It’s about that time again: A new Blind Bingers Guide to Netflix Bliss. Yes, I know, you were all patiently waiting for The Beta Report to gently caress your head and tell you everything will be ok and take you by the hand and guide you through your dark metaphorical Netflix bedroom. A bit much? Ok, well, here we go.

Netflix continues to flex its might in this entertainment game. There is an even bigger selection of not just good, but great movies and shows presently in stock, with much more heading our way in the near future. Below is a list of the Top 5 Movies (IMO) now available on Netflix. Stay tuned for my Top 5 TV Shows list and my most anticipated upcoming movies and TV shows list coming soon too.

Top 5 Movies:

• Almost Famous

Directed by: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup

What’s it About: Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the seminal bands of the time. When his love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater--fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother.

Extra Tidbit: I can’t say I am an Elton John fan whatsoever. But, I can say that Tiny Dancer is one of my favorite songs of all time, namely because of this movie. Because of the scene where this song is played, I now have a collection of moments in my life that I can vividly replay in my mind where I felt what the people in that scene are feeling. It’s a moment of sheer carelessness and warmth. Sitting in the realization that yesterday was bad and tomorrow doesn’t look any better, but now, now is alright and that’s fine by me. 

 

• Hush

Directed by: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Kate Siegel, John Gallagher, Jr., Michael Trucco

What’s it About: A deaf writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.

Extra Tidbit: Pegged as a return-to-form for the Slasher Horror Genre, this thriller definitely seems to be living up to that promise. I don’t think I have ever seen a horror movie involving someone with this disability, so I am intrigued to see how this detail is used in the movie.

 

• Finding Vivian Maier

Directed by: John Maloof & Charlie Siskel

What’s it About: A documentary on the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown cache of 100,000 photographs earned her a posthumous reputation as one of the most accomplished street photographers.

Extra Tidbit: I’ve just recently picked up my camera again, so I am on a photography high right now. So when I saw this come up on my screen, I immediately had to watch it. Enthralling, haunting, mysterious, lush, engaging, captivating, etc…there are not enough words to describe this beautiful documentary about this mystifying woman.

 

• Jane Eyre

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jaime Bell

What’s it About: As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender). Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

Extra Tidbit: This is here not just for the ladies, but because of the director, Cary Fukunaga as well. He is one of my favorite directors working today and the visual and tonal work he does in this film are amazing and cement my adoration for his work even further. Stylistically, this is a marvel to behold. Half dream, half reality, this film transfixes you quite.

 

• Quentin Tarantino Netflix Suite (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained, Kill Bill: Vol 1& 2, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Four Rooms)

I’m cheating a little here…but who cares, it’s my blog!

You can’t go wrong with any of these choices. Although, I’ve never seen Four Rooms before, but I don’t doubt that it will at least be somewhat entertaining if not a rare hidden gem of cinematic genius. One part cinema, two parts trend setting and culture shaping, all of these films are worth spending time with and are almost necessary to watch if one is to traverse the current pop culture climate we dwell in this day and age. Being that we all love to binge on Netflix anyway, I don’t think there is a better option out there than to binge on some Tarantino goodness all weekend long. Enjoy.

So, that wraps up my Top 5 Movies list. Like I said above, make sure and visit us again to see my Top 5 TV Shows list and my Most Anticipated Movie And/Or Shows That Will Be Coming To Netflix Soon list as well. That title is a work in progress…

Let us know what you thought about my Top 5 list. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below. We are also on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetareport); so, feel free to throw some more suggestions on there as well.

Later kids!

-JVN