Sure-Fire Streaming: Boy Erased, Pitch Black, Joy Ride, and more!
BY JORDAN PARKER
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
Boy Erased – Available On Netflix
This intense, difficult drama sees Lucas Hedges give a bravura performance as a young, religious teen who is sent to conversion therapy by his Conservative parents.
It’s a heartbreaking film, and one that has stayed with me two years after seeing it.
Hedges is truly unbelievable as Jared Eamons, the conflicted son of a Baptist preacher who wants to do right by his family, but cannot deny his sexuality.
Playing his parents, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman and both powerful and sometimes infuriating. It’s so difficult to see these two stalwart thespians and not want to like them, but their views are so problematic.
Co-written, directed, and featuring his as a co-star, Boy Erased is a triumph from Joel Edgerton, who impresses here.
It’s an emotional ride, and one well worth your time.
Pitch Black – Available On Netflix
The sci-fi film that launched the millennium was this little gem. It spawned three more films in the series, and became a cult hit for star Vin Diesel.
He stars as a criminal on-board a ship that becomes stuck on a planet full of man-eating creatures that feast during the night.
As the crew bands together to fight against a common enemy, they must also begin to trust criminal Riddick in order to survive.
Vin Diesel is at his very best as Riddick, and he’s both scary and hugely entertaining here. He is, undoubtedly, the star of the show. He owns this incredible, R-rated tilt.
Joy Ride – Available On Prime Video
While I just lavished praise on Vin Diesel’s turn in Pitch Black, a film he did before the Fast & The Furious franchise, it’s time to do the same for his late co-star, Paul Walker.
This awesome B-movie thriller follows Walker’s character Lewis as he travels from Colorado to New Jersey with his ne’er do well brother Fuller and his crush and Venna. They’re having the time of their lives, until a little prank goes hugely awry.
When they decide to set up a meeting between a creep on a CB radio and the rude guy next door at their motel, they wake up to find the motel guest murdered. They are then stalked by the trucker on the CB as he attempts to teach them a lesson.
This taut, intelligent little thriller is so much fun, and it’s been a favourite for nearly 20 years. You need to check it out.
Orange County – Available On Prime Video
Writer Mike White creates an incredible little comedy with Orange County, which has outlasted so many other comedies from the 2000’s based on its sheer earnestness alone.
Directed by Jake Kasdan – who did the new Jumanji movies – this is the story of Shaun Brumder, who is denied acceptance to Stanford University after his guidance counsellor sends the wrong transcripts.
Shaun, his lazy brother Lance, and his girlfriend Ashley take a road trip to try to change Stanford’s mind and tell them what happened.
Colin Hanks – son of Tom Hanks – is an everyman we can root for, and this is my particular favourite role of Jack Black’s career as Lance. The two have incredible chemistry.
It’s a funny film that stands the test of time, because it relies on heart, our love of these characters and it tickles our funny bone without ever being too gross.
It’s a smart comedy that stands the test of time, and I can always go back and enjoy it just as much as I did in 2002.
Parks & Recreation – Available On Netflix
If you love The Office, you simply have to watch Parks & Rec. This comedy about the goings-on in a city office is both hilarious and has outstanding writing.
Amy Poehler gets the role of her career as do-gooder Leslie Knope, a trusty small-town employee who is all about bettering her community.
But it’s the ensemble that makes this one. Nick Offerman is amazing as her boss Ron Swanson, and a young Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Retta, Rashida Jones and Aubrey Plaza also star.
Everyone simply has an amazing time making this show, and you can tell. You’ll have a great time too.