Highlighting odd and off-beat new releases to watch instantly on Netflix
New for July 1, 2011
Massive update to the Netflix instant library today, as usual for the first of the month. Some of these titles were previously acquired by Netflix and are simply having their licenses renewed. Others are brand new acquisitions. For a full list of new releases, check out the excellent Web site, www.instantwatcher.com.
Here are some highlights, in no particular order:
The Big Combo (1955), directed by Joseph H. Lewis, with Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte and Jean Wallace – I’m not familiar with this film noir, which “raised eyebrows of 1950s censors with frank suggestions of sadomasochism,” according to Netflix. I don’t know Frank and what this film has to do with sadomasochism, but I do like film noir, so I plan to check this out. Lewis also directed Gun Crazy (1950) and Terror in a Texas Town (1958), which is also available on Netflix Instant. (Available until May 1, 2013)
Night of the Comet (1984), directed by Thom Eberhardt, with Sharon Farrell, Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart – YES! I’m a big fan of this film (and it’s been ages since I’ve seen it) about a pair of valley girls sisters who discover they’re two of the only remaining few to have survived a worldwide catastrophe caused when a comet slams into the planet Earth — like, zombies and junk! Fun and campy and totally 80s. (Available until May 1, 2013)
Big Bad Mama (1974), directed by Steve Carver, with William Shatner, Angie Dickenson, Tom Skerritt and Robbie Lee – Produced by Roger Corman, here’s an exploitation classic I’ve been meaning to see about a “big bad mama” (Dickenson) her bank robber boyfriend and her two daughters. (Available until Dec. 31, 2011)
Foxy Brown (1974), directed by Jack Hill, with Pam Grier, Antonio Fargas, Peter Brown and Terry Carter – Netflix hits us up with a double dose of Jack Hill, first with Switchblade Sisters and now with Foxy Brown. Jive-talking cats and gangsters better think twice ’bout stickin’ around when Foxy Brown is let loose on the town! Great revenge flick. (Available until)
The World of Drunken Master (1979), directed by Joseph Kuo, with Fei Lung, Jeanie Chang and Jack Lung – I know Drunken Master and its sequels, which starred a young Jackie Chan — a series of films that combine kung-fu action with good old-fashioned slapstick. But what’s “The World” of Drunken Master? A spin-off? A cheap cash-in? Maybe both. It stars Simon Yuen Siu Tin, who played Jackie Chan’s master in the original Drunken Master. This could be terrible. But I do love me some drunken kung-fu, so it’ll probably wind up being watched at some point. (Available until March 1, 2014)
Superfly (1972), directed by Gordon Parks, with Ron O’Neal, Carl Lee, Sheila Frazier and Julius Harris – Ron O’Neal is Youngblood Priest, a coke dealer looking to get out of the drug game, but who wants to make one last score before that happens. Featuring a legendary soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield, you don’t know blaxploitation until you’ve seen Superfly. (Available until)
200 Motels (1971), directed by Tony Palmer and Frank Zappa, with The Mothers of Invention, Ringo Starr, Theodore Bikel and Keith Moon – Early 1970s weirdness from Frank Zappa and Co. I saw this once on VHS way back and wasn’t too impressed, but then again, I’ve never been a fan of Zappa’s music although I absolutely adore him as a person and the kinds of things he stood for. I guess this is my chance to give it another shot. (Available until March 1, 2013)
Bad Batch (2010), directed by Abe Schwartz, with J.R. Lemon, Lionel Sam and Abe Schwartz – I don’t know much about this other than it’s an extremely low-budget stoner comedy and that the cover art is pretty. I will report back to you later with more information. (Available until)
Let Me In (2010), directed by Matt Reeves, with Kodi Smith-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and Richard Jenkins – I reviewed Let Me In as part of 50 Movies for 50 States. This was filmed and takes place in Northern New Mexico. An exception to the rule that you shouldn’t mess with something that’s already perfect to begin with — I’m talking about the original Swedish film this is based on, Let The Right One In. A fucking fantastic movie. (Available until December 1, 2012)
Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), directed by Alan Gibson, with Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Stephanie Beacham and Christopher Neame – Christopher Lee. Peter Cushing. Hippies. Even if this is bad, it’s going to be so good. (Available until)
Rubber (2010), directed by Quentin Dupieux, with Stephen Spinella, Jack Plotnick, Wings Hauser and Roxane Mesquida – Inventive and absurd film about an anthropomorphic tire that travels through the desert blowing up stuff with telekinetic powers that falls in love with a human woman and decides to pursue her. Really cool movie that I felt was kind of hindered by a very heavy-handed framing decide. Still, it’s unlike anything else I’ve seen and for that, deserves some credit. (Available until July 14, 2014)
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When I first talked to you about Let the right one in, you didn’t like it. What changed? Also, I want to see Rubber. It looks ridiculous.
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When I first saw Let The Right One In, I saw it in a theater and I was given the impression that it was going to be sort of a fast-paced, gory vampire flick — which, clearly it isn’t. So I was just really unprepared when I saw it the first time and I guess my first impression was that I wasn’t sure if I liked it. When I watched it again after it was on VOD, I loved it. I have no idea what changed other than the mindset when I saw down to watch it.
Let Me In is good. You’ve seen that, right?
I haven’t been able to finish Rubber yet. I haven’t had the time. I’m not blown away by it, but that’s what I said about Let The Right One In the first time I saw it. 🙂 I’ll probably write more about this tomorrow though.
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