Legend tells that eighteen years ago, Reed Hastings received a $40 late fee from a video rental store. Like many of us, he was fed up with the outrageous fines. It was then that he realized that the foolery needed to be stopped. And so, began the birth of the beloved Netflix.
However, it was not until 2008 at that the company began offering instant online streaming of TV shows and movies. Before then, much like the late Blockbuster did at the turn of the century, they shipped their content through the mail. In fact, the owners of Netflix approached Blockbuster several times to buy their company.
In the article “Epic Fail: How Blockbuster Could Have Owned Netflix”, Variety cites a 2005 interview, “But management and vision are two separate things,” said a former high-ranking Blockbuster exec at the time, recalling, “We had the option to buy Netflix for $50 million and we didn’t do it. They were losing money. They came around a few times.”
Apparently, they couldn’t see the life vests aboard their sinking ship even when it was under their noses.
Ultimately, Netflix puts the power in your hands, enabling you to watch 10 seasons of you favorite show all at once–which can be both a blessing and curse. Some people know all too well that once you get a hit of that first episode and let that fifteen second warning pass, suddenly it is four o’clock in the morning but you don’t even know what year it is.
Moderation is the key…and a kill switch is also helpful. If and when you learn how to control yourself, here are some recommendations to add to your queue.
1.Zoolander: If you believe Zoolander isn’t worth your time then I have two words for you: Blue Steel. In this comedy masquerading as an offbeat assassination ploy, Ben Stiller plays a washed up supermodel that is chosen to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Will Ferrell’s villainous Mugatu wants to stop the restraints on child labor laws so he needs to brainwash someone as stupid and susceptible as Derek Zoolander to get the job done. If you love movies that have early 2000s written all over them and more Lance Bass than a ‘N SYNC reunion this pick is definitely for you.
As the sequel is due out in 2016 , now is the perfect time to watch this idiotic but fun satirization of the fashion industry.
2.The Killing: I’ve got a thing for detective dramas even though I lack the foresight to point out the killer before the case is solved. Some people have it like that. I am not one of those people. 
However, that doesn’t stop me from loving this American retelling of a Danish crime thriller.
Unlike most crime dramas which solve the crime in one episode, every other season of the killing is devoted to solving one homicide case which, unfortunately, gives them more time to explore every red herring possible.
Partners Sara Linden and Stephen Holder seem like an odd pairing but both are a volatile mix of emotional instability. If you don’t watch it for anything else, watch it for the national treasure that is Holder.
Among many things, he is a dirty cop and recovering addict with vaults of sass and odd pseudo Christian-vegan tendencies. This character is sure to put Joel Kinnaman (Robocop, Suicide Squad) on your radar.
3.A Different World: Originally a spin-off of The Cosby Show, the first two seasons of this late 80s throwback followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she navigated through college woes at her father alma mater Hillman, a historically Black university.
After she drops out, the show is allowed to focus on boy genius/ ladies-man Dwayne Wayne and southern debutante Whitley Gilbert. Jada Pinkett Smith (Set It Off), comedian Sinbad and Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) late went on to success and are still around today fluttering in the breeze.
If you grew up on shows like Living Single and The Steve Harvey Show and are looking for a commentary on metaracial politics then this pick is for you.
4.How to Train Your Dragon 2: Funny, entertaining and heartwarming–and at times heartbreaking–How to Train Your Dragon 2 was nominated for an academy award this year but ultimately lost out to Big Hero 6. Why is a matter of opinion (on that I don’t agree with) but I supposed BH6 had its moments.
The visuals and music alone for this sequel are enough of a draw but plot is also important–if you are into that sort of thing. After miraculously swaying his ruthless viking clan into riding dragons instead of killing them like some sort of accomplished car salesman, a now 20 year old Hiccup (Jay Baruchel)is faced with exploring the 
wider world and accepting more responsibility from his Father.
Stoick (Gerard Butler) is adamant about his son becoming his successor but his son has bigger things to worry about. In this installment, the young hero faces two mysterious new foes: one that holds the key to unlocking his potential and another that threatens to destroy everything he has built.
5.Eletrick Children: This small indie film stars relatively unknown actress Julia Gardner (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and Rory Culkin of the Culkin
Electrick Children (2012)
clan a.k.a one of Macaulay Culkin’s several thousand siblings.
This beautifully filmed gem follows, mormon born fifteen year old Rachel Mcknight as she goes on a journey to find the father of her child. But the father didn’t just impregnate her any old way. It
was an immaculate conception as she believes his voice filled her with the son of God after she listened to an old rock song on a cassette tape.
She leaves the red hills of Utah for the company of stoners in Vegas, hoping to find some answers. There is a lovely contradiction in the relationship between the very different social groups. While it is sometimes slow and the ending is open for interpretation this movie is still worth the watch.
New Additions:
April 1:
Down to Earth (2001)
Leprechaun 3 (1995)
Leprechaun 4: In Space (1997)
Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood (2003)
Underworld (2003)
April 3:
The Quiet Ones (2014)
April 10:
Marvel’s Daredevil: Season 1
April 12:
The Identical (2014)
April 13:
Video Game High School: Season 3
April 14:
The Babadook (2014)
April 16:
Hot Fuzz (2007)
April 17:
They Came Together (2014)
April 18:
Noah (2014)
April 25:
Sons of Anarchy: Season 7
April 27:
National Treasure (2004)
Zhana Johnson
Senior Features Editor
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