Stream Warriors: September 9, 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: Hellbound (2021 - )
What It Is: A story about otherworldly beings who appear out of nowhere to issue a decree and condemn individuals to hell. These supernatural events cause great mayhem and enable the religious group The New Truth to grow in influence. A few people, however, become suspicious about its activities and begin investigating its involvement in mysterious events.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “I was hooked in the first few seconds and with only six episodes full of action, horror, and deep exploration of humanity's flawed nature it's an easy binge. While I'm not happy about being left hanging with a major cliffhanger and no word on the second season yet, it's still so worth it.”
Jeremy Lowe: THE RANGER (2018)
What It Is: Teen punks, on the run from the cops and hiding out in the woods, come up against the local authority - an unhinged park ranger with an axe to grind.
Where It Is: Shudder
Why You Should Watch It: “Take the classic punxploitation film PUNK VACATION (1990) and combine it with the backwoods splatter movie HATCHET (2006), and you get THE RANGER. What a fucking wild ride! If directors Penelope Spheeris (SUBURBIA) and Michael A. Simpson (SLEEPAWAY CAMP III) hosted an orgy in the woods it would look like this! HIGHLY fucking RECOMMENDED!”
Kiley Fox: FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (2008)
What It Is: When Sarah Marshall dumps aspiring musician Peter Bretter for rock star Aldous Snow, Peter's world comes crashing down. His best friend suggests that Peter should get away from everything and to fly off to Hawaii to escape all his problems. After arriving in Hawaii and meeting the beautiful Rachel Jansen, Peter is shocked to see not only Aldous Snow in Hawaii, but also Sarah Marshall.
Where It Is: Digital Rent/Purchase
Why You Should Watch It: “Sometimes you feel hopeless and broken, and angry, and you want to acknowledge how much something hurts. Other times you need to be reminded there's still the opportunity for good things to happen to you coming in the future. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL gives you both without being too saccharine.”
Khayla McGowan: Evil (2019 - )
What It Is: A skeptical clinical psychologist joins a priest-in-training and a blue collar contractor as they investigate supposed abnormal events, including, demonic possession, and other extraordinary occurrences to see if there's a scientific explanation or if something truly supernatural's at work.
Where It Is: Paramount
Why You Should Watch It: “I recently binged the heck out of The X-Files and craved something like it, but realized it may be like Twin Peaks and thus an incomparable force that stand on its own. Fortunately, Evil not only matched what I was looking for, but added an element of religious/cultural paranoia that instantly adds layers of realism to the horror that struck me. Please watch this...it's one of the best shows currently airing/streaming and I can't recommend it enough!”
Rob Dean: REEFER MADNESS: THE MOVIE MUSICAL (2005)
What It Is: This film tells the tale of the Harper Affair, in which young Jimmy Harper finds his life of promise turn into a life of debauchery and murder thanks to the new drug menace marijuana. Along the way he receives help from his girlfriend Mary and Jesus himself, but always finds himself in the arms of the Reefer Man and the rest of the denizens of the Reefer Den.
Where It Is: Tubi
Why You Should Watch It: “I love musicals, but too many are awkward or their pathos feels forced. The musical version of REEFER MADNESS, on the other hand, is a ton of fun that mocks the hysteria of the ‘30s-’50s and the titular scare tactic film from 1936. Kristen Bell, Alan Cummings, Steven Webber, John Kassir, and more deliver hilarious and impressive performances.”
Shafi Malik: The Comet Is Coming: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (2019)
What It Is: Shabaka Hutchings, aka King Shabaka, blew his sax hard while his effects pedal added reverb, expanding not only his sound but altering the office and making it a little eerier. The set began with a deep drone from keyboardist Dan Leavers, aka Danalogue. It kicked into full gear when he leaped into the air and, on descent, drummer Max Hallett, aka Betamax, whacked the snare drum, setting off a transformative 19-minute concert. The Comet is Coming is the kind of instrumental jazz trio that takes music lovers out of their comfort zone and into a musical realm they may never have explored.
Where It Is: YouTube
Why You Should Watch It: “ONE FOR THE JAZZ HEADS! The London-based Jazz-Fusion three-piece went to the Tiny Desk studios and completely rocked the house! Three tracks fill these 19 minutes of pure psychedelic jazz-funk. As well as getting your dance on, be amazed at the absolute sheer lung-capacity and stamina of Shabaka Hutchings!”