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THE LAND OF STREAMS — Every now and again I like to throw out some movies streaming on Netflix that you should check out. I actually do this out of the goodness of my heart because there are a lot of terrible movies on Netflix, but I'm going out of my way to sift through all that so you don't have to.
Today there are a couple on the list you may have already seen, some you've never heard of and others I've mentioned before. But when it comes down to it, they're all worth a watch.
This one seems timely considering yet another reincarnation of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan is headed to the screen later this month. The last time we saw CIA analyst Ryan was in the form of Ben Affleck in 2002's "The Sum of All Fears."
While Fears didn't quite live up to pervious entries "The Hunt for Red October," "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger" it was still entertaining and well paced.
Affleck was no Harrison Ford, but he was as competent as Alec Baldwin and Morgan Freeman, as always, was solid.
"The Sum of All Fears" is an entertaining little flick that doesn't get the credit it deserves and it might be fun taking another look at it before "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" comes out on January 17.
The documentary "Blackfish" was an official selection at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and it's made people everywhere think twice before heading to Sea World.
"Blackfish" tells the story of Tilikum, a killer whale who is responsible for the deaths of three people, including two Orca trainers.
The film can be a little intense and it may seem to push more of an agenda than some will like, but it tries to lay out the facts as you make your own conclusions.
As far as documentaries, "Blackfish" is one of the best of the year.
I've mentioned "Warrior" in a couple of different articles including "5 movies guys can cry at."
On the surface "Warrior" is about two brothers who are pitted against one another in an MMA tournament battling for a $5 million purse. Dig a little deeper, however, and you realize there is so much more to the film.
"Warrior" was the victim of bad timing and poor marketing. The film released right around the same time as the more popular fighting movie "The Fighter" and the marketing pushed it as an MMA movie instead of a family drama.
While "The Fighter" is a well-made and superbly acted film I personally prefer "Warrior." Both Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are fantastic in the film, but Nick Nolte turns in the performance of his career.
"Warrior" is emotional, inspirational, moving and downright entertaining. If you have not seen the film watch it on Netflix. If you have, then you'll have no problem with watching it again.
Almost no one saw 2012's "Robot & Frank" and that's unfortunate. The little movie about a retired jewel thief and his robot butler is tender, funny and eye opening.
Veteran Frank Langella plays Frank and he's supported by great actors like Susan Sarandon and James Marsden. "Robot & Frank" is a different pace from most of the films on this list, but it's also one of my favorites.
The movie will keep you smiling and entranced. The film takes a slower pace than your typical heist movie, but it makes it that much more endearing.
If you're in the mood for something a little different give "Robot & Frank" a try.
This one is new to streaming and it's worth a look.
"Jack Reacher" came out in late 2012 and it was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me.
Tom Cruise plays the character Jack Reacher from author Lee Child's popular series.
Many people shied away from the action-thriller and I admit I was among them at first. When I was finally pulled away to check it out I was happy I did.
Christopher McQuarrie, writer of "The Usual Suspects," both adapted the screenplay and directed the film. His pacing and turns keep you enthralled and often at the edge of your seat.
Reacher is not without its flaws and occasional plot hole, but it's entertaining and fun. So, if you're in the mood to just enjoy a film for a couple of hours that's pure entertainment, here's your chance.
