Streaming Feature: Best of New to Netflix December 2013

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Average: 3.9 (9 votes)

Europa Report
Europa Report

Europa Report

Netflix Description:
In this nail-biting thriller, a private space-exploration company sends six astronauts to determine whether Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, can sustain life — and what they find terrifies and transforms them.

Why:
Because while mainstream sci-fi this year (“After Earth,” “Oblivion,” “Ender’s Game”) kind of sucked, this indie flick reminded us what we like about the genre in the first place. It’s a simple film about sacrifice for greater scientific knowledge. It’s not perfect but there’s a low-fi charm to this piece in that it’s about the people traveling to the edge of the universe more than the special effects that get them there. Check it out.

Gods and Monsters
Gods and Monsters

Gods and Monsters

Netflix Description:
As his life draws to a close, film director James Whale — the openly gay genius behind The Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man — befriends a gardener, and both men learn from their unexpected but platonic bond.

Why:
Because it should have won Sir Ian McKellen an Oscar. The man who would become Gandalf’s best film role came in this beautiful drama and the actor was widely considered a frontrunner for the Academy Award before we all inexplicably fell in love with Roberto Benigni. McKellen and Lynn Redgrave were both nominated, and deservedly so, and the film won Bill Condon an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. In this season of Oscar bait, see an award-winner that you may have missed.

Hard Eight
Hard Eight

Hard Eight

Netflix Description:
World-weary card shark Sydney takes reckless John under his wing after showing him how to exploit casino perks. The surrogate father and son are successful gamblers until John falls for a cocktail waitress and gets mixed up with a shady stranger.

Why:
Because you’ve probably seen all of the other Paul Thomas Anderson flicks already. The man who would go on to direct “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia,” and “There Will Be Blood” started with this beautiful drama (called “Sydney” in many markets) that features one of John C. Reilly’s best performances. It’s a subtle, character-driven gem.

I Am Love
I Am Love

I Am Love

Netflix Description:
Family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during a patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi clan gathers to celebrate the man, the veneer of civility quickly falls away.

Why:
Because Tilda Swinton is one of the best actresses alive. This melodrama ultimately has a few too many soap operatic beats but it’s worth seeing for its gorgeous costumes, lavish art direction, and yet another stunning turn from Swinton, an actress who fascinates every time out.

Outrage
Outrage

Outrage

Netflix Description:
Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick sets out to expose the hypocrisy of gay politicians who passionately criticize the LGBT community in public while concealing their own sexual orientation.

Why:
Because it’s important. Kirby Dick’s controversial documentary doesn’t just out gay politicians but makes a convincing case that it is the very closeting of many of these gentlemen that has led to anti-LGBT laws being enforced. They feel shame over their own sexual orientations and take that out on the rest of what should be their community. It’s a riveting piece of work from one of our best documentarians.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Yousef's picture

LOL

Oh so you think Johnny Depp’s performance in Cry Baby is better than his Oscar/award winning nominated performances in films like POTC and Sweeney Todd? But wait didn’t he act in a silly costume in Edward Scissorhands which was in the beginning of his career? Hmmmmm. Oh yeah a movie that no one cared about when it came out is better than well-received successful movies.

Ciara's picture

Wow, Seems like people can’t

Wow, Seems like people can’t let it go without bashing Depp when there is something about him these days.

Lilybeth's picture

Different Opinion

First, thank you for this list. There are a few here I haven’t seen and look forward to viewing, along with some I watched but would like to re-visit, and some I wanted to see but forgot existed. That said, I did want to chime in that I don’t agree with your assessment of Depp. I think he is still one of the best. A true chameleon who gets lost in his roles and characters. Yes, I think some of his artistic choices can send his acting a bit over the topic and turn the character into a caricature, but on the whole he is incredibly gifted. One also admires how he seems to conduct himself and manage his private life. Rather than rolling around the L.A. Area in a fancy car with a parade of gorgeous 20 year old starlets at his feet, performing for the paparazzi and feeling headlines with over the top antics, he chooses to mostly stay out of the limelight. It is refreshing and speaks to someone who cares about their craft.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions and maybe give Depp a second thought. I think he is worth it.

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