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.
’71 (Yann Demange)
In an AFI Fest post-screening discussion of his new film ’71, director Yann Demange expressed the legitimate concern that certain audiences, specifically those of an American stripe, may not know enough about “The Troubles” to appreciate the film’s historical accuracy. While a good number of Americans can likely draw on enough existing knowledge about their national conflicts (e.g. WWII or Vietnam) to grasp the significance of films depicting such events, comprehension of the Northern Ireland conflict is seemingly surface-deep. Demange was adamant that the political elements on display in ’71 are, in fact, historically accurate. – Brian P. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Ballet 422 (Jody Lee Lipes)
The inception and design that goes into creating any artistic work is a marvel to witness. It is this purity of concept that propels director and cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes‘ captivating documentary about a young prodigy ballet dancer, Justin Peck. The film is as much about documenting the creative process as documenting the intricacies of ballet. With its brisk pace and unique style, Ballet 422 is a cinematic delight that encapsulates the passion of two inspired artists: the one in front of the camera and the one behind it. – Raffi A. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
Beyond the Lights (Gina Prince-Bythewood)
Beyond the Lights delights in being exactly what it is — which, unfortunately, is something most will dismiss as standard date-night fare without casting a second glance. Yes, at one level, it is a very good, albeit predictable film perfect for couples looking for something both heartening but intelligent. At another, it delivers to us one of the most compelling and endearing female characters we’ve seen this year, and it turns out she’s hiding right there, beneath the girl everyone has been looking at all along. This is another minor gem in Prince-Bythewood’s directorial crown. – Nathan B.
Where to Stream: Netflix
Big Game (Jalmari Helander)
Despite being rated PG-13 in America, Jalmari Helander‘s Big Game should target audiences between 10-15 like Dan Smith‘s Young Adult novelization of the film. Being a Finnish production—the most expensive in the country’s history—probably means it did just that abroad. Unfortunately Americans cringe at the sound of curse words reaching their children’s ears, forgetting how readily accessible they are at home on TV and otherwise depending on whether parents or siblings aren’t careful. The inclusion of this language as well as the amount of death necessary for an action film of its kind to be effective ultimately puts the studio in the tough position of pretending the final result’s palatable for older audiences hoping for a good ol’ fashioned ass-kicking. At the end of the day, however, Big Game‘s a thirteen-year old’s coming of age adventure. – Jared M. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Creep (Patrick Brice)
Blumhouse Productions has become a horror powerhouse with its many popular and expansive titles, ranging from the ever-growing Paranormal Activity series to the endless sequel potential of the dystopian thriller The Purge. Fortunately, the company’s ambitions lie beyond becoming a tireless franchise machine, as evidenced by Creep, a minor curiosity that melds Blumhouse’s penchant for found footage with a free-wheeling indie spirit. – Amanda W. (full review)
Where to Stream: iTunes
Ex Machina (Alex Garland)
Artificial intelligence is the anointed “next big thing” of our time, and so it makes sense that film would seek to address it. But whereas something like Avengers: Age of Ultron treats artificial intelligence as a way to create an “inhuman” force for evil, Ex Machina decides to use the creation of consciousness as a means of reflecting our own base humanity back at us. Smart, sleek, and spare, Ex Machina functions as a dagger elegantly carving out our own heart to show it back to us. – Brian R.
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Gone Girl (David Fincher)
Something is wrong from the very first moments of Gone Girl, David Fincher‘s sinister, immensely entertaining tenth film and an adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s pulpy bestseller. Before Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary, before her husband Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) quickly becomes the prime suspect, and before the multitude of twists and turns that follow, the ever-precise Fincher foreshadows his all-encompassing, disconcerting tone through simple opening credits. – Jordan R. (full review)
Where to Stream: HBO Go
A Little Chaos (Alan Rickman)
There’s hardly a subject more niche than 17th Century French royal gardening, but in the hands of Alan Rickman it becomes the backdrop for a charming romance with some light philosophical undertones. Directing for the second time after 1997’s The Winter Guest, he also costars as King Louis XIV who commissions André Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts) to create a new royal garden in Versailles. Le Nôtre in turn hires Sabine De Barra (Kate Winslet) to create an unprecedented outdoor ballroom. The stakes are low, so low in fact that at times the story lacks any momentum. It’s as if Rickman has fallen in love with the characters himself and is incapable of giving them any serious conflict to deal with. The importance of gardening to the characters is never translated to the audience, and the prospective romance falters. – Martin J.(full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
The Little Death (Josh Lawson)
It’s been a while since the U.S. has produced a good sex comedy for and about adults. The last film exploring this territory, Sex Tape, is one I wish I had forgotten about, yet it has resonated as the worst film of the year thus far. The Little Death, written by, directed by, and starring Josh Lawson, is a great deal more mature and ambitious. A mainstream comedy from Down Under, Lawson’s film explores the sexual habits of a fairly disjointed group of adults, varying in age from their late 20’s to their 50’s. – John F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
What Happened, Miss Simone? (Liz Garbus)
Borrowing its title from Maya Angelou’s poem Nina Simone: High Priestess of Soul, Liz Garbus‘ What Happened, Miss Simone?, akin to her previous works, incorporates new interviews with archival material. Like another great film about a luminary, Tupac: Resurrection — also about a philosopher infusing politics into their music and iconography — What Happened, Miss Simone? is a rich and complex tapestry chronicling Simone from her early years struggling to break in. Denied entry into a classical piano program, she flocks to Atlantic City where she’s encouraged to sing. Here is where she finds her voice, gaining tracking and in invite to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival mixing folk and jazz. – John F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
Also New to Streaming
Amazon
A Spell to Ward off the Darkness
Bound to Vengeance (review)
The Strongest Man
Netflix
Fandor
Madadayo
An Autumn Afternoon
L’argent
Street of Shame
Confidentially Yours
Three Red Colors
Behind the Blue Screen
The Sadistic Baron von Klaus
What are you streaming this weekend?