Netflixhas just added a ton of great movies for the month of August, and here arethree excellent films to binge this weekend. Though there is plenty of competition in the streaming game, Netflix was and still is the most prominent name in digital content. From making their own movies to hosting classics, Netflix has just about everything.
Thoughthe August release scheduleis mostly dominated by the return of shows likeWednesday, Netflix has also added a bunch of great movies too. From perennial family favorites likeDespicable Me, to classic blockbuster franchises such asJurassic Park, Netflix is awash in high-profile movies. However, some new additions are better than the rest.
While most viewers use streaming services to watch something familiar, Netflix’s August releases offer an opportunity to see something new. Even though these movies have been around for a while,they are quintessential pieces of cinema that everyone should see at least once. From comedy to gripping crime drama, these movies are the perfect way to pass a weekend.
3Dazed And Confused (1993)
Directed By Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater’sDazed and Confusedis one of the most important low-budget flicks of the 1990s, not just because it’s an excellent watch, but because of its cast of future stars. Set on the final day of high school in 1976, the nostalgiccoming-of-age comedymeanders through a night of hard partying and humorous debauchery.
Dazed and Confusedhas a 94% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
It captures the essence of its decade with slight exaggeration for comedic effect, butstill hits all the right notes to have a timeless quality too. The cast is so large and sprawling that every moment of the film feels important, and the humor is quite effective because it feels so real. Nevertheless, its unfocused plot is its greatest strength.
While it may seem likeDazed and Confusedis aimless, Linklater’s storytelling craft is actually on full display. While being entertained by the hilarious and immature antics, viewers are actually seeing a mesmerizing story about the pains of growing up in an uncertain world.
Up-and-comers likeMatthew McConaughey (in his first major role)give performances of a lifetime, and nearly each supporting part is filled with a recognizable star. Nostalgia is all the rage today, but it’s mostly confined to the ’80s and ’90s.Dazed and Confusedis a throwback to another era’s nostalgia, but it is so much more than its sentimental value.
2Rush Hour (1998)
Directed By Brett Ratner
After decades as the biggest star in Asia,Jackie Chan’s big break in Hollywood came in 1998’sRush Hour. The goofy buddy cop comedy teams Chan with Chris Tucker, and the hilarious odd couple must work together to save a diplomat’s daughter from kidnappers. Instead of trying to force Chan into the Hollywood mold,Rush Hourhighlights his strengths.
All threeRush Hourmovies are now streaming on Netflix.
Hearkening back toChan’s best moviesoverseas, such asPolice StoryorWheels on Meals,Rush Hourcombines humor and action for a winning formula. The stunt work is up to Chan’s exacting standards, and the humor is delightful and accessible for most audiences. Tucker and Chan also have wonderful chemistry, and a franchise quickly sprouted from the first film.
ThoughRush Houris hardly high art, it’s the sort of bombastic Hollywood action comedy that doesn’t get made much anymore. It’s also a perfect introduction to Jackie Chan’s larger body of work, since it still represents his brilliant comedic and stunt skills.Rush Houris a perfect feel-good movie, andit’s guaranteed to please even the pickiest Netflix viewer.
1The Departed (2006)
Directed By Martin Scorsese
Decades into his career, Martin Scorsese struck gold again with the crime thriller,The Departed. Taking a page from previous successes likeGoodfellas, Scorsese borrowed some of his gangster movie magic when crafting the compelling cop drama. The tells parallel stories of infiltration as a cop embeds himself with criminals while a criminal worms his way into the police force.
Netflix carries tons of great movies from all eras, butThe Departedis a rare specimen in the age of streaming.
Once againworking with Leonardo DiCaprio,Scorsese effortlessly weaves a criminal yarn that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. Each performance is right on the money, andThe Departedmarks the only time that Scorsese collaborated with Jack Nicholson. During a decade of hit-or-miss movies,The Departedput Scorsese back on course.
It features a lot of violence and foul language, which makes it unsuitable for youngsters, butmature viewers will be hooked immediately. Scorsese is a filmmaking mastermind, and it could be said thatThe Departedis one of his major works. At over two-and-a-half hours,The Departedtakes up a lot of time, but it’s well worth the watch.
Netflixcarries tons of great movies from all eras, butThe Departedis a rare specimen in the age of streaming. TheBest Picture Oscar winneris certainly the pinnacle of modern filmmaking, but it is a brisk and accessible watch for the streaming audience. A weekend movie binge isn’t complete without a film as resplendent as Scorsese’s 2000s gem.
