car news

1. Wheelman (2017)

Fans of flying bullets, smoking rubber and an unctuous six-in-line almost literally reside in the passenger seat next to action star Frank Grillo. The bulk of the scenes you watch through the eyes of Grillo is an exciting car movie like you rarely get to see. With a fun bonus: recognize the car brand that’s playing a starring role and you can safely call yourself a car connoisseur.

2. Christine (1983)

Thrillers and horrors that feature a leading role for a voiture are not so much new or rare. Murderous blockbusters in which the protagonist is an automobile that at times makes you choke on a stray shotgun, that is. John Carpenter’s Christine is one such film and an outright cult classic. How do you kill somebody that can’t possibly be alive? See!

3. Cab (1998)

Hollywood has Jim Carrey and Fast & Furious, France has Louis de Funest and Taxi. Silly, comical and a white Peugeot 406 that can change shape and then perform antics that would put Ken Block and his Gymkhana to shame. Only really entertaining when you are in a corny mood.

4. The Highway Men

“The legends who took down Bonnie & Clyde,” is the payoff of The Highwaymen. This modern film adaptation of the true-life cat-and-mouse game between perhaps the most famous bank robbers of all time and the strong arm of the law of the time immerses you in a delightful 1930s atmosphere, superb chemistry between actors Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson and short but fierce chases toward a nerve-wracking grande finale.

5. Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

The Fast & Furious film series needs no introduction. By now we have lost count of the number of sequels and prequels, and that is fine. As long as each new part is bigger, better, stronger than its predecessor. And F&F succeeds at that, with verve. Our favorite so far is the spectacle featuring the schmoozing bickering between muscle-bound Dwayne Johnson (aka Hobbs) and Jason Statham (aka Shaw). Then throw cool frog Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby as femme fatale into the mix and we are glued to couch and tube.

6. Go Karts (2020)

Being totally immersed in your own car-film bubble is, of course, golden. Yet silver is also good enough at times. In other words, the more souls, the more joy. Nevertheless, a car freak like you would not be a seasoned car freak if the “unanimously” chosen print, in addition to being entertaining, also contained an educational touch (read: introducing others to your unconditional love for everything with four wheels). Free tip: sort ahead to Go Karts, a rollicking feel-good movie that may even make some in the household shed a small tear. Quality time guaranteed.

7. Balle Perdue 1 & 2 (2020, 2022)

Think along the lines of the cult classic Taxi, but harder, more spectacular and more serious in tone. With Balle Perdeu, of which both the acclaimed original and the blood-curdling sequel are on Netflix, France has a new viewing hit on its hands. Anyway, mandatory viewing for the Renault-adept.

8. Formula 1: Drive To Survive

Does Drive to Survive really need any introduction? The first season was the talk of the day at the coffee machine for weeks, even among those who normally turn their noses up at what Max Verstappen and consorts are up to on and off the track. Meanwhile, the docuseries – which gives a blood-curdling look into the F1 kitchen, but has been beefed up here and there for maximum show and thrills – has had four seasons, and the fifth season is in the works plus a sixth season has already been announced. Apparently, we can’t get enough of it. Except for “our” Max, perhaps….

9. Fangio: El Hombre Que Domaba las Máquinas

We linger for a while longer in Formula One spheres, and for that we go all the way back to the early days of the sport. The era when hay bales served as exit lanes, seatbelt pretensioners and safety devices were yet to be invented, and terms like DRS and halo were avant a lettre. In short, a period when drivers were thought to be made of steel (until they did begin to bleed when things went horribly wrong). This is the era of Alberto Ascari, José Froilán González and – you may have guessed it – Juan Manuel Fangio, perhaps the best driver who ever walked this earth. Noted for that according to many a more recent F1 champion. Required reading!

Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80227556

10. The Italian Job

Of course, nothing beats the 1969 original – if only because of the famous, for car enthusiasts, horror-like opening scene. But that, unfortunately, is not on Netflix, and South African beauty Charlize Theron was still a 5-year-old girl at the time. However, the 2003 version is also worthy and is pure popcorn entertainment courtesy of three Minis as getaway cars. Plus a maturing Theron…

Bonus tip: Hitting The Apex (2015)

Okay, just one more. Because you, like us, can’t get enough of anything that roars, screams, whines and screams after being injected with gasoline. Change makes you eat, doesn’t it? We think so, which is why we like to close with the documentary “Hitting the Apex. Think F1: Drive or Survive, but on two driven wheels (and perhaps even more bloodcurdlingly portrayed). Highly recommended.