Some people spend their days arguing over the merits of Netflix and how it should stop editing long movies into mini-series without filmma– oh, the director did it himself? That’s okay then… but the rest of us know better. It’s just one more way to re-watch the movies we already love and find new ones to cherish. This month sees plenty of both hitting the service.
The complete list of movies and shows hitting Netflix this month — May 2019 — is below, but first I’m going to highlight a few that stand apart from the bunch.
Netflix Pick of the Month
It’s true. At the risk of losing my hard-earned film critic credentials, I’m putting a McG movie as our pick of the month. Sure he’s given us plenty to grumble about as a director, but my reasoning here is simple — his previous Netflix Film entertains the hell out of me. The Babysitter (2017) isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s fun enough to bring me back around on him. His latest looks to trade that film’s harder material for something more YA-themed, but if he brings the same energy and fun to Rim of the World (premieres on May 24th) then it should be worthy of this spot. The pic above suggests something akin to Netflix’s own Stranger Things, and the plot synopsis involving misfit teens fighting an alien invasion while at summer camp seems right in line. Consider me optimistic and excited.
Only on Netflix Originals
Netflix Original Films offer a plentiful mix of genres and talent levels, and a few stand out from the pack. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile was something of a Sundance conversation starter earlier this year, and now the rest of us can join the fray. Zac Efron stars as that asshole Ted Bundy, but while we know him as a dickish killer the film’s focus is on his home life and burgeoning interests. Wine Country (pours itself into your eyeballs starting May 10th) might be a good counter to that as it focuses on a group of longtime lady friends hanging out in Napa for fun, celebration, and gripes. Amy Poehler directs and stars alongside Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Jason Schwartzman, Paula Pell, Rachel Dratch, and more. My personal tastes lean more Svaha: The Sixth Finger (the mystery begins on May 30th) which is a dark thriller from South Korea. Lee Jung-jae stars as a pastor investigating a cult that might be involved in murder. Might? Nice try. All cults are involved in murder.
Matthew Monagle’s Movie Corner
It shouldn’t be news to anyone that people’s tastes in film are uniquely their own. I may agree with someone on one movie but disagree vociferously with them on another. Crazy right? As proof of such a crazy thought I give you exhibit A, our own Matthew Monagle. He and I are on the right side of horror history in our shared love of The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015, hits Netflix on May 18th), and anyone who appreciates vicious, smart, slow-burn terror will probably feel the same way. It’s a deliciously dark tale of devilish intervention in a teenage girl’s life, and it ends on a brutal high. On the flip-side, though, is the The Perfection (a Netflix Film landing on May 24th). Matt loves it despite the movie being a sloppily written attempt at creating a WTF cult classic. The jumbled structure is embarassing and it’s wholly absurd in only minimally entertaining ways. There’s definitely minor fun to be had with it, but hoo boy will Matt talk your ear off with his utter love for the film. So what’s my point here? You should probably watch them both.
The Oldest Film Added to Netflix
One of the repeated beefs against Netflix is that its selection of “older” films is laughably sad. It’s not an untrue statement, but as a counter to it I like to point out the oldest film being added each month. May continues the general trend, but in addition to a handful of 80s films we’re also getting Mike Nichols’ scathingly dysfunctional and unconventional love story, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton headline this sad and mean tale of a married couple’s slow-motion dissolution, and while it’s an exquisitely acted and crafted film it’s also an emotionally draining experience. I suggest pairing it with Danny DeVito’s equally brutal but far funnier The War of the Roses (1989). It’s not on Netflix but still worth seeking out.
The Complete List
May 1st
Angels & Demons (2009)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Casper (1995)
Chasing Liberty (2004)
Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Part 1 & 2 (2019)
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Gosford Park (2001)
Gremlins (1984)
Hairspray (1988)
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)
Her Only Choice (2018)
Hoosiers (1986)
Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer – Season 2
John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky (2018)
Just Friends (2005)
Knock Down the House [Netflix Film]
Munafik 2 [Netflix Film]
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Roswell, New Mexico – Season 1
Scarface (1983)
Scream (1996)
Snowpiercer (2013)
Taking Lives (2004)
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
To Rome With Love (2012)
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Zombieland (2009)
May 2nd
Colony – Season 3
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
May 3rd
A Pesar De Todo [Netflix Film]
All In My Family [Netflix Original]
Alles ist gut [Netflix Film]
Cupcake & Dino – General Services – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
Dead to Me [Netflix Original]
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile [Netflix Film]
Flinch [Netflix Original]
Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage [Netflix Film]
The Last Summer [Netflix Film]
Mr. Mom (1983)
Supernatural – Season 14
True and the Rainbow Kingdom: Mushroom Town [Netflix Original]
Tuca & Bertie [Netflix Original]
Undercover [Netflix Original]
May 4th
Like Arrows (2018)
May 6th
Abyss [Netflix Original]
May 7th
The Heat: A Kitchen (R)evolution (2018)
Queen of the South – Season 3
May 8th
Lucifer – Season Four [Netflix Original]
May 9th
Bathtubs Over Broadway (2018)
Insidious (2010)
May 10th
Dry Martina [Netflix Film]
Easy – Season 3 [Netflix Original]
Gente que viene y bah [Netflix Film]
Harvey Girls Forever! – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
Jailbirds [Netflix Original]
Pose – Season 1
ReMastered: The Lion’s Share [Netflix Original]
Shéhérazade [Netflix Film]
The Society [Netflix Original]
Wine Country [Netflix Film]
May 12th
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj – Volume 3 [Netflix Original]
May 13th
Malibu Rescue [Netflix Original]
May 14th
revisions [Netflix ANIME]
Still LAUGH-IN: The Stars Celebrate [Netflix Original]
Weed the People (2018)
May 15th
Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! (2017)
May 16th
Good Sam [Netflix Film]
Take Me Home Tonight (2011)
May 17th
1994 – Limited Series [Netflix Original]
Chip & Potato [Netflix Original]
It’s Bruno [Netflix Original]
Maria [Netflix Film]
Morir para contar [Netflix Film]
Nailed It! – Season 3 [Netflix Original]
See You Yesterday [Netflix Film]
The Rain – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
Well Intended Love [Netflix Original]
White Gold – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
May 18th
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015)
May 20th
Prince of Peoria: Part 2 [Netflix Original]
Rosario Tijeras (Mexico Version) – Season 2
May 21st
Arrow – Season 7
Moonlight (2016)
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal [Netflix Original]
May 22nd
A Tale of Two Kitchens [Netflix Original]
One Night in Spring [Netflix Original]
The Flash – Season 5
May 23rd
Riverdale – Season 3
Slasher: Solstice [Netflix Original]
May 24th
After Maria [Netflix Original]
Alta Mar [Netflix Original]
Joy [Netflix Film]
Rim of the World [Netflix Film]
She’s Gotta Have It – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
The Perfection [Netflix Film]
WHAT / IF [Netflix Original]
May 27th
Historical Roasts [Netflix Original]
Outlander – Seasons 1-2
May 28th
Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
May 30th
Chopsticks [Netflix Film]
My Week with Marilyn (2011)
Svaha: The Sixth Finger [Netflix Film]
The One I Love (2014)
May 31st
Always Be My Maybe [Netflix Film]
Bad Blood – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
Black Spot – Season 2 [Netflix Original]
How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) [Netflix Original]
Killer Ratings [Netflix Original]
When They See Us [Netflix Original]
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Related Topics: Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, Netflix, Rim of the World, Svaha: The Sixth Finger, The Blackcoat's Daughter, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Wine Country
