Last Monday morning, thousands of Americans woke up to find a very bizarre email in their inbox. It was from a mysterious man, Reed Hastings, and he had a message for everyone. In the first line of his email, he wrote nine words that would be mocked for weeks: “I messed up. And I owe you an explanation.” Within minutes, social networking sites were exploding with outrage about the email. The battle with Netflix was re-ignited.
As many of you know, the whole Netflix saga began a few weeks ago when Netflix sent an email stating they would be raising prices. Many took to their Twitters and Facebooks to express their anger towards the price increase for streaming and DVD rentals. Many people vowed not to continue their DVD rental, and to only pay for the streaming feature. The most recent email announced that Qwikster would be the new name of their DVD rental company, which sparked many to renew their vow against renting DVDs.
Well this article is for you, little anti-Qwiksters! It really doesn’t matter if you have decided to suck it up and pay for both services, or just stick with instant Netflix. We are all extremely busy with classes, internships, and jobs. When we have a few hours to spare and want to watch something, it can often take longer to choose a movie then to actually watch it.
The world of Instant Netflix is vast, and there are often many hidden gems. These gems are often difficult and time-consuming to uncover. There are hundreds of movies and countless TV shows that are well worth your time to watch. However, in the situations that you are pressed for time or simply don’t know what to choose, refer to this quick reference guide for some insight into the world of Instant Netflix.
A movie for a girl’s night in: Romeo and Juliet with Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. You really can’t get better than this love story that has literally stood the test of time. Not only is the story of epic proportion, but the music, cinematography and modern adaptation are awesome and fresh. The chemistry, which is obvious during that unforgettable underwater kiss, of Claire and Leo will break your heart. So grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, a bottle of wine, a box of tissues and swoon over the “Beaches” of our generation.
A movie for a night in with your significant other: Original Sin with Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas. This hot and “steamy” (in the words of Netflix genres) film will appeal not only to your romantic side, but your sense of adventure. This movie has a great plot based on romance, intrigue and suspense. The movie asks the question: how thin is the line between love and hate? And the process of answering this question will surely inspire a “steamy” atmosphere between you and your significant other.
A movie to make you laugh: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog with Neil Patrick Harris. Alright, so this one is technically not a movie, but it is 42 minutes of guaranteed laughs. If you are in one of those moods where you simply need to mindlessly laugh, this is the show for you. Neil Patrick Harris plays a wanna-be mad scientist, with a blog, trying to win a girl through song. There are a lot of great TV star cameos because this mini-series was created during the 2008 Writer’s Strike. His character is so lovable, while being so adorably oblivious. This is the short study break to help you relax, refocus and smile.
A movie for when you are in a serious mood: The Way Back with Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris and Colin Farrell. There are so many great movies out there that cover really serious topics, but there is a type of mood you have to be in to watch them. Rainy days and discussions on historical topics in class usually provide the perfect environment to want to watch a serious movie. This film is about prisoners being held in Siberia during World War II, their escape and trek from Siberia to India. Every character is extremely different, but are each an essential part of the group. By the end, you will be personally invested in their journey and want to learn more about the Soviet work camps, that are never really mentioned in history class.
A movie to inspire your AU Eagle Pride: Dolphins IMAX produced by School of Communication Professor Chris Palmer. Professor Palmer is the Executive Producer in this Academy Award nominated short documentary. The film is perfect to watch with the kids you baby-sit for or if you just want to unwind and watch a sweet story about dolphins. In addition to the incredible underwater images, the soundtrack by Sting and narration by Pierce Brosnan really create a memorable viewing experience. Prof. Palmer has multiple environment-focused documentaries featured on Instant Netflix, so check out his films if you want to strengthen your relationship with Mother Nature.
Don’t let Netflix’s ridiculous business ventures, the new Facebook changes, the beginning of real classwork and the change of weather get you down this week. But if they do—take a break, sit down, analyze your mood and enjoy your $7.99 Streaming Netflix package.