One for Each Genre

Hello, hi. I would like to provide a quick background about me and why I choose to write these blogs. I am, first and foremost, a lover of film and [good] television; I have studied film - both at school and at University - but this does not make my views, like other reviewers, anything other than opinionated suggestions. Whilst I do not work for Netflix, Amazon Instant or any of the other online film exhibiting platforms, I have chosen to write a blog about them because I feel they are all extremely useful inventions that aid people to either open or relax their minds after a hard week, or day. Through these blogs, I hope to help people who do not fully acknowledge the value of these sites to, ultimately, do just the opposite; whilst I will focus on specific films and review them in the future, this first entry is a general view into each of the broader genres that Netflix and Amazon Instant provide. I hope I can help you all.

Action & Adventure

Starring..

NETFLIX

In truth, you are about to see me at my weakest here. Netflix really does struggle with this particular genre; perhaps the only currently watchable recommendations I can offer are Ronin, Apocalypto, and The Rock. These are three films with an extremely broad appeal for film lovers, perhaps adding Equilibrium, Captain America and Harry Brown for entertainment value. Ones I haven't yet watched, but have heard promising things about, include The Family, O Brother Where Art Thou and the latest installment of Rambo (yes, I know, but Stallone does manage to do a fairly decent job as the title character when the film starts with an 'R' and has five letters). 

Aestheticians: watch Ronin or Captain America

Philosophers: watch Apocalypto or Equilibrium

Anarchists: watch The Rock or Rambo

AMAZON INSTANT

This is a genre that Prime really does excel in; there are a number of films that are currently on my watch-list from here, like 2 Guns, Escape and Bad Country. What sets Amazon Instant apart from Netflix is that it blends the older classics with the more recent greats; Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Behind Enemy Lines and The Siege are the more interesting, yet perhaps slightly dated, pictures that blend action with intrigue, whilst Contagion, Prometheus and Sherlock Holmes are more impressive recent features that focus their entertainment through a blend of outstanding acting performances and intelligent screenwriting. Lookout, also, for hidden gems like Centurion and A Knight's Tale, both of which herald the acting talents of their protagonists, whilst those looking for an easy watch will prefer the comedic value that Blue Streak and Bad Boys have on offer. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Amazon Instant currently possesses one of the best films of all time - Inception. This story, whether it be for a film enthusiast or casualist, is a must watch. If there are only three films you watch in your entire life, I cannot suggest to a greater extent that this be one.

Aestheticians: watch Prometheus or Sherlock Holmes

Philosophers: watch Inception AND Contagion

Anarchists: watch Once Upon a Time in Mexico or Behind Enemy Lines

Comedy

Starring..

NETFLIX

Netflix begins to show a little more strength - in depth, at least - in the Comedy category; any platform that is able to feature a film as iconic as Superbad immediately grabs the attention of most people aged 30 or under. Much like Inception, Seth Rogen's screenplay has gained notoriety for the hilariously realistic quotes and scenes that acted as launching pads for the film's, now, star vehicles - Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse - whilst also placing the picture alongside comedy epics, like Anchorman. As I previously said, you'll find a greater quantity of 'watchable' features in this genre section on Netflix; Killers, White Chicks, Barbershop and Jeff Who Lives at Home are some of the newer-age comedies that compliment the previous era, which showcased hits like Office Space, Zoolander, High Fidelity and Lost in Translation. Overall, I will say whilst Netflix remains limited in this genre, they certainly offer far more versions of comedy than they do action and adventure.

Aestheticians: watch White Chicks or High Fidelity

Philosophers: watch Office Space or Lost in Translation

Anarchists: watch Superbad, The Other Guys, How High AND Zoolander

AMAZON INSTANT

The comedy movie area in Amazon Instant is particularly large due to the site's insistence on placing any story with even a hint of humour under this heading; you will see actions, romances and horrors in the comedy section as a result. Needless to say, it goes on for pages, but there are some actual pure comedies inserted about here and there. The best of the more recent flicks include Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Four Lions and Seth 'Family Guy' McFarlane's Ted, whilst if you're a fan of Ryan Reynolds in his satirical prime then you're in luck: Waiting, Van Wilder and Just Friends are three of his most notable performances as the witty protagonist. There are also some timeless classics thrown in to make sure the past is gone but not forgotten; Snatch, Mo' Money, Loser [teenage dirtbag] and - potentially one of the greatest of all time - White Men Can't Jump, are just a few of the golden oldies in the database, thus making Prime a highly fascinating proposition for comedy film buffs.

Aestheticians: watch Ted AND White Men Can't Jump

Philosophers: watch Four Lions or Van Wilder

Anarchists: watch Snatch, Mo' Money, Waiting or Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa*

*may need to be British to understand this specific satire

Drama

Starring..

NETFLIX

In as much the same spirit as Amazon Instant embraces various sub-genre films into the comedy category, Netflix follows their competitors lead in the Drama classification; once more, you will see an amalgamation of differing stories that incorporate a number of generic cinematography functions, as opposed to any distinctive traits associated specifically to drama itself. Again, however, this is not necessarily a concerning issue, but rather one to be wary of when deciding to view a film with a 'deeper' meaning. Seven Pounds, Good Will Hunting and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas are ones that could all jerk a tear, whereas The Iceman, Middle Men and The Aviator lay amongst the more entertaining tales with dramatic undertones. Further recommendations go to Glory Road, Girl, Interrupted and the ageless classic Top Gun, all of which will appeal to those intrigued by the cult followings that each of these films developed consequently.

Aestheticians: watch The Shawshank Redemption, The Aviator, The Express or Seven Pounds

Philosophers: watch Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, Girl, Interrupted or The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Anarchists: watch The Iceman, Middle Men or Top Gun

AMAZON INSTANT

In my personal opinion, Amazon Instant slightly out does Netflix [once more] with their drama selection; there are a few certified 5* 'watch-at-home' movies currently available in Prime instant viewing. End of Watch achieves, possibly, my highest recommendation; with outstanding acting performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena complimenting the screenplay brilliance of David 'Training Day' Ayer perfectly. Another of the more recent better features includes Prisoners, starring Gyllenhaal (yet again) this time alongside Hugh Jackman; both of these films deal with 'deeper' issues of society, and so be prepared for nuances of both realism and stronger strands of psychoanalysis. If you're a fan of Ryan Gosling, both Half Nelson and Place Beyond the Pines provide displays of his talent, whilst Mud and Broken City are two that have been endorsed to me on numerous occasions so I will get round to watching those. But, as I mentioned previously, Amazon Instant kind of destroys Netflix here; so much so, I will now provide a list of their drama movies that are must watch: Oldboy, The Pianist, Pulp Fiction, The Blindside, Glory, Donnie Brasco, Cass, The Deer Hunter, Seven Years in Tibet, Requiem For a Dream, The Bone Collector, Bullet Boy, Boys Don't Cry, Finding Forrester and La Haine. The thing is, there is probably at least a dozen more I could easily add, but I still have five other genres to talk about.

Aestheticians: watch End of Watch, The Blindside AND Finding Forrester

Philosophers: watch Mud, Half Nelson, Place Beyond the Pines AND Boys Don't Cry

Anarchists: watch Prisoners, Donnie Brasco, Bullet Boy, Pulp Fiction AND La Haine

Horror

Starring..

NETFLIX

Generally speaking, Netflix possesses a fairly average pool for horror. The range is vast due to the distance in quality between the stronger films and the weaker ones; for example, you will see cult-hits like The Blair Witch Project and Scream alongside absolute shockers like Detention and The Bay. Nevertheless, there are some hidden gems that may have gone a miss whilst they were in the cinema; for example, Drag Me To Hell, the 2013 remake of Carrie and The Amityville Horror are all ones that went to DVD fairly quickly after brief box office success. It's not for me personally, but if you are a big fan of the Paranormal Activity films I believe that the three sequels are on there when you are ready for your next installment of the poltergeist-scarefest. Probably my only definite recommendation, if you decide you feel like an occasional nightmare in the near future, would be the Ethan Hawke-starring Sinister. I won't give much of an insight into the story, but a particular character has definitely left its mark on my mind.

Aestheticians: watch Sinister or The Amityville Horror

Philosophers: watch Carrie or The Blair Witch Project

Anarchists: watch Zombieland or Drag Me To Hell

AMAZON INSTANT

Much akin to Netflix's take on the genre, Amazon doesn't really possess an intense enough group of horrors; this is where you'll find a ton of B-films, including the really poor adaptations of comic horrors. I suppose its worth watching the remakes of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Evil Dead if you're looking for the typical iconography of the genre - jumps, shivers and the occasional "oh shit!" - whilst The Mist is certainly one for fans of Stephen King novels. Eli Roth's The Last Exorcism is an intriguing watch for those who like to challenge ideals, and the [far poorer] sequel is also on there if you decide you want more. The American retelling of Funny Games is probably my last shout out in what is a very weak category for Amazon Instant Video; although there has been suggestion of a revamp in the near future.

Aestheticians: watch The Mist

Philosophers: watch The Last Exorcism or Funny Games

Anarchists: watch A Nightmare on Elm Street or Evil Dead

Romance

Starring..

NETFLIX

Of all the genres on Netflix, Romance is the most hybrid. Their definition of 'Romantic films' is extremely unspecific, much like Amazon's comedy section, and so you are just as likely to end up viewing a passionate romance as you are to a typical rom-com. Luckily, there are also just as much should-sees as shouldn't-sees, and so I would endorse Netflix for a cosy night in movie. Some of the more appealing rom-coms include The Rebound, The Proposal and Just Go With It; flicks like A Lot Like Love and Celeste and Jesse Forever augment this sub-genre quite well, also. For a deeper type of story, look to The Words and Stuck in Love; two films that deal with more specific issues in relationships. I have to say, though, I really can appreciate the ability of experiencing nostalgia, which is why movies like Annie Hall, Jerry Maguire, 10 Things I Hate About You and Romeo & Juliet will always be amongst my recommendations in this particular genre. I have saved my strongest advocacy for a film that, I feel, is suitable as both an easy watch and a deeper meaning-type plot: Dan In Real Life is an enigmatic love story that stars the brilliant Steve Carell as a widower whose sole concern are his daughters. And that's all you're getting.

Aestheticians: watch Romeo & Juliet, Jerry Maguire AND Celeste and Jesse Forever

Philosophers: watch Dan In Real Life, Annie Hall, Stuck in Love AND The Rebound

Anarchists: watch 10 Things I Hate About You, Just Go With It AND The Proposal

AMAZON INSTANT

So, on first glance, it appears as if Amazon use up their horror budget on the romance genre; not only is the depth far superior here, but the standard is also much improved in comparison to the previous broader genre. There are easy-viewing rom-coms like Think Like A Man, The Five-Year Engagement, Valentine's Day and Punch Drunk Love; deeper and more touching stories like The Secret Laughter of Women, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Anna Karenina or, if you feel like setting a more intimate scene, try Lie with Me or Sex and Lucia. In truth, it was harder to find an entertaining horror than an inadequate romance on Instant Video, and so if you are a romantic then you'll more than likely appreciate what there is on offer here.

Aestheticians: watch Sex and Lucia AND The Secret Laughter of Women

Philosophers: watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind AND Anna Karenina

Anarchists: watch Think Like A Man, The Five-Year Engagement AND Punch Drunk Love

Sci-Fi

Starring..

NETFLIX

Slim pickings is a phrase I'll use once in a blue moon, along with various other cliches, but that's probably the most accurate way to describe Netflix's sci-fi collection. The fact that Donnie Darko is the film that draws the greatest attraction in this area kind of sums up the lack of attention sci-fi movies get on this platform, especially considering it is far more psychological thriller than science-influenced. If you are a fan of the Robocop trilogy - which I, unfortunately, am not - then congratulations, otherwise I can only advise you to start getting involved with the younger generation's obsession with comic heroes like Thor, Tron, Iron Man and John Carter. On the plus side, Avengers Assemble has quite a general appeal so I can safely say most will enjoy that.

Aestheticians: watch Avengers Assemble

Philosophers: watch Donnie Darko

Anarchists: watch any of the comic hero films

AMAZON INSTANT

Out of all of the base genres, I have always seen sci-fi as the most subjective; whether this is down to my indifference with the idea of science as a whole, or that sci-fi and fantasy submerge so effortlessly that I identify with the sub-genres to a greater degree, I am as yet undecided, but I do find that my opinion of films from this field brings up more disputes than any of the others. And so, for that reason alone, I would say take my advice here with as much heed that you can afford. The most decent action sci-fi's on Instant Video are Riddick, Chronicle and Total Recall - Colin Farrell, not Arnie. Vin Diesel is made to play Riddick, and if you can get a hold of both prequels - Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick - before watching this one then you will be in for a treat. Two of the more under the radar films are Mr.Nobody and Attack The Block; the former, in particular, has all the traits of an impressively told love story with science and fantasy inserted as fundamental elements rather than the underlying theme. Unfortunately, in my view, there isn't much past this small pool but, as I've previously mentioned, I have a tendency to prejudge a sci-fi from it's blurb.

Aestheticians: watch Chronicle AND Attack The Block

Philosophers: watch Mr.Nobody

Anarchists: watch Riddick or Total Recall

Thriller

Starring..

NETFLIX

Thrillers will always entice fascination due their various draws; they will provide moments where anxiety peaks, they will usually combine drama and comedy to do so and, most importantly, there will always [always] be a 'good Vs bad' dilemma, thus ensuring all of the characteristics of an enjoyable storyline. Empathy from the audience to characters is possibly most achievable in the thriller, and so it tends to be the genre most popular with film spectators. The Usual Suspects is, ironically, the most unusual thriller of them all; in that we are led down a blind alley by the script, hence feeling a sense of emptiness for all of the characters involved. Nonetheless, this lack of empathy is - with hindsight - exactly what was intended by Bryan Singer with his direction of the script, and so I can only highly advocate viewing this entirely captivating plot. Other interesting thrillers include Seven Psychopaths, Shutter Island and Reservoir Dogs; all of which follow Singer's lead in employing an element of misdirection. Face/Off, Frozen Ground and The Talented Mr.Ripley are a few of the movies that revert to the slightly more familiar formula, with Nicholas Cage and John Travolta's performances enticing a further commendation for the most former. Overall, and as you would expect, thrillers are a fairly convincing category for Netflix; both in depth and in quality.

Aestheticians: watch The Usual Suspects, Seven Psychopaths AND Frozen Ground

Philosophers: watch Shutter Island AND The Talented Mr.Ripley

Anarchists: watch Face/Off AND Reservoir Dogs

AMAZON INSTANT

Thankfully, Amazon follow the lead of Netflix by mainly incorporating thrillers that garnered large cult-followings from their box-office and DVD success. Now You See Me is, perhaps, the most evident of this trend; the intertwined plot of duplicity and illusion proved to be a hit on the big screen, with a sequel remaining in the pipeline since. Savages, Side Effects and Rock n Rolla boast impressive casts, and are all ones that should be instantly placed on your watchlist if you are looking for variety. The fascinating twist in A Perfect Getaway was as imperfect as it was unexpected, whilst Broken City could give you something interesting to view on a Sunday evening. I'd say my deepest endorsement would be Eden Lake, a definitive contextual study of the generation of youth coming through in modern time; it's as disturbing as it is thrilling and, if you're not a fan of Jack "Cook" O'Connell then you certainly will be after his stirring contribution to this picture. 

Aestheticians: watch Now You See Me, Savages AND Rock n Rolla 

Philosophers: watch Eden Lake AND Side Effects

Anarchists: watch A Perfect Getaway AND Broken City

TV Series'

Starring..

NETFLIX

In truth, there is only one series to begin this discussion with: the phenomenal Breaking Bad. If there were less than three writers I would acclaim them all here by name, but instead I can only group them together as I heap eternal praise upon their minds for collaborating to create one of the most entertaining pieces of art that one will ever experience. I can genuinely say that there was not a single moment, in any episode of the entire series, that made me think "this is pointless"; and, for a show that spans five seasons (62 episodes), that is an incredible feat. I will warn you now, in advance, to be prepared for a serious addiction; you will become a recluse [to some extent] and you will take on traits of an insomniac, but you definitely will not shave your head and request to be referred to as Heisenberg...
Ahem, moving on swiftly, there are literally a truckload of interesting and compelling TV programmes available on Netflix; some extremely prominent, others slightly more off the grid. Action Junkies: head for Prison Break, 24 and the Shield; if you're looking for a little less filler and more comedy, I severely advise watching the underrated PhoneShop, Peep Show, The Office (both UK and US), Californication, cult-hit Orange is the New Black and, in the unlikely event you missed it on telly, The Inbetweeners. Psychological thriller fiends, I suggest you trial The Killing, Lie To Me and The Goodwife whilst scientific fantasists will most likely find Heroes, Utopia and Alphas the most appealing shows in that respect. So, yeah, definitely a lot of catching up to do for most in this department!

Engrossing Series': watch Breaking Bad, Prison Break, The Goodwife or The Killing
Easy Viewing: watch Californication, Orange is the New Black or Heroes
Comedic Value: watch The Office (both), PhoneShop AND Peep Show

AMAZON INSTANT

Now, if you think Netflix are inundated with TV shows, Amazon Instant genuinely provides a freakishly enormous amount of television for their subscribers; be they emmy award-winning hits or eventual flops, you will see these shows from their pilot right up to their climatic end, and so I can only recommend that you give Instant a go even on a trial period to discover what you're into. There are plenty of programmes to advocate here, but I will briefly endorse one for each general category for the purpose of this particular blog entry. Action junkies should give Vikings a go, especially if you're into historical knowledge. For some hysterics, and a captivating storyline, Jenji Kohan's (creator of Orange is the New Black) Weeds is the outstanding candidate. If you like crime, both Dexter and Luther present considerable portrayals of people in positions of authority struggling with inner demons. The Walking Dead is a unique horror-drama, whereas Mad Men combines the dramatics with historical corruption in order to exhibit the 1960s in a more cynical fashion. These are my highest approvals but, ultimately, TV programmes is one where you view the pilot and then judge for yourself whether the story fits your liking.

Engrossing Series': watch The Walking Dead AND Mad Men

Easy Viewing: watch Vikings, Dexter AND Luther

Comedic Value: watch Weeds