June 14th 2024.
Welcome to the Green Room, where you can find the most explosive backstage waiting area since Miriam Margolyes got her hands on a jar of pickled eggs before her early appearance on Parkinson. Every week, our man Steve Charnock dives into the vast vaults of the UK's streaming services to bring you a swag bag of hidden gems and genre gold. Forget about the latest disposable "content", it's time to work on your watchlist.
Streaming services are always boasting about their endless new films and TV shows, but let's be real, not all of it is worth watching. It's like trying to figure out which side is Willem Dafoe's best side - a waste of time. Sure, there's Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney Plus, NOW TV, and BBC iPlayer, all filled to the brim with high-quality old stuff, or as they call it, "content". But with so much being pushed at us, it's easy to overlook the good stuff.
Why waste time on potentially mediocre new films and TV series when you can enjoy excellent old ones? Take Green Room for example, currently streaming on Netflix. According to Hollywood insiders, a prequel to this film is already in the works under the working title "Brown Van". Fans of literal film titles will be pleased to know that the titular Green Room is, in fact, green. Director Jeremy Saulnier has a knack for using color to set the tone in his films, as seen in his previous work, Blue Ruin.
Saulnier is definitely a contender for the best lesser-known director in Hollywood right now, and his fans are eagerly awaiting the release of his newest film, Rebel Ridge, later this year. In Green Room, we follow an ambitious punk band called The Ain't Rights as they tour the Pacific Northwest and end up playing a gig at a seedy club populated by skinheads. Not the cool 1970s rude boy/2 Tone type, but the nasty 1980s-style racist skinheads.
After a murder takes place in the green room, the band finds themselves in a fight for survival against the neo-Nazi club owners. The band members, played by Callum Turner, the late Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, and Joe Cole, refuse to go down without a fight. And let's not forget about the chillingly restrained performance by none other than Patrick Stewart himself, playing the leader of the skinhead gang. It's a role that doesn't even require him to shave his head.
Green Room is a fast-paced, uncompromising, and brutal film that doesn't shy away from violence. But amidst the punk aesthetic, it still pays homage to classic siege films like Assault on Precinct 13 and Dawn of the Dead. It's tense, gritty, and leaves a lasting impression. In other words, it's proper punk. If you enjoy it, you might also want to check out Panic Room, Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies, and From Dusk Til Dawn, all available to stream.
Moving on to our next pick, Bone Tomahawk, currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This film boasts a cast of grizzly men, including Richard Jenkins and Kurt Russell, with unkempt beards, stained shirts, and weather-beaten skin. It's grizzlier than a grizzly bear, if you can imagine that. But it's not just the appearance of the characters that sets the tone in this film, it's the director, S Craig Zahler.
I know, I said I'd stop talking about directors, but Zahler is definitely a contender for the Best Lesser-Known Director Working in Hollywood Award, alongside Jeremy Saulnier. Bone Tomahawk is a gritty western horror film that follows a group of men on a rescue mission to save a woman who has been taken by a tribe of cannibalistic troglodytes. It's a brutal and intense journey, with a standout performance by Kurt Russell.
So why is this film worth watching? Well, besides the captivating story and talented cast, Bone Tomahawk is a slow-burn film that builds tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It's a unique blend of genres that will leave a lasting impression. If you enjoy this film, you might also want to check out Zahler's other works, including Brawl in Cell Block 99 and Dragged Across Concrete. So next time you're scrolling through your streaming options, don't overlook the hidden gems like Green Room and Bone Tomahawk. Happy watching!
Welcome to the Green Room, a backstage waiting area that is known for its explosive and dangerous atmosphere. It's been said that the room hasn't been this intense since Miriam Margolyes was given access to a jar of pickled eggs before appearing on a live show. Each week, our man Steve Charnock delves into the vaults of the UK's streaming services and comes out with a swag bag full of hidden gems, deserted diamonds, and genre gold. Forget about the latest disposable content, it's time to add some quality picks to your watchlist.
Streaming services are constantly bombarding us with new films and TV shows, but let's be real, not all of it is worth our time. It's like trying to figure out which is Willem Dafoe's best side, a bigger waste of time than you can imagine. We have Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney Plus, NOW TV, and BBC iPlayer, all filled with high-quality old content. Yes, they call it "content" which may not be the most appealing term, but trust me, there are some real gems hidden in there.
But with all this new content being pushed at us, it's easy to overlook the classics. Why waste time on potentially mediocre new releases when you can enjoy some excellent old ones? Take Green Room for example, currently streaming on Netflix. Hollywood insiders have revealed that a prequel is in the works, titled "Brown Van". And for those who appreciate literal film titles, you'll be happy to know that the main room in Green Room is actually green. Director Jeremy Saulnier has a knack for using colors in his films, as seen in his previous work "Blue Ruin".
Saulnier is definitely a contender for the best lesser-known director in Hollywood right now. Fans are eagerly awaiting his newest film, Rebel Ridge, set to release this year. But let's focus on Green Room, a gripping and urgent film that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It follows a young punk band, The Ain't Rights, as they tour the Pacific Northwest and find themselves in a dangerous situation after witnessing a murder in the green room of a club run by neo-Nazi skinheads.
Starring Callum Turner, the late Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, and Joe Cole, the band must fight for their lives against the skinheads who want them dead. And to add to the tension, the leader of the skinheads is none other than Patrick Stewart, who gives a chilling performance. Imogen Poots also stars, along with the late Anton Yelchin who tragically passed away just a year after the release of Green Room. This film is fast, brutal, and unapologetic, with a punk aesthetic and nods to classic siege films.
If you enjoy Green Room, I recommend streaming Panic Room, a similar thriller, or the documentary Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies. For some more bloody action, check out From Dusk Til Dawn.
Now, on to our second pick of the week, Bone Tomahawk, streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by S Craig Zahler, who is also a top contender for the Best Lesser-Known Director Working in Hollywood Award, this film takes us on a wild ride through the Wild West. Starring Richard Jenkins and Kurt Russell, with their grizzled beards and rough appearance, this film is grizzlier than a grizzly bear.
But don't let their looks fool you, these characters are not to be underestimated. When a group of cannibalistic troglodytes kidnaps members of their town, a sheriff (Russell) and his deputy (Jenkins) set out on a dangerous rescue mission. This film is a genre mashup, blending elements of horror, western, and action, with an all-star cast that also includes Patrick Wilson and Matthew Fox.
So, don't waste your time scrolling through endless lists of new releases, when you can find some hidden gems like Green Room and Bone Tomahawk on your streaming services. Trust me, they're worth adding to your watchlist.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
