Romance Movies on Netflix

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, so if you are in the mood for a romance movie on Netflix, use the flowchart below to find the romance movie for you. ProFlowers emailed me this interesting flowchart of romance movies on Netflix to post on J and J Productions! For fun, please comment below with the romance movie that the flowchart ends on for you. For me, it ended on Roman Holiday, which is certainly a great one! And please note that I have not seen all of, or even most, of these movies, so be aware of that. Otherwise, hope you enjoyed the flowchart and comment on what movie you ended on. 

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Netflix Picks: Movies to Watch on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and if you want to watch a movie to get you in the spirit of Thanksgiving on Netflix, here is your quick guide! Granted, Thanksgiving movies are not particularly common, which makes finding ones on Netflix are even more difficult. However, there are three that may get you into the spirit of Thanksgiving or at least have something Thanksgiving related. Also, please check back tomorrow for my review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is my definitive Thanksgiving movie. It follows two guys, played by comedic legends Steve Martin and John Candy, as they end up in a ridiculous road trip that ends with a positive message. The film is directed by John Hughes, who is known for such classics as Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club, and yet Planes, Trains and Automobiles is still my favorite. Please note that the film is essentially an 80s PG movie comedy, except for one scene where Steve Martin's character goes off on a tirade of f-words, so if you are watching it with the family, be aware. Otherwise, this is the movie for Thanksgiving fun!

Addams Family Values

Honestly, Addams Family Values makes this list by default since it is one of the only movies on Netflix to feature Thanksgiving. As for the film's quality, I just cannot remember that well. It has literally been 10 years since I have seen it, but others seem to like it!

Pocahontas

If you have children that you need to entertain during the Holiday, Pocahontas is probably a great pick, despite having almost semblance of historical accuracy. Like my previous pick, I have not seen Pocahontas in a very long time, so I cannot vouch for its quality as an adult. However, I remember enjoying it as a young child.

Well, there's my Netflix Picks for Thanksgiving! Do you have any recommendations? Please comment below and let me know!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Halloween Netflix Picks #3: Movies to Watch

Welcome to a special Halloween edition of Netflix Picks where I recommend three creepy movies that perfect to watch on Halloween that you can find on Netflix!

Scream

More of a satire of the horror genre than a pure horror, Scream follows high school student Sidney Prescott in a small town where a murder in a mask terrorizes the town. While often more humorous than scary, Scream both parodies the tropes of the horror genre, as well as crafting a surprisingly competent mystery.

Release Date: December 20, 1996

Running Time: 111 minutes

MMPA rating: R

The Babadook

An Australian-Canadian psychological horror flick, The Babadook is the hidden gem of 2014. Horror is not my forte, and yet The Babadook stands as one of the more intelligent films in the genre from the last few years. Instead of relying on tons of mindless gore, The Babadook manages to use suspense and build-up to create its thrills. In addition, the film has a surprising amount of heart as it is a story about a single mother trying to raise her troubled child. The first 40 minutes of the film are undeniably slow. However, once the thrills begin, the pace really picks up. With that said, there are plenty of minor logic issues and points where the film's seriousness is undermined. Considering how awful most horror movies are today, these flaws can be overlooked.

Release Date: 22 May 2014

Running Time: 94 minutes

MMPA rating: PG-13

The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs  follows FBI agent, Clarice Starling,  as she attempts to track down serial killer "Buffalo Bill" before he claims his next victim. To help find "Buffalo Bill," she interviews cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, and thus begins one of the most thrilling and frightening crime dramas of all-time. Currently the only horror film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, The Silence of the Lambs might not look like the typical horror fodder that you see but it is every bit as disturbing as it sounds. Hopkins' performance Hannibal Lecter is an absolute must-watch for any film fan that can stomach the grotesque matter, and as a crime thriller, there are few that maintain such strong tension.

Release Date: February 14, 1991

Running Time: 118 minutes

MMPA rating: R

There are many other horror films on Netflix here, as well as other streaming services. Which do you recommend? Please comment below and let me know!

Note: The above films are available on American Netflix as of 10/30/15.  

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Netflix Picks #2: 3 TV Shows to Watch on Netflix

Netflix Picks, the post series where I recommend things that you can watch right now on Netflix, is back again!

Sherlock

With season 4 of Sherlock set to arrive.... whenever Steven Moffat feels like it, there is no better time than the present to catch up with the modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. Despite the series' relative brevity, basically nine 90 minute TV movies, BBC's Sherlock is an absolute must watch. Benedict Cumberbatch is a brilliant Holmes and Martin Freeman is, by far, my favorite John Watson put to screen. Equally balancing characterization, humor, and each mystery, Sherlock elevates the TV mystery genre to new heights, and being so short, you have absolutely no reason not to watch this brilliant and witty adventure.

Seasons: 3

Episodes: 9

Runtime: 90 mins

The IT Crowd

A British comedy about the IT (Information Technologies) department at Reynholm Industries, a fictional corporation in London, The IT Crowd is one of the pure funniest TV shows ever made. With a zany style all its own, The IT Crowd is a unique comedy to be sure. Instead of going the route of quantity over quality, like many US sitcoms, The IT Crowd only features 24 episodes over 4 seasons. Each episode is like a setup to several big jokes with the punchline at the end, with many smaller hilarious jokes intertwined.  Describing how the series' humor works is difficult, but you are up for some wacky and occasionally surreal comedy that defies conventions, watch The IT Crowd. 

Warning: The IT Crowd is intended for mature audiences. There are occasional uses of strong profanity, as well as potentially offensive humor (but what comedy doesn't have that?).

Seasons: 4

Episodes: 24

Runtime: 24 mins

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

The Force Awakens is on its way, and in the meantime, why not watch some of the best on-screen Star Wars stories since the Original Trilogy. While the first few episodes lean towards less mature themes, after the episode "Rookies," The Clone Wars turns into best thing to happen to the Star Wars franchise in years. Unfortunately, The Clone Wars is one the casualties of Disney buying the franchise, and thus it did not receive a proper conclusion. However, that should not dissuade you from experiencing the series' many exciting stories that explore new regions of the Star Wars mythos. In many ways, it is a perfect showcase of what the upcoming standalone films can and should be. Some episodes might feature zombie-esque thrills, while others might explore a more mystical side of the Force. Regardless, The Clone Wars is a must-watch for Star Wars fans of all-ages.

Seasons: 6
Episodes: 121
Runtime: 24 mins

Have you seen any of these? Are you interested in any of them? Please comment below and let me know!

Previous Picks:

• Netflix Picks #1

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Netflix Knows Which Episode Gets You Hooked

Netflix recently released data on the watching habits of their viewers, which reveals that the pilot episode is not the one that gets people hooked! Below the graph is a full list including which episodes hooked viewers. 

Netflix is known for withholding their statistics from the public, so even the fact that they are releasing this is not a common occurrence. However, the results fascinate me. Arrow is a perfect example of a series that does not get going until after episode 8, and even my friend dropped the series around episode 6. On the other hand, fan-favorite Breaking Bad only required two episodes before the typical viewer is hooked. Considering both the series' quality and unanimously positive response from anyone and everyone, chances are, if you plan to watch Breaking Bad, you are going to watch it until the end. The larger number of episodes that Daredevil required did, however, surprise me due to how fast Netflix renewed it, and the series overall popularity. Other than that, these stats are intriguing for sure. Lastly, thanks everyone for the positive response to my new "Netflix Picks" series. Providing it remains this popular, expect a new post every week with a mixture of movies and TV recommendations! What do you think? Please comment below and let me know!

• Arrow - Episode 8
• Bates Motel - Episode 2
• Better Call Saul - Episode 4
• Bloodline - Episode 4
• BoJack Horseman - Episode 5
• Breaking Bad - Episode 2
• Dexter - Episode 3
• Gossip Girl - Episode 3
• Grace & Frankie - Episode 4
• House of Cards - Episode 3
• How I Met Your Mother - Episode 8
• Mad Men - Episode 6
• Marco Polo - Episode 3
• Marvel’s Daredevil - Episode 5
• Once Upon a Time - Episode 6
• Orange is the New Black - Episode 3
• Pretty Little Liars - Episode 4
• Scandal - Episode 2
• Sense8 - Episode 3
• Sons of Anarchy - Episode 2
• Suits - Episode 2
• The Blacklist - Episode 6
• The Killing - Episode 2
• The Walking Dead - Episode 2
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Episode 4

Source: IGN.com

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Netflix Picks: 3 Movies to Watch on Netflix

Netflix is the most popular service for video streaming with literally thousands of TV shows and movies to watch, and the content that they provide is constantly changing, so today, I present a new series of posts: "Netflix Picks." It is a post series where I pick several movies or TV shows on Netflix that you might have overlooked. Even if you do not have Netflix, these are three great films that you should check out. Let’s get started.

Note: The following movies are available on North American (and possibly other regions) as of 9/22/15.  

The Sixth Sense

Before M. Night Shyamalan made awful movies, he made modern classics like The Sixth Sense. The film follows a young boy named Cole Sear, who can see strange things that others cannot, which frightens his mother. Psychiatrist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, is hired to talk to the boy about what he sees and what might be causing it. However, everything is not as it first seems.

If you have yet to see The Sixth Sense, you have probably already had the film spoiled by now. However, if you have not been spoiled, you need to watch The Sixth Sense as soon as possible, because someone somewhere will spoil the film. It is a given, and if you are lucky enough to next to nothing about it, go watch it. It is one of the most intriguing films that I have seen, and Haley Joel Osment, gives an excellent child performance.

107 minutes

August 6, 1999

Ip Man

After The Raid, Ip Man is the quintessential martial arts film that everyone should watch at least once. The film stars Donnie Yen, so you might recognize him as being one of the stars of the upcoming Star Wars side-story, Rouge One, and if you are a Star Wars fan, Ip Man should give you an idea of just how kick*ss he is going to be in that film. Ip Man’s story is loosely inspired by the life of Ip Man, master of the martial art Wing Chun, and the man that taught Bruce Lee. While the film takes some drastic changes from history, the action direction is some of the finest you will ever see. For more about Ip Man, read my full review here.

108 minutes

18 December 2008

Breakfast at Tiffany's

From back when romance movies were actually good, Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of Audrey Hepburn most famous films and for good reason. While it may not be her best film or even the best romantic comedy-drama from the era, it is leaps and bounds ahead of just about all of the schmaltzy romcoms of today. As always, Hepburn is a delight in the lead role, as her grace and wit shine bright throughout the film.

October 5, 1961

115 minutes

Have you seen any of these films? Are you interested in them now? Please comment below and let me know.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.