Ready for another weekend of movie-watching? Netflix has a whole slew of new content coming this weekend on May 1, but there’s plenty of movies for you to check out that have been on the service for a while! So this weekend, sit back, relax, pop some popcorn, grab your favorite diet soda and kick back with one of our Cinemast staff picks on Netflix! Let us know what you thought about the movie in the comments!
THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES (NEW AND SELECTED)
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman
Synopsis: The adult children of esteemed writer Harold Meyerowitz reunite in New York City in preparation for an event commemorating their father’s prestigious career.
Why It’s Worth A Watch: Last year’s awards season was brimming with praise towards Adam Sandler’s acting in Uncut Gems and Noah Baumbach’s writing and directing for Marriage Story. What may surprise some is that these two have worked together before in the equally praiseworthy The Meyerowitz Stories. This ensemble piece is filled with Baumbach’s trademark acerbic wit, drama and outbursts that many, myself among them, have come to love. Sandler shines bright as musically gifted Danny, recently divorced and unemployed, who struggles to reconcile his relationship with his selfish father while dealing with his daughter slipping away from him into adulthood. — Jeffery Sanders
KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE
Directed by: Stephen Chiodo
Starring: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder
Synopsis: Clown-like aliens wreak havoc on an unsuspecting town
Why It’s Worth A Watch: With a title like that, why in the hell wouldn’t it be worth a watch? Listen, with all due respect to Stephen King’s It, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is the quintessential killer clown movie. Made on the cheap in the late 80s by the creative Chiodo Brothers (who would later go on to have a hand in the likes of Team America: World Police), this schlocky, sci-fi B-movie gem is brimming with wonderfully inventive effects and features the shadow puppet scene to end all shadow puppet scenes. Not to mention that it’s all complemented by high energy tunes from The Dickies. Word to the wise, though; if you have a fear of clowns this movie will do absolutely nothing to cure you of it. — Adam Mast
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND
Directed by: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Maxwell Simba
Synopsis: Against all the odds, a thirteen-year-old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.
Why It’s Worth A Watch: With his village threatened by starvation during a drought, 13-year old William Kamkuamb, born in Malawi, sets off to do the impossible. His passion for learning and physics helps him to design a wind generator and save his family and neighbors. This inspiring true story is one that shouldn’t be missed. Kamkuamb’s determination and hard work are proof that anything is possible, even in the most impossible circumstances. — Briana Pugh
SWISS ARMY MAN
Directed by: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Starring: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe
Synopsis: A young man stranded on an island befriends a dead body with amazing abilities and together they go on a whimsical surprise-filled journey to get home.
Why It’s Worth A Watch: Look, you can watch all the reboots, remakes and franchise fare you want on Netflix. I’m not gonna stop you. But if you want something original this weekend, I mean truly original, then you have got to see Swiss Army Man. It’s a film that requires you to buy-in to its ridiculous concept; a dead body that can be manipulated in dozens of ways: his farts turn him into a jet ski, his teeth are sharp enough to use as a knife, and he can karate-chop logs in half. Through this whole touching and hilarious movie, Hank (Paul Dano) teaches Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) about life and love, friendship, and survival. It has some incredibly touching moments and absurd life lessons, but it’s a movie I love to revisit because of how wild it truly is. — Brandon Treadway
CHRISTINE
Directed by: Antonio Campos
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Michael C. Hall, Tracy Letts
Synopsis: The story of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s TV reporter struggling with depression and professional frustrations as she tries to advance her career.
Why It’s Worth A Watch: I saw this movie at Sundance a few years ago. It’s a great little gem that was passed up. It’s my favorite Rebecca Hall performance. Hall plays Christine Chubbuck, the first person to commit suicide on live TV. The film is dark, dramatic, and yet still allows the occasional humorous moment–especially between her boss played by Tracy Letts. The film brings up some important topics about mental health, stress, and the news’s sensationalizing of those that suffer from them. It’s really a fascinating film that is worth a weekend watch. — John Pugh
