Movies

It’s October: Here’s What to Watch on Netflix this Month

“Sleepless in Seattle’’ is just one of a few movie and TV titles coming to Netflix this month. Tri-Star Pictures

By Michael Nadeau

October 1, 2014

5 minutes to read

If you’re one of the millions (like me) who routinely puts off doing anything that might further their career/reputation/physique/personal life at the expense of Netflix, you know how important that “New Releases’’ section is to your very existence. So, I’ve picked some titles worthy of watching this month. Time to spend even more time staring at a glowing screen — you’re welcome!

• MOVIE TO WATCH AFTER A HORRIBLE ONLINE DATE

“Sleepless in Seattle,’’ available Oct. 1

Ah, that sinking feeling of soul-wringing disappointment after spending $40 for a night full of forced conversation, awkward pauses and “Wow, he/she really didn’t look like that in the photos …’’ What better way to put off that frozen tundra of emptiness stretching out forever and ever than by turning to Netflix to remind you that love, like life in “Jurassic Park,’’ does eventually find a way? “Sleepless in Seattle’’ is still as warm, sharp and funny as it was when it was released in 1993; Nora Ephron was peerless when it came to constructing romantic comedies that didn’t insult their audiences. It’ll make you smile, enough to allow just a little bit of hope back in. You’ll probably be back to browsing and winking right by the time Tom Hanks and Victor Garber talk about “The Dirty Dozen.’’

• TELEVISION SERIES TO STREAM ON A HUNGOVER SATURDAY MORNING

“Arrow,’’ available Oct 8

Few too many $7 pitchers at Sidebar the night before? Postpone checking your phone for those oh-no-why-did-I-send-those text messages for at least an hour or two or three and start in on “Arrow’’ (the second season releases on Oct. 8). The CW has a strong track record when it comes to DC Comics (after all, “Smallville’’ ran for 10 seasons) and this fun and stylish Green Arrow adaptation is well worth a watch. If you like it, be on the lookout for another DC spinoff coming to the network — “The Flash’’ hits on regular TV this month.

• “CAREER REVIVAL WISHLIST’’ MOVIE

“Tombstone,’’ available Oct. 1

Hard to believe now, but Val Kilmer was once an A-list movie star — big enough to play Batman in the slightly-tolerable “Batman Forever,’’ after all. Right before he jumped into the Caped Crusader costume, though, he gave his best-ever performance as the charming, witty and frequently-drunk Old West icon Doc Holliday, alongside Kurt Russell’s Wyatt Earp, in the entertaining western “Tombstone.’’ Kilmer’s so good in it that you’ll be wondering why he ever fell off the A-list — and you’ll be rooting for him to get one of these Neeson-style, career-kickstarting spy action films. You’re a daisy if you do.

• KURT RUSSELL RECOMMENDATION, PART II

“Stargate,’’ available now

Now – Because it’s Kurt Russell, and everyone should see everything he’s ever done, damn it. “Stargate’’ (streaming now) gets lost in the world-smashing career of Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin (they followed this one up with Independence Day and then, um, that Godzilla with the Puff Daddy/Jimmy Page song on the soundtrack), but this epic, world-spanning ancient-Egypt (sorta) sci-fi action flick with a super-neat premise might just be their coolest film. Russell, as a hard-ass, Johnny Unitas-flattop having commando leader, makes a great duo alongside James Spader’s geeky scientist. The movie was successful enough to launch a sci-fi TV franchise, and is getting a reboot soon, but start (and stick) with the original all the way through.

• MOVIE TO MAKE YOU CRACK UP AFTER A DEPRESSING WORK DAY

“Galaxy Quest,’’ available Oct. 1

Barely survive that last round of layoffs? Push all that to the back of your mind with one of the funniest sci-fi movies of all time, “Galaxy Quest.’’ This is a pitch-perfect and hilariously endearing sendup of the old “Star Trek’’ series that pokes fun at the show without ever being nasty. If you’ve ever seen an episode of the original series, you’ll keel over laughing — and even if you haven’t, you’ll still love it. Once you’re done watching, read this great MTV oral history of the film.

• MOVIE TO GET YOU REALLY EXCITED FOR THE A FUTURE CAREER

“In a World…’’ available Oct. 7

Lake Bell has carved out a nice acting career for herself on “Childrens Hospital’’ and in movies like “Million Dollar Arm,’’ but her debut feature “In A World…’’ shows that she’s got one hell of a second act in directing and screenwriting, too. Bell also stars in this sharp comedy — playing a frustrated vocal coach yearning to break into the movie-voiceover business — and she’s got an amazing ensemble behind her. Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Rob Corddry, Fred Melamed, Michaela Watkins and Tig Notaro each pop up. The movie, rightfully, earned her enough accolades to secure a prime gig directing the Noah Baumbach-penned “Emperor’s Children.’’ Watch out for her — she’ll be on stage at the Oscars one day.

• SCARED ^%*)LESS MOVIE FOR HALLOWEEN

“Shivers,’’ available Oct. 1

David Cronenberg has mellowed just a little bit in his later years — “A History of Violence’’ and “Eastern Promises’’ were still super bloody, but they never matched the endless rivers of gore and guts he had with his icky earlier work (the remake of “The Fly,’’ “Videodrome,’’ “Scanners’’). “Shivers’’ is one of his earliest feature films, and it’s a perfect way to weed out the people with weak stomachs who you don’t want at your Halloween scary movie party. This is an uncompromisingly trashy and scary horror flick, that follows the spread of a deadly parasite that turns its infectees into violent nymphomaniacs. So, yeah, don’t watch it with your parents. With your friends at a Halloween party, though? Sure.