Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

General

GET YOUR NETFIX HERE
JANUARY 2012

Once again, I’ve pilfered the INSTANT WATCH avails to suggest some of the more interesting under-the-radar releases now streaming.

Especially of note this month: critically acclaimed indies, an IFC original series and a Disney flop worthy of your attention.

TINY FURNITURE
Movie geeks trust the ever expanding Criterion Collection for restorations of classic cinema, and often their quirky picks of what they deem modern masterpieces. This particular indie comedy takes place in New York’s downtown neighborhood Tribeca, and was a favorite at South By Southwest in 2010. It received a very warm reception from audiences who caught it and critics who covered it, but it also got a very tiny art-house release. Netflix and IFC Films have made it possible for the masses.

BEING HUMAN (U.S.)
 If you want to catch up on the American remake of the British series Being Human, you can now stream the entire first season on Netflix. Following the lives of a vampire, werewolf and ghost roommates (hey, it could happen), this Canadian, um, American version has captured its own audience on Syfy enough to continue a season two this year. By the way, the original series is also available to stream instantly on Netflix right now as well.

MARS NEEDS MOMS
This is arguably the strangest animated film to pop out of Disney since The Nightmare Before Christmas, so it’s no wonder why the marketing played to the lowest common denominator and audiences didn’t need the unfortunately titled Mars Needs Moms. It’s a surprisingly good (and somewhat heartwarming) sci-fi comedy done in motion capture with production design that doesn’t induce that vomity feeling you get watching The Adventures of Tintin. If you’re the mom of a pre-teen boy, add this to your list pronto.

 
TUCKER & DALE vs EVIL
Good comedy is all about a good set up and delivery. Then again, so is good gore. Combining all of the psycho killer conventions and perceptions with your standard teens-in-the-woods plot is this often over-the-top splater/slapstick movie. Tyler Labine is hysterical and the eye-rolling parts that don’t work are redeemed by the fast pace and ludicrous death scenes. Lots of fun.

MEEK’S CUTOFF 
Her Marilyn Monroe is steeling all the thunder, but Michelle Williams also received much critical acclaim for her performance in last year’s Meek’s Cutoff. Directed with care by Kelly Reichardt, who also directed Williams in the outstanding drama Wendy and Lucy, this one’s a period piece set in 1845 along the Oregon Trail. It won the Producer’s award for Anish Savjani at last year’s Independent Spirit Awards.

THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET
Just in time for a new season, this IFC comedy series from David Cross is as smart and funny as the best of Arrested Development. This Netflix addition should gain some fans of the show, or turn them off completely from anything with David Cross that doesn’t co-star a chipmunk.

* Author’s Note: all movies available to WATCH INSTANTLY on Netflix as of early-January and availability is subject to studio licenses. It is recommended to watch before the month ends!

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

DISCLAIMER

Forces of Geek is protected from liability under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and “Safe Harbor” provisions.

All posts are submitted by volunteer contributors who have agreed to our Code of Conduct.

FOG! will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement.

Please contact us for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content.

SOCIAL INFLUENCER POLICY

In many cases free copies of media and merchandise were provided in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. The opinions shared on Forces of Geek are those of the individual author.

You May Also Like

Reviews

Those who have been reading my reviews on this site for some time know my great affection for the work of Indonesian gore-king Timo...

Books

Everyone spends the Halloween season watching scary movies, but fewer embrace the wonderful books that can thrill, terrorize and entertain.  Well, those days are...

Movies

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) is a perfect film: an inverse of the “country bumpkin coming to the big city” trope that goes back to...

News

From Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer Jeb Stuart (The Fugitive, Die Hard), Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment brings you the next chapter in the Vikings franchise, with...