TFS Weekend Streaming Picks: February 16th
Welcome to TFS Weekend Streaming Picks, our guide for the best content currently available on services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, FilmStruck, and more for your viewing pleasure.
Our writers have put together their recommendations for what to check out while relaxing on the couch - from recent releases, classics, and even some hidden gems you may not have heard of.
Here’s what to consider watching this weekend:
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig’s quasi-autobiographical, coming-of-age film is one of the best movies of last year and is rightfully in contention for several Oscars, including Best Picture. Lady Bird is hilarious, yet heartfelt—I’ve seen the likes of Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan compare the movie to a memory. While you may not have gone through the experiences of Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan), you’re bound to relate to one of the ensemble’s characters—a no-nonsense mother (Laurie Metcalf), a father trying to keep it together (Tracy Letts), a best friend who’s there when you need them (Beanie Feldstein), a crush who eventually lets you down (Lucas Hedges), another crush who also lets you down (Timothee Chalamet), the list goes on and on. Gerwig’s film resonates, and better yet, it holds up during multiple rewatches. Don’t believe me? Watch it (or rewatch it) now.
Available on Amazon Video, iTunes
- Marcelo Pico
Justice League
Justice League’s development has rightfully come under recent scrutiny after it was alleged that Zack Snyder was actually fired in favor of Joss Whedon, rather than the story told that he voluntarily stepped away following a family tragedy. Having that revelation in mind has soured me even further on the film, which distinctly feels like it was made by two different people with different visions. You can often tell which scenes were directed by who, thanks to Henry Cavill’s bizarre uncanny valley CGI upper lip. But, for its many faults, I still do like the movie. DC may not have received the brilliant and genuinely earned build up that the individual members of the Avengers did, but it’s still a thrill to see Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Flash team up to take down a super villain who also had zero build up, Steppenwolf. The film’s numerous action scenes are exciting, and the inevitable infighting that happens is compelling; just don’t expect any of it to linger in your mind for long after.
Available on Amazon Video, iTunes.
- Marcus Irving
Good Time
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart seem to be having a competition for who can recover better after Twilight, the disastrous franchise they shared. Pattinson is deeply in character in Good Time as Constantine Nikas, a criminal with his mind set on getting his mentally handicapped brother out of prison after a robbery gone wrong. The movie doesn’t slow down either, as the directorial duo of the Safdie Brothers makes the film feel like an IV of adrenaline. It’s streaming on Amazon Prime now, so grab a Sprite and settle in for 100 minutes of fun.
Available on Amazon Prime.
- Mark Watlington
Logan Lucky
Steven Soderbergh’s blue collar caper came and went quickly when it was released in theatres at the tailend of the summer 2017 movie season. That’s not to say the film was a dud, rather its atypical release strategy didn’t pay off the way its director intended. Starting today Logan Lucky is available to stream on Amazon Prime, where it is sure to find an audience appreciative of its mixture of stylistic flair and oddball shenanigans. Its ensemble cast (Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Seth MacFarlane, Sebastian Stan, Katherine Waterston, Hilary Swank, and young up-and-comer Daniel Craig) makes it worth a watch alone.
Available on Amazon Prime.
- Rob Trench
Night of the Living Dead
With the Criterion Collection release of George A. Romero’s classic, the film plus every single bonus feature on the physical disc, has been added to FilmStruck. Chief among the hours’ worth of special features is Night of Anubis, the 16mm workprint of the film; this version may have any drastic additions, but it is a fascinating alternative version. Featurettes include conversations from Guillermo del Toro, never-before-seen dallies, and a look back at the production from the point of view of the ‘ghoul’ extras. The original film itself has never looked better with a 4K restoration, making this another gift from the movie gods, courtesy of Criterion and FilmStruck.
Available on FilmStruck.
- Marcelo Pico
Do you have any streaming recommendations? Hit us up at @TalkFilmSoc to let us know what you are watching this weekend.
