Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

And we're back to our regularly scheduled Netflix Instant column. I have a couple of gems for you this week. One film I loved when I watched it in college, and two I've been excited about since last year and are finally streaming to watch!

Check them out after the break

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

Well if you're already finished with the third season of Orange is the New Black, I have some recommendations for you for this weekend. It's a mixed bag of classic, drama, and, of course, a documentary. If the humid air is keeping you inside this weekend, check these out!

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

It's quite the monsoon down here in Texas. It's almost June, and summer seems like it's never coming. So, if you're like us and you're trapped in your house because of flash floods, here are some great picks for you to enjoy and binge on.

CHEF'S TABLE

This is a Netflix documentary series that goes behind famous chef's and their kitchens from around the globe. All the kitchens are one of the top restaurants in the world, and each episode explores not only their food, but the chef's inspiration and how they became who they are. A great watch for any foodie.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
One of Tarantino's greatest films is now at our bloody fingertips. Even if you feel the film is a little long, there's so much to appreciate and love. From Christof Waltz's terrifying performance to the bar scene, which is one of the best written scenes in recent memory, makes this film rewatchable.

NO NO: A DOCKUMENTARY
I saw this last year at DIFF and was fascinated by the story of Dock Ellis and his famous no-hitter game. Oh yes, and he pitched it while high on LSD, or so the story goes. It's a great film not only for sports fans, but for anyone who enjoys great storytelling. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

I think the snow is finally thawing down here in Dallas, and Spring Break is about to start. Perfect timing. There are loads of great titles to catch up on, and if you need a break from House of Cards, like me, here are some great titles for you to enjoy to help you procrastinate on spring cleaning. 

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

It's Super Bowl weekend. If you're already worn out from talks of "deflategate" and sportsball predictions, then there are plenty of great films for you to watch on Netflix to get you through the weekend. Also, avoid all bars if you don't want to be amidst the sportsball watching. 

THE INTERVIEW
Now you have no excuse. If you didn't want to pay to stream this film or was worried the hackers would follow through on their threats of attacking the theatres on Christmas, now you don't have to fear! It's a fun film which definitely needs to be watched with friends. Also has the best use of a Katy Perry song in history. 

TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY

If you're more in the mood for a dense, spy thriller, then this is the film for you. It's not a film that you play on your phone while you're "watching". It's a tense thriller full of dense plot and intriguing characters. You might have to watch it a couple times to full appreciate all the details, but it's worth it.

CHEF
I've been wanting to see this film for a while now. It's about a man who quit his job at a restaurant and in trying to figure out what he wants to do, decides to open a food truck. It's written, directed, and starring John Favreau, and from the previews, looks like there is copious amounts of food porn shots. Sign me up. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

We're in a bit of a slump in terms of new releases, but there are always great films to check out on Netflix. Now that the Oscar nominations have been announced, we will begin to see some of these films featured, like a documentary on my list today!

ALMOST FAMOUS

This is such a great film that has hold up over the years. Not only is the music wonderful, but it has fun performances and super quotable lines. It's the perfect lazy Saturday film that you don't have to turn your mind off to enjoy because we are all golden gods. 

THE IMMIGRANT

This film nominated for the Palme d'Or at 2013 Cannes. I've heard great things about this film, especially in reference to Marion Cotillard's performance. It tells the story of an immigrant who becomes a prostitute when she arrives in America. It also stars Joquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. 

VIRUNGA

Now that the Oscar nominations are out, several films will slowly begin to pop up on streaming services. This film is nominated for best documentary and is about saving mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a treacherous area where gorillas are under threat of poaching and their home being destroyed. It's an interesting story about an area which has very limited access. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks- New Year's Edition

Have you recovered from your New Year's hangover yet? Have you had your traditional black eyed peas for good luck for the new year? Are you already sick of all the football going on this weekend? Well, welcome to the first Netflix column for 2015! I have a couple picks for you as always. One great television show has finally made its way to streaming, and I have a couple films, which are all perfect for a lazy weekend before back to the real world on Monday.

FRIENDS

It's finally here! No longer do the people have to watch reruns on TBS after work. Now you can flip to any season and watch any episode of one of the greatest and most rewatchable sitcoms out there. Perfect lazy weekend show to watch.

HEY BARTENDER

The fancy cocktail is slowly making its way back to bars. If you're an adult, no longer are the days where you order a liquor and soda or tonic. Fancy and fresh cocktails are the way to go. This documentary follows some of the forefront bartenders and bars who are trying to revive this pastime. This doc also makes me want to try everything they make. Great drink porn.

ELECTION

Usually dark comedies don't necessarily have a great rematch factor, but that is not the case for ELECTION. In what could easily be Reese Witherspoon's greatest role, this film follows a very determined and assertive student as she runs for student body president. Matthew Broderick plays her teacher, who's life is slowly falling apart and decides to take his frustration out on her. It's quite wonderful in all of its darkness and snark. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

If you've climbed out of your turkey coma, watched Thanksgiving football, and are tired from Black Friday shopping, now is the time to park yourself on the couch and watch some Netflix. 

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

Was it me, or did this week feel super long and jam packed? Maybe it's just my work. In any event, if you're not starting your Halloween festivities early this week, then here are some great funny films for you to sink your teeth into.

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

We have officially entered one of favorite months for most movie nerds. But if Halloween isn't your cup of tea, I have some light-hearted picks for you this week that you can curl up on the couch and watch.  Enjoy!

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks- Fantastic Fest Edition!

Well Fantastic Fest 2014 is officially over for us, but that doesn't mean there still aren't movies to watch. Just because our favorite fest is over for a year, there are still chance to watch previous Fantastic Fest films! Thankfully Netflix has many of them available for your enjoyment. Here are a few for this week to get you started.

THE AMERICAN SCREAM
This documentary will get you ready for the Halloween season. It was one of my favorites a couple years ago. From the same director who brought us BEST WORST MOVIE, this documentary follows families as they get into the spirit of Halloween by transforming their houses into haunted houses for the neighborhood. It has tons of heart and makes me wish I lived in a quaint New England town. 

THE SACRAMENT

I wasn't lucky enough to catch this last year, but I did see it during this past DIFF. My cohort absolutely loved this film, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Director Ti West has broken away from his usual standard of a slow-burn plot and has created this fake documentary which is tense, well acted, and quite thrilling.

ELITE SQUAD: THE ENEMY WITHIN
This movie we saw during our first ever Fantastic Fest. We were sad not get into the secret screening, but this film totally surprised us. It's has great action, the story is dense, and the characters are dynamic. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

The cold front has set in here in Dallas, and it's the perfect weather to cuddle up on the couch and watch some movies. Also, there seems to be an annoying cold running around, so even more reason to just chill, drink some hot tea, and stream away. 

ALL IS LOST

It's difficult to carry a movie by yourself, but Robert Redford is in top form in this film. He plays a man whose boat begins to take on water as a storm approaches. It's a harrowing tale of survival that will leave you on the edge of your seat. 

THE UNKNOWN KNOWN

My cohort saw this last year at Fantastic Fest, and he very much enjoyed this documentary. Former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, is put under the microscope by the legendary Errol Morris. Morris attempts to retell Rumsfeld story from the time he was young to piece together the enigma of a man we all got to know during the Iraq conflict.

BLUE RUIN

Yet another amazing Fantastic Fest film which has made its way to Netflix. This was my favorite movie from last year's festival. Revenge isn't easy, and if most of us tried to take revenge on someone, we would fail miserably. BLUE RUIN explores that concept as a man tries to seek revenge for the murder of his parents. It's tense, well acted, and easily one of the best movies streaming right now. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

It's almost time for school again. At least, that's how my calendar operates. But that doesn't mean there aren't great streaming movies/TV shows for you to watch. Check them out below!

KINKY BOOTS
Based on a true story, a young shoe factory owner's business is quickly going south. Instead of keeping with their traditional business of making/selling men's dress shoe's, he teams up with a drag queen to make scandalous and kinky shoes for the drag queen/king crowd. Though I've never seen the film, I've seen clips of the Broadway adaptation of this film, and just the few clips make me excited to check this film out.

HOOK
I rewatched this last week in the wake of Robin Williams' death, and it brought back many nostalgic memories. I had forgotten how long this film was (about 2 and 1/2 hours), but it never felt that long even when I rewatched it. Williams and Hoffman's performances are absolutely captivating, and it solidified this as one of my favorite family films of my childhood.

COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY 

If you weren't able to catch this series in the Spring, season one is now available. The amazing Neil deGrasse Tyson narrates this follow-up to the Carl Sagen version from the 1990's. It's informative, but doesn't feel overwhelming, even when Tyson begins to talk about how massive the universe is. If you're interested in science in any form, you definitely need to check this show out. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

We've hit that slump in August. I'm sure by now you've seen GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY at least once, and if you're like me, the only movie even worth see in this week is STEP UP: ALL IN. But if you're not like me and the new NINJA TURTLES film doesn't strike your fancy, here are some titles for you to get through the weekend. Enjoy!

THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE

This is a documentary I've been wanting to check out for a while. I remember when the woman was attacked in Central Park, and the park became a dangerous place to be. This film gives an in depth look and analysis to that situation and the aftermath that followed.

THE HISTORY OF FUTURE FOLK

Both Javi and I have raved about this movie in the past. It's a strange premise: aliens come down to Earth to save their own planet. However, the minute they hear folk music, they quickly abandon their mission and create a band. Obviously.  It's quirky, fun, heartfelt, and you will not be disappointed in this film. 

DANCE ACADEMY

This series stems from Australia and is a teen drama about a young girl in a prestigious dance academy. There is some cheesiness with the dialogue, but the dance sequences are great and the characters are very likable. It's a fun little series to delve into on an idle weekend. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

It seems strange, but there's no releases this week that seem interesting (at least to me). Maybe we're all gearing up for GUARDIANS next week, but I plan on soaking in the air conditioning and catching up on some Netflix. Here are some titles I've run across recently that I think many would enjoy!

DREW: THE MAN BEHIND THE POSTER

This is a great documentary about the man, Drew Struzan, who's behind some of the most iconic movie posters around. He has worked with Speilberg and Lucas multiple times. You've seen his posters, I promise, and what makes Drew even more impressive is he paints all the posters. Watching him work and create is amazing. 

CITY OF GOD

I had heard about this film for a few years before I finally watched it, and it completely lived up to the hype. It's dense, well shot, and has some great performances. 

12 ANGRY MEN

This is a classic which never gets old. It's a fascinating story about a jury during their deliberation before handing out a sentence which could cost a man's life. Jury 8 (Fonda) is the voice of reason and minority in thinking. If only all of us could be as confident and outspoken as him. 

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Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks

Well the temperature is finally reaching boiling points down here in Dallas, so that means it is time for me to stay inside in the cool air. I have a couple of documentaries (no surprise there) for you this week, plus a wonderful dramatic film.

Happy watching!

I AM DIVINE

This documentary tells the story of one of John Waters's muse, a drag queen named Divine. It was a hit at last year's SXSW. I heard nothing but fantastic reviews from critics and friends. Then, I missed it when The Texas Theatre brought it to Dallas, but now it's finally made it's way to Netflix. 

THREE STARS

The Michelin restaurant guide will rate restaurants from one to three stars. It's the goal of every chef to receive and keep a three star rating; however, it's very, very difficult to do. In the USA alone, there are only 12 three star restaurants. For any foodie, this is a fascinating documentary that follows chefs as they try to be as innovative as possible to earn this honor. 

SHORT TERM 12

A wonderful little drama that was overlooked by people last year. Brie Larson, in her best role to date,  is in charge of a home of troubled teenagers, and as she tries to help them have a life of normalcy, her personal life begins to interfere. It's one of the most emotional and heartfelt movies from last year. 

Netflix Instant: TV and Movie Picks- Documentary Edition

Let's face it. There's not much out this weekend in terms of movies. Yes, there is the latest installment of Transformers from Michael Bay, but if you're like me, I'm a little worn out from all the explosions and bad editing. Instead, I say stay in and enjoy some awesome documentaries I have picked for this week!

WE CAUSE SCENES: THE RISE OF IMPROV EVERYWHERE
Improv Everywhere is a group whose mission is to bring smiles and joy to people through various "flash mob" type of activities. Whether it's not wearing pants on the subway or having 100 people freeze in a train station, this group is all about creating memories for people. This film shows how this group started off small but ended up making headlines around the world. 

30 FOR 30: SOCCER STORIES

World Cup has pretty much taken over all social media whether you like it or not. I'm not the biggest soccer fan, but I always enjoy a good sports story. The 30 for 30 series has never disappointed me, so I plan to check out some of these while futbol fever is still going on.

STORIES WE TELL
This was a film I've been wanting to check out for a long time. In this documentary, director Sarah Polley takes a look at her family history and discovers untold secrets that completely changes how she views her past. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this film, and I'm eager to check this off my "missed films" list of last year. 

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