“The In-Your-Face Stories You Might Be Missing on Streaming Sites”

“The In-Your-Face Stories You Might Be Missing on Streaming Sites”

NETFLIX:

MESSAGE FROM THE KING

(2017, TV-MA, 102 minutes, BACKUP MEDIA / CANAL+ / CINE+)

 

You wanna see why Chadwick Boseman deserves to be the BLACK PANTHER.  This film shows you his depth and ability to carry an intelligent badass to the next level.  The only problem is, this film may actually be better than what Marvel will send our way.  Boseman plays Jacob King, a concerned brother who flies into Los Angeles from South Africa to find his missing sister.  The brutal process of discovery is riveting while you also chase the missing pieces to understand King’s mysterious background.  Director Fabrice du Welz is not known for larger projects, but his skill is now on display for all.

BIG MOUTH

(2017, TV-MA, Season 1 - 10 episodes approx. 30 minutes each, TITMOUSE)

This animated series will make you cringe and feel very uncomfortable with its ‘penetrating’ sexual nature.  And… you can’t look away.  Once you have crossed that line, like most things, no point going back.  A story about young adolescents coming to ‘grips’ with the unstoppable force known as puberty is a risky play for any project but they did not hold back, and it works.  They even go so far as to say so in one episode… the ‘balls’.  Nick Kroll (of ‘The League’, SING and SAUSAGE PARTY) and John Mulaney (of ‘Saturday Night Live’) lead the ‘charge’ but it is the antics of the Hormone Monsters that steal the show.  Somehow, I feel this is more a therapeutic ‘release’ for the creators and writers.

WHITE GOLD

(2017, NR, 123 minutes, NEXUS FACTORY/RAFAELLA PRODUCTIONS/SND FILMS)

WHITE GOLD is a British show about a small double-glazing showroom in Essex, a period piece set in 1983.  Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”, CHILDREN OF MEN, J. EDGAR) stars as the charismatic Vincent Swan, an unstoppable force in the window salesman world.  The problem is, he cannot help himself when around women and money.  His presence is only overshadowed by his wife Sam Swan, played by Linzey Cocker (WILD CHILD, IS ANYBOSY THERE?, SALVAGE).  She is by far one of the loveliest things you will find on Netflix right now.  Her sincerity and genuine love is what all men desire in a wife.  Creator Damon Beesley (of “The Inbetweeners” series) offers something unique to add to your watchlist.

HULU:

CHANCE

(2016, TV-14, Season 1 - 8 episodes approx. 30 minutes each, 3 ARTS ENTERTAINMENT)

Yes, I am catching-up on this one.  Season 2 was just launched.  It was worth the wait to provide my undivided attention and see Hugh Laurie (of “House”) back in action.  He plays Eldon Chance, a forensic neuro-psychiatrist who, thankfully, is not a House-esque character.  He is a very flawed man who gets trapped in some unscrupulous and mind-wrenching situations.  But, to my surprise, the main draw is the performance of Ethan Suplee (of “My Name is Earl”, CHASING AMY, and AMERICAN X).  Suplee plays D, a militant gentleman with some major survival skills.  He is your reason to make this a priority.

-- James S. Austin