The introduction of streaming services has completely changed the landscape of television over the past few years. And now that Netflix and company are focusing on acquiring and releasing exciting new films, Hollywood film production may be on the precipice of a similar shift in thinking. Quite a few unique film titles have been given the Netflix lately, so the next few months should be a particularly exciting for the streaming service's subscribers. And there's seven specific films that you don't want to miss when they're released in the coming months.
War Machine (May 26, 2017)
War Machine is one of the most highly anticipated new film releases for Netflix. An utterly ridiculous satirical war film, War Machine will follow four-star General Glen McMahon (Brat Pitt) and his platoon, who are deployed to Afghanistan in an attempt to end the conflict overseas. But both McMahon and the rest of his group's incompetence becomes instantly clear, presumably leading to quite a few wartime shenanigans and pratfalls. And before long, McMahon realizes he may be the one in danger there.
War Machine boasts an impressive supporting cast, in addition to the major win in the form of Brad Pitt. Joining Pitt in his wartime comedy are Ben Kingsley, Topher Grace, The OA's Emory Cohen, former Bratpacker Anthony Michael Hall, and even the incomparable Tilda Swinton. The trailer for the satire is currently available online, so you can see if War Machine will make it onto your queue when its released next week.
The Meyerowitz Stories (May 21st, 2017)
Just when you thought Netflix had calmed down on the Adam Sandler front, we have another release featuring the legendary comedian and actor. But The Meyerowitz Stories isn't actually part of Adam Sandler's deal with Netflix; he's just happens to be in the cast of a film released by the streaming service.
The Meyerowitz Stories revolves around the titular Meyerowitz family, as we see the now adult children deal with their aging father. Details about the film have been mostly kept under wraps, but the dramedy is sure to contain its fair share of both laughs and heartfelt moments. Adam Sandler will co-star among a mixture of familiar and newcommer faces, many of which audiences will be very familiar with. Rounding out the cast is Ben Stiller, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, and House of Cards alum Elizabeth Marvel.
While critics may have been brutal on Adam Sandler's last few Netflix original movies, I've always found his dramatic performances to be surprisingly genuine and heartfelt. And while Sandler may be a main cast member of The Meyerowitz Stories, it's not an "Adam Sandler movie" per se.
Shimmer Lake (June 9th, 2017)
This one is a particularly wild and unconventional project, which makes its home on Netflix a brilliant choice. Shimmer Lake is a crime dramedy that has a ton of high concepts attached to it. The directorial debut of God Particle (aka Cloverfield 3) and 22 Jump Street writer Oren Uziel, the film revolves around a local sheriff who is attempting to find the truth behind a bank heist gone wrong. And while this might not be particularly mind blowing, the genre defying film will be told in reverse, moving backward through days of a week. That's right, we're doing it Tarantino style for this one.
_Shimmer Lake _truly seems like its in a genre of its own. Netflix has released one brief scene starring _The Office_'s Rainn Wilson, in which he holds his co-star by gunpoint for information, while young man attempts to hold in his impending bowel movement in a nearby bathroom. It's dramatic, bizarre, and obscene. If that doesn't spell out a Netflix original, I don't know what does. Check it out.
Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (May 30th, 2017)
Another way that Netflix has made a name for itself in the world of entertainment is its commitment to stand-up comedy. Perhaps stealing HBO's thunder in a way, Netflix has quickly become the home for new stand up specials, with a variety of comedians premiering new material over on the streaming service. Actress/comic Sarah Silverman is debuting her third comedy special this month, with Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust premiering on Netflix May 30th.
A Speck of Dust features Sarah Silverman's signature irreverent wit. As always, Sarah plays the fool in order to make a statement about the world we live in, putting herself as the butt of the joke rather than the attacker. Additionally, her third comedy special is perhaps her most metatheatrical, explaining the process of writing comedy to the audience, while also delivering on the laughs. Unlike Jesus is Magic and HBO's We Are Miracles, we can expect a lack of musical numbers, with Silverman allowing her jokes (and occasional political commentary) to speak for themselves.
Okja (June 28, 2017)
Okja is probably the most highly anticipated film in this list, as its gained quite a bit of media attention since its utterly unique concept was first introduced. Okja follows a young girl named Mija (played by South Korean child actress Ahn Seo-hyun), who is the caretaker of an experimental new creature named, you guessd it, Okja. Okja massive pig-like creature that was created by the Mirando Corporation as the first genetically enhanced creature meant for food consumption. Okja has a minimal carbon footprint, requires minimal food, and produces very little bodily waste. As such, the Mirando Corporation plans to mass produce the monster in order to solve the world's natural resource problem, and feed entire nations.
But Mija won't let her buddy Okja be taken by the corporation's CEO (played by Tilda Swinton), and a wild sci-fi adventure begins. The film has a very impressive cast, including Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun, and Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito.
Netflix just released the film's first trailer, you can check out the madness below.
Bright (December 2017)
Aside from Okja, Bright might be the most intriguing upcoming Netflix film on this list. Starring the always delightful Will Smith, Bright focuses on an LAPD officer who battles criminals, both human and otherwise, in a world occupied by a variety of mythical and monstrous creatures. Directed by Suicide Squad's David Ayer, Bright will include creatures like Orcs and Elves living in a modern Los Angeles. And considering how bad traffic is with just humans, I'm sure the LAPD going to have quite a bit of chaos to clean up.
Joining Will Smith for this ambitious project are Joel Edgerton as the first Orc police officer, Prometheus' Noomi Rapace, as well as TV stars like Lucy Fry (11.22.63), and Kenneth Choi (The People v. O.J. Simpson). The first teaser for Bright was released recently, you can check it out below.
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