Sure-Fire Streaming: Parasite, Ghostbusters, Reindeer Games, and more
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
The best in TV and film from your living room.
Tick, Tick... BOOM! – Available On Netflix
From the incredible, incomparable Lin-Manuel Miranda comes a musical about, well, the writing of a musical.
It follows real-life theatre composer Jonathan Larson – who would later write broadway smash Rent – as he tries to complete the play he believes will be his magnum opus before his looming 30th birthday.
He toils and pushes for brilliance, finding little inspiration as he pushes his girlfriend, friends and everyone out to make room for his creation.
The New York-set musical-drama is incredible, from start-to-end frame, directed steadily by Hamilton and In The Heights auteur Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Andrew Garfield's comeback after years away from the screen is fully realized here, with a career-best, surefire Oscar buzz performance.
He's joined by Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus, Vanessa Hudgens and Bradley Whitford, and Pose's MJ Rodriguez, all fantastic in their roles.
It's a triumph and one of my favourites of the year, and you'll love it too.
Parasite – Available On Netflix
This is, bar none, one of the best movies of the 21st century.
It finally introduced masses of people to the need for recognizing foreign-language films in popular culture, and showed many what we've been missing.
This story of wealth, class and discrimination highlights the chasm of economics and Asia, and this film is a fantastic satire.
It follows a down-on-their-luck family who begin all working for a rich, affluent matriarch and patriarch – but they're unaware that these people in their midst are all related
The poor family begins to rise in social standing while keeping a secret that the rich Park family is responsible for the sudden windfall they're receiving.
Writer-director Boon Joon Ho creates a genre-blend that's hilarious, captivating, and tragic all in one.
The winner of four Oscars, this is one of the most intricate, wonderful films I've ever seen.
Here Today – Available On Prime Video
Co-written and directed by comedy titan Billy Crystal, this marks the best work he's done in a decade.
Also starring Crystal, it follows a veteran comedian and writer – working on a sketch show – who finds a best friend late in his life as he battles with his shortcomings with those around him.
He finds new purpose and joy in this friendship as health problems threaten to derail him. Despite their age gap, Charlie Burnz and Emma Payge create a wonderful, long-lasting friendship.
Crystal and Tiffany Haddish are a fantastic pair here, and match each other's energy and charisma perfectly. Also, they both look like they're having a great time.
It won't absolutely steal your heart, but if you're a fan of these two, it's definitely worth a look.
Ghostbusters – Available On Netflix
With the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife stomping the competition in theatres, I took a look back at this 1984 classic.
This story of three parapsychologists and ghost hunters who begin their service to rid NYC of paranormal pests still holds up incredibly well.
While the special effects aren't great, director Ivan Reitman's film is a comedy gem, featuring an all-star cast and whipsmart writing.
Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis are all hilarious, and I forgot just how much I adored this movie.
I'm hard to please when it comes to comedy, but this produced plenty of laugh-out-loud moments for me.
Reindeer Games – Available On Prime Video
I'm aware this one is entirely a guilty pleasure of mine, but it's a movie I watch absolutely every Christmas as a dark fare alternative.
It follows an ex-con who assumes the identity of his dead cellmate so he can hook up with the man's penpal girlfriend.
But he finds himself being pushed into a casino heist by her psychopathic brother, and gets in way over his head.
Directed by John Frankenheimer – who made incredible films like Ronin, The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May and Black Sunday – it isn't high art, but it sure is entertaining.
Ben Affleck stars with support from Gary Sinise, Charlize Theron, a cameo turn from Ashton Kutcher and a hilarious turn from Dennis Farina.
It's a so-bad-it's-good kind of movie, but I quote it every Christmas.