NOVEMBER
NETFLIX
NOTABLES
For those of you that have not completely abandoned nor shut out NETFLIX from your life, it’s time once again for some geek-out, must-see recommendations now available to WATCH INSTANTLY on our favorite love/hate video service relationship…
THE CAPTAINSFresh from its premiere on EPIX here in the US and MOVIE CENTRAL in Canada is William Shatner’s completely charming, if not slightly egotistical “documentary” exploring the most popular people who have portrayed captains on in the Star Trek franchise. You can read Bill Machon’s review of the movie from FOG! here, but I’ll just add that it’s worth watching if only for the priceless sequence with Chris Pine arm wrestling Shatner outside the Paramount studio gates.
FROGS
Before he gave us the story of the dude (way before), 70s-Moustache-Beefcake Sam Elliott tried to warn I’ll-Take-Any-Role Ray Milland from a swarm of pissed off frogs hell-bent on ruining his birthday celebration. This was a staple of many Saturday afternoon UHF runs and now you can watch it on your phone while camping down by the swamp. Just another reason to thank Netflix, in my humble opinion.
RED STATE
Yeah, I’m going to pretend I didn’t pay $10 to see this on iTunes only weeks before it was offered as part of my Netflix membership, but this one’s worth watching again. Kevin Smith’s gonzo political horror/action/thriller is extreme and intense and, best of all, completely devoid of Jay & Silent Bob.
Roast of Charlie Sheen
In case you trolls missed it, here it is in its uncut glory. In case you’re over being winning, consider watching it for the insane line-up of roasters that includes Mike Tyson. And consider it’s a vast alternative improvement over any of Two and a Half Men this season.
Passing Strange
Spike Lee captured this Broadway musical on stage in a way that rivals the original live performance. All of the energy, heart and soul is not just here, it’s electrified. Featuring the music (and life story) of Stew as he soul-searches his way through South Central, Amsterdam and West Berlin, I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it. Turn up the volume to full blast and wake the neighbors. The real is about to go down.
Paris is Burning
One of the most fascinating documentaries you’ll ever see, and it’s about the early days of voguing. Yes, the Madonna strike-a-pose type that’s out of place on the Dick Tracey soundtrack. That one. It’s also, a time-capsule 21 years into the past, capturing the New York City early 90s drag queen scene and the drama that surounds it.
Babe: Pig in the City
I have this theory that anyone that was of a younger age in 1998 was scarred for life by this WAY darker follow up to the Oscar nominated best picture that proceeded it. Kind of in the same way my generation was by the Disney Return to Oz. If you’ve never seen it, put it at the top of your cue but heed the Netflix warning that it’s ok for kids over 8 years of age. It’s a bit out there.
Eaten Alive
Also known as Death Trap, this was the follow up from director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and it’s a great double feature with Frogs if you watch it second. Marilyn Burns returns, and a young Robert Englund plays the memorable Buck. Like the Hooper film before it, it’s supposedly inspired by a real life serial killer. This one fed his victims to alligators to dispose of the bodies. Tasty.
* Author’s Note: all movies available to WATCH INSTANTLY on Netflix as of mid-November and availability is subject to studio licenses. It is recommended to watch before the month ends. More suggestions in December!
