Sure-Fire Streaming: Fear Street Collection, Disturbia, Buried, and more!
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
Fear Street Collection – Available On Netflix
In one of their more inspired moments, Netflix decided to release three feature films, part of the Fear Street trilogy, over three weeks this July.
These event films – heavily influenced by horror films like Scream and Friday The 13th – work as an anthology, and draw the viewer in.
The first is available now, the second is available this Friday, and all three will be ready to binge for next Friday.
Focusing on teenage friends who discover an ancient evil is stalking them and has caused untold havoc in their town, this story of bonds, family, class struggle and terror is a great time.
Based on Goosebumps writer R.L. Stine's more adult Fear Street books, they may feature some cringe-inducing dialogue, but the first two entries here give me enough hope that I myself will be watching the anthology the whole way through.
If you're a horror fan at all, I highly suggest you do too.
Disturbia – Available On Netflix
To say Disturbia is just an updated Rear Window may be true, but it's also selling this terrific 2000's fright fest short.
This story of a teen under house arrest who witnesses a murder in his neighbour's home is a great little riff on the Alfred Hitchcock classic.
Director D.J. Caruso infuses this one with style, wit and enough substance to keep it fresh, despite its obvious similarities to its source material.
A pre-scandal Shia LaBeouf is honestly fantastic here, it it makes me sad seeing what he could have become had he not become such a contemptible figure in his personal life.
He's joined by the wonderful Carrie-Anne Moss, Viola Davis and David Morse, both amazing veteran actors. With young emerging stars Sarah Roemer and Aaron Yoo also involved, there are no slouches here.
It's a break-neck thriller with a smart script and the stylings to make this thing work.
Buried – Available On Prime Video
This was the first time I was able to take Canuck Ryan Reynolds seriously as an actor, and he shows all his talent here.
He plays Paul, a truck driver working in Iraq who wakes up following an attack who comes to the realization he's been buried alive.
He has a lighter and a cell phone to aid him as he attempts to escape. This claustrophobic endeavour is director Rodrigo Cortes's best work, and the screenplay by Chris Sparling infuses the film with intrigue.
It's a one-man-show, and Reynolds delivers on every level. He's so good here it's hard to believe we couldn't see his prowess as an actor before.
Buried is a top-notch thriller that will make your stomach turn, in a completely positive way.
She's The Man – Available On Netflix
One of the funniest movies of the last 15 years, She's The Man is a hilarious gender-swap comedy with huge Shakespeare influences.
When Viola's' brother Sebastian decides to ditch from his private school for a few weeks, she dresses as him to pretend he's still there.
But when she falls for Duke, the school's soccer star – who thinks she's Sebastian – hijinks and hilarity occur. With everyone interested in someone else, hearts will be broken and everything is about to get hectic.
Amanda Bynes is adorable here, but the real star is a young Channing Tatum as Duke. Laura Ramsey, Vinnie Jones, and more round out the fantastic cast.
This is a movie I go to every time I need a pick-me-up, and it's so hilarious.
Chasing Amy – Available On Prime Video
Writer-director Kevin Smith is responsible for gross-out fare like Clerks and Mallrats, and we've already talked about his unsung gem Jersey Girl last week.
But Chasing Amy is his crowning achievement, as as far as I'm concerned, I don't think he'll ever make a movie that tops this one.
It follows comic book artists Holden and Banky, and how Holden's friendship with lesbian Alyssa changes the friendship between the two co-workers and friends forever.
Holden finds himself falling in love with Alyssa, despite the fact she's a lesbian, and tries to keep his feelings in check, though he doesn't know how long he can do so.
The cast – which includes Ben Affleck in one of his best roles ever, as well as Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams – is perfect. I couldn't imagine better actors here, and they giver intense performances.
This drama-comedy hits me hard every time, and it's one of the most resonant films I've ever experienced.