New on Netflix Instant: 'Death of a Superhero'
Plus the documentary 'Booker's Place,' indie drama 'The Giant Mechanical Man,' and more
Available on Netflix streaming before disc release is "Death of a Superhero" (2011), which is not a superhero picture at all but a coming-of-age drama about a teenage boy dying of cancer. Ian Fitzgibbons directs and Andy Serkis stars as the therapist who tries to reach the angry young man. "The dual elements of "Death Of A Superhero" feel awfully familiar: the romantic relationship between two self-defined “freaks,” the unconventional shrink who helps a kid get over his rage, and even the cancer," writes AV Club film critic Noel Murray. "But Fitzgibbon’s cast is excellent, and the movie’s animated interludes liven up what could’ve been thoroughly pat."
"Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft" (2012), directed by David DeCoteau, stars show-biz siblings Booboo Stewart, of the "Twilight" films, and Fivel Stewart as American teenagers who discover their family legacy of witchcraft while at an elite boarding school run by headmaster Eric Roberts. It's not to be confused with "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" currently in theaters, but the producers are clearly looking to cash in. More here.
"Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story" (2012) is a second generation look at civil rights history. Filmmaker Raymond De Felita looks back at the TV documentary about the civil rights struggle his father made in 1965, and the repercussions it had on Booker Wright, an African-American restaurant owner interviewed in the documentary. New York Post film critic Lou Lumenick writes that the film "doesn't flinch from asking tough questions about how things have changed in Greenwood, journalistic responsibility or exactly how aware Booker Wright was of what he was trying to accomplish, and its potential cost."
"The Giant Mechanical Man" (Tribeca), an indie romantic comedy, stars Jenna Fischer as a fumbling thirtysomething single and Chris Messina as silver-painted street performer who gives her the confidence to chart her own direction. Reviews here.
"Breathing" (2012), the directorial debut Austrian actor Karl Markovics, is the drama of an orphan teen in a juvenile detention center. German with English subtitles. Reviews here.
Previous Netflix Instant recommendations here.
about the blogger
Sean Axmaker is MSN's DVD columnist and the editor of Parallax View. He writes for Turner Classic Movies Online and his work has appeared in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Seattle Weekly, The Stranger, Senses of Cinema, Asian Cult Cinema, Psychotronic Video and "The Scarecrow Video Guide."
movie news
- Daniel Radcliffe wins over critics with new London play
- Russell Crowe to direct Gallipoli film
- Armie Hammer opens up on sex life, '50 Shades'
- Universal rescues 'Dumb and Dumber To' with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels
- Edward Furlong charged with assault in LA
- Angelina Jolie stunt double says News Corp. tampered with her phone
- George Jones biopic in the works
- Brad Pitt's son plays a zombie in 'World War Z'
- James Franco launches $500,000 Indiegogo campaign
- Bruce Lee statue unveiled in Los Angeles
