Netflix recommendations

[T & P]

I watched an absolute gem last night called The Peanut Butter Falcon. The story follows a Down Syndrome man called Zak who escapes a nursing home to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He meets a fisherman played by Shia LeBoeuf who is also escaping his own problems, he reluctantly takes Zak under his wing to fulfil his dream whilst both are being chased by people who want them.

This is a loose retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and if you’ve remembered the book from your childhood, you’ll recognise some scenes that are a direct nod to events in the book.

It’s wonderfully acted, the direction and cinematography is on point. There are a lot of tender, funny and thought provoking moments, especially around how people, even if they have good intentions, can treat people with disabilities. Plus it’s not done in a mawkish, glib or preachy way a lot of films handle that sort of material. I just love a film where you are rooting for the main character from the go. Check it out folks.

Another thank you here for pointing this out, and to Sugar Kane and others who subsequently endorsed it. Initially I was in two minds about whether to watch it because I thought it was going to be a very good but depressing drama, and I no longer watch those.

But we just watched it on the back of the numerous thumbs-up it’s got here, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Another firm recommendation from me here, and to anyone who like me might have been reluctant to try it because it sounds like a poignant hard hitting drama, be reassured you’ll be happy you’ve watched it

 

[DaveCinzano]

If you liked Sam Neill in Hunt for the W., check out his (much earlier) film Sleeping Dogs, set in a dystopian future New Zealand in which Neill is swept up against his will into the resistance against a Kiwi military dictatorship. Like HFTW, there's a lot about being On The Run in the Aotearoa bush.

It's got a bonkers appearance by Warren Oates as a Yankee death squad commander

 

[Duncan2]

Watched this thanks to your recommendation. Really enjoyed it.

Also really enjoyed The Peanut Butter Falcon especially the fight scene-cheers.

 

[Idris2002]

It's got a bonkers appearance by Warren Oates as a Yankee death squad commander

It's basically the Kiwi Apocalypse Now, if you think about it.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Only found this today.
I like it.
It's a little bit like scandi murder mysteries but without the snow.

Hinterland's good, it was on BBC ages ago, there was a Welsh language version and also a mostly English version with a smattering of Welsh.

It was reminiscent of Scandi noir. I especially loved the luscious cinematography of Welsh landscapes.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

 

[girasol]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

Started watching today. It sucked me right in, brilliant!!!! Huge score on IMDB too (I just checked). I started watching at lunchtime, as it popped up on my screen and I'm 4 episodes in and it just gets better and better. It's funny, well written, well acted... Just as I was trying to take a break from binge watching... It's going to have to wait! Cobra Kai (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

I saw the first one on you tube when it was free. I seem to remember it being ok.
I have it on my watch list so hopefully it will be decent. I wonder if 'the karate girl' (the next karate kid) will make an appearance.

I also wonder if they ever address that Daniel San won that first tournament with an illegal move that should have gotten him disqualified?

 

[girasol]

I also wonder if they ever address that Daniel San won that first tournament with an illegal move that should have gotten him disqualified?

yep, they most definitely do!!!

 

[DexterTCN]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

Jusr finished the first season, excellent stuff. It mixes the 1980s with the last 5 years...wouldn't want to spoil it more than that.

 

[nagapie]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

Would my 10 year old like it?

 

[magneze]

Would my 10 year old like it?

It's a 15. They might like it but it's aimed at older kids with some content you probably wouldn't want a 10 year old to watch.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just mentioning again how brilliant John Was Trying To Contact Aliens - feeling evangelical about it - such a panacea if you're feeling dispirited.

Watch John Was Trying to Contact Aliens | Netflix Official Site

A rural electronics whiz broadcasts radio signals into space and monitors for signs of aliens, but makes a more important connection here on Earth.

www.netflix.com

Just watch it!
(and if you like it, he's playing on Charlie Bones' NTS radio show on Thursday this week)

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

In the long grass.

A fairly decent time bending time trap type thing not unlike films like triangle etc. OK for a Sunday night. I'm not 100% happy with the ending, it's not how I would have done it.

 

[T & P]

Has anyone seen Cobra Kai (The Karate Kid spin-off series)?

Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'

He crane-kicked his way into movie history as Daniel LaRusso in the 80s film, but chose to put family before fame. Now he’s back in his most famous role in a comedy sequel

www.theguardian.com

Well, I absolutely fucking loved the first episode so a very firm recommendation from me

 

[Reno]

Well, I absolutely fucking loved the first episode so a very firm recommendation from me

Will I have to watch the Karate Kid movies to enjoy this ?

 

[T & P]

Will I have to watch the Karate Kid movies to enjoy this ?

Yes, it plays heavily on 80s nostalgia and the story itself is very heavily based on Karate Kid.

How on Earth did you not watch this at the time? Were you living in Mars in the 80s?

 

[Reno]

Yes, it plays heavily on 80s nostalgia and the story itself is very heavily based on Karate Kid.

How on Earth did you not watch this at the time? Were you living in Mars in the 80s?

I was in my early 20s and already too old for them. The last thing you want to do when you've just become an adult is to watch light entertainment for teenagers.

 

[Orang Utan]

Yes, it plays heavily on 80s nostalgia and the story itself is very heavily based on Karate Kid.

How on Earth did you not watch this at the time? Were you living in Mars in the 80s?

I ain’t seen it either - never appealed to me as I find martial arts rather boring

 

[T & P]

I was in my early 20s and already too old for them. The last thing you want to do when you've just become an adult is to watch light entertainment for teenagers.

Ah fair enough. I’ve done the same myself. I remember slightly younger folk raving about 90210, which I avoided like plague for the same reason.

 

[Reno]

I ain’t seen it either - never appealed to me as I find martial arts rather boring

..and that !

 

[T & P]

I ain’t seen it either - never appealed to me as I find martial arts rather boring

TBF while Karate is the background theme at heart it’s a comedy-drama about the life and happenings of various characters. There’s actually very little kárate so far and we’re more than half way through the first season.

 

[danny la rouge]

I was in my early 20s and already too old for them. The last thing you want to do when you've just become an adult is to watch light entertainment for teenagers.

I didn’t see it either. In fact I’m only learning now that there was more than one.

 

[T & P]

Well, on episode 9 and still loving it. FWIW you don’t need to have watched TKK to enjoy it. You’ll just miss on the many nods and references but the story and going-ons are pretty apparent even without having watched TKK.

ETA: grownup William Zabka does look a lot like Alistair Campbell. It’s the only annoying thing so far.

 

[DotCommunist]

I did watch karate kid when I was younger and didn't rate it much because I was more into sci fi and fantasy and these days the martial arts stuff I do like is fantasy/wirework like Ip Man, or wuxia inspired etc.
Cobra Kai is not that at all but it is great. I was singing its praises when the first two series aired on youtube, its funny.

 

[Sue]

Another firm recommendation from me here, and to anyone who like me might have been reluctant to try it because it sounds like a poignant hard hitting drama, be reassured you’ll be happy you’ve watched it

That's really, really not why I'm reluctant to try it. Quite the opposite in fact.

ETA Peanut Butter Falcon that is.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

That's really, really not why I'm reluctant to try it. Quite the opposite in fact.

ETA Peanut Butter Falcon that is.

Watched it today making dinner. Wish I'd given it a proper sit down. Great stuff. Reminded me of my life as a courgette, in that it kept on the up without the need for much of Knock down. My only problem was how fast people came around seemed unrealistic especially in la boof. But my word, I never expected to see him in a likeable role (holes gets a pass). The bit where he says "do it" stands out somewhat (meta?).

Anyway. Big thumbs up, wish I'd watched it with the family. Tears were secreted, but not sad ones.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

yep, they most definitely do!!!

Sweet!!!! That's been a bug bear of mine for maybe 35 years!

 

[BlanketAddict]

Sweet!!!! That's been a bug bear of mine for maybe 35 years!

Sweep the leg!

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Sweep the leg!

KK2 where he tried the same dick move.