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Streaming devices are constantly updating their collections so, if you’re running low on items in your queue, here are some suggestions of what to add to your list. This week, dark comedies and true life tales are the most binge-worthy picks.
Z For Zachariah: All hail Hulu for digging up this gem, the rare post-apocalyptic thriller that focuses less on special effects and more on tense relationship between survivors. In the wake of a nuclear attack, Ann (Margot Robbie) thinks she’s the last person on earth. But soon she’s joined on her isolated farm by an ailing research scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a coal miner (Chris Pine), both of whom add jolts of suspense to the proceedings. The trio debates faith, rebuilding and the laws of attraction.
A Perfect Day: The Balkins conflict gets its very own “M.A.S.H.”-esque black comedy courtesy of this witty outing about a day in the life of badass rescue workers (Benecio Del Toro, Tim Robbins, Olga Kurylenko, Melanie Thierry.) The plot pivots, on members of the fearless company trying to haul a corpse out of a well. Along the way, they must navigate war-zone red tape, dodge land mines and sidestep their own romantic dilemmas. On DVD, Amazon, iTunes, Google, Vudu.
Quitters: Noah Pritzker: remember his name. He’s the co-writer and director of this brave indie about kids – and their parents – behaving badly. Newcomer Ben Konigsberg stars as Clark, a needy teenager, whose life implodes after his mother (Mira Sorvino) heads for rehab. Even though Clark is occasionally unlikeable, taking advantage of just about everyone who crosses his path, he’s never less than achingly human. There’s great supporting turns by Saffron Burrows, Kara Hayward, Kieran Culkin and Morgan Turner. On VOD.
The Preppie Connection: Based on a true story, this 1980s drama, revolves around a working-class townie named Toby (Thomas Mann) who struggles to fit in with the rich kids at his prep school. In an effort to woo his posh crush (Lucy Fry), he becomes a cocaine dealer. Writer/director Joseph Castello fails to evoke the ‘80s and settles too easily for clichés. Still, the film draws you in with its class-consciousness themes and suspense. It also boasts a sharp performance by Mann who makes you believe that Toby would risk it all for romance. On DVD, Amazon, iTunes, Google, Vudu
The Big Short: Streaming on Netflix until the end of July, this comedy delivers plenty of laughs, most of which wind up sticking in your throat. “Anchorman” honcho Adam McKay directs the film, which looks at a handful of financial movers and shakers (Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt) who knew the housing market meltdown was coming and bet against the banks bundling shaky bonds and securities. There’s a lot of talk about CDOs and subprime mortgages, but McKay finds a way to make it all funny and devastatingly sad at the same time. On Netflix.
Bad Moon: In Eric Red’s director’s cut, this enjoyable werewolf yarn scores a lot of points for its Pacific Coast scenery, believable performances and unfashionably sincere storytelling. Michael Pare stars as a hunky scientist/giant Lycanthrope who moves in with sister (Mariel Hemingway) and tries to pass off his crimes as the work of the family’s German Shepherd (a scene-stealing pooch named Primo.) Beautifully paced, “Bad Moon” rises above the horror pack. On Blu-ray.
Degrassi: Next Class: Netflix’s reboot of the beloved “Degrassi” series promises to be a pull-no-punches drama that tackles the real-life issues of high school students. Telling the stories of “Generation Z,” the series focuses on a group of teens as they begin their journey into adulthood.
Margarita With a Straw: People with disabilities are so rarely featured in films that this charmer from India would be unique simply for pivoting on the coming-of-age saga of the cerebral-palsy-stricken Laila (the remarkable Kalki Koechlin). That Laila also discovers she’s bisexual by falling in love with a blind Pakistani lesbian (Sayani Gupta) makes the film even more revolutionary. Get ready to be swept away by the tale of a woman determined to risk everything to be herself. On DVD, Amazon, iTunes, Google, Vudu
Barely Famous: Season Two: After its six-episode run on VH1, the series the Hollywood Reporter called “part mockumentary, part reality show, part sitcom and entirely hilarious” debuts on Hulu. Follow David Foster’s kids – Erin and Sara – as they try to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. Expect lots of comedy poking fun at reality shows as well as an avalanche of celeb cameos.
No Questions Asked: From 1951 comes a gutsy little thriller which asks the question: how far would you go to impress the one you love? Honest lawyer Steve Kiever (Barry Sullivan) goes the distance, hatching a shady money-making scheme to win over his gold-digging gal pal (Arlene Dahl). Sullivan’s racket makes him rich but he loses Dahl to another man, at least until she gets wise to his newfound wealth. Typical of MGM’s tougher, post-World War II fare, “No Questions Asked” is an unpretentious gem with plenty of sting in its tail. On DVD from warnerachive.com.
