With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
Abuse Of Weakness (Catherine Breillat)
The draw of Catherine Breillat‘s newest, autobiographical film, Abuse of Weakness (known as Abus de faiblesse in its native tongue), is ultimately to watch how someone so desperately in need can be preyed upon no matter their own intelligence, wealth, or stature. When tragedy strikes, unannounced, via a debilitating stroke, the fear of death and paralysis eventually leads to newfound tenacity and strength — but what no one who isn’t absolutely indebted to the help of others for even the most menial tasks (such as opening a door) can know is that the simple act of showing up may prove all-powerful. A friend with the rare quality of not tainting every kindness with a healthy dose of pity is everything. When that person is the only one taking the time to call and visit each day, you can’t really be blamed for doing whatever possible to repay the favor. – Jared M. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
Bad Turn Worse (Simon Hawkins and Zeke Hawkins)
Life for Sue (Mackenzie Davis) and Bobby (Jeremy Allen White) in their sleepy blue collar Texas town is at an end. They’ve been accepted to college and can’t wait for the transition in hopes it’s the first step towards never returning. But while neither is sad about leaving families behind, there is one person they can’t help feel conflicted about deserting. BJ (Logan Huffman) is her boyfriend, his best friend, and the kind of guy whose heart is always in the right place despite his head finding it hard to follow. Less mad about his inability to join them than their refusal to stay, BJ decides to throw his friends a going away party with love and a dash of bile. His acquisition of the necessary funds, however, may make it so no one ever leaves. – Jared M. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Matt Reeves)
Like the 1968 original that started all this cinematic monkey business, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a film that surpasses the implications of its title. More smartly nuanced and visually bombastic than any entry in the series, Dawn boasts a surprisingly textured script and great performances from both the men and the apes. Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a great little genre movie—reenergizing the concept after Tim Burton’s awkward remake—but the Matt Reeves-helmed follow-up takes the franchise to the next evolutionary level. – Nathan B. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
The Expendables 3 (Patrick Hughes)
Can we all agree that three of these is enough? Granted, back in 2010, the pitch seemed entertaining. An R-rated action romp, written and directed by the “action auteur” Sylvester Stallone, called The Expendables, in which all of the roles would be played by faded, old action stars who were living in the twilight of yesteryear. And, to be sure, that first film delivered all of the tongue-in-cheek dialogue, garish violence and juicy cameos (most notably Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis and then-still-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger) that the original idea promised. The movie was a hit and the sequel was greenlit, as expected. Now, it is 2014, and we have The Expendables 3, starring most of the same faded, old action stars, minus one big one (Willis) and plus three big ones (Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Harrison Ford). And, of course, Kelsey Grammer, who is arguably the highlight of this film, playing an “action-star scout” of sorts. – Dan M. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski)
A black-and-white film about an orphan nun trying to find out about her family sounds like the kind of clichéd awards bait which could easily fall flat on its face. Pawel Pawlikowski manages to undermine those dire possibilities by making a subtle, affecting picture about long-buried secrets, as well as the conflicted dialogue between virtue and vice. The film is buoyed by the strong performances of its two leads, Agata Trzebuchowska and Agata Kulesza, both of whom manage to bring real humanity to characters who begin as archetypes. Add to this base the way in which Ida delves deep into horrors wrought by war and attempts to construct some greater peace, and a film that sounds like a didactic one-act play becomes a moving, resonant glimpse into a very human profound in two people’s lives. – Brian R.
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Los Angeles Plays Itself (Thom Andersen)
Once thought to never see a release due to rights issues, the fine folks at Cinema Guild picked up Thom Andersen‘s 2003 documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself for a release and after a Blu-ray debut, it’s now available to stream, in full, on Netflix. Tracking the history of Los Angeles entirely through films, the nearly three-hour documentary has been an underground gem in the last decade, but will hopefully rise in stature in the coming years due to the release. – Jordan R.
Where to Stream: Netflix
Mood Indigo (Michel Gondry)
Whether it’s on account of the visual flair he showcases in this hyper-stylized alternative universe or, perhaps, through the frank manner some characters talk to each other, whimsical is the perfect adjective to describe Michel Gondry‘s latest film, Mood Indigo. Wild colors pepper the first half, and there’s an intense level of fun to be had throughout — but it’s not just visual flair. As we fall for our two leads, Chloe (Audrey Tatou) and Colin (Romain Duris), their profiles are intricately constructed. The latter, an extremely eligible bachelor, has a full-time lawyer who cooks for him in his wacky trailer apartment, never working because he has plenty of money. – Bill G. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Nebraska (Alexander Payne)
Alexander Payne’s latest feature is his best, a wonderful film that does so much right from its unique tone (shifting quietly from parody to melancholy) and its relationships. The story is centered around the life of Woody Grant (Bruce Dern, in a brilliant performance) and potentially his alternative life as he returns to rural Nebraska on his way to claim a prize. Enabling the stubborn old Woody is his son David (Will Forte), a lonely stereo salesman. June Squibb also gives a hilarious performance as Woody’s wife. Nebraska is a rough, yet lovable movie, hitting notes so rarely seen. It is one of the best road comedies ever made, embodying the old notion that road movies are about the journey, not the destination. Here is a film that reflects on journey in truly profound and often heartbreaking ways. – John F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix, Amazon Prime
Also New to Streaming
Amazon
A Merry Friggin’ Christmas
The Giver
If I Stay
James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge
Miss Meadows
Starry Eyes
Netflix
Louder Than Words
Quartet
Still Mine
What are you streaming this weekend?