What's New on Netflix? (October)


As part of my continuing series about the ebb and flow of Netflix streaming titles, here are the latest in new genre films and television! Just in time for Halloween, there are a lot of horror classics new to Netflix streaming this month! Plus, there are some lesser-known gems and wonderfully bad flicks - take a look:

Horror:

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

 Ash returns, facing deadites, insanity, and his own hand in this perfect horror-comedy. It is one of my all-time favorites movies. If you have not seen this, your life has no meaning. WATCH IT.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)

 Horror icon Peter Cushing stars in this final Hammer Frankenstein film. In it, the titular Baron conducts his experiments inside an insane asylum.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Ghostbusters (1984)

This comedy classic needs no introduction. When someone asks you if you've watched Ghostbusters, you say YES, Ray! Watch it again and again this Halloween - it never gets old.

Ghoulies II (1988)

In this horror-comedy sequel, the little demons are back, this time at an amusement park. Directed by the great Albert Band (Charles' daddy). 
  
Pumpkinhead (1988)

Here is another bona fide horror classic. Lance Henriksen summons a nasty demon to wreak vengeance for him. Directorial debut of FX legend, Stan Winston. 

Pumpkinhead

Resident Evil (2002)

Milla Jovovich stars as Alice and faces off with zombies in this adaptation of the same-titled video games. First in a series of five horror/action films. Paul W.S. Anderson directs (consider that a warning).

Room 237 (2012) 

Interesting documentary about the whackjob theories surrounding Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. More a doc about obsessive personalities than the horror film itself, so brace yourself for some eye-rolling. Full review here.

Troll (1986)

A wicked troll king invades a San Francisco apartment complex. Look for Julia Louis-Dreyfus in an early role, and a child character actually named Harry Potter. 

Visiting Hours (1982)

Genre icon Michael Ironside stars as a homicidal nutjob in this hospital-based slasher flick. 

Visiting Hours
Crime/Thrillers:

Dressed to Kill (1980) 

Michael Caine stars in this Brian de Palma thriller inspired by Hitchcock. Murder and intrigue - you know the drill.

Death Wish 2 (1982)

Second installment of Charles Bronson's bloody revenge saga. Famously panned for its graphic portrayal of rape and other violence. Look for Laurence Fishburne as a thug.

Death Wish 2

 Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)

The fourth in the aforementioned revenge series, wherein Bronson takes on a drug cartel. Look for Mark Pellegrino (Lost, Supernatural) and Danny Trejo. 
 
Fargo (1996)

One of the Coen Brothers' greatest films! Hopefully you've seen it by now, but if not, do so immediately. Fantastic crime thriller about a murder plot gone bad. Stars the amazing Francis McDormand and William H. Macy. 

Side Effects (2013)

Steven Soderbergh's Hitchcockian thriller about the dangers of pharmaceuticals. Stars Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Full review here.


Action:

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

 Guy Ritchie's first feature where he defined that interlocking crime-stories template we know and love. Includes Ritchie staples like Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, and Jason Flemyng.
 
Road House (1989)

80s cult favorite starring Patrick Swayze as a bar bouncer who takes on a corrupt businessman in a small town. Remember: pain don't hurt.


Science Fiction:

Disturbing Behavior (1998)

Katie Holmes/James Marsden flick about a high school taken over by dangerous, brain-washed teenagers. Directed by David Nutter (The X-Files, Dark Angel, Supernatural).

Fire in the Sky (1993) 

This alien abduction film is still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen thanks to one particularly horrifying scene aboard the aliens' spaceship. 


So-Bad-It's-Good: 

Congo (1995) 

Based on Michael Crichton's novel of the same name, Congo did not quite live up to Jurassic Park as hoped. This notoriously shitty movie about a disastrous African jungle expedition had genre vets like Tim Curry, Joe Pantoliano, Bruce Campbell, Ernie Hudson, James Karen, and more. 

Troll 2 (1986)

Not to be confused with the aforementioned Troll. Despite the title, Troll 2 has nothing to do with it. But it is a legendary bad movie that everyone should see, followed by a viewing of the documentary, Best Worst Movie (also on Netflix Instant). 

Comedy:

Burke and Hare (2010) 

Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis star in this black comedy directed by John Landis - nuff said, right horror fans? If for some reason you need more: the film is about real-life gravediggers who sold bodies for profit.

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X (2012)

A black-and-white musical tribute to 50s science fiction films. I have not watched this one myself yet but I am very intrigued by it. I mean, it has Creed Bratton (The Office) and genre icon Kevin McCarthy!  


Television:

666 Park Avenue: Season 1

This ill-fated ABC series starred Terry O'Quinn (Lost, The Stepfather) as the owner of an upscale apartment complex possessed by a demonic force. The show was cancelled after one season, but you can enjoy that lonely season now.

The Walking Dead: Season 3

This wildly popular AMC zombie series needs no introduction. Season 3 sees the survivors setting up in a prison and facing off with the nefarious Governor. A decent season overall made better by the Gov and Michonne. 


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