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SALT LAKE CITY — "Iron Man 3" is headed to theaters this weekend, and it seems everyone on the planet is planning on seeing it. But if you're one of the few not headed to the theater this weekend because it's too expensive, or you can't find a babysitter or maybe because "Iron Man" isn't your cup of tea, I've got some alternatives for you.
Netflix recently announced that it's getting rid of more than 1,700 of its streaming titles, which can cause a bit of a panic. Well, I've looked through what they're losing and I wouldn't be too worried; they've still got some good stuff on there.
Here are five things streaming on Netflix that are worth watching while everyone else is at the theater watching "Iron Man." Or, maybe you can check them out when you get home from the theater and need a change of pace.
Hatfields & McCoys (NR)
The miniseries "Hatfields and McCoys" aired on the History Channel last year. It was nominated for a slew of awards and even won a Golden Globe for Kevin Costner.
The miniseries chronicles the real-life feud between two families in the years after the Civil War.
With a cast led by Academy Award-winner Kevin Costner and fan favorite Bill Paxton, the series is artfully crafted and intriguing from start to finish.
The miniseries includes three episodes for a total running time of four hours and 50 minutes. It's not exactly something you're going to finish in one sitting, but be careful because once you start you may try and go straight through.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (PG)
Documentaries aren't always for everyone, but they should be.
Granted, some are better than others, but there are some real gems out there. "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" is definitely one of them.
The film tells the story of master sushi chef Jiro Ono. The humble sushi master explains his unique style and story as he makes our mouths water for 81 minutes.
People wait months to get a seat in Jiro's small restaurant in the basement of a Tokyo office building because they know they're getting a taste of arguably the best sushi in the world.
Watching Jiro's processes and how his life's passion has affected his family is fascinating and well worth your time. Just make sure you watch the movie on a full stomach.
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Brian Regan: Standing Up & The Epitome of Hyperbole (NR)
This one is a bit of a two-for-one.
Stand-up comedian Brain Regan is one of the most popular stand-ups in the game today. When he comes to Salt Lake his shows sell out almost immediately, and additional shows are always added.
The reason: he's hilarious.
If you've seen his stand-up routine before you'll love hearing the jokes all over again, and if you've never heard him you're going to fall on the floor laughing.
Netflix currently has two of Regan's comedy specials streaming, "Standing Up" and "The Epitome of Hyperbole." Both are hilarious, but make sure you catch them soon because they will be pulled from Netflix streaming on May 22.
Bully (PG-13)
Here's another documentary for you.
When "Bully" was released, a firestorm of controversy surrounded it. The film was meant for youth so they could see the damages caused by bullying, but the film had an R rating and therefore kept much of its target audience out of the theater.
The film was re-released with a PG-13 cut, and that version is currently streaming on Netflix.
The film can be difficult at times to watch, as you want to reach through the screen and comfort the poor children who face bullies and taunting on a daily basis. As a parent your heart will break and your eyes will be opened.
You don't have to be a parent to appreciate the message of the film, however. Truth is, you just need to be a human being and realize that this is going on and look for opportunities to put an end to it.
Arrested Development (NR)
Now I know that pretty much everyone has seen seasons one through three of "Arrested Development" a thousand times, but this is the perfect opportunity to revisit our favorite dysfunctional family.
A new season of the cult favorite show will premier on May 26 exclusively on Netflix, which means it's time to get reacquainted with the Bluths.
If you've never seen "Arrested Development" I only have one thing to say to you: "Come on!"
The sitcom was the best-written comedy to hit the air in years, if not the best ever. You'll be laughing so hard at one joke that you miss seven more before you can control yourself again, which is why another viewing is totally worth it.
So, there you have it: five things to keep you busy this weekend if you're trying to get over an "Iron Man" hangover, or if you just don't have the funds, the time or the interest to watch another Marvel movie in the theater.
