“Downsizing” (iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, etc.)
Omaha filmmaker Alexander Payne’s 2017 sci-fi comedy starring Matt Damon — a film that didn’t go over especially well with critics or audiences — is now available for digital purchase on various services. It’s not perfect, but it is worth catching, especially if you’re a Payne completist.
“The Beguiled” (available Saturday on HBO Now, HBO Go)
One of the more unfairly ignored films from last year was “The Beguiled,” Sofia Coppola’s stylish and unnerving remake of the classic Civil War-set drama starring Clint Eastwood. The gothic thriller takes a dynamite cast (Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Colin Farrell and Elle Fanning) and puts them all through the ringer. A good watch, both for fans of the original and those coming in fresh.
“Force Majeure” (Hulu)
Caustic and uncomfortable comedy about a Swedish family who face a crisis while vacationing in the French Alps.
“The Outsider” (Netflix)
And yet another new Netflix movie, this one starring Jared Leto as a former American soldier who joins the Yakuza in post-WWII Japan.
“Blade of the Immortal” (Hulu)
This hilariously bloody samurai epic from last year is the 100th film from director Takashi Miike.
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“Crash” won three Oscars in 2006; best picture, original screenplay and film editing.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS“Crash” (Amazon Prime)
With the Oscars still fresh in our memories, here is one of the worst best picture winners in the Academy’s history.
“Hackers” (Hulu, Amazon Prime) One of the most fascinating subgenres to revisit is the 1990s cyber-thriller, which takes us back to a time when we were on the brink of the digital era and films were trying either to capture the moment or to predict where our technological future was headed. Few films have aged as poorly (or enjoyably) as “Hackers,” which stars a young Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie as a couple of computer whizzes who get into hot water with the law.
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Jennifer Anniston, left, and Mark Wahlberg appear in “Rock Star,” 2001.
WARNER BROTHERS“Rock Star” (HBO Now, HBO Go)
This fun-dumb 2001 curiosity stars Mark Wahlberg as a tribute band frontman who becomes the actual frontman of the band he’s tributing. Jennifer Aniston co stars. The movie’s director (Stephen Herek) has one of the more peculiar filmographies of any auteur in the modern era. He did this and also “Critters,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “The Mighty Ducks,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and “101 Dalmations.”
“Collateral” (Netflix)
New four-part Netflix series about a London detective (Carey Mulligan) who uncovers more than she bargained for while investigating the death of a pizza delivery man.
“Stretch” (Starz)
Joe Carnahan (director of “Narc,” “The Grey” and “Smokin’ Aces”) essentially released his very enjoyable action comedy “Stretch” straight to home video. The film stars Patrick Wilson as a limo driver who runs afoul of a lot of nefarious types over the course of one very long night.
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“Cruel Intentions” starred a murderer’s row of future stars including Sarah Michele Gellar.
COLUMBIA PICTURES“Cruel Intentions” (Netflix) There was this great ’90s movie craze wherein several works of classic literature or theater were rebooted into the milieu of a contemporary high school setting: “10 Things I Hate About You” and “O” looked to Shakespeare. “Clueless” took Austen to the mall. And “Cruel Intentions” transplanted Choderlos de Laclos’ “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” to the sordid world of a Manhattan prep school. The movie starred a murderer’s row of future stars and spawned multiple straight-to-video sequels.
“Ricky Gervais: Humanity” (Netflix)
The acerbic and divisive comedian is back with his first stand-up special in eight years.
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