Netflix Suggestions: Vol. 1

Five Netflix Streaming Suggestions 

 

(Both images courtesy of Wikipedia)

Got nothing to do tonight? All you need is a Netflix subscription and you’re set for the evening. While on the surface Netflix has a lot of, well, crap, it does have some very good selections for those who want to watch a quality movie.

Ghost is one of the most well made films of all time. It juggles drama, comedy, horror, romance and mystery into an Oscar-winning screenplay. Although it’s from 1990, it’s a movie that will make you laugh and make you feel. It’ll be 125 of the best minutes of your life.

Super 8 is also available for streaming. In short, I loved this movie. It’s full of nostalgia, brought to life by the incredible acting of the young cast lead by Joel Courtney, who won a Saturn Award for Best Younger Actor for his effort. It’s fairly recent, so most of you probably know the film is about a group of friends in the 70s whose town becomes host to a severely disruptive extraterrestrial guest. The ending really was a disappointment for me, but I still loved the movie enough to watch it three times.

Warrior is also a recent release. It’s about two brothers competing in an MMA competition for $5 million. I see it as today’s Rocky. The story contains sincere heart, coupled with great action sequences in the ring. Also, I was blown away by Nick Nolte’s performance as the boys’ father, a recovering alcoholic who tries his best to fix the bonds he carelessly broke. Give this one a watch and you will not be disappointed. Everything in this movie was outstanding, which is why it was one of my favorite movies from 2011.

Double Jeopardy is a lesser-known film from 1999. Like Ghost, it’s incredibly well made, balancing several genres to give the story the feel of being real. Libby Parsons is imprisoned for killing her husband – only she didn’t do it. When she finds out her husband is not only alive, but the one who framed her, she runs away from her parole officer (Tommy Lee Jones) to reclaim her son and her life. Although politically inaccurate, it’s easy to see past that because this movie is so, for lack of a better term, awesome.

Finally, The Poker House is on Netflix streaming for those into more dramatic, independent films. Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chloë Grace Moretz (before they both rose to fame), it’s the story of Agnes (Lawrence), who tries to be a good example for her two younger siblings. At the same time, she needs to keep her own head straight in her mother’s “poker house,” where acts of…questionable legality take place. It’s a coming-of-age tale that started off a bit weak, but not surprisingly, was saved by the outstanding acting talent of Jennifer Lawrence.

 If you’re not in the mood for a movie, start streaming "Breaking Bad" or "The Walking Dead." If you haven’t started watching these shows – get on it.