New on Netflix Instant: Star Trek, Iron Man, Godfather & More
by Ethan Anderton
September 1, 2010
Hot on the heels of the application update allowing Netflix Instant to be used on the iPhone/iPod Touch, here's a big update to let you know about the plethora of titles that will hit the library next week. The huge chunk of cinema comes courtesy of Netflix's deal with the cable channel Epix who has provided plenty of classic and recent releases for Netflix subscribers to enjoy almost anywhere. Just so everyone's aware, all of the titles listed below won't be available for streaming until September 1st, but there's so many of them we just wanted to get them out there ahead of time so you're prepared. So what's in our queue this/next week?
Star Trek (Available Today):
Though there seems to be some dissension amongst hardcore Trekkies, this J.J. Abrams directed franchise reboot was one of my favorite films of 2009. In addition, feel free to partake in some of the older films like Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country which will also be available on September 1st (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn has been available for some time already). Since Paramount is part of the Epix deal I'd imagine the rest of the Star Trek films are coming soon.
Iron Man (Available September 1st):
The film that started the five year journey to the release of The Avengers in 2012 is now part of the Netflix Instant library. See Robert Downey Jr. (in one hell of a comeback role) give birth to Iron Man as he battles with Jeff Bridges' Obediah Stane and witness the spawning of an all-new career direction for Jon Favreau. Sadly this film could not be outdone by its sloppy sequel, but now you an easily revisit this favorite anywhere.
The Godfather Trilogy (Available Today):
There's not much that needs to be said about Francis Ford Coppola's classic dramatic mafia saga. In case you've been holding out for some strange reason, all three parts of this trilogy will be available on Netflix Instant. The Godfather and The Godfather Part II won Best Picture in their respective release years, and even though The Godfather Part III feels like a massive misstep, it's still loads better than many motion pictures before and after its time.
The Indiana Jones Collection (Available Today):
Even if you choose to still regard these classic action adventure movies as a trilogy, the fact remains that all four of the installments are now available for your convenient viewing on Netflix Instant whether you like it or not. And if you have any friends who haven't been introduced to The Man with the Hat, make sure you sit them down to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade and yes, even Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Friday the 13th Parts I - VI (Available Today):
Though they're certainly not all gems, I didn't want you horror fans to feel like Netflix was ignoring you, so here's your treat for the day. The first six films in Jason Vorhees filmography will now be available for a future Halloween marathon. Though I'm sure the others are on the way, in the mean time you'll have to settle for Friday the 13th, Friday the 13th Part II, Friday the 13th Part III, Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter, Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.
The Negotiator (Available Today):
Though this film doesn't exactly seem like it's in league with the other aforementioned films as an icon or staple of cinema, this has always been one of my favorite police dramas and the dynamic between Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey is truly electric. There's also great performances from Paul Giamatti (back when he was just a character actor) and the late J.T. Walsh. If you haven't seen it, then I wholly recommend you take the time to check it out.
Catch Me If You Can (Available Today):
You may know that I already love this movie immensely after I placed it on my Best of the Decade list last year, and it's certainly one of Spielberg's best films in recent memory. Leonardo DiCaprio still looks as young as the teenage con-man he's playing in this film, and Christopher Walken nearly steals every scene from him. Meanwhile Tom Hanks really shines as he attempts to chase down the infamous Frank Abagnale, Jr.
Dances with Wolves (Available Today):
This sure is one long film from Kevin Costner, but it's also a great option if you don't want to cough up the extra money to see Avatar again with the new footage premiering only on selected IMAX 3D screens around the country this weekend. That's right, I turned this recommendation into a dig at Avatar. Do you think James Cameron is going to care as he counts all the money from his recycled storyline made fancy with 3D visuals? If he does, then I'd love for him to send me an e-mail telling me just that.
Available Now: Carrie, The Pelican Brief, Ginger and Fred, The 'Burbs, 48 Hrs, Much Ado About Nothing, Gung Ho, Bad News Bears, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Lethal Weapon 2, The Untouchables, Children of a Lesser God, Blue Chips, Dead Man Walking, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moonstruck, Some Kind of Wonderful, La Cage aux Folles, Paradise Now, Von Ryan's Express, In & Out, The Cove, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Son of Rambow, American Teen, The Cotton Club, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Radio Days, Blood Simple, Shine a Light, Defiance, UHF and Second City: The First Family of Comedy.
That's all for this week's installment of new Netflix Instant titles and other free movies to check out online. And remember, if you ever want to look back at titles already released, look forward to movies on the way, or check out the entire library of Netflix Instant titles, you can head over to InstantWatcher (in my opinion the most complete listing of Netflix's instant titles, updated daily) or also FeedFliks, whose hawk-eyes are on the lookout for future streaming release dates. And of course we'll also be back next week with the latest line-up of new Netflix titles. Now go watch some movies! Are you satisfied with this week's new selection?
Ethan, you're spot on, with your appraisal of 'Avatar'. 'Dances With Wolves' is a much more interesting story; even if 'Avatar' does win the battle of visual bells and whistles.
Dave Lister, J.M.C. on Aug 27, 2010
But are these titles going to stream in HD????????????????????
dac_fan on Aug 27, 2010
I'm not afraid to admit that 'looking' at Avatar it is a real treat. Come on now. It's beautiful. That said, sure the storyline sucks... but Cameron doesn't mind (he didn't for 11 years) and I try my best to put aside my movie standards and just enjoy the eyeball-heroin he has presented. Besides that: Big high-fives for The Negotiator and Catch Me If You Can.
Cracky on Aug 27, 2010
sorry ethan, ripped off or not id rather watch avatar if for nothing else but quality acting that dances with wolves was missing but on dvd, not paying 15$ to see an extra 8 minutes of film
harrison on Aug 27, 2010
Indy Jones collection and dances with wolves along with catch me if you can. Great. I rarely gt hd quality so it doesn't matter too much. Yay! a discussion about Avatar. Okay, so my final opinion on it is pretty much what I've been saying: Awesome CGI, shoddy storyline, not so subtle moral themes that probably take most higher ups on a guilt trip, plausible acting, but overall very good direction and art direction. I sat down to test out my sound system and was immideately hooked for a second go round, but I stopped soon after.
Eli on Aug 27, 2010
you know, i'm not that impressed with this list. yeah, the movies are alright... but it was made out to be 1000s of movies suddenly added to my instant stream selection.... i mean some of these just should have been available a long time ago
John Stamos on Aug 27, 2010
The Indy movies have not become available for streaming... What gives? Maybe this deal isn't as good as it sounds.
Dave Lister, J.M.C. on Sep 1, 2010
Important note - If you go to the Netflix page for Dances with Wolves it lists the running time for the Instant Watching version at 181 minutes, but the disc version is 236 minutes. IOW, if you want to watch the theatrical version, watch it on Instant; if you want to see the extended version, get the disc.
Edward C. on Sep 1, 2010
am I imagining things or did you guys say that after two months, out of theatres certain films would be available for instant viewing? Just curious.
Eli on Sep 1, 2010
What happened. La Mission too off or too unknown? Really fantastic film with hits of Blood in Blood Out, as well as American Me. Check it out.
CJaay on Sep 5, 2010
why in the hell is 'iron man 2' a sloppy sequel?!! the cast is excellent (rourke and rockwell are especially awesome additions to the new marvel film universe). the story is a lot of fun. it looks amazing. hell, my mother even loved the movie! and she HATES comic book films and hadn't even seen the first film. i think all you internet 'critics' are hyper-critical and crazy.
walterbishop on Sep 6, 2010
Indiana Jones isn't available on Instant.
Clint on Sep 7, 2010
You should edit this post so that it actually is accurate.
Ccavins on Sep 10, 2010
solodolopolo on Oct 14, 2010
dave on Nov 10, 2010
Sorry, new comments are no longer allowed.