Netflix has become an unbelievable source of entertainment for millions of Canadians. For the relatively cheap monthly subscription, users have access to countless films and television shows from various years, various genres and various cinematic tastes.
The only real problem with Netflix is deciding what to watch.
Luckily we’ve got a new feature to let you know what new programs will be debuting this month and which ones are worth checking out.
Let’s take a look at what’s new on Netflix July 2017!
Arrival (2016)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
One of the most acclaimed films of last year is about to become available on Netflix. This film tells to story of Earth’s first contact with extraterrestrial life forms. When foreign space ships start appearing all over the world, a renowned linguist is brought in to help open a line of communication with the aliens. But if you’re expecting something like Independence Day or War of the Worlds, you’re in for a surprise. This is a quiet film that packs an emotional punch, some stirring messages and one of the most fascinating endings to a film you’ll likely to see in some time. It is anchored by a fantastic performance from Amy Adams and shot beautifully by Quebec-born filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.
Braveheart (1995)
Genre: Historical
Directed by Mel Gibson
Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan
While Mel Gibson is a figure of great controversy, if you can remove his personal life from his professional work, there are a lot of great films of his to enjoy. Quite possibly his most popular is this engrossing epic about William Wallace, the Scottish warrior who led a rebellion against Edward I of England. Any historian will tell you this retelling is full of inaccuracies, but Gibson (who directs and stars in the film) has a real talent for creating an entertaining, thrilling and action-packed film. The battle scenes in particular are expertly done, though the level of violence depicted may be too much for some audiences.
It’s Complicated (1990)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Directed by Nancy Meyers
Starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin
It’s not too often these days you see a major film released that stars more than on actor of the boomer generation. That’s part of what makes this charming romantic comedy so refreshing, as this is the kind of film that would normally be made with 20-something actors. It stars Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin as a divorced couple who unexpectedly reignite their spark and begin a secret affair. It’s a nice, fluffy adult comedy made much more engaging thanks to its supremely talented cast.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring Nicholas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman
The Coen Brothers are among the of the most versatile filmmakers of all time. While they might mostly be known for dark and violent tales like Fargo and No Country For Old Men, they are also capable of giving us a truly silly comedy, like this slapstick caper. The film centers around an ex-con and his police officer wife who steal one new born octuplet after they can’t have a baby of their own. The crime, while done out of love, soon has them contending with the police, some escaped convicts and an other-worldly bounty hunter, all seeking the stolen toddler. It’s a hilarious, zany and fun film that will leave you smiling.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn
The Star Wars universe continues to grow, but in this recent film (one of the biggest films of 2016) a smaller tale within the bigger tapestry is told. We all know that in the first Star Wars film, way back in 1977, Luke Skywalker and the rebels blow up the Death Star after finding a flaw in the weapon’s design. But how did they find that flaw? This movie concerns the brave rebel soldiers who risked their lives to find this information and give the rebellion one last hope for victory. The film is filled with diverse, complex and interesting characters, as well as some very entertaining inclusions of classic characters. It’s a fun adventure for the whole family to enjoy!