Netflix hosts tons of well-known films, however for an adventurous weekend binge-watch, the streamer additionally has plenty of superb hidden gems. Although there’s loads of hearty competitors within the streaming sport, Netflix has been the dominant identify because the very starting. Drawing in audiences with basic content material, the streamer additionally produces its personal.
August is a busy month for Netflix, with widespread authentic collection like Wednesday returning for its long-awaited second season. Moreover, the streamer added a wealth of basic films on the primary of the month, together with recognizable favorites like Jurassic Park or Despicable Me. Nevertheless, Netflix additionally carries some less-familiar films as nicely.
Streaming has been each a blessing and a curse for contemporary movies, as a result of streaming-exclusives are sometimes buried underneath a mountain of recent content material. Then again, streaming has additionally saved dozens of forgotten films from obscurity, and allowed new audiences to search out them after they fully bombed in film theaters or light into the background.
Netflix carries all types of these varieties of movies, they usually make for good weekend viewing. Binge-watching has turn into a comparatively new phenomenon in latest a long time, nevertheless it has exhausted plenty of the outdated favorites. Due to this fact, Netflix’s hidden gems can boost a weekend watch-a-thon, and permit viewers to find some new favorites alongside the best way.
3
Pig (2021)
The present period of Nicolas Cage’s career has seen him alternate between forgettable movies and films that showcase his appearing chops. 2021’s Pig is the latter, and is certainly one of Cage’s greatest performances in years. Cage stars as a reclusive chef who should enterprise into the underbelly of Portland’s meals scene to get well his stolen truffle pig.
The unassuming thriller thriller quickly turns into one thing a lot deeper and philosophical as it tears down the notion of high-class eating. Cage is modest and reserved, and he conveys extra emotion with the mere twitch of an eye fixed than any of his hilarious outbursts in earlier movies. He is additionally balanced by a powerful supporting efficiency by Alex Wolff.
As a result of it takes itself critically, Pig‘s themes are dealt with deftly, and it successfully builds suspense over its quick working time. At 90 minutes, the thriller does not waste a second because it drives shortly towards its conclusion. It suits nicely in a weekend binge as a result of it is not too lengthy, however it is not simply one other disposable film that is seen as soon as and forgotten.
Its standing as a hidden gem is bolstered by the presence of Nic Cage, and it straddles the road between mainstream movie and the arthouse. It solely received a restricted launch in theaters within the U.S., so Pig was primarily born as a misunderstood basic. When in search of one thing out of the peculiar, the Nic Cage film cannot be beat.
2
Copycat (1995)
Secret masterpieces do not essentially need to be failures, and Copycat was really fairly profitable when it debuted. The mid-’90s thriller was made within the Silence of the Lambs custom, with a feminine hero going towards a very repulsive serial killer villain. The movie stars Sigourney Weaver as a psychologist who should overcome her personal fears to catch a copycat assassin.
Atmospheric and unflinching, Copycat has basic ’90s gloss however remains to be efficient in its chills. It strikes a pleasant steadiness between procedural police work thrillers and outright horror, due largely to a surprisingly nice efficiency from Harry Connick Jr. The remainder of the forged is stellar, with Dermot Mulroney and Holly Hunter giving the movie an A-list pedigree.
As binge-watching fodder, Copycat is ideal for film followers who’ve already seen the established classics and are in search of one thing a bit extra subversive. There’s additionally a nostalgic issue as a result of the film hearkens again to an period of movie that has lengthy since handed. Warner Bros. was fairly formidable with Copycat, and it paid off financially and critically.
Copycat at the moment holds a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Nevertheless, it is not so subversive as to be inaccessible, and it is not too lengthy in order that it cuts into different films in a binge-watching session. Streaming has helped to resurrect the 1995 gem, and after its stint on Netflix, there is no telling if Copycat will likely be obscure sufficient to even be thought-about a secret masterpiece anymore.
1
Logan Fortunate (2017)
Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Fortunate had all of the elements to be a bona fide hit, however the film did not discover its viewers straight away. The heist comedy featured an all-star cast including Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig, however may need been too off-the-wall for normal audiences in 2017. Fortunately, it has secured a brand new fanbase, and is rising in repute.
The plot considerations the down-and-out Logan household, who devise a scheme to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway throughout its annual NASCAR occasion. Hearkening again to basic rednexploitation movies, Logan Fortunate is kind of deep as soon as it will get past its amusing humorousness. The heist parts are additionally well-executed, and makes for an all-around full movie.
Few films are as bingeable as Logan Fortunate, primarily as a result of it has every little thing a film ought to. It’s larger-than-life, but additionally human. Although there are plenty of stakes, it is the type of film that may turn into a consolation watch. Netflix has been an ideal residence for the unsung basic, and it deserves each little bit of reward it has earned.
