‘Whiplash’ (streaming now)

Damien Chazelle’s 2014 breakthrough remains a gripping look at abusive mentor-mentee relationships and the things we are willing to sacrifice in our quest for excellence. Miles Teller plays a jazz drummer who struggles to keep his head above water at an elite musical institution while his instructor (JK Simmons) pushes him far beyond the limits of common decency. Tense and relentless, it’s a near-perfect thriller that showcases the endless potential that Chazelle would unleash on the world over the coming decade. If you missed the chance to catch the 10th anniversary theatrical re-release, we suggest you rush (don’t hang around) to stream it on Netflix.

“Sixteen Candles” (streaming now)

If the holiday season has you craving some comforting nostalgia, you could do a lot worse than revisiting a certain John Hughes. The king of teen comedies made his directorial debut in the 1984 film “Sixteen Candles,” which established his signature formula of high school romances set in Chicago and often starring Molly Ringwald. But even if he had never picked up a camera, “Sixteen Candles” would stand alone as a classic saga about a girl whose big birthday is overshadowed by her sister’s unexpected wedding and who must have fun when everything the world ignores it. .

‘Superbad’ (streaming now)

If John Hughes predates your formative years and you’re looking for high school nostalgia of a more recent variety, perhaps “Superbad” will be more your speed. The debut screenplay from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg may be the definitive studio comedy of the 2000s, combining unapologetic raunchiness with a borderline fanciful story of two high school outcasts just trying to have a little fun before go to university. No matter how many times you’ve rewatched it, many of the jokes still hold up, ensuring its title is one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century remains uncontested.

“The Lost City” (broadcast November 9)

All of Hollywood’s complaints about the death of star-driven original films are often justified. But every once in a while, a studio delivers fluffy entertainment that makes you forget you’ve ever heard the phrase “cinematic universe.” Such was the case with “The Lost City,” Aaron and Adam Nee’s light-hearted comedy about a bestselling novelist who teams up with her cover model after they both become targets of an eccentric billionaire obsessed with his books. The film is largely an excuse to let Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum act ridiculous together – although they’re bolstered by a charming villain performance from Daniel Radcliffe and a great cameo from Brad Pitt. If you’re looking for a little star power to brighten your day, this is a great streaming choice.

“Fast and Furious” collection (broadcast November 12)

There may come a day when you find yourself with a craving that can only be satisfied by a ridiculous action movie. Something where the spectacle takes precedence over everything else and you can rest assured that you can just walk away to enjoy the car chases and explosions. If that’s you this month, maybe you’ll like the “Fast and Furious” movies. Netflix is ​​rolling out the first six films in the never-ending franchise, ensuring there will be no shortage of testosterone-fueled races throughout the holiday season.

“Emilia Perez” (broadcast November 13)

When Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez” premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the consensus was that it had to be seen to be believed. A sprawling musical about a former cartel boss trying to get gender confirmation surgery and fake his own death in order to leave his life of crime behind, Audiard’s film takes every opportunity to make bold choices which are sure to polarize the public. With stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez well positioned as Oscar contenders, “Emilia Perez” could be a movie you hear about over the next six months. Love it or hate it, you’re unlikely to ever forget it.

“The Piano Lesson” (broadcast November 22)

With his 2016 opus “Fences,” Denzel Washington embarked on one of the most ambitious projects of his career: adapting the 10 plays from August Wilson’s Century Cycle, which tells ten different stories about black families in Pittsburgh throughout the 20th century, in feature film. movies. He became a producer for the second film in the series, 2020’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” And this month, audiences can experience the third adaptation, “The Piano Lesson.”

Malcolm Washington adapts one of Wilson’s best-known plays, which follows a Pittsburgh family who no longer knows what to do with their precious piano, decorated by their slave ancestors. A nuanced story about the burden and opportunity of inheritance, the source material should provide an ideal backdrop for the film’s A-list cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, and John David Washington.