Stream Warriors: May 20, 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.
Shafi Malik: III SMOKING BARRELS (2017)
What It Is: The film is an anthology of three stories from Far East India, each exploring a different stage of human life . The first story is about a child, who on escaping from a rebel camp hijacks a car, transpiring in a journey that unravels her plight and prods deep into traumatic issues of children involved in armed conflicts. The next story is about a boy, a drug peddler, and his journey into the drug world. It simultaneously explores the life of his grieving mother while delving into the region that has become synonymous with drug trade. The third story is about a man, an elephant poacher, who ends up killing 15 elephants to fend for himself and his young wife. It explores his treacherous life and the murky powers that control this abhorrent business.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “An anthology of crime stories that involve child soldiers, protective fathers and DEATH METAL!! Thrilling and, at times, heart-breaking, it takes you back to the energy of those neat ‘90s indie movies like FOUR ROOMS and SHORT CUTS.”
Kiley Fox: THE FROG PRINCE (1986)
What It Is: Children's musical based on Grimm's fairy tale of The Frog-King. A young girl learns how to be a good friend and princess with the help of a "tall frog."
Where It Is: Tubi
Why You Should Watch It: “I miss these old live action fairy tale musicals that look like plays on screen. The Frog Prince is wholesome, sweet, and while not super remarkable, it's worth an hour and a half for anyone who likes this style of movie. I think it's one a lot of people missed. It's a Cannon film too, lol. Helen Hunt is comically an evil sister, and it makes for some good laughs. There are some things that make you scratch your head because the ideas are very silly, but it works.”
Khayla McGowan: The Lincoln Lawyer (2022 - )
What It Is: Mickey Haller, an iconoclastic idealist, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln, as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles. Sidelined after an accident for almost a year, Haller is back in the courtroom, recovering from a drug habit. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his practice, including the defense of Trevor Elliott, a tech billionaire accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “I just started this one because the books are tied to the Bosch novels, but stayed because of the thrilling plot! My fellow horror fans will love seeing Neve Campbell, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Angus Sampson, and more tear up their televisions with the next amazing show based on lawyers in the sunny state of California!”
Alexis M. Collazo: Kingdom (2019 -)
What It Is: While strange rumors about their ill King grip a kingdom, the crown prince becomes their only hope against a mysterious plague overtaking the land.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “With nonstop action and drama, I was hooked from the first episode. I enjoyed the zombie horror elements but was more intrigued by the underlying mysteries and political drama. There are also very well-placed moments of humor that kept it from being too serious.”
Rob Dean: GLEAMING THE CUBE (1989)
What It Is: Brian's adopted brother is killed when he discovers that the shop he works in sends weapons to Vietnam instead of medications. To the police it looks like suicide, but Brian knows better so he skates off to investigate the murder himself.
Where It Is: Amazon Prime, Fubo
Why You Should Watch It: “Is GLEAMING THE CUBE a good movie? No, it is not. Is GLEAMING THE CUBE a good time? Yes, it absolutely is. Christian Slater is in full sarcastic attitude mode in this skateboarding murder mystery that was made at the end of the ‘80s but feels more ‘90s. They try to insert the skateboarding gimmick into the plot and it is…not seamless. But it is fun, with great banter, radical fashion, wacky approaches to weirdly serious situations, and a more than mildly distracting bit part for Tony Hawk. Get friends together and chillax with GLEAMING THE CUBE for a tubular night with your buddies.”
Jeremy Lowe: SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (2018)
What It Is: In an alternate version of Oakland, Cassius Green gets a telemarketing job and finds the commission paid job a dispiriting struggle as a Black man selling to predominately white people over the phone. That changes when a veteran advises him to use his "white voice," and the attitude behind it to make himself more appealing to customers. However, Cassius' conscience arises anew as he finds himself in the midst of his boss' bizarre world of condescending bigoted decadence.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “Smart, subversive, funny social satire with a sci-fi twist. In Boots Riley's feature length debut he combines the biting social commentary of Spike Lee, the bizarre fantastical twists of Richard Kelly and the top notch storytelling of Alex Cox. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU is punk rock, it's hip hop, it's mind bending and dangerous. Highly recommend!”