Netflix Suggestions: Vol. 3

I'm going to try to make this a monthly addition to my blog. Here are five more suggestions for instant streaming on Netflix!

(Wikipedia)

The Hunger Games

"The Hunger Games is on Netflix. The Hunger Games is on Netflix? The Hunger Games is on Netflix!" Even though I already have the movie on both of my laptops, my iPhone, on DVD and on Blu-ray, this was pretty much my reaction. I've seen the movie eight times now (three of those times in theaters), and still feel all of the thrill and emotion every time I watch it. I placed 2nd on my Top 10 list for 2012, because it was easily the most entertaining movie of the year. In short, this movie has become a symbol of pop culture in the world today. Also, Jennifer Lawrence ('nuff said). Seriously, just watch this movie if you already haven't.

ParaNorman

Easily one of the most overlooked movies of last year, ParaNorman combines dark comedy with lighthearted humor in one of the best animated films in recent memory. Because of this, I can honestly say that there's something in this movie that everyone can enjoy. You can read my original review here.

Mission: Impossible (I, III, Ghost Protocol)

On Netflix, you'll notice that only three of the Mission: Impossible movies are available for streaming. The second one is the only one that's not, but don't worry, it's not really worth your time. However, the other three are, particularly the third and fourth. If you've got a whole afternoon to kill, watch these three movies. Unlike many action flicks today, they have cohesive, substantial, and compelling stories to back that action up. If you only have the time or willingness to watch one, watch Mission: Impossible III. It's one of my favorite action movies ever, and you can go in without knowing much of the back story.

Rat Race

My comedy suggestion this month goes to Rat Race, an ensemble film intertwining the stories of eight different tourists and their companions as they race to Silver City, New Mexico for a $2 million cash prize. Along the way, the racers run into Nazis, SmashMouth, a squirrel saleswoman, vengeful cab drivers, greedy prostitutes, and dozens of other screwball situations and individuals. If you need a few laughs, this is the movie to go to.

Scream (1-4)

They're funny. They're scary. They're action-packed. They're spoofs. They're mysteries. They're the Scream movies. Embrace the story of Sidney Prescott, a teenager (later young adult) dealing with the murder of her mother and confronted by a new killing force in each of the installments. The three sequels are okay, but nowhere near as amazing as the original. The original Scream revitalized the horror genre in the 90s, and impressed audiences around the world with its clever writing, visionary direction, and impressive performances (in particular: Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Drew Barrymore, and Jamie Kennedy). Scream is so much more than a horror movie, so don't dismiss it as one. Give it a watch if you haven't, and I personally guarantee you that you'll be blown away. 

(P.S.: MTV greenlit an order for a pilot of a Scream TV series, written by Kevin Williamson and (possibly) directed by Wes Craven! If you watch these movies, you'll be as excited as I am!)

That's all for now. There are a lot of summer blockbusters around the corner, so keep checking back to see what AJ says. Thanks for checking in! 

Evil Dead (2013)

I don't say better than the original often, but I think it applies in this case...

www.cineol.net

I saw the original The Evil Dead on Netflix a few months ago. I liked it. Didn't love it. The absurd laughter from one of the characters, the cheap makeup and effects, and the poor execution of black comedy made it nothing more than okay. When I was reading up on this remake, I saw that Bruce Campbell, cast member of the Sam Raimi cult classic, was quoted saying, "The remake's gonna kick some ass — you have my word." I now see that Bruce Campbell is a pretty honest guy. 

The plot of this successful remake is simple enough - twenty-something-year-old Mia is brought up to her family's remote vacation cabin by her three friends and brother David for a cold-turkey drug intervention. It's evident that no one from Mia or David's family had been there for a while, because when the group venture into the basement, they find a slew of strung up dead cats hanging from the ceiling, along with a book enclosed in a garbage bag, wrapped in barbed wire. Naturally, one of the five is stupid enough to cut through the barbed wire with pliers, tear open the bag, read past the "LEAVE THIS BOOK ALONE" sketching on one of the pages, and speak aloud the words that awaken the demonic presence that is...wait for it...the evil dead. (Note: This, along with the original, is incorrectly regarded as a zombie movie. It's a demonic possession movie. There's a difference.)

It's not hard to guess what happens next - the friends are killed off one by one. See Friday the Thirteenth, Cabin in the Woods, etc. The way it's done in this movie, though, is rather impressive. It's true that the film is occasionally reliant on gore in exchange for thrills, but it actually works very well. Like the original, it was over-done at times, but I was entertained from start to finish. The best horror movies are those that honestly make you think the story's over and then surprise you. Evil Dead is one of those horrors. Furthermore, it's an undeniable improvement over the original (in my 21st-century teenage eyes).

Needless to say, don't go into this movie lightly. It was one of the, if not the, goriest and bloodiest movies I've ever seen. Keep in mind, this is coming from a guy who's seen Hostel and all the Saw movies, among others. When I say that it rained blood, I'm completely serious. It rained blood. Not to mention a girl puked blood all over her friend's face. Oh yeah, and a girl cut off her own arm. The disturbing part is that this is only a fraction of the eye-popping graphics from Evil Dead. 

Sure, this movie may potentially leave you light-headed, nauseous, and disinclined to venture out into the woods for a while, but it'll be able to do what very few horror remakes can - genuinely entertain you. Take that for what it is and run with it. 

Rating: 4/5

PS: If you go see this movie, keeps your eyes open for the Pulp Fiction and The Sixth Sense references. 

This review is dedicated to the man who inspires me to follow my passion in hopes that it can lead to a lucrative profession and a satisfying life, knowing you can do what you love for a living. Rest in peace, Roger Ebert.