10 new Netflix offerings you have to watch
Expiring licensing contracts meant Netflix removed a host of favorites from its streaming repertoire on Jan. 1, including “Titanic,” “Braveheart” and “Top Gun.”
The company made available plenty of new offerings, though. Here are 10 to check out if you want to avoid embarrassing yourself the next time a co-worker asks if you’ve seen “a classic”:
Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, “American Psycho” is a dark look into the mind of a wealthy New York investment banker who hides his psychopathy from his co-workers.
Rolling Stone called it “horrific and hilarious,” and it’s not for the faint of heart. But it’s also what The New York Times called a “mean and lean horror comedy classic.”
2. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993, PG-13)
Adapted from Peter Hedges’ novel of the same name, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” tells the story of Gilbert Grape, who finds himself taking care of his mentally challenged brother after his mom becomes morbidly obese following his father’s suicide.
The film got Leonardo DiCaprio his first Academy Award nomination for his intense portrayal of Gilbert’s mentally challenged brother, Arnie.
3. West Side Story (1961, Unrated)
A musical adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” West Side Story is about two teens from feuding New York City gangs who fall in love.
Tragedy strikes when the two try to put a stop to the Sharks and Jets’ planned rumble, as in Shakespeare’s classic.
An Arkansas waitress and a housewife decide to hit the road in a ‘66 Thunderbird — but their adventure turns into a flight from the law when they shoot and kill a man who tries to rape Thelma.
The two try to make their way to Mexico as America police hunt them down.
It was remade (badly) in 2012, but the original Red Dawn makes the list because it’s one of the elite in the “so bad it’s good” genre.
A group of teens in the midwest band together as World War III dawns to defend their country from invading Soviet forces.
Fun fact: Red Dawn was the first movie ever given the PG-13 rating.
6. Big Trouble in Little China (1986, PG-13)
A trucker agrees to make a trip to the airport and somehow finds himself in the middle of a supernatural, centuries-old battle in Chinatown.
It’s light, kind of ridiculous, comic-bookish fare, perfect for a fun night in.
7. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, not rated)
An Audrey Hepburn classic tells the story of a New York socialite and the man she becomes interested in.
It didn’t necessarily age well — you’ll find yourself cringing at the stereotyped landlord — but it’s very 1960s and very much a classic.
It’s the ultimate Star Wars parody and a cult classic.
The president of Planet Spaceballs sends Lord Dark Helmet to kidnap a princess on another planet, planning to use her to get fresh air as ransom, and only Lone Starr can stop him.
9. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951, not rated)
The sci-fi shows what happens when aliens land their spacecraft on Earth just after the end of World War II.
It’s based on “Farewell to the Master,” a short story written by Harry Bates.
10. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979, PG)
The 1979 movie is the first film based on Star Trek and a sequel to the TV series.
Admiral Kirk assumes command of the USS Enterprise to save the planet from an alien cloud approaching Earth.
Contact Stephanie Grimes at sgrimes@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @steph_grimes
