Netflix has been losing pretty badly this past few weeks but there’s a strong stream of movies this week from both sides. Can the Newt save face? Will the Anteater reign supreme again? It’s going to be a tough battle this week. Read on for the honorable mentions and our pick of the week.
Netflix
The Purge: Anarchy – Sequel to the surprise hit The Purge.
One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish — including murder — without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo, a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night.
Shrek (2-4 plus Puss in Boots) – You know the drill. It’s Shrek and Netflix have added all his sequels! Including that one where Zorro is a cat.
Stranger Things – This one looks like it could have legs. Another solid show from the house of Netflix.
This thrilling Netflix-original drama stars award-winning actress Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who lives in a small Indiana town in 1983 — inspired by a time when tales of science fiction captivated audiences. When Joyce’s 12-year-old son, Will, goes missing, she launches a terrifying investigation into his disappearance with local authorities. As they search for answers, they unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries involving secret government experiments, unnerving supernatural forces, and a very unusual little girl.
Labyrinth – Always a popular one this. David Bowie plus Muppets equals cash. I also love that baby Froud gets a credit along with Bowie and Connelly.
Teenage Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) journeys through a maze to recover her baby brother (Toby Froud) from a goblin king (David Bowie).
X-Men: Days of Future Past – A big one this and it was a strong contender for pick of the week. A great mix of the old X-Men and the new batch.
Convinced that mutants pose a threat to humanity, Dr. Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage) develops the Sentinels, enormous robotic weapons that can detect a mutant gene and zero in on that person. In the 21st century, the Sentinels have evolved into highly efficient killing machines. With mutants now facing extinction, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) volunteers to go back in time and rally the X-Men of the past to help change a pivotal moment in history and thereby save their future.
Amazon
The Hangover Part 2 – Not as good as the first but better than the third. The Hangover Part 2 is a worthy sequel though.
Two years after the disastrous events in Las Vegas, it is now Stu’s (Ed Helms) turn to walk down the aisle. Since his bride is from Thailand, Stu decides to hold the wedding there. Desperately hoping to avoid the mayhem of Doug’s (Justin Bartha) bachelor party, Stu chooses what he thinks will be a safe option: an alcohol-free, prewedding brunch. But this being Thailand, and with Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) again in attendance, anything can happen.
Arachnaphobia – A personal favorite of mine from the 90’s. Glad to see it having some life on Amazon.
After a nature photographer (Mark L. Taylor) dies on assignment in Venezuela, a poisonous spider hitches a ride in his coffin to his hometown in rural California, where arachnophobe Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels) has just moved in with his wife, Molly (Harley Jane Kozak), and young son. As town residents start turning up dead, Jennings begins to suspect spiders, and must face his fears as he and no-nonsense exterminator Delbert McClintock (John Goodman) fight to stop a deadly infestation.
The Illusionist – Coming out at the same time as Christian Bale’s The Prestige I’d say that this suffered a little for it. It’s still a great movie though. Edward Norton is excellent as always.(Ed’s note – but is he better than Vin Diesel?)
A master magician named Eisenheim (Edward Norton) vies with Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) of Vienna for the hand of noblewoman Sophie (Jessica Biel), the girl he once loved. He brings his considerable powers to bear on the prince, as she is about to be named royal fiancee. However, a police inspector named Uhl (Paul Giamatti) tries to warn Eisenheim that he is playing a very dangerous game.
Grindhouse – This was quite the little experiment. 2 movies in one, both with missing scenes. It’s a pity that in the UK it was split up into Death Proof and Planet Terror. We get to experience the full effect here though. This was also a strong contender for pick of the week.
Filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez pay tribute to exploitation films of the 1970s with two features in one. Tarantino directs “Death Proof,” a slasher film, and Rodriguez directs “Planet Terror,” a zombie movie. Fictitious ads and movie trailers run during each feature’s intermission.
Streaming Pick of the Week
Netflix – Dragon Blade
A lot of strong movies this week but Netflix comes back fighting from it’s losing streak with this week’s Pick of the Week. Dragon Blade gets my vote because it’s the movie everyone’s been waiting for. That’s right. Jackie Chan and John Cusack together for the first time! As if that wasn’t enough, Cusack is playing the role he was born to play. A Roman Centurion. With the same accent he’s always had. Adrien Brody is also in this one, dragging his looooong face across the ground, and also with that accent he’s always had! Check out the trailer below for this bonkers period nonsense and tell me you don’t want to watch it with a few beers and possibly a Jagermeister or five.
“Dragon Blade” is an historical epic set in Han Dynasty China. It is loosely based on the true story of a missing legion of Roman soldiers who ended up along China’s Silk Road in 48 BCE. An exiled Chinese general (Jackie Chan) offers shelter to a renegade Roman (John Cusack) and his legion, then becomes involved in the soldier’s dispute with Rome’s villainous consul (Adrien Brody).
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