THE UNEXPECTED OF NETFLIX INSTANT!

There are a TON of awesome classics available now (i.e. Trainspotting, Memento, Clockwork Orange,Blue Velvet), but here are some of my more surprising ventures:  Comedy (?) -TiMER- a surprisingly delightful romantic comedy. Slightly sci-fi in nature, so that makes it okay for me to enjoy it. -Strictly Ballroom- a wacky Australian movie about ballroom dancing. -Love Serenade- a wacky Australian movie about two sisters competing for a very undesirable man. -Priscilla, Queen of the Desert- a wacky Australian movie about drag queens making their way  through the outback.  *Yes. I am aware that I really enjoy wacky Australian movies. All three make this list because even if you have heard of them, who knew Nextflix Instant was so Aussie friendly? Drama -Before Sunset- one of my new all-time favorites. It is the sequel to Before  Sunrise, but it so much better in so many ways. It is more romantic, more authentic, more tragic, just amazing in its simplicity.  The last scene makes me swoon (both for its fabulous quality and fabulous romance) every time. -Heavenly Creatures- directed by Peter Jackson and featuring a young and still-talented Kate Winslet. A tale of one of New Zealand's infamous murders, a mother committed by her daughter and her daughter's friend. It doesn't excuse the girls' actions, but it attempts to explore their motivation. It still has Peter  Jackson fantasy, and it makes for an interesting combo. -Edge of Seventeen- a gay coming-of-age story. You don't get a gay movie with a realistic feel too often in the movies. It seems like most of the time, "gay" movies star two famously straight actors vying for an Oscars. Doesn't the fact that "out" actors are never picked to star in gay films, highlight the discrimination and inequality in Hollywood? Yeah, I wrote an essay on the subject.  -SLC Punk- unexpectedly wise coming-of-age story starring... Matthew Lillard? Look him up if you don't know the name, it seems an odd casting choice superficially. Strangely, it really works. You get a glimpse into a way of life you probably have not had before, and it has real emotions going on there. When I first saw it, it  was completely different from my expectations based on the title and trailers. -Y Tu Mama Tambien- super sexy Spanish film with a touching story and beautiful scenery behind it.  -Buffalo '66- Vincent Gallo is an ass, but his debut is stylish, different, and strangely sweet enough for me to enjoy it. -Malena- I love Monica Bellucci. She is one of the most beautiful women ever, and she has the acting chops to back it up. This is an excellent movie that showcases both of these qualities. -Reprise- another coming-of-age movie, but this time it's Norwegian. It deals with young love, mental disorders and features a sometimes awesome soundtrack.   Documentary -My Architect- this film follows the filmmaker attempting to finally get to know his father, after his father's death. He interviews people from his father's life; acquaintances that seem to know more about his father than he does. It is the story of a man trying to come to terms with his father's abandonment, both his absence in the son's life and the lack of reconciliation in his death. Thriller (?) -The Machinist- the movie Christian Bale lost all that weight for. It may seem like a gimmick at first, but the weight loss (well more his unhealthy appearance) is important to the plot, and it's a good plot. It's has a really creepy atmosphere that makes it really unique. * Brad Anderson directed The Machinist, and another movie  you should look into that's ever-so-scary called Session 9. I am a fan. He seems to be influenced by Kubrick in a very good way. -Oldboy- apparently they are remaking this with Will Smith? But don't let that fool you. It is much better than Will Smith. Crazy Action. Crazy story. Way badass. -Kalifornia- David Duchovny, Brad PItt and Juliet Lewis. I love them all. It's a great gathering of the soon-to-be-famous, and though it didn't get the attention it should have, the fact that all their careers took off afterwards is no coincidence. -From Dusk Til Dawn- yeah you probably have seen this, but in the off chance you haven't, it's awesome! It's really campy, as you should expect from a Rodriguez/ Tarantino collaboration, but it's also funny and actually has amazing character development in the first hour. I think it's also George Clooney's best work. It's at least his sexiest, in my humble opinion. -Sukiyaki Western Django- Japanese Western! It's very visually stunning, and super cool. -Charade- Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Thought I should include an overlooked classic. It's a heist movie in same the vein as Alfred Hitchcock. It's charming and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Bonus TV:  -The Vice Guide to Travel - eye-opening journeys into Chernobyl, North Korea, Liberia, and more. -Twin Peaks- David Lynch's soap opera. AWESOME