CONNOR BURTON
Special to The Leader
The cold this time of year forces us to stay indoors, giving us a chance to focus on our schoolwork. What would homework be, though, without our trusty Netflix to distract us and keep us from getting cabin fever while we stay inside on these cold winter days?
As Netflix continues to expand its catalogue, there are so many movies to choose from. Here are a few movies you will find on Netflix that received limited releases, but are well worth the time.
For fans of post-apocalyptic movies, “Snowpiercer” is a thought-provoking end-of-the-world action film with the last of humanity on a train that circles Earth, which has been plunged into an ice age. On board the train, social class separates the last of humanity, with the privileged at the front and the rear overcrowded with poor, starving people.
The film stars Chris Evans from “Captain America” as the leader of the revolt against the oppressors at the front of the train. It features a great supporting cast with John Hurt, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer and Tilda Swinton.
“Snowpiercer” is a gritty and ambitious film that really sticks with viewers at the end. It’s exciting and has a great story about the class struggle amongst the last of mankind. The action is well-choreographed, with a particular axe fighting scene that stands out.
For those who enjoy a good horror movie, “You’re Next” is easily one of the best Netflix has to offer. “You’re Next” is a smart and bloody home-invasion thriller that also has a bit of dark humor.
The story is fairly simple: a family reunites at the rich parents’ home in the middle of nowhere, and masked men attack the house and start to pick off the family one by one. The film’s heroine, Erin, is the girlfriend of one of the sons. As soon as the killing begins, she emerges as a quick-thinking and fast-acting hero, fighting back against the attackers.
“You’re Next” is an efficient and entertaining horror thriller that’s fun to watch with friends. There are some really inventive kills by horror movie standards and a heroine who is easy to root for. It’s also darkly comedic, for those with a twisted sense of humor.
Another film that flew under the radar, yet has found an audience on Netflix, is Joe Carnahan’s “Stretch.” The film tells the story of a down-on-his-luck limo driver who owes money to the wrong people. He gets a job driving an eccentric billionaire, played by Chris Pine, who offers to clear his debt but, before that, go through a night of hell.
“Stretch” stars Patrick Wilson as a likeable and easy-to-root-for guy who encounters some weird and dangerous characters. The supporting cast features Pine, Jessica Alba, Ed Helms, Ray Liotta and David Hasselhoff in a funny cameo.
“Stretch” is a wild ride and a lot of fun for its 95-minute runtime, and it is consistently entertaining and hilarious.