10 Movies Available on Netflix Instant-Watch (That Are Actually Worth Watching)

Oh, Netflix. You are such a mixed bag of blessings and stupidities. In some ways, you are an absolute delight- with full seasons of great TV shows available anytime, binge-watchers like myself have instant access to some of the most amazing series' available right now, as well as old favorites from yesteryear. However, you do come with a price- your offerings as far as movies tend to range from great movies that are on cable every day to straight-to-DVD sequels that never saw the light of day.

However, even in the mixed blessing that is Netflix, there are some movies available that are damn good, and well worth a viewing. Here are 5 of my personal recommendations.

Sabrina (1954)
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden

 

Long before there was Bella Swan and her two inspid, moony suitiors, there was Sabrina Fairchild, the awkward, gawky (well, as gawky as Audrey Hepburn can be) daughter of a chauffer. She has been raised alongside the wealthy family that her father works for, and has been infatuated with the youngest son, dashing, devil-may-care David, for years. He doesn't notice her, of course, until she goes away to Paris to school and becomes an elegant lady. A light, graceful romantic comedy, 'Sabrina' boasts megawatt star power which is rarely found today- Humphrey Bogart at his sullen-but-sweet Bogey-est, William Holden in a gleeful role he was born to play, and of course, Audrey Hepburn, whose incadescence, playfulness and sophistication are never more evident. It is an exceptionally well-made film that is truly funny and touching, and while the plot is a bit trite almost 60 years after its initial release, but it is so supremely done and so timelessly endearing that it still stands far above anything made by Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, or Kate Hudson today. Even if romantic comedies aren't your thing, 'Sabrina' is worth a look.

 

Life is Beautiful (1997)
Starring: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini

Oh, the tears that have been shed over this film. 'Life is Beautiful,' a fable about the Holocaust (yes, really) that is equal parts devestating and uplifting, is an Italian film about a Jewish man named Guido whose dedication and love for his family endures through everything, even the concentration camps. Until the German occupation, Guido's life was perfect- he married the love of his life and they had a son together, to whom he is utterly devoted. When the Germans haul them away to the camps, Guido is able to keep is young son alive (and unafraid) by pretending the whole thing is a game, and the Germans are the opposing team. Devestating in its raw humanity, but awe-inspiring in its fairytale-like view on the human spirit, 'Life is Beautiful' is a film unlike any other ever made about the Holocaust, and it proves that no matter how dark times can be, and no matter how terrifying the enemcy can be, the love between a family can never be beaten.

 

True Grit (2010)
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Hailee Steinfield

 

Possibly my favorite movie directed by the famous Coen Brothers, 'True Grit' is not so much a remake as a re-imagining. Jeff Bridges plays the lead role of Rooster Cogburn, the same role originated by John Wayne years ago, and the plot is the same. However, this is no spagitti western. True Grit is a movie without category- an adventure film without much shooting, a character study that is more farcical than in-depth, and a revenge flick where the bad guy gets what's coming to him, but no one learns anything along the way. The quirky directing and intentionally fancy old English dialogue (hilarious coming from uneducated Western mouths) leads to various humorous exchanges. The true strength is the acting- the all star cast is lead by newcomer Hailee Steinfield, who plays a girl out for vengeance with no hint of irony and a dead-set stare that makes crusty old Rooster know she's not kidding. Funny, well made, and an overall unique film experience, "True Grit" is the rare remake that is more memorable than the original.

 

 

Young Adult (2011)
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt

Everybody graduates from high school, but truth be told, most people don't get over it. This is particualrly true of Mavis Gary, who was the perenniel Mean Girl/Prom Queen years ago, but hasn't been able to carry that success into her adult life. Now, she's a semi- successful writer of young adult books who guzzles Diet Coke, beer, and junk food in her disgusting, slobby apartment, until she receives an email from an old boyfriend. He and his wife have just had a baby! Mavis sees this as an opportunity to win him back, and packs up her shabby belongings and heads back home to her small town, where she reconnects with a man she used to bully who is now disabled due to a hate crime. (Never mind that he was beaten on the assumption of being gay, even though he is not gay.) The movie was penned by Diablo Cody, writer of Juno, and while it doesn't live up to its saucy-but-relatable predecessor, 'Young Adult' does feature sharp writing and a dryly funny take on the notion of a Character Arc. In most movies, the main character starts out one way, has a realization, and then changes to become better. Mavis does no such thing, just as people in real life don't. Mavis is unpleasant, smarmy, shallow, and mean-spirited, just as she was in high school. And people still hang around her, just like they did in high school. Ultimately, the film's strength comes from Charlize Theron's wonderful performance as Mavis herself, making us root for her even as we know that she's an awful bitch. 'Young Adult' is smarter than the average comedy, and is well worth being seen at least once.

 

Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Starring: Don Cheadle

 

There are some movies that should be seen, even if it will not be a fun experience. Such is the case with Hotel Rwanda, a fictional tale based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a man who opened the hotel he owned as a refuge during 1994 Rwandan genocide. At this time in history, over one million people were murdered over a three month timespan, and the rest of the world scarcely noticed. 'Hotel Rwanda' is by turns frightening, saddening, and disturbing, particularly when it focuses on the truth of the horrible murders that are happening under the world's nose. It is a movie with something to say, and it says it well- Don Cheadle's performance is breathtaking, and by the end of the movie, we are forced to reflect- when this happens again, as it happens all over the world, what will we do? How will we react? What will be our stance when the line is drawn in the sand, and we are forced to choose between life and safety?