Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to the worthwhile titles currently available on Netflix Instant Watch.
This weekend sequels will run rampant over mainstream theaters with the Wolf Pack facing off against the Furious Five, while Terrence Malick’s enigmatic new film sets down fresh from its rousing Cannes debut. If you want to bring the shenanigans, kid-friendly kung-fu craziness, or posh pedigrees of these new releases home for your holiday weekend, we’ve got a selection of the best Instant Watch has to offer.
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The Hangover: Part II
The Wolf Pack (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Zach Galifianakis) are back for more bachelor party hi-jinks. A few years have passed, and this time ’round the boys are celebrating Stu’s impending nuptials in Thailand with all the class and decorum they can muster…which of course means dick jokes and a monkey sidekick. Ken Jeong co-stars.
Road movies with the bros are always ripe for raunchy laughs, try out this trio of wild rides:
Dumb and Dumber: Unrated (1994) Long before the Wolf Pack, Harry and Lloyd were showing us the ways of bromance. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels star as a pair of devoted best buds/absolute morons on a quest to return a briefcase to the beautiful Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly), in the hopes of winning her heart. Of course, they have to journey to Aspen, along the way get unknowingly entangled in a dangerous kidnapping scheme, and sporting some seriously fierce fashion. Peter Farrelly directs.
Sex Drive (2008) Another tale of buds taking to the road for tail, this teen-centered comedy centers on a young man’s (Josh Zuckerman) quest to meet (and hook up with) the girl he fell for on Facebook. (Clearly, he hasn’t seen Catfish). Of course, his best buds (Clark Duke and Amanda Crew) are along for the ride that’s as full of raunch as it is cameos. Seth Green and James Marsden co-star.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) In this bro-centered comedy, the trip is of the time-travel variety when John Cusack, Carig Robinson, Rob Corddry and Clark Duke (again) – slip back to 1986, to give their lives a second go during a pivotal ski weekend. Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and Lizzy Caplan co-star.
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Kung Fu Panda 2
Everybody is kung fu fighting – again! Po and the Furious Five are back and out to save kung fu itself from the malevolent mechanizations of an evil peacock voiced by Gary Oldman. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan star.
For more family-friendly fists of fury, try these martial art-fueled features:
The Spy Next Door (2009) Jackie Chan puts his uniquely comedic fighting style to use, playing a babysitter who must battle batches of secret agents when his neighbors’ kids accidentally download a top secret code, George Lopez costars.
The Karate Kid (2010) In this reboot set in China, Chan plays Mr. Miagi to an eager but arrogant Jaden Smith. This kid-centered action flick ratchets the hero’s age back a bit, but maintains the kind of high-kickin’ bravado you’ll remember from the original (which is not streaming at present). Taraji P. Henson co-stars.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) This Nickelodeon cartoon series attracted viewers young and old with its visually-stunning fight choreography, quirky characters and riveting save-the-world plot line. Aang is a young man who has the unique gift to bend the four elements (fire, air, water and earth) – and must do so to battle the evil Fire Lord and restore balance to the world. While anime is often too complicated for kiddies to follow, this Emmy-winning animated series keeps it simple, but rarely dumbs itself down. Plus, the show is far more captivating than last year’s disastrous movie adaptation.
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The Tree of Life
Writer/director Terrence Malick’s first film in six years, which just won Cannes’ Palm D’or, stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in an expansive and poetic narrative about one boy’s loss of innocence.
In honor of Cannes and its award-winners, here’s a trio of past Palm D’or winners you can watch now:
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days [4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile] (2007) This Romanian drama drew worldwide notice with its gritty story: Laura Vasiliu plays a college student, who with the help of her friend (Anamaria Marinca), seeks an abortion in the back alleys of 1980s Romania, where the oppressive dictatorship makes getting one both illegal and dangerous. It’s a harrowing tale of friendship and political repression.
The Third Man (1949) Based on Graham Greene’s novel, The Third Man stars Orson Welles as a pulp novelist mired in mystery in post-World War II Vienna. He arrives in Vienna eager to reconnect with an old friend, but upon finding his buddy has died – he can’t help but investigate – whatever the cost! This Palm D’Or winner also scored an Oscar for Best Cinematography.
Barton Fink (1991) While the Coen Brothers would go on to be nominated for the Palm D’Or over and over, this was their first. John Tuturro stars as a painfully idealistic playwright who suffers some major writer’s block once Hollywood comes calling. A bizarre series of events hounds the writer, as his next door neighbor – a terrifyingly jovial John Goodman – serves as the ultimate distraction. Judy Davis, John Mahoney and Tony Shalhoub co-star.
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WILD CARD PICK
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The Messenger (2009) In honor of Memorial Day and all the soldiers and veterans it honors, this week’s Wild Card slot goes to an indie drama about the price of war. Ben Foster stars as a U.S. soldier who was injured in Iraq, and has now been reassigned to partner with a Desert Storm veteran (Woody Harrelson) in the Casualty Notification Service, which delivers the news of a soldier’s death to his/her family in person. While Foster struggles to readjust to civilian life, he begins to build an unsteady friendship with Harrelson’s live wire vet and sparks a romance with a recent war widow (Samantha Morton.) While full of compelling performances, Harrelson proves most poignant, as he is in turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Ultimately, it’s an emotionally gripping film that pays tribute to these brave men and women without playing down the risk they take on in service to our country.
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Can you think of a connection/suggestion we missed? Share them in comments.