Stream Warriors: August 12, 2022
Each week, Neon Splatter contributors offer up some viewing options found on streaming (U.S. unless otherwise noted). Movies, TV shows, specials, and more. New and old, from all sorts of genres and nations. Most importantly, we deem them worthy of your time.
Alexis M. Collazo - Diablero (2018 - 2020)
What It Is: Centered around Father Ramiro Ventura, a fallen priest who finds himself seeking the aid of legendary "diablero," or demon hunter, Elvis Infante. With the aid of Nancy Gama, a modern day superhero, this improbable trio sets in motion a series of events that could determine the fate of mankind.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “I think this is the perfect combination of supernatural horror and humor. It can get completely ridiculous but it's too much fun not to get sucked in.”
Rob Dean: LOVE ON A LEASH (2011)
What It Is: Love takes a furry twist in this slice of romantic comedy. A young woman falls for a stray dog with a secret: by night, it becomes a man. Follow the journey of the golden retriever and the friend who gives him a home.
Why You Should Watch It: “I legit have no idea whether to rate this a 1 or 5. It is maybe the worst film I’ve ever seen—technically, narratively, in all manner of idea and execution. But it is so profoundly terrible that it basically loops back around to become this black swan of wonder that you couldn’t make on purpose or again. It’s a movie you’ll watch with a slack jaw, raised eyebrows, and furrowed forehead the entire time as you try to figure out ‘what the fuck is happening and why is it happening this way?’ Watch the first seven minutes and you’ll end up watching the whole thing.”
Jeremy Lowe: AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS (2018)
What It Is: A family's Christmas takes a strange turn when they awake to find themselves trapped inside and begin receiving mysterious instructions through the television.
Where It Is: Tubi
Why You Should Watch It: “Take the dysfunctional family and holiday setting of KRAMPUS (2015). Then add a whole helping of Cronenberg weirdness via VIDEODROME (1983) and Carpenter's THE THING (1982), oh and TETSUO: THE IRON MAN (1989)...you got AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. Very smart, darkly humorous, and oddly topical. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”
Kiley Fox: THE GREEN MILE (199)
What It Is: The lives of guards on Death Row during The Great Depression are affected by one of their charges: John Coffey, a black man accused of child murder and rape, yet who has a mysterious gift.
Where It Is: Tubi
Why You Should Watch It: “This is the movie I saw most in the theater. When it came out, I think I went to see it seven different times. I love when Stephen King plays with magic using a more subtle nuance. I get something different out of this every time I watch it. Sometimes I'm Paul who feels punished by the burden of living. Sometimes I relate to the guards feeling helpless as they watch these great injustices unfold around them. But I always strive to be like John Coffey. Pure of heart. Relentless in his pursuit to help. And accepting with grace, the great suffering and burden he carries.”
Khayla McGowan: YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972)
What It Is: Once a successful writer, depraved libertine Oliviero can't break out of a persistent creative rut after the death of his adored mother. When someone slits the throat of a young woman, Oliviero becomes the prime suspect, further complicating his already fragile relationship with Irina. Who's behind the grisly murders in Oliviero's secluded, blood-spattered villa of vice?
Where It Is: Shudder
Why You Should Watch It: “Initially, I was sucked into this because of the extremely long title, but stayed for one of my new favorite gialli from the wardrobe to the soundtrack to the ending! There should be a big trigger warning for abuse as it's ever-present in this movie, but it builds to a shock twist ending that not only got me, but has me excited to watch the movie again and again and again.”
Shafi Malik: DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001)
What It Is: Three inseparable childhood friends are just out of college. Nothing comes between them - until they each fall in love, and their wildly different approaches to relationships creates tension.
Where It Is: Netflix and Amazon Prime
Why You Should Watch It: “Sure, the female characters roles are thankless, Aamir was far too old to play his character, but you can't help but deny that the direction in this movie was a “game-changer” for modern Bollywood cinema. It frees itself from the usual Indian melodrama and the performances are charming. Light and breezy and that's what you want on a Friday night!”