Eight Random Streaming Recommendations
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 8:19PM 
by Nathaniel R
We're aware that we've been talking about the Criterion Channel a lot in these here parts but we recognize not all of you are subscribers (yet). So here are eight random suggestions of things to watch on mainstream streaming services if you're scrolling zombie-like through your endless quantity-not-quality options.
There's good undiscovered stuff if you know where to look.
Okay, ready? Here are 8 things we like that are available now...
Animals (2015) on Amazon and Hulu
Longtime readers will know that we feel proprietary about the very busy David Dastmalchian after having nominated him at our film bitch awards for Best Cameo back when nobody knew who he was (The Dark Knight, 2008) and having him guest star here on the blog. You'll see him next in Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2020) and The Suicide Squad (2021) but in the meantime check out this moving indie drama he scripted and stars in, loosely based on his own recovery from addiction. Intense performances from Dastmalchian and his leading lady Kim Shaw. Be warned: it's very upsetting as addiction dramas often are.
Harlots (2017-2019) on Hulu
We tried to sell all of you on this series a couple of years ago but you weren't waching (or at least not commenting). It has to count as the most gourmet actressexual feast that actressexuals have yet to discover en masse. Lesley Manville, Samantha Morton, Liv Tyler, and more chew every available set piece in deliciously bawdy costumes and giant wigs.
Hud (1963) on Hulu
We've been wondering when people will realize that Hulu is actually far superior to Netflix when it comes to their movie selection (it's funny because Hulu was once thought of as being for TV obsessives and Netflix was for movie fans. My how times have changed). I once recently did a loooong search on Netflix out of curiousity and realized that they had a grand total of something like 8 feature films made before 1990. Hulu has a much deeper bench of 20th century movies. One classic that too few have seen is this 1963 masterpiece with Paul Newman at his iciest and most seductive. The film won two Oscars for acting but the Academy shoulda made that three and thrown in "Best Picture," too, for good measure. That it wasn't even nominated for the top prize is one of the all-time great travesties of Best Picture snubs.
Itaewon Class (2020 - ongoing) on Netflix
Remember that college student that accidentally kicks off Parasite's deadly plot? Well, that's Park Seo-Joon and he's the lead of this very purple soap opera from South Korea about a stoney-faced high schooler who, when faced with a personal tragedy, gets himself a long term plan for revenge (?). We're talking looooong term, like a decade plus. It takes a while to get used to the show's odd rhythm and frequent time jumps (backwards and forwards) and I have some minor (okay, major) issues with the writing around the female characters but the star of the show works slow-burn minimalist wonders as the impossibly idealistic and stubborn protagonist. Lee Joon-Hyuk is an explosion of crucially adorable charisma as his father (in flashbacks). Nothing about the show (beyond Park's performance) is subtle but it's all gripping in a sudsy kind of way.
Kingdom (2019- ongoing) on Netflix
Yes, we're in a South Korean mood, okay? The country's film and television industry is on fire. We've already mentioned this zombie show but leading with lactor-lust or even calling it a 'zombie show' is tremendously under-selling it. It's so intense and gripping and beautifully directed. The costumes are insane (in the best way) and the budget must be gargantuan for all the eye candy in costuming, production design, effects, and locations. If there is a fetish or a group of people who become sexually aroused by hats, this show will drive them to the brink. Millinery porn.
Mother (2009) on Hulu
You may have heard that Hulu recently added a handful of Bong Joon Ho movies to their service, a very smart move since Parasite has broken their internal streaming records for non English language fare. Our favourite Bong film outside of Parasite is this mystery about an old woman who believes her son has been framed for a terrible murder. It's not as accessible as Parasite (its mood is much stranger) but it's visually mesmerizing and Kim Hye-ja is nothing short of superb in the titular role.
Under the Shadow (2016) on Netflix
If you're in the mood for 'elevated horror,' why not try this Iranian/British production which was an Oscar submission in its year about a wife and mother who fears her house is harboring an evil spirit when her husband goes away on business. It'll remind you that talented filmmakers can do a lot with no money and there's a reason why so many start in horror. The Tehran setting gives this an unusual kick, presenting additional problems for the heroine in terms of escape. The film is a debut from Babak Anvari who recently directed the Armie Hammer Netflix offering Wounds (2019) though we can't vouch for the latter.
Unorthodox (2020) on Netflix
The most unmissable thing on Netflix right now is the miniseries Unorthodox starring Shira Haas. If she doesn't win the Leading Actress in a Miniseries Emmy something is very wrong with the world. We're so proud to have singled out her work when we first saw her (in The Zookeeper's Wife). If the young Israeli actress keeps up this level of quality she's going to become an all time favourite of so many audience members who thrill to the magic of great actors.
Reader Comments (19)
nathaniel, glad you caught Unorthodox. the writing is pretty clunky, and it's flawed in throwing in some far-fetched thriller elements, but so much good stuff in there, and Shira Haas transcends any limitations...she's sublime indeed.
I don't think that stat about Netflix is remotely true. Just off the top of my head, they've got all the "Indiana Jones" movies, Welles' "The Stranger," "The Naked Gun," the first two "Monty Python" features, and that's already seven films before 1990.
In any case, Kanopy is clearly the winner for best movie selection. Classics and foreign films for days.
"Harlots" seems like they would easily get me & a good friend - Manville and Morton as competing Madams, oh my! - but I've never watched.
"Mother" is definitely one I want to see, and I'm getting together a Bong Joon-Ho chronological watch, so I will likely see it soon.
"Hud" is one I'm embarrassed to say I've never seen, as someone who cites Newman as her favorite actor of all time - although there are more than enough riches outside of that movie to justify my choice.
These streaming recs are always nice, but especially appreciated right now. Thanks Nathaniel.
Jonathan -- it was true in the month that I did that search. I went to each of the genres you can search and then searched by release and scrolled scrolled scrolled. It started to thin out around the year 2000.. It was shocking how much they dont care about anything more than 25 years old.
unfortunately from my understanding we dont get Kanopy here because it comes through your library and the NYC library system doesnt offer it :*( I'd have to move to New Jersey from their map in order to use the service.
Streaming pick: "Straight Up" is streaming now as a fundraiser through the Outfest website before it gets a general VOD release. Hilarious and for a good cause, I think it had a very limited release this spring that was cut short by theater closures....
I’d love to see Shira Haas and Unorthodox warm Emmy love, but I think the best actress race is way too crowded. I wish more foreign-language series would do well at the Emmys - Our Boys from HBO, which is mostly Hebrew and Arabic, is also excellent and deserves accolades.
I've been meaning to scratch Hud off my list for a while now! Also, I remember starting Harlots and never getting past maybe the third episode. I had every intention of continuing with it, but it just never happened. Oh well!
Even if that Netflix stat isn't completely accurate anymore, they're still clearly the worst option for fans of older and classic cinema.
Mother is an awesome film to watch and it's why I love Bong Joon-ho.
As you said Unorthodox is truly unmissable and shira haas is emmy-wothy but I think Amit Rahav also deserves some recognitions he’s great as brainwashed yanki
Hopefully people check out Mother and Memories of Murder. Tremendous companions to Parasite and good showings of what a talented director he is.
Love Hud, another one more folks should see. Acting is aces across the board, especially Neal in what's a top tier winning performance in Best Actress. She's not even lead and she's still one of the best winners in the most competitive acting category! That's how good she is!
Has anyone had the chance to watch Ayka? It's the only foreign film that has made the short list that I haven't been able to watch?
Looks like Hulu grabbed "Barking Dogs Never Bite" from Bong too. It's worth it, even if it's crude by his present standards.
I rewatched Hud a few months ago and it holds up. I'm always shocked when I'm reminded it wasn't a BP. Neal gives a great performance, and it's just such a good Newman role.
Unorthodox is really compelling, and Shira Haas is incredible. This is a great year in the Lead Actress Miniseries/Movie category.
I'll be surprised if Cate Blanchett doesn't take home that Emmy. Shira Haas is very good, though!
Mother was the first Korean film I ever saw, and it made me seek out more and more Korean films.
Great list, Nathaniel. Netflix and other streaming sites have opened a whole world of foreign television. Big fan of Harlots and Kingdom. Unorthodox led me to Shtisel, an Israeli “soap” about Orthodox Jews.
I highly recommend France’s Call My Agent! I rewatched the Juliette Binoche and Monica Bellucci episodes yesterday because I saw two of their films recently, and I love them. This show is so delightful.
Itaewon Class is just ok, I was bored and the last few episodes ruined the entire thing for me. So many more interesting Korean drama series on Netflix.
Try Goblin, Signal or even Crash Landing on You.
Just finished Unorthodox and wow what luminous performances not just from the incandescent Shira Haas who carried the 4-episode limited series on her shoulders, but also in the supporting performances by Jeff Wilbusch and Amit Rahav. Both actors also stood out. Shira Haas' Esty is so real and believable yet also otherworldly especially her accent that highlighted her outsider status in Williamsburg and even in Berlin. Compelling work and the creative folks behind this series should be commended.
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