“Twisted Minds of the Creators: The Thrilling Stories You Might Be Missing on NETFLIX and HULU”

“Twisted Minds of the Creators: The Thrilling Stories You Might Be Missing on NETFLIX and HULU”

NETFLIX:

VIKINGANE (Norsemen), Season 1

(2016, TV-MA, 6 episodes approx. 30 min. each, VIAFILM/SAGVEIEN RESORT/NORSK RIKSKRINGKASTING)

Norway brings a new, light-hearted take on the life of a Viking.  This perspective is like no other.  Trust me…  I would describe it as “Vikings” being impregnated with Monty Python seed, and then a spawn of awkward moments is born.  This love-child may be a hit or miss for you, but I openly laughed at some of the repartee.  The frank expressions and theatrical music drives home a serious nature that is only cracked by the clever dialogue that keeps you rolling.  The story is about a small village and those trying to survive during the Viking Age, of sorts.  This is a short stint but promises to make you never look upon Vikings the same way again… ever. 

DEATH NOTE

(2017, TV-MA, 101 minutes, LIN PICTURES/VERTIGO ENTERTAINMENT)

Get over it… this is not your daddy’s anime we are talking about.  A gifted, young actor with a trusting face, Nat Wolff (of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, PAPER TOWNS, STUCK IN LOVE), breaks his trend by slipping into the shoes of Light Turner.  Light is bestowed the Death Note, a book that will allow one to orchestrate the death of anyone, when knowing their name and can picture their face.  He takes the name of Kira and begins a crusade to kill all those he feels deserving.  You root for him, which then makes you spiral into his moral dilemma as the events unfold in a not-so foreseeable way.  His co-conspirator Mia Sutton, played by Margaret Qualley (of THE NICE GUYS, THE LEFTOVERS), does nothing to help the situation.  And his counterpart ‘L’, the growing talent Lakeith Stanfield (of GET OUT, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON), grips you with his manic behavior as he hunts for Kira.  But the standout, which is no surprise if you have seen the anime, is Ryuk the Death God, voiced by Willem Dafoe.  Yes, things are chopped out and this may not be a pleasing adaptation… but what an insane ride.

HULU:

STAN AGAINST EVIL

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

The brash John C. McGinley (everyone’s favorite doctor on “Scrubs”, PLATOON, SEVEN, THE ROCK) fits himself into another Dr. Perry Cox role.  I love him for it… and realize how much I missed Cox.  Ahem…  He plays a sheriff in a small town, briefly.  Janet Varney (“The Legend of Korra”, DRILLBIT TAYLOR, CATWOMAN, “Psych”) is his replacement after his imposed retirement after the death of his wife.  You see, the sheriffs of the town are cursed.  That is what happens when you burn 172 witches.  Well, maybe not.  Just watch, especially if you are an EVIL DEAD / Bruce Campbell fan.

TAKEN

(2017, TV-14, 10 episodes approx. 41 minutes each, FLW FILMS/UNIVERSAL TELEVISION/EUROCORP TELEVISION)

If you are unfamiliar with the Taken storyline, you live under a rock… and probably wouldn’t be reading this.  So, I assume you do.  Why watch this TV series?  “The Transporter” did nothing to help give confidence in TV adaptations.  What if I told you Rollo of “Vikings” was playing another bad ass?  What if I told you the attention to detail found in “The Unit”, a fantastic show, along with one of their own, is found here?  What if I told you your daughter will be missing in the next 24 hours if you don’t listen to me… ah, a little too far…  Clive Standen plays a younger Bryan Mills, who is recruited by a special unit that handles the quieter ‘jobs’.  The task force is led by the still-gorgeous Jennifer Beals (of THE BOOK OF ELI, THE L WORD, but best known for FLASHDANCE).  Time has not touched her.  TAKEN is the final touch to on your viewing recommendations and is a thrill-ride you would not expect.

-- James S. Austin