Netflix Night Vol. 1

This little column will have some reviews of Netflix gems I’ve found, as well as some recommendations, and newly added flicks you may not know about.  

Side Effects (dir. Steven Soderbergh, 2013) 

Big Soderbergh fan, the guy has done everything from commercial giants such as the Ocean’s series, curious remakes like Solaris, super-indie Bubble, the ballsy (get it?) Haywire, and the all around great Out of Sight.  Always something different and while not always great, never boring.  Side Effects is one of the good ones, and his (supposedly) last theatrical film, as he has threatened to retire like 12 times, but maybe for good now.  The film is about a young woman dealing with depression and the fallout after her prescribed medications have shocking side effects. (Hey look!  The title)  Definitely a fun watch that is more entertaining and surprising than the description would lead on.

B

Other good Netflix finds

• Mary and Max - awesome stop motion film, funny, sad, and good weird.
• North Shore - 80’s surfing movie just like Thrashin’, Airborn, and like 20 other movies about an outsider dude with sports talent that falls for a local girl.  Somehow he must overcome the other locals who hate him for no reason, and whatever sports competition he must win in the end.  It’s great!
• Luther - cool BBC series starring Idris Elba as a clever detective dealing with his own shit while trying to solve cases.  Like sherlock but black and less fantastical.
• G-Men from Hell - not great but based off Michael Allred’s comic book just sans Madman (why!?!).  Worth a look if you are a fan.
• Justice League Unlimited - for the nerds.  Outside of the original Batman series this is the best of DC animated series.  Great stories, tons of characters, all while having a great overall season arch.  Great stuff if you dig cartoons and comics.

New stuff on Netflix

• The Central Park Five
• Room 237
• Fringe (the entire series now!)
• Derek
• DREDD (if you haven’t watched it, you should.  It’s great!)

Next up: (one I haven’t seen but will soon!) ANTIVIRAL (Cronenberg’s son made a movie)

P.S. Louie is such a good fucking show!  Watch Season 3!!!