January 02, 2026

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 1/2

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

iF you WANT a historical drama

nuremberg

Vincent Georgie: A quality drama that has been beloved at many film festivals, including TIFF where it had its World Premiere. A terrific ensemble cast (including Tuner star Leo Woodall confirming his status as the next big thing) drive home an interesting and effective traditional drama.

Synopsis: As the Nuremberg trials are set to begin, a U.S. Army psychiatrist gets locked in a dramatic psychological showdown with accused Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring.

if you WANT a terrific romantic comedy

eternity

Vincent Georgie: This film is one of the freshest, most original romantic comedies I have seen in ages. Inventive in its concept, production design and casting, this is a strongly recommended surprise hit. A real joy to discover.

Synopsis: In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with, and her first love, who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

if you love tommy lee jones

the three burials of melquiades estrada

Vincent Georgie: A prize-winner at the Cannes Film Festival upon its release, this is a high quality tale both directed by, and starring, Tommy Lee Jones. This is an underseen film that deserves to find the discerning audience that will embrace it. A slow-burn, quality drama to be appreciated.

Synopsis: When brash Texas border officer Mike Norton wrongfully kills and buries the friend and ranch hand of Pete Perkins, the latter is reminded of a promise he made to bury his friend, Melquiades Estrada, in his Mexican home town. He kidnaps Norton and exhumes Estrada’s corpse and the odd caravan sets out on horseback for Mexico. As Estrada’s body begins to rot, Norton begins to unravel, but Perkins remains determined to honor his vow.

Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

if you are an animal lover

Vincent Georgie: Filmmaker Alison Reid visited us at WIFF 2025 with her latest doc, The Art of Adventure. Take a look back at her rousing and memorable 2018 film about Dr Anne Innis Dagg and her study of giraffes. The second film, one of the very best of WIFF 2025 and ranked in the Top 3 for the LiUNA People’s Choice Award, Checkpoint Zoo is an incredibly moving story that is so outstanding, it’s almost unbelievable that it even happened. A must-see. Strong recommendation.

the woman who loves giraffes

Dr. Anne Innis Dagg retraces her 1956 journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild.

Available on Apple TV.

checkpoint zoo

A gripping documentary set during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Kharkiv’s beloved Feldman Ecopark Zoo found itself caught in the crossfire between advancing Russian forces and Ukrainian defenders. Home to over 5,000 animals, the approaching front line left the zoo’s creatures trapped in their cages with little food and water, facing starvation and increasing danger as the Russian army approached.