Now Stream This: 'All The President's Men', 'The Matrix', 'A.I.', 'Before Sunrise' And More
(Welcome to Now Stream This, a column dedicated to the best movies streaming on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and every other streaming service out there.)
Need something to stream? What a coincidence! I have a whole list of streaming titles below! Good think you clicked on this link. Below you'll find titles streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. There's the political thriller All The President's Men, the game-changing The Matrix, Steven Spielberg's misunderstood A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, Peter Jackson's very long King Kong remake, the surprisingly funny and sexy Sleeping With Other People, and more. Drama, horror, rom-coms, true stories – you want it, you've got it.
These are the best movies streaming right now. Let's get streaming.
Now Streaming on FilmStruck
Release Date: 1976Genre: Political thrillerDirector: Alan J. PakulaCast: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards
Once upon a time, there was a massively corrupt man elected to the highest office in the land. He thought he was above the law, and attempted to subvert the constitution and the American justice system as we know it. But enough about the current President of the United States, let's talk about All The President's Men. Alan J. Pakula's thriller about Watergate is (tragically) more relevant than ever. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who start digging into the Watergate burglary and start turning up all sorts of corruption. Pakula and the script by William Goldman makes journalism exciting and thrilling – typewriter keys slam down with the crack of gunshots, sources meet in shadowy parking garages, and conspiracy looms large. Most of all, All The President's Men is a reminder that we've been here before. But that doesn't mean we know for sure how it's all going to end.
For fans of: The Post, Dick, Zodiac, reminiscing about a time when political journalists cared more about breaking a story than maintaining access.
Now Streaming on Hulu
Release Date: 1999Genre: Sci-fi actionDirectors: The WachowskisCast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano
In 1999, the Wachowskis changed the movie landscape as we know with The Matrix, a mind-blowing sci-fi action film that caught everyone off-guard. I can distinctly remember seeing The Matrix opening weekend in a packed theater, and I can remember feeling the electricity in the air as the audience collectively lost their damn minds at what they were seeing. In the opening few minutes of the film, Carrie-Anne Moss' character Trinity leaps into the air, at which point the scene freezes and the camera pans around her in a half-circle. I can still remember the cry of joyous surprise that rose up from that audience as they saw that. And the minute the movie ended, I remember thinking: "I have to see that again." Movies like this are a rare thing, and when they come along, we need to hold onto them. By now, some of The Matrix's plot machinations – futuristic hokum about people being used as batteries for machines while also living in a simulated world – may seem a bit cliched. But the story isn't as important as the way it unfolds. There's a joy in watching Keanu Reeves navigate this world, and slowly learn to kick ass in the process. Some movies – especially movies from the '90s – lose their luster as the years drag on. The Matrix remains fresh. (And let's just ignore those sequels, shall we? Although they're also streaming on Hulu, should you feel the urge to watch them.)
For fans of: Inception, Tron, Blade Runner, sick Hot Topic fashions.
Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Release Date: 2001Genre: Sci-fiDirector: Steven SpielbergCast: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Brendan Gleeson, William Hurt
I recently wrote a few thousand words on A.I., but a I suppose a few more can't hurt. In 2001, Steven Spielberg's A.I. left some audiences thrilled, and others puzzled. Spielberg had taken over a project started decades ago by Stanley Kubrick, and infused his own sensibilities onto the narrative. At the same time, A.I. maintains Kubrick's pessimistic streak. Spielberg's eternal optimism should clash with Kubrick's misanthropy, but instead, the film becomes something of a minor miracle. Haley Joel Osment is a robot boy desperate to be loved, but does he even understand what love is – or is it all part of his programming? Filled with stunning sequences involving futuristic landscapes, A.I. is one of Spielberg's best, and most challenging, films.
For fans of: Minority Report, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pinocchio, bleak endings that people somehow confuse as happy endings.
Now Streaming on FilmStruck
Release Date: 1995Genre: Romantic dramaDirector: Richard LinklaterCast: Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy
Even the coldest cynic can't help but sigh contentedly at Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise. With this film, Linklater kicked-off his Before... trilogy, and made the world of movies a better place. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are two strangers who meet on a train. After this chance encounter, the two decide to spend the day together strolling around Vienna. What follows is a film that seems so simple and yet is so engrossing and captivating. The chemistry between Hawke and Delpy is incredible, and the naturalistic way the duo play off each other is a wonder to behold. Ultimately, this is a film about two people walking and talking, yet Linklater finds ways to make it all so exciting and cinematic. Much of this lies in where he places his camera – usually in front of the duo, as if we're walking just ahead of them looking back. The follow-up film, Before Sunset, is even better than Sunrise, but as a launchpad for the trilogy, Before Sunrise is a treat.
For fans of: Before Sunset, Before Midnight, Certified Copy, falling in love.
Now Streaming on Hulu
Release Date: 1981Genre: Crime thrillerDirector: Michael MannCast: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie NelsonMichael Mann made his feature directorial debut with his gritty crime drama. James Caan is a master jewel thief who wants to quit his life of crime and settle down with Tuesday Weld. Caan decides to make enough money so that he can quit for good, but unfortunately, that means he has to take a job with a dangerous gangster, played by Robert Prosky. Needless to say, things don't go according to plan. Maan shoots Thief as a film set during long nights, bathed in buzzing lights and humming neon. It's a gorgeous yet cold film, loaded with style and drama. Caan is dynamite, and the score by Tangerine Dream pulses and hums. Crime doesn't pay, but it sure looks cool here.For fans of: Heat, Collateral, Miami Vice, James Caan's unbuttoned shirt collars.
Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Release Date: 2001Genre: HorrorDirector: Bill PaxtonCast: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary, Jeremy Sumpter, Levi Kreis
The late, great Bill Paxton made his directorial debut with Frailty, and what an amazing debut it was. Paxton would only direct one other film before his death, and it's a damn shame that he never helmed a horror film again, because he clearly had a lot to offer the genre. Frailty is the story of two brothers (Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter) in the 1970s who are suddenly thrust into a nightmarish situation: their beloved father (Paxton) says he's been chosen by God to kill demons. These demons are disguised as normal people, however, which leads to Paxton abducting seemingly normal people and slaughtering them with an axe as his children watch, horrified. It's dark, twisted stuff, and Paxton finds ways to milk both horror and familial drama from the story.
For fans of: Stoker, A Simple Plan, The Machinist, pre-McConaissance Matthew McConaughey.
Now Streaming on Netflix
Release Date: 2005Genre: Very long adventure/remakeDirector: Peter JacksonCast: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell, Evan Parke, Kyle Chandler, Andy Serkis
Alright, yes – Peter Jackson's King Kong remake did not need to be so long. And yes, some of the plot elements – what the hell is that Mr. Hayes/Jimmy subplot? – are rubbish. But gosh darn it, I can't help but appreciate Jackson's Kong. What I love most about the film is that it's an example of something that doesn't seem to happen much anymore: the big, possibly foolish dream project made possible by a previous hit. After Jackson's Lord of the Rings became so huge, he had clout to do whatever the hell he wanted in Hollywood, and what he wanted to do was make a really long King Kong remake. It reminds me of how Gus Van Sant used his Good Will Hunting good will to make a shot-for-shot remake of Psycho. I keep waiting for a Marvel director to use their clout to get a big, audacious dream-project made, but so far, it hasn't happened. Jackson's King Kong takes all the elements of the original film, and cranks them up to 11. At the center of it all is Naomi Watts, who is just a delight to watch. Jack Black is also surprisingly strong as a megalomaniac filmmaker hell bent on getting his picture made, no matter how many people get killed in the process. Nestled in all this over-long madness are some stellar action sequences and some genuinely charming moments – Kong sliding around on a frozen pond in Central Park is enchanting, I don't care what anyone says.
For fans of: Jurassic Park, Kong: Skull Island, the good old days when Peter Jackson knew how to use CGI for good instead of evil.
Now Streaming on Netflix
Release Date: 2015Genre: Romantic comedyDirector: Leslye HeadlandCast: Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Adam Scott, Jason Mantzoukas, Natasha Lyonne, Adam Brody, Amanda Peet
Most modern romantic comedies are, well...bad. They're neither funny nor romantic, and rely on cheap jokes and even cheaper storytelling. Which makes Sleeping With Other People a breath of fresh air. Leslye Headland's rom-com is funny and surprisingly sexy – no easy feat. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie play two people trying to maintain a strictly platonic relationship, but that's easier said than done since they both have the hots for each other. This plot could've descended into something forgettable or, worse, stupid. But there's a surprising sweetness to Sleeping With Other People. Best of all, it knows how to create sexy moments that never feel cheap or exploitative. Sudeikis makes a surprisingly charming leading man (who knew?), and Brie is her usual wonderful self. The duo work well together, and the attraction between them feels genuine. Simply put, Sleeping With Other People is the cure for the modern rom-com.
For fans of: Trainwreck, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Alison Brie dancing to David Bowie's "Modern Love" while high on ecstasy.
Now Streaming on Shudder
Release Date: 1985Genre: Horror anthologyDirector: Lewis TeagueCast: Drew Barrymore, James Woods, Alan King, Kenneth McMillan, Robert Hays, Candy ClarkCat's Eye is the other Stephen King horror anthology film from the '80s. It's not as memorable as Creepshow, but it's a heck of a lot of fun. Three stories unfold – one about a man (James Woods) trying to quit smoking, with deadly results!; one about a man (Robert Hays) forced out onto the ledge of a skyscraper by his lover's husband, with deadly results!; and one about a young girl (Drew Barrymore) being tormented by a troll, with deadly results! All three stories have one main connection: a cat. The cat ends up traveling from one story to the next, playing a minor part in the first two tales before getting a starring role in the last. None of these stories are the most memorable things Stephen King has written, but they have his usual style and energy.For fans of: Creepshow, Tales From the Darkside: The Movie, The Twilight Zone: The Movie, deadly results!
Now Streaming on Shudder
Release Date: 1986Genre: StupidDirector: Mike MarvinCast: Charlie Sheen, Nick Cassavetes, Sherilyn Fenn, Randy Quaid
Some movies are good, and some movies are The Wraith. This amazingly dumb movie is about a gang of drag racing hoodlums who find themselves targeted by a mysterious driver in a strange, killer car. Is the driver an alien and is the car a spaceship? Is it a ghost? Does any of this make sense? No, it doesn't. You may be thinking, "Listen, asshole, I don't have time to watch bad movies on purpose." But I swear to you – watching The Wraith is worth your time. It's one of those gloriously strange, gloriously bad movies that you watch and wonder, "How did this get made?" This is the type of film where characters say things like, "Roadblocks won't stop something that can't be stopped!"
For fans of: Getting drunk and watching movies about killer cars.