Sure-Fire Streaming: The Beach Bum, Hotel Mumbai, The Mist, and more
By Jordan Parker
https://parkerandpictures.wordpress.com/
The best in TV and film from your living room.
The Beach Bum – Available On Netflix
Make no mistake: The Beach Bum is far from for everyone.
But for those who can't help but be entranced by star Matthew McConaughey's magnetic presence, it will be a delight.
He literally stars as a free-spirit stoner named Moondog, and his exploits throughout the course of his life.
Writer-director Harmony Korine, best known for Kids and Spring Breakers, makes his most understated effort here. It's a film that flows like a cool, summertime wave. That will give you comfort or absolutely infuriate you.
The performances, though, are sublime. McConaughey was born for this role, and an eclectic cast including Zac Efron. Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg, and Jonah Hill, things are always interesting.
Martin Lawrence – seen here in his first feature in eight years – is also an absolutely welcome addition.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but The Beach Bum will encourage you to let the good times just roll.
Hotel Mumbai -- Available On Netflix
This is an absolutely gripping tale, and an intense drama that is as memorable as it is absolutely terrifying.
It's the true story of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, and a terrorist attack that took place in it. The hotel staff do absolutely everything in their power to protect guests and their families.
Co-writer and director Anthony Maras puts together a compelling film, and assembles a pretty incredible cast.
Dev Patel, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs and more are all absolutely fantastic. The Oscar nominee Patel is a wonderful leading man. For all his offscreen antics, Armie Hammer proves here he's a force to be reckoned with.
This is a mile-a-minute thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
The Mist – Available On Prime Video
It's hard to mention film controversies without touching on the incredible, divisive adaptation of The Mist.
From Stephen King's novella comes this incredible film about a storm that unleashes carnivore monsters into a small town. All trapped together in a grocery store, residents slowly turn on each other and survival instincts – and a loss of humanity – take over.
From famed writer-director Frank Darabont – known for Shawshank Redemption – comes this spellbinding, horrific character study.
It's a full-on acting showcase, including Thomas James, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, Toby Jones, William Sadler, and Jeffrey DeMunn.
With an ending that divided critics and audiences, I dare say this is one of the most surprising films I've ever seen, and I absolutely loved it.
The Guilty – Available On Netflix (Friday)
I'll say this about The Guilty: It wastes absolutely zero time getting things started.
The TIFF selection is a remake of a better, more nuanced Danish film by the same name, but this one still has plenty worth recommending.
It follows a police officers assigned to desk duty as a 9-1-1 operator after an investigation into an incident involving him is launched. When he receives an emergency call from a kidnapped woman, he becomes transfixed and does everything he can to help her.
The new screenplay is written by Nic Pizzolatto, the man behind the first incredible season of True Detective, and director Antoine Fuqua makes his best film since 2001's Training Day.
Star Jake Gyllenhaal is, essentially, a one-man show here, and his tortured, hot-headed officer represents his best performance since the mid-2000s Brokeback Mountain.
The voice cast, including Riley Keough, Peter Sarsgaard, Eli Foree, Ethan Hawke, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, is stunning and add huge layers to these faceless characters.
This is a can't-miss film, and a rollicking ride that showcases the best of everyone involved.
Black Sea – Available On Prime Video
This is one of the most absolutely underrated films I've ever seen, and it's a cinematic crime more people haven't seen this one.
A submarine captain agrees to take a job to search the Black Sea for a submarine purported to be full of gold, at the behest of his upset former employers.
Writer Dennis Kelly knocks it out of the park with this tense screenplay, and Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald handles this one with a masterful hand.
It represents Jude Law's best performance – minus The Talented Mr. Ripley – and huge coming-out roles for Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn.
It's a fantastic character drama, and one that literally no one ever saw. It's a travesty, because this is a film that gives Jude Law the dramatic platform he deserves.