Whether you’re streaming NEON or Netflix, renting or buying online, or building a life-size fort of physical releases, there’s plenty of new stuff to consider every month – from cinematic smashes to new series, as well as direct-to-home-video content. Every month we profile the best watches on the major on demand/streaming options.
NEW TO NEON
VACATION
Flicks founder Paul Scantlebury gushes: “Critics got this one wrong. It shouldn’t be confused with that large majority of middling comedies, this is goddamn hilarious.” Only he didn’t say goddamn. Available from July 25
ANT-MAN
Paul Rudd is Scott Lang, Marvel’s size-changing scientist. Says Flicks user reviewer THORINOAK: “Departs from the formulaic superhero movies in the best way possible and is quite possibly the funniest superhero film second only to Guardians of the Galaxy.” On Neon
FOCUS
Will Smith (in a rare romantic leading man role) and Margot Robbie lead this crime caper from the directors of Crazy, Stupid, Love. “Smith and Robbie sizzle in the irresistible Focus” – LA Times. On Neon
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E
Henry ‘Superman’ Cavill and Armie ‘Lone Ranger’ Hammer are a pair of slick Cold War agents who team up in this Guy Ritchie action comedy. “An amusingly louche summer movie: a cultivated mix of action and wit, suits and cities” -TimeOut. On Neon
LIFE PARTNERS
Indie rom-com about two co-dependent besties (Gossip Girl‘s Leighton Meester and Community‘s Gillian Jacobs). “A well-scripted, intriguingly-acted effort to mine the theme of prolonged adolescent best-buddyism through two women” says Variety. Available from July 29
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
The N.W.A. biopic. “Timeless in its depiction of how artists and writers transform the world around them” said Variety; “This is some of the most bad-ass self-mythologising ever committed to screen”, said Flicks. Available from July 29
ROADIES SEASON 1
Showtime and Cameron Crowe’s new series, tracing lives behind the scenes of a touring arena act. Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Imogen Poots and Luke Wilson. On Neon
Full list of new Neon titles | neontv.co.nz
NEW TO NETFLIX
BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR
Palme d’Or winner at Cannes 2013 (chosen by a Spielberg-led jury), with killer performances from Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos. “Anchored by two of the most natural, committed performances you’ll ever see… the most moving love story of the year.” -Empire. On Netflix
SHAME
Acclaimed, hard-hitting drama from director Steve McQueen (Hunger). With Michael Fassbender, whose carefully-cultivated sex addiction is interrupted by the unannounced arrival of Carey Mulligan. “This is fluid, rigorous, serious cinema; the best kind of adult movie.” -Guardian. On Netflix
THE INVITATION
Tightly wound, acclaimed thriller. Over the course of a dinner party in the house that was once his, Will – haunted by the disappearance of his son – is gripped by mounting evidence that his guests have a mysterious and terrifying agenda. On Netflix
HALF BAKED
Perfect Netflix fodder. Still funny, even if it’s been largely disowned by co-writer/star Dave Chapelle. Follows stoner friends trying to get their mate out of jail and features Bob Saget as a desperate, very desperate, recovering cocaine addict. Available from July 29
BOJACK HORSEMAN SEASON 3
12 new episodes of Netflix’s excellent animated Hollywood satire. Netflix says of Season 3: “BoJack (voiced by Arrested Development‘s Will Arnett) is grappling with his legacy while trudging through an increasingly turbulent Oscar campaign for his star-making turn in the Secretariat biopic.” Available from July 27
STRANGER THINGS
Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine and Matthew Modine’s haircut are suitable stars of this Netflix exclusive, a supernatural/sci-fi tale set in the ’80s, and revolving around the disappearance of a D&D-loving boy, the mysterious arrival of a young girl, and, um, strange goings-on at a government research facility. On Netflix
I’M STILL HERE
People remember Joaquin Phoenix going nutty on David Letterman more so than the movie it was made for. Which is not really fair because this mockumentary about fame is funny and affecting, and also – ironically – that’s kind of the point. On Netflix
Full list of new Netflix titles | netflix.com
NEW TO iTUNES & GOOGLE PLAY
HAIL, CAESAR!
The brothers Coen return to the world of nostalgic movie-making in more ways than one, with this wacky love letter to Golden Age Hollywood. “A curiously delicate film built on profound affection for American movies and the illusions they build…” -Salon.com. More
BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE
We’ve been hearing good things about the Extended Edition of Zack Snyder’s derided costume opus, sounding like it makes a bit more sense. “Not only a complete story, it’s what we should have seen in theaters.” -We Got This Covered. More
A BIGGER SPLASH
Tilda Swinton playing a rock star lounging around in the Mediterranean sun with a dose of sex and jealousy? Yes please. “A swooning cinematic appeal to the senses – two hours of al fresco lovemaking, gorgeous scenery and simmering erotic warfare.”-Los Angeles Times. More
A LEGO BRICKUMENTARY
LEGO blocks build more than just the father-son bonds of The Lego Movie. This doco explores the creativity on show since 1958. “Chipper and fun if occasionally superficial.” -Hollywood Reporter. More
10 CLOVERFIELD LANE
Outstanding thriller ramps up the paranoia after Mary Elizabeth Winstead finds herself trapped in John Goodman’s bunker, after the world’s ended. Or has it? “Lean, and taut, and tense, and moves with Swiss-clock precision.”
– Entertainment Weekly. More
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT
Movie three in the Divergent series – in other words, that means you are already in or out. “Miles Teller is brilliantly typecast as a mouthy douchebag that no one likes.” -Time Out. More
