The weekend is here, so let’s get it started right with good movies and tv shows to stream.
Hulu
Hulu has some great indie movies to stream this weekend. First on my lift is Beach Rats, the coming of age tale of a Brooklyn teenager who may be gay. It stars Harris Dickinson as Frankie, with Madeline Weinstein and Neal Huff. It is directed by Eliza Hittman and is a realistic depiction of a typical summer of exploration for teens. Also, on Hulu, is A Taxi Driver, a 2017 movie from South Korea. It is based on a true story of a cabbie who turns out to be a hero too, in the Gwangju Uprising, in 1980. It stars Song Kang–Ho,Thomas Kretschmann and Ryu Jun-Yeol. It got a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and is worth a try. Another great offer on Hulu is Gloria, a Chilean movie starring Paulina Garcia as an older divorcee and her whirlwind romance. It is written and directed by Sebastian Lelio and received rave reviews, including 4 (out of 4) stars on Roger Ebert and was nominated for an Academy Award. Also, available on Hulu is Citizen Jane: A Battle for the City, a documentary about Jane Jacobs, an activist and journalist in New York City. Jane Jacobs fought against the power broker Robert Moses, who sought to tear down historic buildings in NYC and erect superhighways and housing developments. It was directed by Matt Tyrnauer, who compares her to Betty Friedan and Rachael Carson.
Netflix
One of February’s best picks on Netflix is Dallas Buyer’s Club is available on Netflix. The Academy award-winning movie, starring Matthew McConnaughey,was about Ron Woodruff and his fight to treat AIDS and bring into Dallas unapproved treatment drugs for himself and fellow sufferers from the disease. It also starred Jared Leto(another Academy Award winner) and Jennifer Garner. Also new on Netflix is The Ritual, a horror movie. It stars Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali and Robert James-Collier. It is about four friends who go climbing in the Swedish mountains and remember a dead friend. The trailer for The Ritual was too scary for me, but Thrillist calls it Netflix’s “First Terrifying Horror Movie Surprise of the Year,” so that’s good enough for me. And, for something completely different is 45 Years, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. It’s a British movie, about a couple reaching their 45 wedding anniversary, and the resurfacing of details of an old affair. It was directed by Andrew Haigh and won numerous awards, including at the Berlin Film Festival. And, finally, Netflix has Retribution,a BBC original series about the aftermath of a murder of a young, newly married couple who is murdered and their families reaction. It is packed with good actors, like Georgina Campbell, Joe Dempsie, Laura Fraser and Juliet Stevenson. It’s full of drama and suspense and the very idea of revenge.
Amazon Prime
Newly available to Amazon is a new original, Breathe. It crime drama set in India, and stars R Madhavan, Amit Sadh and Sapna Pabbi. It is mostly in English, but not totally, so turn on your subtitles! It questions how far one should go to make sure justice is done. It’s well acted and interesting, with 6 episodes available now. Also, on Amazon is The Expanse, from Syfy. It stars Shohreh Agdashloo, Thonas Jane, and Steven Strait, and is about a supposed conspiracy that threatens peace in the solar system. There are two seasons available and I can’t wait to get caught up. And, new to Amazon is Sunshine Hotel a documentary about one of the last flophouses in New York City. Michael Dominic decided to make the film after hearing about it on NPR. It is unforgettable and was remastered in 2017. And, finally, A Fish Called Wanda is on Amazon Prime. If you need a laugh, this is your movie. It stars John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis,Kevin Kline and Michael Palin. I know it came out in 1988, but it is pure comedy gold, and worthy of your time this weekend!
Grownups Guide to Streaming 