Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to worthwhile titles currently available on Netflix Instant Watch. This week we offer alternatives to Hugo, The Muppets & The Artist.
This holiday weekend is nostalgia heavy as two family-friendly features will duke it out for the top spot at the box office. And while a movie-lovin’ orphan battles against a mob of Muppets, a spectacular entry into silent cinema will dazzle in select theaters. But if you’re craving some couch-friendly entertainment to go with your turkey, we’ve got you covered with some kid-centered adventures, Henson-created creatures and classic and cutting comedies suitable for the whole family!
In 1930s Paris, an orphan boy named Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) aims to unlock the secret behind a curious robot his recently deceased father has left him. Chloe Moretz and Sacha Baron Cohen co-star; Martin Scorsese directs.
Orphans have the grandest adventures:
Annie: Special Anniversary Edition (1982) Based on the hit Broadway musical (which was inspired by the quaint Depression-era comic “Little Orphan Annie”), this plucky adventure follows the iconic red-headed orphan girl as she defies the gin-swillin’ Mrs. Hannigan (Carol Burnett), befriends a loyal stray named Sandy, and warms the heart of cranky old millionaire called Daddy Warbucks (Albert Finney). Full of charm and high-energy musical numbers, Annie will enchant all ages. John Huston directs.
Oliver! (1968) Before Annie took Broadway by storm, Oliver was the talk of the West End, inspiring a movie musical of its own. Consider yourself one of the family as you curl up with this song-speckled tale of Charles Dickens’ adventure-prone orphan. Maneuvering through the tough streets of 19th century London, little Oliver finds a home after befriending a local pickpocket called the Artful Dodger. But his solace is threatened when he crosses paths with dastardly deviant Bill Sikes. Carol Reed directs.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) In Nickelodeon’s cult-adored cartoon series, the title character is a young orphan named Aang who has extraordinary powers. He can manipulate – or bend – the elements of earth, air, fire and water, an ability that sets him apart and makes him responsible for maintaining balance and peace between the four nations. With the Fire Nation hell-bent on world domination, Aang organizes a rebel force full of fighters of all ages, genders, races and disciplines in an effort to defeat the evil Fire Lord once and for all. Anime-inspired ATLA is visually lush, but uniquely poignant and humorous with a bevvy of characters that are easy to love. The entire three-season arc is now streaming.
When the legendary Muppet Studios is threatened by a nefarious businessman’s greedy scheme, Kermit and the gang reunite to put on a benefit show and save the day! Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Chris Cooper co-star.
Sadly none of the Muppet movies are streaming, but these Henson titles are!
Follow That Bird (1985) When a well-meaning (but mistaken) social worker decides Big Bird would be better served “living among his own kind,” the ever-friendly fowl is sent to a foster home and far from his Sesame Street friends. It’s not long before Big Bird runs off, inspiring his former neighbors to take to the roads beyond Sesame Street to bring him back to where the air is sweet. Super Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Bert & Ernie co-star.
Fraggle Rock (1983) This celebrated children’s show centers on some song-spouting subterraneans called Fraggles! Each episode offers these colorful creatures a new adventure, a new lesson and another chance to sing ’til their hearts content! So dance your cares away with Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober and Red!
The Dark Crystal (1982) Jim Henson and Frank Oz co-directed this visually dense allegory that centers on Jen, the last known Gelfling charged with saving his dying world by healing the dark crystal. But to do so he must leave the safety of his foster family and set forth into a world of untold dangers, ultimately facing the cruel and unscrupulous Skesis tribe.
With the coming of sound, silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) finds his career cut short. But in this dark time he finds a light in lovely ingénue Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). Michel Hazanavicius directs this winsome silent romantic-comedy.
Spoofs and classic silent comedies sure to delight:
OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006) Dujardin, Bejo and Hazanavicius first collaborated on this spy spoof that makes a joke out of the James Bond-heavy genre. Here Dujardin is a man of mystery, with flying fists and a skill for the absurd. A box office hit in its native France, this whimsical comedy has earned Hazanavicius a growing American following. Catch-up quick with a DYI double feature of Cairo, Nest of Spies and OSS 117: Lost in Rio which is also streaming.
The Gold Rush (1925) Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin takes his classic character The Little Tramp to the Alaskan frontier, where times are tough for aspiring prospectors. Among Chaplin’s most popular titles, this timeless silent comedy features the iconic scene where the hapless and hungry tramp resorts to eating his own shoe. Poverty’s never been so hilarious.
Sherlock Jr. (1924) In this classic silent comedy, the long-faced master of slapstick Buster Keaton plays a film projectionist who dreams of becoming a detective. If you’ve never taken in a Keaton feature, this is an excellent introduction. Once he’s bested by a devious rival for the affections of a lovely young woman, the poor but noble projectionist escapes into a movie-inspired world of fantasy where his deductive detective prowess solves a prat-fall-filled case of a missing pearl necklace. It’s a sweet and funny romp that hasn’t lost its appeal in 87 years!
Double Dare (2005) Stunt men and women have long been overshadowed by the famous faces they double for. But in this spirited and stunning documentary, Oscar-nominated director Amanda Micheli brings two of the field’s most charismatic figures out of the shadows. Jeannie Epper is a sixty-something legend in stunt work, having taken the hits Lynda Carter couldn’t handle in The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. Zoe Bell is a bubbly twenty-something Kiwi who made a name for herself as Lucy Lawless’ stunt double on the long-running action-packed adventures of Xena: Warrior Princess. Each is a fearless and inspiring figure, though at different ends of their careers. After more than 50 years in the business, Epper refuses to ease into retirement, tirelessly tracking down stunt work at every turn. On the other hand, Zoe feels lost after Xena ends its sixth-season run and leaves her jobless. To continue in the career path she craves, she travels to Los Angeles and learns fast how to fall – from a band of established stunt professionals. It’s a great story about an often (and unfairly) overlooked aspect of moviemaking, and Epper and Bell are thoroughly fun and fascinating as they reveal the special obstacles women in the field face. (For one thing – skimpy costumes mean female stunt performers don’t have the luxury of body pads to protect them!) It’s a must-see for movielovers. And for a more up-to-date epilogue on Bell’s journey, check out this clip, but be warned: it contains Double Dare spoilers.
Is there a title Now Streaming that you think is worth recommending?
Send your pick(s) to Kristy.