Netflix Watch Instantly: Gems and Finds

With all the complaining about the selection/quality, etc, I thought it would be nice to start a thread about stuff I've found on Netflix Watch Instantly that I think is worth watching.

Yes we all know there's not the latest and greatest Hollwood releases, but there is plenty of great stuff if you are willing to watch something you may not have before.

While I could probably list about 75-100, I don't have that time right now, so I figured I'd get the ball rolling with a few of my faves I've watched over the last couple of weeks.

This is not for those movies everyone's heard of, but for those gems that you may not have seen otherwise. Movies maybe everyone hasn't heard of.

The Boy In the Striped Pajamas (2008)
When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno (Asa Butterfield) befriends Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a boy who lives on the other side of the fence, where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner or the role his own Nazi father plays in his imprisonment, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey inside the camp's walls.

My Take: Chilling, heartbreaking, and just downright a great movie, and unique story as seen through the eyes of children.

The Architecture of Doom (1991)
This chilling documentary explores how artistic, cultural and historical trends forged the National Socialist aesthetic, which in turn contributed to the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. Swedish-born filmmaker Peter Cohen, whose parents escaped the Nazis, examines Hitler's failed career as an artist, his fascination with Wagner, the Nazi obsession with cleanliness, the paradoxical link between "beauty" and evil in the Third Reich, and more.

My Take: Full of never before seen footage and Nazi propaganda films that I had never seen, this doco really explores how the Nazis actually came to power and how they managed to get buy-in for the "purification" from people.

Ink (2009)
Late one night, a lost soul named Ink snatches 8-year-old Emma (Quinn Hunchar) into the world of dreams. There, he hopes to use her soul to join the ranks of the evil Incubi. In the real world, Emma lies comatose, to the despair of her father, John (Chris Kelly). But the Incubi's benevolent opposites -- the Storytellers -- rally to help Emma, motivating John to wage war for his daughter. Jessica Duffy co-stars in this dark fable.

My Take: Visually stunning and a felt a unique story, there is deeper meanings under the obvious storyline. Unfortunately the PQ isn't the best on this title, but certainly acceptable.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007)
A self-promoting serial killer who dreams of being the most infamous slasher of all time hires a documentary film crew to follow him as he launches a reign of terror on a small town. Preparing tirelessly for his murderous debut, Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel) shares his bloody ambitions with director Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals) and her crew. Directed by Scott Glosserman, this quirky indie also stars Robert Englund and Scott Wilson.

My Take: I thought the idea was great, and has some LOL moments as Leslie Vernon trains to be the next Jason or Michael Myers, as well as setting up his plan and traps and how things will play out. Really enjoyed it.

I have Surveillance in my queue already and have seen The Life of David Gale, but will check The Virgin Spring.

Thanks!

Here's a few more. Some of these fall into the "quirky" and "cheesey" category, but still enjoyable if you like those types.

The Machine Girl
Japanese Subtitled. Age old story....kid gets bullied to death, sister vows revenge, loses her arm, gets a freaking gatling gun attachment for the stump, and goes on murderous rampage. While this is nothing great, it's very Kill-Billish like in the way the killings are done (amputations and beheadings and spraying of blood) and it's pretty amusing throughout as she fights gangs like the "Junior High Shuriken Ninjas" and a gang made up of grieving parents of her victims called "The Super Mourners Club." Quirky cheesy goodness!

Big Man Japan
When Japan is threatened by giant monsters (as it all too frequently is), normal citizen Daisato transforms from normal man into "Big Man Japan" to save it. His battles are broadcast much like LA car chases are. Unfortunately he's a second rate, third generation superhero. The ratings for the battles are in the tank, his family is embarrassed by him, everyone hates him, his agent wants to brand Big Man Japan with ads (on his chest/back/legs/arms), etc. Whiile a bit slow to start out, I found it quirky and interesting. The CGI for the monster battles fit in well (esp. considering the outcome of the movie), and there are some simply hilarious scenes.

Spiral
Socially awkward Mason (played to absolute perfection by Joel Moore) fancies himself an artist. Befriended by the new girl at work, he goes about painting her. But she has no idea of the dangers she is in as his sociopathic tendencies slowly begin unveiling themselves. This is a bit slow, but it's due to the character and tension build up. I really ended up liking this by the end.

Believers
I'm hesitant to put this on my list of recommendations, but overall I did enjoy it and I was intrigued throughout. When two paramedics arrive at a call, they find themselves kidnapped by a suicide cult and must plan their escape. This is directed by Daniel Myrick (Blair Witch)

The Atheism Tapes
This is a series of ~30 minute interviews. While it's dry material, it's fascinating if you are at all interested in religion or atheism and what drives both. Only for the open minded since the interviews are with atheists. I will leave it at that since it's a touchy subject.

Deliver Us From Evil
Disturbing and completely infuriating documentary about Father Oliver O'Grady, who leaves a trail of dozens (hundreds?) of abused kids in his wake as the Catholic church turns a blind eye and simply moves him from parish to parish. You'll be (not-so) pleasantly surprised by where he is now! I was so mad after watching it that I had trouble sleeping.

The IT Crowd
All 3 seasons are available. Simply hilarious show, if you have never seen it.

Just finished this up. Pretty decent (if not a bit predictable IMO). Those cops are jerks!

Both of those are good. Outsourced hit a little close to home...well, the first half before it devolves into "Man finds himself" plotlines.

I will throw out:
Special
Enrolling in a drug study to spice up his humdrum life as a low-paid meter reader, Les Franken (Michael Rapaport) begins taking an experimental antidepressant, which proves to have a few unexpected side effects. Convinced that he's actually developing special powers that can be used to fight evil, Les decides to quit his day job and focus on being a superhero … despite his doctor's professional opinion that his abilities are all in his mind.

Rapaport does an excellent job in this dark comedy.

I have both Doubt and Mongol in my queue, but have been debating about getting the Blu-Ray of both.

I have a feeling Doubt doesn't matter much (it's a slow-paced drama from what I can tell) but Mongol probably has a lot of action/battles, so I might have the Blu-Ray shipped.

Here's a few more of my favs that I've seen:
The Bothersome Man
Mysteriously deposited in a perfectly serene but colorless city where every need is met, Andreas soon realizes that not even a new lover can change the sterile banality drowning him. Is this placid life a dream come true or an inescapable hell? Is the lovely music coming from a crack in the basement his ticket out?

The Pusher Trilogy:
Foreign drug gangsta movies. Unfortunately the video quality of these aren't the best....but it's low-budget film making at it's best.
Pusher
Pusher 2: With Blood On My Hands
Pusher 3: I'm The Angel Of Death

Bon Cop, Bad Cop
Canadian(!) Buddy Cop movie. Somewhat funny, but overall very good, and has the best "is this your jurisdiction or mine" plot device I've ever seen. The only complaint I had was it switches constantly between English (the Toronto cop) and French (the Montreal Cop). I don't mind subtitles but at points it was switching languages every other line....kindof made my brain hurt.

Yeah, I know. Just was pointing it out that the movie switches (rapidly) between English and French.