey (Natalie Portman) she becomes caught up in his mission. Stephen Rea plays a detective trying to stop “V.” The film examines the concept of personal freedoms vs. a government that seeks to tell people who they can love, what they can believe, and how they are allowed to express themselves.  Available to stream on YouTube from $3.99, Apple Tv, Google Play Movies & TV, Redbox, Vudu, or Amazon Prime.

Independence Day- Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, and Judd Hirsch star in this epic adventure film. Earth is being invaded by aliens during Independence Day weekend and the world must unite to save itself. Every nation wants to be the hero, but only a combined effort will work. The plot may be thin, but great acting and unbelievable special effects make this an exciting movie. The choice is world annihilation or global cooperation. Pretty exciting stuff. Available on YouTube, Starz, Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu. Also check cable stations.

1776 – this movie musical was based on the Broadway play of the same name. Our founding fathers dance and sing their way through planning a set of governing rules for an independent nation free of British rule. While it may seem an od choice for the category “life and death,” these men were risking their lives by encouraging a break from England and would have all been hanged as traitors if the American Revolution had failed. It’s a fun way to experience a little bit of our history. It stars William Daniels, Ken Howard, Howard da Silva, and Blythe Danner. Search for this film on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, or AMC Demand.

Personal Growth:

Born on the Fourth of July – Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Berenger, and Holly Marie Combs star in this film based on the life of Ron Kovic. Growing up in the fifties and sixties, Kovic (Tom Cruise) dreamed of becoming a marine. After listening to two marine recruiters speak at his high school Kovic enlists. Kovic soon discovers that war has many sides. He becomes disillusioned with the noble purpose the recruiters described to him. After being critically wounded during his second tour of duty, Kovic is paralyzed from the chest down. While recovering in a veteran’s hospital, what Kovic has seen and hears about from his fellow soldiers causes him to become an anti-war activist. He speaks up about the atrocities he witnessed in Vietnam and condemns war in general. Kovic struggles after returning home to a divided America and for a time turns to alcohol to ease the pain and soothe his anger. This film received mixed reviews for its depictions of war and the home front. Many felt it did not do justice to Kovic’s memoir. It’s a story about personal growth based on tragedy and how we choose to face adversity. Look for this film on Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Redbox, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu. Also check cable stations.

Never Have I Ever - Mindy Kaling is one of the writers for this Netflix series. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan stars as Devi, an Indian American Tami Hindu girl in high school in Los Angeles dealing with the sudden death of her father and trying to find her new normal. Devi and her friends must decide how to bridge the gap between their family heritage and their lives as first-generation Americans. According to Kaling, its loosely based on her experiences growing up in Boston. Available on Netflix.

The Wedding Singer – This film stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a wedding singer. He meets and befriends a waitress, Julia (Drew Barrymore) and promises to sing at her wedding.  Julia’s fiancé, Glenn, has yet to set the date. When Robbie gets left at the altar by his fiancé, Linda, he learns it’s because she expected him to be more ambitious and successful. Linda doesn’t want to settle for a wedding singer. Robbie decides to stop being a wedding singer and tries to renege on his promise to Julia. She convinces him to help her plan her wedding and be the singer. They grow close as the wedding approaches. Robbie learns Glenn cheats on Julia regularly and has no plans to stop. He must decide if he should tell her and risk their friendship or speak up, reveal his love for her  and save her from a terrible mistake. Julia must decide if she’ll stay with Glenn or walk away from the relationship into Robbie’s waiting arms. It’s silly, funny, and sweet, but both characters grow as people because of their relationship and the choices they make. Look for this film on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu. Also check cable stations.

Choices Not Our Own:

You - When does a choice become an obsession we can’t control? In this Netflix series, Penn Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg, a serial killer who owns a bookstore. When Joe falls in love he becomes obsessive and can’t control himself. He uses social media to stalk the woman he desires and track her every movement. Though Joe seems to be calculating and perfectly in control, his choices are compulsions and ultimately, he cannot stop them.  Available on Netflix.

Sliding Doors – Do you believe in fate? Can the difference of a few minutes really change our lives in a profound way? In this film, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a London ad executive. After Helen gets fired, she rushes to catch a train home. Two scenarios are presented. In scenario one, she catches the train and arrives home to find her boyfriend Gerry in bed with another woman. She dumps him and finds happiness and better like. In scenario two, she misses the train and arrives after the woman leaves. She and Gerry stay together, but eventually she becomes suspicious he’s being unfaithful. It eats away at her destroying her happiness. Available on Tubi, Pluto Tv, Peacock, Sling TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Plex, Max, Hulu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and Apple TV.

Slumdog Millionaire – This film stars Dev Patel as Jamal, a young man raised in the slums of Mumbai. With no formal education, Jamal seems an unlikely contestant on a game show, but each question ties to the life experiences he had growing up on the streets. To Jamal, it seems his whole life has been preparing him for this moment of success. I dare you not to cheer for Jamal as he embraces his fate and the opportunity to tart a better life. Available on Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube TV, and Apple TV.