Stream Warriors: June 17, 2022
Each week, Neon Splatter contributors offer up some viewing options found on streaming (U.S. unless otherwise noted). Movies, TV shows, specials, and more. New and old, from all sorts of genres and nations. Most importantly, we deem them worthy of your time.
Shafi Malik: QUEEN OF KATWE (2016)
What It Is: Living in Katwe—a slum in Kampala, Uganda—is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona, her mother Nakku Harriet, and her younger family members. She and her younger brother help their mother sell maize in the market. She also helps care for her baby brother. Her world changes the day she meets Robert Katende at a missionary program. Katende coaches soccer and teaches children to play chess at a local center. Curious, Phiona visits the center, learns the game, and becomes fascinated with it.
Where It Is: Disney+
Why You Should Watch It: “For those missing the chess action from The Queen’s Gambit, Mira Nair’s exceptional sports drama will scratch that itch… and more! Brilliant performances all round from the cast, but David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyongo particularly shine in what I think is the best looking film in Nair’s filmography. It really is rousing stuff!”
Jeremy Lowe: EMPATHY, INC. (2019)
What It Is: A VR startup offers users the chance to experience a less fortunate life. But one investor is about to discover the company's true nature.
Where It Is: Tubi
Why You Should Watch It: “EMPATHY, INC. is a black and white, sci-fi, noir film. Take a little FREAKY FRIDAY, a bit of LAWNMOWER MAN, and a heaping helping of STRANGE DAYS, then have Jim Jarmusch jerk off all over it, and you'll get this mind melting movie. Very Twilight Zone/Black Mirror. HIGHLGY RECOMMENDED!”
Alexis M. Collazo: SUCK (2010)
What It Is: A rock 'n' roll vampire spoof about a down and out band, The Winners, that will do anything for a record deal. When their disgruntled manager tells them that they are getting "long in the tooth," he doesn't know how prophetic he is.
Where It Is: Amazon Prime
Why You Should Watch It: “Musicians are an easy target for comedy as they don’t make good choices. SUCK plays off some of the ugly truths of the business combined with vampires and a beyond unrealistic plot line to make a fun and hilarious movie.”
Khayla McGowan: First Kill (2022 - )
What It Is: Falling in love is tricky for teens Juliette and Calliope: One's a vampire, the other's a vampire hunter and both are ready to make their first kill.
Where It Is: Netflix
Why You Should Watch It: “Who knew a vampire-vampire hunter romance reminiscent of a healthier version of TWILIGHT meets Romeo And Juliet would be what I needed to give my mid-2022 a boost? I can't stop recommending this show to literally every person I talk to this week! Added bonus: it's written by one of my favorite YA authors, V.E. Schwab, meaning the creepy vibes are ever-present alongside the adorable meet-cute!”
Rob Dean: NEXT OF KIN (1982)
What It Is: When a young woman inherits a creaky retirement home, she discovers and reads her mother's diary. Soon events that are mentioned in the mother's diary begin to happen to the daughter and she’ll find herself in a waking nightmare of murder, madness and a legacy of evil that may be inescapable.
Where It Is: Shudder
Why You Should Watch It: “Often categorized as Ozploitation, that makes NEXT OF KIN sound like it’ll be a garish event full of crazy gore and action. It is not. Though it came out at the time of the explosion of Australian genre films, director Tony Williams’ movie is more a creepfest that has a ton of haunting imagery and unsettling events that is often compared to THE SHINING in its subtly disturbing manipulation of reality and sanity. It only accelerates in insanity and horror until it reaches a frantic climax.”