There's nothing a college student (or anyone) loves more than bingeing on Netflix. It allows us to escape into a completely different world than our own. Whether it's animated movies or a psychological thriller, the world is hooked on Netflix. Now that it's summer vacation, a majority of us have lots of free time to waste on Netflix. During the three weeks where I haven't had any major responsibilities (besides feeding my cat and work), I've had the pleasure of spending my free time watching a plethora of movies and TV shows that I've been meaning to watch all semester. Sadly, some of these movies have already been removed from Netflix, but they're worth reviewing anyways. Here are my top 10 movies you should watch on Netflix with a few notable mentions.
Notable Mentions
2. "The Silence of the Lambs"
This is the pinnacle of all psychological thrillers/horror movies for any cineophile. A young FBI agent is sent to interview the dangerous former psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in hope of catching a new serial killer named Buffalo Bill. Personally, I hate horror movies. I have never liked them, never will. However, "The Silence of the Lambs" feels more like a psychological thriller than a horror movie and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a great movie to watch with your girlfriends (if they're into that kind of thing) or even your longtime boyfriend (I wouldn't call it a “first date" movie). Sadly, this movie is on my notable mentions list because Netflix is taking it off of it's streaming list June 1st.
2. "Rain Man"
Like Lambs, this critically acclaimed movie is leaving Netflix June 1st. However, if you can get your paws on this fantastic, tear wrenching film, watch it. It stars a young, pre-Scientology Tom Cruise and the delightful Dustin Hoffman as two long-lost brothers whose lives are changed by a single road trip. Coming from a home with an autistic younger sister, this film cut me deep. Granted, Dustin Hoffman's character is the older brother, but it sends a message of learning to accept other's differences and family is #1.
Okay everyone: it's time for the true-blue, top 10 movies to watch on Netflix right now. Note: a few of these are kids movies, but I kid you not, I cried so hard at some of these that it's kind of funny.
Mary Beth's Top 10
10. "Inglourious Basterds"
The only reason this fabulous Tarentino movie is last on my list is because I'm not a huge fan of blood and it's long (that's when the Adderall wears off). Other than that, this satirical WWII era film is a great little gem to watch on your own or with a long term boyfriend. Brad Pitt stars as the hysterical Lt. Raine, who is the leader of a Jewish band of Nazi Killers called “The Inglorious Basterds." They team up with a cinema owner, who witnessed the execution of her family, and a beautiful German double agent (don't worry, she's a good guy). This movie deserves a place on my list because I am a fan of WWII movies and I love it when a director can cast an actor great enough to play a ridiculously amusing Hitler.
9. "Les Visiteurs"
If you don't like movies in French, well tough. This is one of the first movies I saw on Netflix and is literally one of my all time favorite movies. If you're a fan of historical accuracy and overall great acting, this should be on your queue, like now. It takes place in two time periods; the 13th century and the 1990s. The main character, Godfrey de Papincourt, accidentally kills his fiancee's father whilst under the spell of a witch. Desparate to get his beloved back, he seeks the help of a slightly senile wizard, who acciendentaly transports him and his manservant Jaquouille (which you late learn means “jackass") to the 20th century. There, Godfrey and Jaquouille meet their descendants, the beautiful and kind Beatrice and the slimy Jaquard respectively. Even if you don't understand what the actors are saying, the subtitles are hysterical.
8. "A Monster in Paris"
The first animated film on my list, this is a whimsical, quirky tale of music, love, and singing fleas. Thankfully, this one is in English, so praise whatever God you believe in. It takes place in 1912, when, like Texas right now, floods plagued the streets of Paris. A young cinema owner and his inventor/delivery man friend accidentally create a 6-foot, singing flea whilst playing around it a client's lab. I'm not going to give anything away, only because it's such a good movie. Seriously, if you want a cute movie to watch with your sister-friends or even have a movie for COR, this is a definite must.
7. "The Boxtrolls"
Yes, yes. Another animated movie. However, it was up for a Golden Globe for Best Animated Picture, so it has to be good (which it is). Again, it's quirky and whimsical, so if you're not into that, skip ahead. If you're into these kind of movies, please read on. It takes place in the fictional island of Cheesebridge (go ahead and assume this is all British and such) and the underground caverns of the so-ugly-its-cute boxtrolls, who are pretty harmless little creatures whose only goal in life is to collect the unwanted items of the citizens of Cheesebridge. They find the protagonist, Eggs, as a baby and raise him as their own. When the boxtrolls are threatened by Archibald Snatcher (played by Sir Ben Kingsley of all people), ten-year-old Eggs goes above surface to save his adopted family. With the help of bold, macabre-obsessed Winnie, the duo uncovers secrets about Cheesebridge and the Boxtrolls themselves. The music is fantastic and has some great one liners (“Please don't hurt me: I'm wealthy!").
6. "Bridget Jones' Diary"
This right here is the ultimate chick flick. Forget about Mean Girls and Legally Blonde (although it is the ultimate sorority girl movie), this movie is brutally honest, British, and has Renee Zellweger pulling off an impeccable British accent. Bridget is a curvy, single journalist who decides it's time to take control of her own life. It's an exciting adventure for the sassy woman. Again, this is the ultimate chick flick.
5. "The Legend of the Neverbeast"
I'll be 110 percent honest right now: I have NEVER cried so hard at a Disney movie (more or less a Tinkerbell movie). The writers literally decided to tear out my heart and to Mexican Hat Dance on it. One of the upsides to the movie is that it's not centered around our favorite, sassy pixie. It's centered around Fawn, her animal loving best friend (In the Tinkerbell universe, every pixie has a talent, i.e. Tinkerbell is good at creating things and being a smartass.) After getting in trouble for bringing dangerous, yet injured baby animals into Pixie Hollow, Fawn vows to be more responsible. Until her curiosity gets the better of her and stumbles upon the Neverbeast, whom she lovingly names “Gruff." It's like “How to Train Your Dragon" combined with every dog film you've ever seen. And Gruff looks like this adorably ugly bison, shih tzu thing. Again, I haven't cried so hard in a long time (I take that back: I cried really hard at my cousin's funeral in January).
4. "How to Train Your Dragon 2"
This is the last animated movie! I promise! Another movie I've cried at, this tearjerker won a hell of a lot of awards, including a Golden Globe and six Annie Awards (whatever those are). This is the sequel to the 2010 film of the same name and I'm still surprised how a recent film got onto Netflix, but whatever. Hiccup pulled a major Neville Longbottom on us (since it's been five years later) and is in line to be chief. However, the young dragon rider has other plans. When an sociopathic dragon hunter threatens war on Berk, Hiccup attempts to reason with him, but accidentally finds his long lost, Dragon taming mother, Valka (played by the beautiful Cate Blanchett). This movie will tear you apart like no one's business. Definitely deserves to be in my top five.
3. "Man of the House"
Another one of my favorite chick flicks, Man of the House follow's Tommy Lee Jones' character as he's assigned to protect five UT cheerleaders, who also happened to witness a murder outside of the Texas Exes club. Yes, I know most of you are Red Raiders, but my mom's a Texas Ex so I don't have a choice anymore. Besides, Austin is such an awesome city AND the whole movie is filmed in Austin and on UT's campus. It's a hiliarious, heartwarming film that's sure to make eventhe biggest Aggie smile.
2. "9 to 5"
Remember when I said that "Bridget Jones' Diary" was the ultimate chick flick? Well, I lied. 9-5 is hands down the ultimate chick flick. If you like laughing at shoulder pads and big glasses or just a huge fan of Dolly Parton, you have to watch this movie. The story revolves around three working women; Violet (played by the fabulous Lily Tomlin), a recent widow with four kids and deserving of a grand promotion, Judy, a recent divorcee looking to find work after her husband runs off with his secretary, and Doralee, the antagonist's beautiful, feisty secretary whom everyone thinks is sleeping with the boss (which she's not). It's a great feel good, feminist film that makes you feel proud to be a woman. And Dolly Parton is just freaking fantastic, let's be honest.
And Mary Beth's favorite movie on Netflix is…..
1. "Bernie"
This is honestly Jack Black's finest role. He really embodies the style and mannerisms of real life Bernie Tiede, a mortician accused and convicted of killing Marjorie Nugent, his closest friend and somewhat abuser. I know many people who are from East Texas and can point on Carthage, Texas on the map who absolutely LOVE this movie. It's accurate in how they actors portray East Texans and it's shot in East Texas as well. Also, Matthew McConaughey stars as District Attorney Danny Buck and is just fantastic. Literally, everything about this movie is so good that you'll have to watch it over and over again.




















