Sometimes, you just need a movie night with your spouse, or your friends, or yourself, and if you’re at all like my husband and me (okay, mostly me…), you’d prefer not to spend a dime on it, beyond your Netflix subscription fee.
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But what’s good on Netflix? What’s entertaining? And especially when it comes to those lesser-known offerings, like Netflix originals, what doesn’t make you feel like you need a shower — or a good confession — after you’ve watched it? Here are a few selections that can keep a Netflix movie night humming along…
Trouble with the Curve
Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams in a father/daughter/baseball flick. A fairly light PG-13 rating with only some language and some brief traumatic back-story material; a pretty uplifting story on the whole. Read full review here.
The Impossible
Drama/thriller about a family on vacation in Thailand when the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami hit. They struggle through the terrible aftermath and must beat all odds to find one another in the chaos. Very compelling, though a bit grisly at times. Rated PG-13 for those grisly, frightening elements.
Masterminds
Often hilarious, if pretty dumb, comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, and Owen Wilson about some stupid southerners who decide to commit a huge robbery. Rated PG-13 for language and a refreshingly sparse amount of sexual humor.
War Machine
Netflix original movie starring Brad Pitt, about a general who is given the impossible task of winning the war in Afghanistan. While the movie doesn’t fit neatly into any one specific genre, it is at times funny, exciting, and deep. Rated M, mostly for language, as well as some war-violence. Read full review here.
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Deidra and Laney Rob a Train
Netflix original movie about a teen who decides to take desperate measures in order to support herself and her two younger siblings when their mom lands in prison. A well-done and entertaining coming-of-age story without too many moral issues, it’s rated TV-14 mostly for language.
Rogue One
The latest Star Wars movie, a must-watch for the sci-fi geek and not too bad for those of us that aren’t huge fans of the genre. Features a surprisingly awesome female protagonist. Rated PG-13 for violence, with one instance of killing that felt a little morally cringe-worthy. Read full review here.
The Fundamentals of Caring
A Netflix original movie about a guy with some past demons who takes a job as a caregiver to a handicapped teen; the two end up setting off on a road-trip of self-discovery. Often hilarious (sometimes with pretty black humor), somewhat sweet. Rated M, mostly for language issues, though there’s also occasional brief sexual dialogue.
Spotlight
2016 Oscar winner, about the priest abuse scandal in the Church. If not exactly a lighthearted or fun watch, it is a decent and surprisingly well-rounded portrayal of the Church in a difficult past time, and it’s pretty worthwhile for Catholics to watch and know about. Read full review here.
The Prestige
A Christopher Nolan-directed, Christian Bale-starring mystery about an 1800s British magician and his arch-rival. Very compelling, but a bit grisly. Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images, though there’s also some brief sexuality.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Curse of the Black Pearl: The Pirates movie that started it all. A must-see if you somehow haven’t watched it yet, and in my opinion worth the re-watch if you already have. Rated PG-13 for violence, in addition to a couple of mildly suggestive instances.
And today we celebrate...