Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to the worthwhile titles currently available on Netflix Instant Watch.
In theaters this week a intergalactic cop will square off against a batch of urban penguins, a lovelorn teen, and an investigative look at one of the world’s most heralded publications. If you’re still craving superheroes, stand-up comics turned kid flick peddlers, besotted boys and inside information, we’ve got a selection of features that should satisfy.
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Green Lantern
Ryan Reynolds returns to the arena of superheros with a fully CGI-suit and a little ring that holds a lot of power. Hal Jordan (Reynolds) is an American test pilot who is thrown into a world of intergalactic intrigue when an alien crash lands on Earth and passes off all the powers of The Green Lantern Corp! Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, and Mark Strong co-star.
With DC revamping their heroes this fall, now’s a good time to check in on some of the soon-to-be old-world’s universe!
Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010) An animated collection of superhero shorts that feature Superman, Shazam, Captain Marvel and The Spectre. While this compilation is fun, the standout is far and away Spectre’s short — a twisted take on neo-noir. Featuring voicework by Jerry O’Connell, James Garner and Danica McKellar.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) When Supergirl is kidnapped by Darkseid, Superman and Batman must team up to save her from the frightful fate of being turned into one of the nefarious fiend’s Female Furies. Kevin Conroy, Summer Glau, and Ed Asner lend their voices to this kinetic animated action flick.
Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010) A dark figure is stalking the streets of Gotham City, and it’s not whom you think. As Batman and his faithful cohort Nightwing take to the city’s rooftops and streets to thwart crime in all its forms, the mysterious Red Hood is hot on their tail. This animated adventure features voicework by Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jason Isaacs.
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Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Jim Carrey dives back into kid flicks with this adaptation of the classic children’s book, and this time ’round he plays a man whose apartment is overrun by penguins! Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury and Philip Baker Hall co-star.
Carrey’s one of many subversive comics turned kiddie-movie superstars. For more family flicks with a weird edge, try this trio.
Dr. Dolittle (1998) You can have a daffy animal double-feature by pairing Poppers with this Eddie Murphy comedy that places the formerly blue stand-up as a vet who can really communicate with animals. Notably, Murphy brought a slew of his crew along, enlisting many to voice his animal co-stars. Also featured: Paul Reubens, Gilbert Gottfried, Ellen DeGeneres, John Leguizamo, Chris Rock, Albert Brooks, and Norm MacDonald.
Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) Murphy returns with a new crew of talking animals in this sequel. This time around the wide range of mature content comics include: Andy Dick, Jamie Kennedy, Cedric the Entertainer, Michael McKean, Bob Odenkirk, Hal Sparks, David Cross, Kevin Pollak and Andy Richter.
Look Who’s Talking Too (1990) If talking animals aren’t your speed, how about cheeky chatty babies? Bruce Willis returns as the quick-witted Mikey, and this time he’s got a baby sister voiced by Roseanne. Also featured Gilbert Gottfried (again), Damon Wayans, and Mel Brooks as a fearsome talking toilet.
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The Art of Getting By
British child star Freddie Highmore is all grown up in this indie tale of teen romance. George (Highmore) is an artistically inclined student who has a seemingly hopeless crush on the beautiful but complicated Sally (Emma Roberts.) Michael Angarano co-stars.
Like indie tales about hopeless romantics tirelessly pursuing the affections of a seemingly unattainable girl, well then this is your lucky day.
Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) In this indie rom-com, the humor runs dark but vibrant. Depressed over a break-up, Zia (Patrick Fugit) commits suicide and finds himself in a baffling wasteland filled with self-slaughterers. Here he soon falls for the enigmatic Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon), a beautiful girl who insists she doesn’t belong in limbo. It’s a deeply strange road movie that is both inventive and surprisingly sweet. John Hawkes, Will Arnett, and Tom Waits co-star.
Paper Heart (2009) Blurring the line between fact and fiction, Charlyne Yi co-stars with real-life one-time beau Michael Cera in this quirky rom-com. Both play themselves in a playful travelogue of Yi’s half-hearted search to understand the world’s fixation on love. Many members of the Apatow Mafia make appearances, including Seth Rogen and Martin Starr.
Chasing Amy (1997) Thanks to a new arrangement between Netflix and Miramax, a flood of the production company’s flicks are now streaming. Among them is Kevin Smith’s most well-regarded film, Chasing Amy. Just before Matt & Ben became the most famous pair of buds out of Boston in Good Will Hunting, Ben Affleck starred as Holden McNeil, a comic book artist in a happily arrested development shared with his best bud Banky (Jason Lee) – that is until he falls for a smart, funny woman who loves comics…and the ladies. Joey Lauren Adams co-stars, and pre-famous Matt Damon even scores a bit part!
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Page One: Inside the New York Times
Control Room director Andrew Rossi goes behind the scenes at The New York Times, providing a rarefied look at how the renowned newspaper is constructed, as well as how its staff is handling these tumultuous times when the future of print is uncertain.
All the news that’s fit to print? How about all the flicks fit to take the news on?
Gonzo (2007) The life and work of controversial journalist and rebel icon Hunter S. Thompson is explored in this revelatory documentary. Acclaimed director Alex Gibney utilizes Hunter’s audiotapes, home movies, and some unpublished works to analyze the man’s personal principles. Johnny Depp, who starred in the adaptation of Thompson’s novel Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas, narrates.
The Paper (1994) Ron Howard reveals the inherent frenzy and drama of a New York City newsroom in this lively dramedy. Michael Keaton stars as a man precariously balancing his hectic news desk job with a personal life that includes a ready-to-burst pregnant wife (Marisa Tomei). Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, and Randy Quaid co-star.
The September Issue (2008) R.J. Cutler unveils a rarely seen world of high fashion and high power in this sleek and chic doc that takes you into the offices of Vogue and Anna Wintour. The cold and ever-fabulous editor inspired the book The Devil Wears Prada as well as Meryl Streep’s portrayal in the movie adaptation. Get a look at this contentious fashionista and the winding path that leads to Vogue’s most-anticipated annual issue. Grace Coddington and Andre Leon Talley are also featured.
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Wild Card Pick
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Richard III (1995) This week’s Wild Card pick comes from regular TFS contributor Anthony Vieira: Ian McKellen stars as one of Shakespeare’s most memorable villains, re-imagined in Richard Loncraine’s adaptation as a Hitler-like dictator. Updated to the ’40s, this Richard III is anchored by McKellen’s insanely intense central performance. Surrounded by some terrific supporting players – notably Robert Downey Jr. as Lord Rivers, the brother of the Annette Bening’s Queen Elizabeth, both convincingly rendered here as Americans. The great Jim Broadbent matches McKellen scene by scene as his cousin and co-conspirator, the slimy Lord Buckingham. This is one of the truly great, underseen modern Shakespeare renditions – sexier, gorier and funnier than anything by Kenneth Branagh or Baz Luhrman. In an age when our international bad guys seem to be evil simply because they can (Bin Laden, Kim Jong Il, Saddam Hussein, Newt Gingrich), Richard III – the deranged little humpback that could – is timelier than ever.
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Can you think of a connection/suggestion we missed? Share them in comments.