By Andrés Muñoz
As we reach the tail end of the summer, most of the highly successful Hollywood hits have been released (I see you, Barbenheimer). Now, we’re looking for our autumn thrills. Whether on the big screen or in the comfort of our homes, screen-based entertainment is a constant in our lives. This insatiability spurs content production and distribution platforms to keep us at the edge of our seats with new amusing tales or by buying the rights to stream some all-time classics.
So, searching for viewing pleasure, we’re heading to our trusty old sidekick, Netflix. The online streaming giant’s distribution team has really knocked it out of the park this month, with a fantastic mix of classic movies and great series entering their slate. Needless to say, these releases vary per country, so please make sure to consult your Netflix app for the latest information. Here are my recommendations for your autumnal viewing:
Arrival
Canadian director Denis Villeneuve is hot stuff right now, with the release of his movie Dune: Part Two caught in the crossfire between SAG and the Hollywood studios. Seems like Netflix wants to ride that wave, too, as one of Villeneuve’s top films has been available since September 1st.
Starring Oscar winner Amy Adams, Arrival tells the story of twelve alien ships that arrive on planet Earth. Adams and her co-star, Jeremy Renner, embark on a race against time to decipher the visitors’ cryptic messages.
Based on a short story by American novelist Ted Chiang, this is a sci-fi favourite and one of my top films in the last 10 years.
Overhaul
When truck racer Roger loses everything in a fierce competition, he is faced with an intriguing proposition: to act as a getaway driver for a band of thieves.
However, he will quickly discover that once you’re in… it’s harder to get out. Promising a steady dose of adrenaline, Overhaul feels like a Brazilian Fast and the Furious movie with a distinct South American vibe.
This new Netflix film is part of a series of international movies Netflix is releasing this month. Overhaul hits screens on September 27th.
Predators
When you think of the words “nature documentary”, who do you think would narrate it? I understand why you would probably think of Sir David Attenborough, as he’s the most prominent voice in this genre, but…what about Tom Hardy?
In this Netflix Original, the former Batman villain takes us on a trip around the world, where we experience the highs and lows of life as a predator in the wild. Even though these animals have the strength and speed to continuously threaten their prey, external factors like climate change, overpopulation, and more begin raising the stakes for everyone involved.
Predators shows us lions fighting for their pride in Botswana, pumas facing fierce competition in South America, or awe-inspiring brawls between polar bears in the Canadian Arctic…these are only some of the stories you’ll witness starting September 6th.
The Invasion Of The Spielberg/Hanks War Epics
Netflix has spared no expense in acquiring distribution rights of World War 2 content, with the historic Band of Brothers miniseries available since September 1st. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks in 2001, this HBO original narrates the story of Easy Company, a company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, during the invasion of Europe in World War 2.
Originally based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s recollection of soldiers’ memoirs, it includes a fantastic cast of now A-listers when they were young: Damian Lewis, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and even Jimmy Fallon makes an appearance.
Each episode is a class in top-notch filmmaking, with fantastic cinematography, dialogues and sequences. Consistently reviewed as one of the best historical miniseries of all time and boasting a Top 5 place for TV Shows on IMDB.com, this one should be a definite for viewers’ lists this month.
Not as successful as Band of Brothers, Spielberg and Hanks teamed up almost 10 years later to show the other theatre of operations in the miniseries The Pacific. Just as they did with the first one, the producers spared no expense regarding production design, making you feel like you were right there in the battle with the soldiers.
This is a much tougher series to watch, as it covers some of the most harrowing and gruesome battles the US Armed Forces faced during the Pacific Campaign and the psychological toll it took on many of the American soldiers. Starring Joseph Mazello and Academy-Award winner Rami Malek as young soldiers in an increasingly violent conflict, The Pacific is not for the faint of heart. Both of these series are available on September 15th.
And there we go; Netflix has action, science fiction, nature and historical miniseries, and a host of other titles debuting this month. Which ones on the list are you most excited about? Share them with us in the comments section below!