What to Stream: Three Underrated Summer 2016 Movies
This summer sure was rough for movies. Despite a box-office haul that ranks among the highest ever, audiences mostly seemed disinterested with Hollywood’s sequels, remakes, and reboots. But it’s a shame that poorly received films like Suicide Squad and Jason Bourne got so much attention, because there were actually some truly fantastic ones that audiences missed. Why not stream these three totally underrated summer movies?
Love & Friendship
Our first recommendation is based on Jane Austen’s work, but we assure you it’s no stuffy, overwrought period piece. Kate Beckinsale stars as Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful and cunning manipulator who deftly navigates through high society as she seeks to find a husband for herself and her daughter. This Whit Stillman movie combines humor and beautiful imagery and garnered rave reviews but very few saw it in theaters. Love & Friendship is available to rent on YouTube.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer have been making audiences laugh for years now as the Lonely Island. In 2016 they took their efforts to the silver screen and made a movie that can sit comfortably next to Spinal Tap as one of the funniest mockumentaries ever made. Starring Samberg as Conner 4 Real, this comedy features hysterical music videos and too many celebrity cameos to mention. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is available to rent on Amazon.
Other People
And finally, this movie came out at the tail end of the summer season. Chris Kelly, a writer for SNL and Broad City took inspiration from his own life to make this film about a young man’s last year with his dying mother. Starring Jesse Plemons and Molly Shannon, it manages to combine heavy emotional moments with some good laughs. The Hollywood Reporter listed Shannon as being a top contender to be nominated for an Oscar. Other People is available to rent on iTunes.
A look back at Curtis Hanson’s impressive and eclectic films:
There were so many other great movies this summer. Kubo and the Two Strings, Hell or High Water, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and many others. So before you totally write off what came out in recent months, go check ‘em out! If there’s another movie you like that came out during the summer season, let us know on on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below.
