Your Netflix Picks of the Week

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Searching for a good movie on Netflix Instant is like looking for top-shelf liquor at a frat party. You search and search and ask around for way too long and when you finally find a little bit hidden somewhere, you’re ready to ditch the party.

We’ve all been there, and we agree that ain’t nobody got time for all that browsing. So to spare you some time and a lot of agony, we will do the sifting for you and, each week, provide a fresh list of cinematic masterpieces you can find right in your friend’s your Netflix account and watch at a moment’s notice.

Our Netflix Picks of the Week will be the product of eclectic minds coming together to give you the créme de la créme (or what’s made available by the powers that be over at Netflix) of comedies, dramas, independents, documentaries, thinkers and, our very own creation, the stinkers — terrible movies we love to hate. Sometimes we’ll even throw in a good television show.

You’re welcome.

Comedy

“Lars and the Real Girl” (2007)

When you think Ryan Gosling, you think him and Rachel McAdams entangled in a passionate lip lock, or him breaking up a fight on the streets of New York City, or him being effortlessly handsome and perfect. That is not the Ryan Gosling you will see in “Lars and the Real Girl.”

In this movie, Gosling plays the title character, Lars, a maladjusted guy who lives in his brother and sister-in-law’s guest house. He never ceases to worry his sister-in-law, played by Emily Mortimer (“The Newsroom”), with his antisocial behavior and quiet disposition. It goes on that way until one day, Mortimer’s worries are solidified by the delivery of a life-size doll whom Lars declares his girlfriend, to everyone’s dismay — thus the title of the film. And from there, the plot thickens.

This movie is of the odd variety and, admittedly, won’t suit everyone’s tastes, but the awkwardness that ensues from the moment Lars’s “girlfriend” shows up in a big wooden box makes for raw hilarity. It’s the cinematic version of uncomfortable moments that you react to by laughing uncontrollably.

If you’re in the mood for something that’ll push the boundaries of comedy, “Lars and the Real Girl” is the movie for you.

Drama

“The King’s Speech” (2010)

Put on your history caps, we’re going back in time. The year is 1939 and revolves around King George VI, who has a little trouble using his words. The movie opens with Prince Albert painfully stammering through a speech. It’s not his stammer that makes the scene uncomfortable, but the slow decline of his confidence after each word. This leads Bertie’s wife to seek treatment for her husband and the heir to the throne. Enter Lionel Logue, and a beautiful friendship that leads to a wonderful historical piece about overcoming challenges. From reciting gibberish to Shakespeare, and a few curse words (the only scene which brought the R-rating to this movie), this movie is great for any and all ages.

Action

“The Recruit” (2003)

“The Recruit” an action thriller of the spy variety starring Colin Farrell and Al Pacino as a CIA trainee and recruiter, respectively.

This one of those complex movies that you can’t exactly provide a revealing synopsis of because doing so would reveal its many twists and turns, but what can be said without the risk of spoiling is that its refrain “nothing is what it seems” will play on audience’s attempts to try to figure out what happens, rendering some interesting surprises and a pretty unexpected plot twist when Clayton, Farrell’s character, is given a special assignment.

Independent

“Tiny Furniture” (2010)

“Tiny Furniture” is where it all began: Lena Dunham walking around half naked, her semi-delusional navel-gazing and the self-absorbed existence we’ve all come to know through the hit HBO show “Girls.” “Tiny Furniture” was Dunham’s first go at creating for the white, privileged, 20-something segment society so cruelly marginalizes, but it’s just as unapologetic for that as “Girls” is. She does through film and television what all good creators aspire to do through their work — she writes about what she knows.

Admittedly, Dunham’s persona is sometimes contrived, even saccharine in some cases, but her insight into the mind of wandering and clueless young adults always strikes a chord, and “Tiny Furniture” is a 98-minute manifestation of that insight.

It’s demonstrative of some half-baked inspiration and amateur skills, but all the while indicative of the potential she’s proven through her work with Jenni Konner and Judd Apatow on HBO.

Documentary

“Jiro Dreams of Sushi” (2011)

This movie will change the way you look at sushi and your work ethic forever, and it will likely inspire you to start saving up for a trip to Japan before it’s too late.

“Jiro Dream of Sushi” tells the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, the owner of a modest sushi-only, omakase-style restaurant located in a Tokyo Subway station. Though highly inconspicuous, this 10-seat restaurant will run a diner a minimum of USD$300. However, its coveted Michelin rating of 3 stars indicates the price tag is more than worth it.

Jiro is meticulous in his craft and relentlessly hard-working, constantly striving toward improving his palate, his techniques and his services. He caters to each diner with the utmost attention to detail: He creates a seating chart for each meal; plans meals before the Tokyo sun has even risen; buys rice from a famed and exclusive rice dealer; serves only the best and freshest pieces of fish; and customizes the dining experience according to each individual’s gender and dexterity.

This documentary details the struggles of those who work under Jiro and aspire to meet his astronomical expectations and standards, but more central to its storytelling objective, it speculates on his ominous future. The inevitable is approaching, so who will take over the business and continue Jiro’s legacy?

“Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is a foray into culture that mesmerizes the viewer with each passing minute.

Thinker

“Waking Life” (2001)

Netflix is streaming a few Richard Linklater films, and I couldn’t be happier because they’re all fantastic. However, it’s his extraordinary and psychedelic “Waking Life” I want to spotlight. Set within a dream-like reality, you follow a man through his seemingly harmless daily interactions. These conversations become dreamy, artistic pieces that range in various subjects but invaribly direct themselves toward the larger questions in life. The film does not attempt to answer these, per se, but the answers you’ll receive in are funny, puzzling and insightful, allowing the audience the freedom to seek their own ultimate answer. The film is constructed in vibrant rotoscoped animation that seems to enhance both the dialogue and the emotional insight Linklater seeks. Many of Linklater’s repeat performances return including Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Nicky Katt and Wiley Wiggins. Several authors, philosophers and even filmmaker Steven Soderbergh appear as well.

Stinker

“Duplex” (2003)

“Duplex” is like nails on a chalkboard. Alex (Ben Stiller) and Nancy (Drew Barrymore) move into what seems like their dream home, a brownstone in, of course, Brooklyn. Except it turns out it’s actually more of a nightmare due to an ancient Irish lady who lives in the upstairs portion of the duplex. Mrs. Connelly looks ancient and, presumably, like she’s about to kick the bucket, so Alex and Nancy assuage themselves by holding out for her death, but when she turns out to be persistently lively and more of a handful than they expected, they begin plotting her murder.

Witnessing Mrs. Connelly’s quirks and Alex and Nancy’s reactions to them will drive any rational person insane, but what will keep you watching is the hope that they’ll find a way to do away with her.

Critics were unkind to “Duplex,” but its ensemble works well together, and Danny Devito’s directing wraps it all up in a bow, albeit a messy, crumpled one. Take a chance on this Stinker. You’ll be happy you did.

Classic

“Heathers” (1988)

If you’ve heard the phrase “Lick it up, baby. Lick. It. Up.” and didn’t know its origins, “Heathers” is it. This black comedy is a cult classic that tells the story of a group of small-town Ohio clique of mean girls that would put the Plastics to shame.

Winona Ryder plays one of the Heathers, and the film follows her as she develops a conscience and decides to right the wrongs done by the Heathers with the help of her boyfriend, played by the dreamy Christian Slater.

This movie would never be made nowadays because the topic of suicide and murder in Middle America’s high school has simply become too taboo, but with enough of an open mind, its plot is deliciously entertaining, as well twisted and funny.

Featured photo courtesy of: Criterion