When it comes to news, sometimes it's a matter of perception. Now good news and bad news, that's easy enough to react to. What about the glass half-full versus half-empty type of news? That depends on perspective.
Half-empty: Wow, Netflix has gone downhill fast since it ended its deal with Epix. Probably so they can pay a jillion dollars to Adam Sandler for those four films. And for what? Ridiculous 6 looks terrible. All I see this month are films I had no interest in seeing when they were out in theaters, films I've seen already, and TV shows that I didn't watch when they were on the first time. If it weren't for that upcoming deal with Marvel and Disney, I'd be done.
Half-full: Yeah, there's not a lot of new blockbusters coming this month. But we do have two Oscar winning movies on the first with American Beauty (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director) and Ray (Best Actor). There's a well-received turn from Hugh Grant in About a Boy. A couple of intriguing musical projects with Carmen Jones (starring Dorothy Dandridge) and Gospel Road (with Johnny and June Carter Cash). Liam Neeson proving he can be an action star well before Taken (Darkman). A well received documentary called Super Size Me that proved to be Morgan Spurlock's debut. Throw in Stir of Echoes, A League of Their Own and That Touch of Mink and you got a stirring December 1.
Beyond that, you got the critical raved Tangerine (December 2) which proved to be much more than its gimmick, a soon to be Christmas perennial in A Bill Murray Christmas (December 4), a film that came out in 1926 named Moana (December 8), and a well acclaimed TV special from a BBC series coming to Netflix soon (Black Mirror White Christmas, December 25). Want blockbusters? You got The Da Vinci Code (December 14) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (December 25), that proves that Johnny Depp can give a good performance when he wants to. Where did the rum go?
You also got new seasons of Inside Man, Comedy Bang Bang, Phineas and Ferb, Helix, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Maron this month. Also, toss in the last seasons of Parenthood (December 30), Hart of Dixie (December 15), and Battle Creek (December 31). And all seven seasons of Nurse Jackie come out December 31, which might tempt you to call in sick to start binging it.
Sure, not everything clicks. Based on the trailer, The Ridiculous 6 looks pretty bad, frankly, and I'd rather have another season of the Trailer Park Boys than a special. And Vampire Academy doesn't look all that promising, either. But as they say, quality is in the eye of the beholder. So let's get streaming!
EDIT (12/19): My Roku source comes through and a bunch of new titles are added to January 1. Although this will only begin to make up for the loss of quality, some intriguing titles nonetheless.
Movies:
December 1:
About a Boy: Rich slacker who has never worked a day in his life joins a single parents group to fulfill his needs, but he befriends a boy in need of some help and advice; with Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult.
Aeon Flux: The leader of a rebellion tasks a crafty assassin to take out the government's top leader, but complications ensue; with Charlize Theron and Jonny Lee Miller.
American Beauty: A married family man has a middle aged crisis when he becomes infatuated with his daughter's best friend. Meanwhile, his wife has an affair and the daughter befriends the neighbor's son; with Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening.
Amnesiac: Comatose man awakens with no memory as to who he is and he suspects that the woman who says she's his wife isn't telling him everything; with Wes Bentley and Kate Bosworth.
Bedazzled (1967): To win over his crush, a shy cook agrees to sell his soul to the devil for 7 wishes, but they don't end up the way he's wanting; with Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.
Bounce: A guilt ridden advertising executive whose good deed for a stranger results in tragedy decides to seek out the man's widow; with Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Carmen Jones: Free spirited factory worker lures a straight laced airman into a torrid romance and he starts to throw his life away; with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.
CBGB: When a man's efforts to get Country, BlueGrass, and Blues bands to come to his nightclub fails, he decides to focus on rock and punk bands instead; with Alan Rickman and Malin Akerman.
The Chosen: To save a young girl from a child-stealing demon, her mother and a 19 year old uncle must select 6 relatives for a blood sacrifice. I know who's becoming the black sheep of the family!
A Christmas Star: Woman believes that she can perform miracles because she was born under the Christmas star, but when an unscrupulous developer threatens the town, fate tells her to prove it; featuring Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson.
Christmas Wedding Baby: A bride to be prepares to marry a workaholic fiance when she learns that the wedding photographer is her ex; #awkward. I so have the feeling that maybe she'll reconsider who she's marrying by the end of the film.
Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury: Greedy alien bounty hunters have captured the survivors of Pitch Black and contemplating some nasty plans for them, but they've underestimated the rage and resolve of Riddick; with voices of Vin Diesel and Keith David.
Cradle 2 the Grave: When a jewel thief makes off with some black diamonds, a corrupt cop kidnaps his young daughter and holds her for ransom; with Jet Li and DMX.
Crescendo! The Power of Music: Three inner city kids participate in the El Sistema music program and their lives change in startling ways in this thought-provoking documentary.
Crossroads: Three young women take a road trip to Los Angeles that proves to be a bonding experience after spending 8 years apart; with Britney Spears and Zoe Saldana. Written by Shonda Rhimes!
The Cruise: This documentary explores the life of Tim Levitch, tour guide for a double decker bus that travels across New York City.
Darkman: After a mob causes an accident that nearly kills him, a scientist becomes Darkman, an impossibly strong, tortured antihero with a particular set of skills; with Liam Neeson and Larry Drake.
Dealer: Small time drug dealer hopes that one big score can send him on a new life, but the next 24 hours will send him on a dark, terrifying path. Do these one final heists/scores ever work?
Escape from LA: Snake Plissken is back as the federal government asks him to retrieve a cataclysmic weapon from Los Angeles, now a penal colony due to a big earthquake; with Kurt Russell and Steve Buscemi.
Eyes Wide Shut: After learning that his wife almost cheated on him, a doctor has a night where he determines which is more important: sexual discovery or being faithful to his wife; with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
A Genius Left the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay-Z: Documentary focuses on the business sense and inner toughness that has made the rapper a true mogul.
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000): A reformed car thief decides to end his retirement in order to steal 50 cars in one night to save his brother's life; with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.
The Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus: A passionate telling of the story of Jesus Christ shot on location in Israel featuring original music from Johnny and June Carter Cash and John Denver.
Here on Earth: Spoiled rich kid destroys a diner during a drag race and he gets sentenced to help rebuild the restaurant. While he works at that, he befriends a local girl; with Chris Klein and Josh Hartnett.
Hoffa: Drama explores the life of union member Jimmy Hoffa as he rises through the ranks and speculates about what happened on one night in 1975; with Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito.
Hook: In order to rescue his kidnapped children from the clutches of nemesis Captain Hook, a grown up Peter Pan must return to Neverland; with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.
I'm Brent Morin: Netflix exclusive stand up special features Morin (Undateable) riffing on puberty, hot guy problems, and getting dumped for a magician.
Jenny's Wedding: On the eve of her wedding, a lesbian finally decides to come out to her unsuspecting family; with Katherine Heigl and Tom Wilkinson.
Just Around the Corner: Documentary focuses on Bob Benjamin who deals with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by forming the Light of Day Foundation.
A League of Their Own: Sisters join the first women's baseball league during World War 2, but their bond is tested when one of them is traded; with Tom Hanks and Geena Davis.
Mark and Russell's Wild Ride (aka Dude, Where's My License): When the most popular girl in school wants Mark to give her a ride, it becomes a race against time to get a driver's license; with Joey Bragg.
Neil Young: Heart of Gold: From the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Neil Young gives a concert to his fans in this musical documentary.
Over the Top: Trucker enters an arm wrestling tournament to win enough money to reunite with his estranged son; with Sylvester Stallone and Robert Loggia.
Practical Magic: Two modern-day witches attempt to break a curse that dooms men who fall in love with them; with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
Private Number: A writer haunted by cryptic phone messages and visions must keep it together when horrific revelations about him and his wife emerge; with Tom Sizemore and Judd Nelson.
Private Parts: About the rise of Howard Stern to become the "King of All Media" and (surprise) devoted family man; with Stern and Robin Quivers.
Ray: Biopic of R&B legend Ray Charles who overcame personal demons and a childhood incident to become a world famous singer; with Jamie Foxx and Regina King.
River of No Return: An ex-con and his son join forces with a saloon singer after her boyfriend repays the reformed citizen's efforts to save the life of him and his girlfriend by taking off with his horse and rifle; with Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe.
See You in Valhalla: The odd death of her brother causes a troubled young woman to reunite with her quirky family; with Sarah Hyland and Bret Harrison.
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute: When an evil man steals a village's gold using a magic flute, the Smurfs, who created the flute, are summoned to help the villagers out.
Spy Hard: A bumbling secret agent is summoned out of retirement to stop a nefarious general from destroying the planet; with Leslie Nielsen and Andy Griffith.
Stir of Echoes: A man, after being hypnotized, has strange visions of a disappeared girl from his neighborhood and a horrible crime; with Kevin Bacon and Illeana Douglas.
Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming: A National Guard captain returns home from Iraq with horrifying visions of the civilians he accidentally killed while overseas; with Rob Lowe.
Super Size Me: Morgan Spurlock agrees to see the effects of a fast food diet on the body by only eating at McDonalds for a solid month and supersizing when asked in this provocative documentary.
That Touch of Mink: A small town girl moves to New York and falls for a ladies' man. While she's looking for commitment, he just wants to have some fun; with Doris Day and Cary Grant.
Two Step: College dropout confronts the con artist who's bilked his dead grandmother out of thousands of dollars. Based on the reviews, this might be a fun little sleeper.
Tyke: Elephant Outlaw: Documentary examines the 1994 explosive incident in Honolulu where a circus elephant kills its trainer then makes a break for freedom.
Valley of the Dolls: Three Hollywood starlets deal with the ebbs and flows of showbiz while battling issues with prescription drugs (the Dolls of the title); with Patty Duke and Sharon Tate.
A Woman Like Me: An author diagnosed with terminal cancer weaves a documentary exposing her struggles with a fictional version of her story; with Lili Taylor.
December 2:
Northern Soul: In 1970s Lancashire, two young men dream of shaking up their lives by traveling to America and picking up obscure soul music.
Stations of the Cross: Although she's in a devoutly Catholic family, a 14 year girl wishes to be a saint and starts subjecting herself to the physical pains that Christ suffered from.
Tangerine: A transgender prostitute fresh out of jail and her friend travel the streets of LA looking for her fickle pimp. Yep, this film was shot entirely using an iPhone.
December 3:
Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine: Documentary examines the too short life of Shepard which ended in an infamous murder in 1998 that devastated friends and family and galvanized a country.
Some Kind of Hate: An emotionally fragile student at a reform school who is bullied by classmates inadvertently summons a ghost of a girl who helps him get revenge.
Tap World: The next generation of dancers who participate in the percussive dance form known as tap are profiled in this documentary.
Tiger House: A teenage girl sneaks into her boyfriend's house and finds herself in a home invasion situation where he and his family have been taken hostage; with Kaya Scodelario and Ed Skrein.
December 5:
The Avenging Fist: An agent disappears after stealing a powerful set of special gloves, only to return decades later to rule the world; with Sammo Hung.
A Case of You: A lowly writer sets out to woo a cute barista that he crushes on by studying her Facebook profile; with Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood.
Dinosaur 13: Documentary examines the legal battles that followed the discovery of the first complete T-Rex back in 1990 (the title probably refers to the name of the skeleton).
The Timber: Two brothers brave the elements and the rough and tumble citizens of the Yukon in order to collect the bounty on their own father; with Josh Peck.
December 6:
Pod: Siblings travel to a remote family cabin to help their mentally unstable brother but their plan goes awry in unexpectedly horrible ways.
December 7:
Checkmate: Six people are linked together in a complex bank heist where any move can alter the outcome. Coincidence or pawns in bigger game; with Danny Glover and Vinnie Jones.
Vampire Academy: At St. Vladimir Academy, Rose learns to navigate life as a half-human vampire and take the reigns of the Moroi; with Zoey Deutch and Lucy Fry.
December 8:
From Caligari to Hitler: German Cinema in the Age of the Masses: Long title pretty much explains it all as clips are used to show the link between early German films and the rise of the Nazi party prior to World War 2.
How Strange to Be Named Federico: Scola Narrates Fellini: Another long title, but again self-explanatory as this documentary covers the long friendship between directors Ettore Scola and Federico Fellini.
The Kindergarten Teacher: A teacher's enchantment with her 5 year old pupil's beautiful poetry quickly turns to obsession with his poetry and future.
Moana with Sound: From way back in 1926, documentary from Robert Flaherty depicting Samoa's traditions, music, and lifestyles. His daughter returned to Samoa in the 1970s to capture the sound missing from the film.
One and Two: Brother and sister use teleportation to escape their troubled home life and their strict father who sequesters them from the outside world; with Grant Bowler.
Phoenix: After reconstructive facial surgery, a concentration camp survivor tries to find out whether her unsuspecting husband betrayed her to the Nazis.
Steak Revolution: Documentary inquiries chefs, butchers, farmers, and other experts as they attempt to answer the question, "What makes the perfect steak?" Betting this shouldn't be viewed on an empty stomach.
Xenia: Gay teen and his older brother set out to Greece to find the father they recently found out about and to see if they can obtain Greek citizenship.
December 9:
Beltracchi: Die Kunst der Falschung: Documentary of artist and master forger Wolfgang Beltracchi whose life and talent in the international art world has made him millions.
Darkness on the Edge of Town: On the plains of southern Ireland, a teen seething over the murder of her estranged sister practices her sharpshooting skills in plans on getting revenge.
December 10:
The Rite: Catholic priest in training travels to Rome to attend a special school at the Vatican for performing exorcisms. He later puts this knowledge to good use; with Colin O'Donoghue and Anthony Hopkins.
A Tale of Two Thieves: Decades after pulling off the Great Train Robbery, Gordon Goody explores the true story behind the heist in this documentary.
December 11:
Kaanchi: A young woman from the country travels to Mumbai to seek revenge on a powerful family and expose corruption.
The Ridiculous Six: When his dad is kidnapped, Tommy enlists five brothers he never knew he had on a rescue mission; with Adam Sandler and Terry Crews.
December 12:
Kano: Hardnosed new coach takes a ragtag group of Taiwanese high school baseball players and tasks them with winning the Japanese national championships.
Rob the Mob: Brazen criminal couple looking for easy money decides to stick up the gun free social clubs of New York City's top mobsters. Don't let the NRA see this; with Michael Pitt and Ray Romano.
December 14:
The Da Vinci Code: Symbologist Robert Langdon, along with a cryptologist, uses symbols found in Da Vinci paintings to aid them in solving the murder that took place in Paris's Louvre museum; with Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.
December 15:
Awaken: On a remote island, a group of strangers wake up and have to outrun hunters who want to capture their organs; with Vinnie Jones and Edward Furlong.
Drown: A surfing champion is dethroned by a newcomer which leads to a memorable boozed filled night.
Jackie and Ryan: A single mom who was a recording star before retiring bonds with a train riding street performer who never stays long in one place. First Sandler and now Heigl. Is Caffeine or Zyxxyx Road next; also with Ben Barnes.
Make Believe: Documentary about teen magicians vying for the title Teen World Champion at the World Magic Seminar.
The Monster of Mangatiti: Dramatized true story of a resilient teen being held prisoner by a seasoned predator in a remote farm during the 1980s.
The Propaganda Game: Documentary examines a filmmaker's efforts to get inside the propaganda machine in North Korea.
Slow Learners: Two friends and colleagues attempt to make themselves over in order to improve their failing love lives.
This Was Tomorrow: Documentary examines the Tomorrowland music festival that has taken place in Belgium, the US, and Brazil for the past 10 years.
Time Out of Mind: A homeless man looking to survive in New York and rebuild his relationship with an estranged daughter is befriended by a sympathetic man in a shelter; with Richard Gere and Ben Vereen.
Unbranded: Documentary explores the journey by four men to herd mustangs on a trip from Mexico to Canada and their efforts to inspire adoptions of government confined wild horses and burros.
December 16:
Fresh Dressed: Documentary examines the history of hip hop fashion and how it's spread to the masses; with Kanye West and Damon Dash.
Theresa is a Mother: A broke and evicted singer moves herself and her three kids back to her childhood home where she deals with unfinished family business; with Edie McClurg.
December 18:
Little Boy: When his father is called off to war, a friendless little boy must fight off bullies and turns to God to get his father back in one piece; with Emily Watson and Michael Rapaport.
Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal: From the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, the actor/comedian showcases his blistering impressions and a raunchy swagger.
Raze (2013): Sabrina is kidnapped by a secret society and is forced to fight for her life in front of a hidden audience; with Sherilyn Fenn and Doug Jones.
December 19:
Chloe and Theo: An Iniut travels from the Arctic to New York to warn others about global warming, befriending a quirky homeless girl in the process; with Dakota Johnson and Mira Sorvino.
NLL: Yeonpyeong Haejeon (aka Northern Limit Line): During the World Cup in South Korea in 2002, patrol boats from North and South Korea are poised for battle in the politically sensitive Yellow Sea.
Trash: Three Brazilian youths find something suspicious in a garbage heap and outrace the law in the efforts to set things right; with Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara.
December 20:
Leo the Lion: A decision by Leo the Lion to pursue vegetarianism leaves him on the outside of the lion community. What is it that movies have against the vegan lifestyle?
Magic Snowflake: Young Nicolas's decision to do Santa's work for one year threatens the sense of joy that he has as well as Christmas itself.
A River Between Us: Documentary examines the innovative plan to restore the Klamath River to its glory by healing the historic rifts between its people which had led to war.
Santa's Apprentice: A young orphan named Nicolas learns how to slide down chimneys, guide a sleigh, and other duties needed to become the next Santa Claus. I presume that he won't have to eat all the cookies, right Santa?
December 21:
The Mend: A depressed New York returning from a vacation finds his uninvited brother living in his apartment, leading to some strange entanglements. So was this depression something he picked up from vacation or was it just an ineffective one; with Josh Lucas.
Redirected: The efforts of three crooks and an unsuspecting friend to hightail it to Malaysia following a heist is thwarted when they end up in Lithuania. I blame the travel agent; with Vinnie Jones.
December 22:
Queen of Earth: Weary after dealing with sad events, Catherine seeks refuge at an old friend's lake house, but their bond wavers due to stress; with Elizabeth Moss and Patrick Fugit.
December 23:
I Nostri Raggazi (aka The Dinner): Two couples find their dinner spoiled when they see a viral video showing their kids beating up a homeless woman.
Jimmy Goes to Nollywood: Documentary about the travels of actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes, Phat Girlz) who tours the thriving Nigerian film scene prior to hosting the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
December 24:
Cavalo Dinheiro (aka Horse Money): Aging immigrant suffering from a disease is haunted by images and people from his working class life.
Go Grandriders: Taiwanese seniors hit the open road on motorcycles, ignoring their aches and pains as well as family concerns.
December 25:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl: Captain Jack Sparrow is recruited by a young swain to protect a fair maiden from rival buccaneers, but he learns the rival pirates have a secret; with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.
December 27:
How to Survive a Plague: Searing documentary explores the efforts of young people, some of which who are HIV positive, to take on Washington DC and the medical establishment in dealing with AIDS.
December 28:
Fifty: Over one week, four successful Nigerian women on the verge of turning 50 reflect on their lives and loves.
December 29:
How to Smell a Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock in Normandy: Documentary filmmaker Leacock talks about his life, films, and the mystery of art in this documentary.
Songs from the North: In this documentary, a South Korean filmmaker offers a nuanced view of the enigmatic, controversial North Korea.
December 30:
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey: The saga of Arnel Pineda who went from fronting a tribute Journey band in Manila nightclubs to taking over as the band's lead singer in this documentary. It's like Rock Star, only a lot less manufactured and 100 percent true.
Secrets of War: During World War 2, two Dutch boys who are best friends bond with a girl who moves there and the three of them deal with complex circumstances.
December 31:
Amorous: Four Londoners weary of urban life move to the country and live communally, until an ex-lover enters the picture.
Finding Gaston: This documentary is about Gaston Acurio who goes on a personal journey of discovery to rediscover his culinary roots and inspire Peruvian cuisine.
Manhattan Romance: A filmmaker making a documentary about flourishing relationships in New York City finds himself reflecting on his own romantic challenges, including a crush on his best friend; with Katherine Waterston and Tom O'Brien.
Pay the Ghost: Almost one year later after Mike Cole's son disappeared during a Halloween parade, he starts having disturbing visions of his fate and who (or what) may have abducted him; with Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies.
Phantom Halo: Two brothers are forced to petty thievery to help support their drunken dad, but when he gets in hock to a loan shark, they'll have to up the game and the stakes; with Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Tobin Bell.
Uncanny: Brilliant inventor has spent 10 years building a lifelike robot named Adam with human qualities. But a week with a reporter reveals much about the inventor...and causes Adam to feel emotions; with Mark Webber and Rainn Wilson.
TV:
December 1:
50 Shades of They Season 1: Best selling author and pastor offers a series of inspirational lectures on making the most of every relationship.
Atelier Season 1: A naive female fabric geek seems like an unusual hire for a blooming lingerie company, but its boss has a secret plan for the company.
Big Ballet Season 1: Ballet legend and prima ballerina put 18 plus sized dancers through grueling practices for Swan Lake.
Broadchurch Season 2: In the second season of this British series, a cold case resurfaces and the trial of the person suspected of killing a child proves to be more complex than expected; with David Tennant.
Chasing Tyson: 30 for 30 movie focuses on Evander Holyfield's quest to take on Mike Tyson and the aftermath of their first bout.
#DeathToSelfie Season 1: How do you deal in a world with people's lives being airbrushed and made perfect online? Pastor Steven has all the answers.
Detectorists Season 1: Two friends deal with rivals and flawed lives while looking for buried treasure; with Toby Jones.
Doki Season 1: A 7 year old with many questions about science and nature travels around the world with his friends to get answers.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 2: Questions of what it takes to be a hero take up the second season of the series as does the continuation of the Holy Grail War.
Gary: Tank Commander Seasons 2-3: Gary and his friends return home to Scotland from Afghanistan and struggle to fit in with civilian life in these two comic seasons.
Grojband Season 1: Animated series dealing with a boy who forms a garage band with his friends, but has to deal with his scheming older sister who's not a fan.
Kate and Mim-Mim Season 1: Five year old girl and her toy bunny travel to a new place where they solve problems found in the real world.
Las Magicas Historias de Plim Plim Season 1: A clown shares stories that teach kids to help others, make friends, and save the Earth.
Real Rob Season 1: Rob Schneider combines stand up routines with a fictionalized version of his complex life as a celeb and a father. Basically, a poor man's Louie.
Sensitive Skin Season 1: Middle aged couple attempt to revamp their lives in this American remake of the British hit; with Kim Cattrall and Don McKellar.
Starting Over Season 1: Communicator and pastor helps people break the cycle of repeated mistakes in marriage, career, and relationships.
Tree Fu Tom Season 2: New challenges, new rewards seem to be the focus of season 2 of this series dealing with a Ranger and a sprite companion.
La Viuda Negra Season 1: Beautiful and ruthless, Griselda Blanco becomes the boss of Pablo Escobar and governs a world of cocaine, deceit, and death.
Winning Life's Battles Season 1: Joyce Meyer examines using the Holy Spirit and embracing God's power during times of spiritual warfare and defense of his plan for us.
December 2:
Power Rangers Dino Charge Season 1: An ancient battle between Sledge and Keeper over the Energems ends up involving the Power Rangers.
December 3:
India's Daughter: From Independent Lens, the searing documentary about the savage gang rape of an Indian medical student in 2012 and the public outrage that followed.
December 4:
A Very Murray Christmas: When Bill Murray's Christmas special goes kaput thanks to a blizzard, he gets some help from the hotel staff which the show was going to take place in; with Amy Poehler and Paul Schaffer.
December 6:
Crime Patrol Season 1: Reality series follows Indian authorities in great detail as they investigate prominent cases and close in on the suspects.
December 8:
Inside Man Season 3: Morgan Spurlock examines inside a wide range of topics including honeybees and robots in the third season of the CNN documentary series.
Tibetan Warrior: Documentary that examines the walk across continents by Loten Namling to raise awareness of Tibet's plight against the strict Chinese rule.
December 9:
Phineas and Ferb Season 4: The two young inventors build an infinity probability generator and attempt to prove that a mythical monster exists in season 4 while their pet platypus continues his spy career; with voices of Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Ashley Tisdale.
Top Gear Season 22: In the last season of the BBC series, Jeremy Clarkson and his crew return to racing, taking road trips, and testing hypercars.
Trailer Park Boys: Drunk, High, and Unemployed Live in Austin: Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles bring their trailer park humor to Texas for a night of bravado, schemes, and drunken acting demos.
December 11:
Adventure of Puss in Boots Season 2: The sword fighting, milk drinking kitty makes his way to a town full of treasure covered by a magical spell in this second season.
Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Seasons 1-2: Clueless American manager is sent to London to help boost sales of an energy drink called Thunder Muscle; with David Cross and Will Arnett.
December 15:
Ancient Black Ops Season 1: Series explores historical assassination squads known for their stealth and lethal skills.
Burnistoun Season 1: Sketch comedy series about the quirky residents of a small Scottish town.
Empty Season 1: Two property management employees learn about the secret lives of their residents while working on a daily basis; with Billy Boyd (Pippin from Lord of the Rings).
Hart of Dixie Season 4: The fallout of Zoe's confession to everyone in the small town of Blue Bell, Alabama about her feelings for Wade and his surprising response forms the basis for the final season of the show; with Rachel Bilson and Jamie King.
High Profits Season 1: Docuseries examines the rewards and challenges of a couple who decide to open a recreational marijuana business in Colorado.
Limmy's Show Season 1: Scottish comic Brian Limond hosts and participates in sketches that showcase his quirky, relatable combination of observational humor and black comedy in this series.
Little Witch Academia: A new witch struggles to fit into the stodgy Magical Academy, but she may be the only hope when a dragon is unleashed.
Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade: Akko and other troubled students at Luna Nova are assigned to manage the annual witch hunt parade, but she wants to make the event more positive.
Myth Hunters Series 3: The quest for historical and legendary treasures continues in season 3.
Rab C. Nesbit Seasons 6-8: The musings of a middle aged unemployed alcoholic who revels in his "job" as a street philosopher.
Secrets of the Bible Season 1: Series tackles the efforts of adventurers and biblical experts to find the evidence associated with biblical events.
World War 2 in Color: Series explores the strategies and the battles of World War 2, but in color.
December 16:
Helix Season 2: The CDC crew investigates the deaths of cruise ship passengers from a mysterious illness and it takes them to a cult-run island; with Billy Campbell and Matt Long.
December 17:
Bob's Broken Sleigh: The efforts of an overeager elf to improve Santa's sleigh leads to a crash landing and some help from some odd critters to take him back home.
The West Wing Seasons 1-7: Recently renewed. About the triumphs and failures of the White House senior staff under President Josiah Bartlet; with Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe.
December 18:
F is For Family Season 1: In the 1970s at the Burr household, Frank finds his career boosted, Sue tries to carve out an identity, and little Bill finds trouble around every corner; with voices of Bill Burr and Laura Dern.
Gangs of Wasseypur Season 1: During the course of 70 years, rival crime families vie in lethal blood feuds over a prosperous Indian coal mining town.
Glitter Force Season 1: Five preteen girls from Earth are recruited to form a superhero squad in the hopes of protecting a magical land from fairy tale villains.
Making a Murderer Season 1: A person freed from prison faces fresh criminal charges in a case that has allegations of police misconduct and witness coercion.
December 21:
El Senor de los Cielos Season 3: In the 1990s, Aurelio Casillas took over for Pablo Escobar and became the Mexican drug kingpin. In Season 3, he deals with a defection as well as possible strategy and principle changes.
Fireplace for Your Home: Just in time for the holidays, watch as the logs crackle and pop through the heat of a flame inside a fireplace. For the techies, these appear to be in 4K, so expect the fire to be brighter and clearer. Available in choices of Classic and Birchwood for your viewing pleasure.
December 22:
Dicte Season 2: Divorced crime reporter helps her hometown police solve murders and crimes, even though they're reluctant to accept her help at first.
December 23:
Invisible Sister: A teen trying to impress a science teacher with an ambitious experiment ends up making her sister invisible. For reasons that scream sitcom, she's forced to impersonate her; with Rowan Blanchard.
Oscillating Fan for Your Home: Supposedly this fan will serve as a backdrop to keep the holidays cool and offer a Yuletide ambiance. Not sure if serious or an early April Fool's Day joke.
Wentworth Season 3: Bea ends up back in Wentworth after a four month escape as the new boss, but she just wants to take down Joan "The Freak" Ferguson.
December 24:
Dawn of the Croods: American cave family continue to find the humor in discovering new things. Based on the Croods movie; with voices of Laraine Newman and Cree Summer.
December 25:
Black Mirror: White Christmas: On Christmas Day, two men share dystopian tales involving a socially awkward seducer, robot slaves, and a relationship gone awry; with Jon Hamm.
December 26:
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes: How a defiant warrior monk prisoner earned his tragic nickname; spin-off special of the Netflix original series featuring Michelle Yeoh.
December 28:
Maron Season 3: A man launches a talk show in the attempts of going to the next level of his career while dealing with bad advice, old demons, and tricky relationships; with Marc Maron and Judd Hirsch.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 5: A unicorn called Twilight Sparkle and several of her horse friends travel around the land of Ponyville and Canterlot to solve various equine problems and protect the world from evil; with voices of Ashleigh Ball and Tabitha St. Germain.
New Years Countdown with Care Bears and Cousins/Inspector Gadget/King Julien/Peabody & Sherman/Project MC2/Puffin Rock: For the young ones who like Netflix shows but can't possibly stay awake until midnight (at least they can't blame school this year), they can join in the fun of counting down the New Year before bedtime.
December 30:
About a Boy Season 2: The season deals with the repercussions of the previous year's finale where Will moves to New York and the bad news he receives causes Fiona and Marcus to help him cope; with David Walton and Minnie Driver.
The Following Season 3: Ryan is ready to move on in his life and pursue a new relationship, but a new serial killer brings him back to Joe Carroll's realm; with Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy.
The Mysteries of Laura Season 1: Finally. A tough New York City homicide detective (but aren't they all) must balance a challenging job, a complex relationship, and raising two monstrous children; with Debra Messing and Josh Lucas.
Parenthood Season 6: In the final season of the dramedy, the Bravermans deal with a health crisis, a pregnancy, a school launch, and more; with Lauren Graham and Peter Krause.
Person of Interest Season 4: In season 4, the team must continue their job with new identities while trying not to attract the attention of a new surveillance system; with Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson.
December 31:
Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 13: A vain, but brilliant Belgian detective teams up with some old friends to solve the last mysteries of the Christie series of books; with David Suchet.
Battle Creek Season 1: A FBI agent brings flash and sophistication to a new office in Battle Creek, Michigan, but it will take teaming up with a crusty local to take down the bad guys; with Josh Duhamel and Dean Winters.
Foyle's War Series 8-9: The British spy and his faithful driver deals with Russian spy networks and various challenges from MI5 in these two seasons.
Nurse Jackie Seasons 1-5: An imperfect, but dedicated, nurse takes pain pills to get through the exhausting days in a hectic hospital in New York City; with Edie Falco and Peter Facinelli.
Violetta Season 3: A group of talented musical teens deal with a tour, issues involving the studio and personal crises in season 3 of the Argentinian series.
Coming Soon:
January 1:
2 Fast 2 Furious
8 Crazy Nights
An Affair to Remember (?)
Aileen: The Life and Death of a Serial Killer
Aileen Wournos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
Along Came Polly
Amadeus
American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success (?)
Angry Bird Toons Season 1 (?)
Biggie and Tupac
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Bring It On: In It to Win It
Call Northside 777 (?)
Catwoman
Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills Season 1 (?)
Constantine (2005)
Counting
The Desert Fox (?)
Dreamcatcher (2015)
The Faculty
Flashdance
Forensic Files Collection Two
Friday Night Tykes Seasons 1-2 (?)
The Good Road
House of Wax
How to Change the World
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Intolerable Cruelty
Jack the Bear (?)
Journey to Le Mans (?)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959; ?)
Kangaroo Jack
Katt Williams Presents: Katthouse Comedy
LEGO: Adventures of Clutch Powers
Loins of Punjab Present (?)
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (?)
Maz Jobrani: Brown and Friendly (?)
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Miracle on 34th Street (1994; ?)
Mo'Nique: I Coulda Been Your Cellmate!
Mr. Deeds
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
Nanny McPhee
Notting Hill
Pee Wee's Big Adventure
Piku
Pooh's Heffalump Movie
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
The Quiet Man
Rock Star
Rumble in the Bronx
The Rundown
The Shining (1980)
Shout Gladi Gladi
Singh is Kinng
Smokin' Aces 2: Assassin's Ball
Something New
Star Trek: The Voyage Home
Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek: Insurrection
Stephen Fry Live: More Fool Me (?)
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Season 3 (?)
Swordfish
The Tale of Despereaux
Taps
Three Kings
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Wedding Date
The Whole 10 Yards
Currently Unknown:
Young and Hungry Season 2
Black Butler Season 3
Half-empty: Wow, Netflix has gone downhill fast since it ended its deal with Epix. Probably so they can pay a jillion dollars to Adam Sandler for those four films. And for what? Ridiculous 6 looks terrible. All I see this month are films I had no interest in seeing when they were out in theaters, films I've seen already, and TV shows that I didn't watch when they were on the first time. If it weren't for that upcoming deal with Marvel and Disney, I'd be done.
Half-full: Yeah, there's not a lot of new blockbusters coming this month. But we do have two Oscar winning movies on the first with American Beauty (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director) and Ray (Best Actor). There's a well-received turn from Hugh Grant in About a Boy. A couple of intriguing musical projects with Carmen Jones (starring Dorothy Dandridge) and Gospel Road (with Johnny and June Carter Cash). Liam Neeson proving he can be an action star well before Taken (Darkman). A well received documentary called Super Size Me that proved to be Morgan Spurlock's debut. Throw in Stir of Echoes, A League of Their Own and That Touch of Mink and you got a stirring December 1.
Beyond that, you got the critical raved Tangerine (December 2) which proved to be much more than its gimmick, a soon to be Christmas perennial in A Bill Murray Christmas (December 4), a film that came out in 1926 named Moana (December 8), and a well acclaimed TV special from a BBC series coming to Netflix soon (Black Mirror White Christmas, December 25). Want blockbusters? You got The Da Vinci Code (December 14) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (December 25), that proves that Johnny Depp can give a good performance when he wants to. Where did the rum go?
You also got new seasons of Inside Man, Comedy Bang Bang, Phineas and Ferb, Helix, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Maron this month. Also, toss in the last seasons of Parenthood (December 30), Hart of Dixie (December 15), and Battle Creek (December 31). And all seven seasons of Nurse Jackie come out December 31, which might tempt you to call in sick to start binging it.
Sure, not everything clicks. Based on the trailer, The Ridiculous 6 looks pretty bad, frankly, and I'd rather have another season of the Trailer Park Boys than a special. And Vampire Academy doesn't look all that promising, either. But as they say, quality is in the eye of the beholder. So let's get streaming!
EDIT (12/19): My Roku source comes through and a bunch of new titles are added to January 1. Although this will only begin to make up for the loss of quality, some intriguing titles nonetheless.
Movies:
December 1:
About a Boy: Rich slacker who has never worked a day in his life joins a single parents group to fulfill his needs, but he befriends a boy in need of some help and advice; with Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult.
Aeon Flux: The leader of a rebellion tasks a crafty assassin to take out the government's top leader, but complications ensue; with Charlize Theron and Jonny Lee Miller.
American Beauty: A married family man has a middle aged crisis when he becomes infatuated with his daughter's best friend. Meanwhile, his wife has an affair and the daughter befriends the neighbor's son; with Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening.
Amnesiac: Comatose man awakens with no memory as to who he is and he suspects that the woman who says she's his wife isn't telling him everything; with Wes Bentley and Kate Bosworth.
Bedazzled (1967): To win over his crush, a shy cook agrees to sell his soul to the devil for 7 wishes, but they don't end up the way he's wanting; with Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.
Bounce: A guilt ridden advertising executive whose good deed for a stranger results in tragedy decides to seek out the man's widow; with Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Carmen Jones: Free spirited factory worker lures a straight laced airman into a torrid romance and he starts to throw his life away; with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.
CBGB: When a man's efforts to get Country, BlueGrass, and Blues bands to come to his nightclub fails, he decides to focus on rock and punk bands instead; with Alan Rickman and Malin Akerman.
The Chosen: To save a young girl from a child-stealing demon, her mother and a 19 year old uncle must select 6 relatives for a blood sacrifice. I know who's becoming the black sheep of the family!
A Christmas Star: Woman believes that she can perform miracles because she was born under the Christmas star, but when an unscrupulous developer threatens the town, fate tells her to prove it; featuring Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson.
Christmas Wedding Baby: A bride to be prepares to marry a workaholic fiance when she learns that the wedding photographer is her ex; #awkward. I so have the feeling that maybe she'll reconsider who she's marrying by the end of the film.
Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury: Greedy alien bounty hunters have captured the survivors of Pitch Black and contemplating some nasty plans for them, but they've underestimated the rage and resolve of Riddick; with voices of Vin Diesel and Keith David.
Cradle 2 the Grave: When a jewel thief makes off with some black diamonds, a corrupt cop kidnaps his young daughter and holds her for ransom; with Jet Li and DMX.
Crescendo! The Power of Music: Three inner city kids participate in the El Sistema music program and their lives change in startling ways in this thought-provoking documentary.
Crossroads: Three young women take a road trip to Los Angeles that proves to be a bonding experience after spending 8 years apart; with Britney Spears and Zoe Saldana. Written by Shonda Rhimes!
The Cruise: This documentary explores the life of Tim Levitch, tour guide for a double decker bus that travels across New York City.
Darkman: After a mob causes an accident that nearly kills him, a scientist becomes Darkman, an impossibly strong, tortured antihero with a particular set of skills; with Liam Neeson and Larry Drake.
Dealer: Small time drug dealer hopes that one big score can send him on a new life, but the next 24 hours will send him on a dark, terrifying path. Do these one final heists/scores ever work?
Escape from LA: Snake Plissken is back as the federal government asks him to retrieve a cataclysmic weapon from Los Angeles, now a penal colony due to a big earthquake; with Kurt Russell and Steve Buscemi.
Eyes Wide Shut: After learning that his wife almost cheated on him, a doctor has a night where he determines which is more important: sexual discovery or being faithful to his wife; with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
A Genius Left the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay-Z: Documentary focuses on the business sense and inner toughness that has made the rapper a true mogul.
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000): A reformed car thief decides to end his retirement in order to steal 50 cars in one night to save his brother's life; with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.
The Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus: A passionate telling of the story of Jesus Christ shot on location in Israel featuring original music from Johnny and June Carter Cash and John Denver.
Here on Earth: Spoiled rich kid destroys a diner during a drag race and he gets sentenced to help rebuild the restaurant. While he works at that, he befriends a local girl; with Chris Klein and Josh Hartnett.
Hoffa: Drama explores the life of union member Jimmy Hoffa as he rises through the ranks and speculates about what happened on one night in 1975; with Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito.
Hook: In order to rescue his kidnapped children from the clutches of nemesis Captain Hook, a grown up Peter Pan must return to Neverland; with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.
I'm Brent Morin: Netflix exclusive stand up special features Morin (Undateable) riffing on puberty, hot guy problems, and getting dumped for a magician.
Jenny's Wedding: On the eve of her wedding, a lesbian finally decides to come out to her unsuspecting family; with Katherine Heigl and Tom Wilkinson.
Just Around the Corner: Documentary focuses on Bob Benjamin who deals with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by forming the Light of Day Foundation.
A League of Their Own: Sisters join the first women's baseball league during World War 2, but their bond is tested when one of them is traded; with Tom Hanks and Geena Davis.
Mark and Russell's Wild Ride (aka Dude, Where's My License): When the most popular girl in school wants Mark to give her a ride, it becomes a race against time to get a driver's license; with Joey Bragg.
Neil Young: Heart of Gold: From the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Neil Young gives a concert to his fans in this musical documentary.
Over the Top: Trucker enters an arm wrestling tournament to win enough money to reunite with his estranged son; with Sylvester Stallone and Robert Loggia.
Practical Magic: Two modern-day witches attempt to break a curse that dooms men who fall in love with them; with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
Private Number: A writer haunted by cryptic phone messages and visions must keep it together when horrific revelations about him and his wife emerge; with Tom Sizemore and Judd Nelson.
Private Parts: About the rise of Howard Stern to become the "King of All Media" and (surprise) devoted family man; with Stern and Robin Quivers.
Ray: Biopic of R&B legend Ray Charles who overcame personal demons and a childhood incident to become a world famous singer; with Jamie Foxx and Regina King.
River of No Return: An ex-con and his son join forces with a saloon singer after her boyfriend repays the reformed citizen's efforts to save the life of him and his girlfriend by taking off with his horse and rifle; with Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe.
See You in Valhalla: The odd death of her brother causes a troubled young woman to reunite with her quirky family; with Sarah Hyland and Bret Harrison.
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute: When an evil man steals a village's gold using a magic flute, the Smurfs, who created the flute, are summoned to help the villagers out.
Spy Hard: A bumbling secret agent is summoned out of retirement to stop a nefarious general from destroying the planet; with Leslie Nielsen and Andy Griffith.
Stir of Echoes: A man, after being hypnotized, has strange visions of a disappeared girl from his neighborhood and a horrible crime; with Kevin Bacon and Illeana Douglas.
Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming: A National Guard captain returns home from Iraq with horrifying visions of the civilians he accidentally killed while overseas; with Rob Lowe.
Super Size Me: Morgan Spurlock agrees to see the effects of a fast food diet on the body by only eating at McDonalds for a solid month and supersizing when asked in this provocative documentary.
That Touch of Mink: A small town girl moves to New York and falls for a ladies' man. While she's looking for commitment, he just wants to have some fun; with Doris Day and Cary Grant.
Two Step: College dropout confronts the con artist who's bilked his dead grandmother out of thousands of dollars. Based on the reviews, this might be a fun little sleeper.
Tyke: Elephant Outlaw: Documentary examines the 1994 explosive incident in Honolulu where a circus elephant kills its trainer then makes a break for freedom.
Valley of the Dolls: Three Hollywood starlets deal with the ebbs and flows of showbiz while battling issues with prescription drugs (the Dolls of the title); with Patty Duke and Sharon Tate.
A Woman Like Me: An author diagnosed with terminal cancer weaves a documentary exposing her struggles with a fictional version of her story; with Lili Taylor.
December 2:
Northern Soul: In 1970s Lancashire, two young men dream of shaking up their lives by traveling to America and picking up obscure soul music.
Stations of the Cross: Although she's in a devoutly Catholic family, a 14 year girl wishes to be a saint and starts subjecting herself to the physical pains that Christ suffered from.
Tangerine: A transgender prostitute fresh out of jail and her friend travel the streets of LA looking for her fickle pimp. Yep, this film was shot entirely using an iPhone.
December 3:
Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine: Documentary examines the too short life of Shepard which ended in an infamous murder in 1998 that devastated friends and family and galvanized a country.
Some Kind of Hate: An emotionally fragile student at a reform school who is bullied by classmates inadvertently summons a ghost of a girl who helps him get revenge.
Tap World: The next generation of dancers who participate in the percussive dance form known as tap are profiled in this documentary.
Tiger House: A teenage girl sneaks into her boyfriend's house and finds herself in a home invasion situation where he and his family have been taken hostage; with Kaya Scodelario and Ed Skrein.
December 5:
The Avenging Fist: An agent disappears after stealing a powerful set of special gloves, only to return decades later to rule the world; with Sammo Hung.
A Case of You: A lowly writer sets out to woo a cute barista that he crushes on by studying her Facebook profile; with Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood.
Dinosaur 13: Documentary examines the legal battles that followed the discovery of the first complete T-Rex back in 1990 (the title probably refers to the name of the skeleton).
The Timber: Two brothers brave the elements and the rough and tumble citizens of the Yukon in order to collect the bounty on their own father; with Josh Peck.
December 6:
Pod: Siblings travel to a remote family cabin to help their mentally unstable brother but their plan goes awry in unexpectedly horrible ways.
December 7:
Checkmate: Six people are linked together in a complex bank heist where any move can alter the outcome. Coincidence or pawns in bigger game; with Danny Glover and Vinnie Jones.
Vampire Academy: At St. Vladimir Academy, Rose learns to navigate life as a half-human vampire and take the reigns of the Moroi; with Zoey Deutch and Lucy Fry.
December 8:
From Caligari to Hitler: German Cinema in the Age of the Masses: Long title pretty much explains it all as clips are used to show the link between early German films and the rise of the Nazi party prior to World War 2.
How Strange to Be Named Federico: Scola Narrates Fellini: Another long title, but again self-explanatory as this documentary covers the long friendship between directors Ettore Scola and Federico Fellini.
The Kindergarten Teacher: A teacher's enchantment with her 5 year old pupil's beautiful poetry quickly turns to obsession with his poetry and future.
Moana with Sound: From way back in 1926, documentary from Robert Flaherty depicting Samoa's traditions, music, and lifestyles. His daughter returned to Samoa in the 1970s to capture the sound missing from the film.
One and Two: Brother and sister use teleportation to escape their troubled home life and their strict father who sequesters them from the outside world; with Grant Bowler.
Phoenix: After reconstructive facial surgery, a concentration camp survivor tries to find out whether her unsuspecting husband betrayed her to the Nazis.
Steak Revolution: Documentary inquiries chefs, butchers, farmers, and other experts as they attempt to answer the question, "What makes the perfect steak?" Betting this shouldn't be viewed on an empty stomach.
Xenia: Gay teen and his older brother set out to Greece to find the father they recently found out about and to see if they can obtain Greek citizenship.
December 9:
Beltracchi: Die Kunst der Falschung: Documentary of artist and master forger Wolfgang Beltracchi whose life and talent in the international art world has made him millions.
Darkness on the Edge of Town: On the plains of southern Ireland, a teen seething over the murder of her estranged sister practices her sharpshooting skills in plans on getting revenge.
December 10:
The Rite: Catholic priest in training travels to Rome to attend a special school at the Vatican for performing exorcisms. He later puts this knowledge to good use; with Colin O'Donoghue and Anthony Hopkins.
A Tale of Two Thieves: Decades after pulling off the Great Train Robbery, Gordon Goody explores the true story behind the heist in this documentary.
December 11:
Kaanchi: A young woman from the country travels to Mumbai to seek revenge on a powerful family and expose corruption.
The Ridiculous Six: When his dad is kidnapped, Tommy enlists five brothers he never knew he had on a rescue mission; with Adam Sandler and Terry Crews.
December 12:
Kano: Hardnosed new coach takes a ragtag group of Taiwanese high school baseball players and tasks them with winning the Japanese national championships.
Rob the Mob: Brazen criminal couple looking for easy money decides to stick up the gun free social clubs of New York City's top mobsters. Don't let the NRA see this; with Michael Pitt and Ray Romano.
December 14:
The Da Vinci Code: Symbologist Robert Langdon, along with a cryptologist, uses symbols found in Da Vinci paintings to aid them in solving the murder that took place in Paris's Louvre museum; with Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.
December 15:
Awaken: On a remote island, a group of strangers wake up and have to outrun hunters who want to capture their organs; with Vinnie Jones and Edward Furlong.
Drown: A surfing champion is dethroned by a newcomer which leads to a memorable boozed filled night.
Jackie and Ryan: A single mom who was a recording star before retiring bonds with a train riding street performer who never stays long in one place. First Sandler and now Heigl. Is Caffeine or Zyxxyx Road next; also with Ben Barnes.
Make Believe: Documentary about teen magicians vying for the title Teen World Champion at the World Magic Seminar.
The Monster of Mangatiti: Dramatized true story of a resilient teen being held prisoner by a seasoned predator in a remote farm during the 1980s.
The Propaganda Game: Documentary examines a filmmaker's efforts to get inside the propaganda machine in North Korea.
Slow Learners: Two friends and colleagues attempt to make themselves over in order to improve their failing love lives.
This Was Tomorrow: Documentary examines the Tomorrowland music festival that has taken place in Belgium, the US, and Brazil for the past 10 years.
Time Out of Mind: A homeless man looking to survive in New York and rebuild his relationship with an estranged daughter is befriended by a sympathetic man in a shelter; with Richard Gere and Ben Vereen.
Unbranded: Documentary explores the journey by four men to herd mustangs on a trip from Mexico to Canada and their efforts to inspire adoptions of government confined wild horses and burros.
December 16:
Fresh Dressed: Documentary examines the history of hip hop fashion and how it's spread to the masses; with Kanye West and Damon Dash.
Theresa is a Mother: A broke and evicted singer moves herself and her three kids back to her childhood home where she deals with unfinished family business; with Edie McClurg.
December 18:
Little Boy: When his father is called off to war, a friendless little boy must fight off bullies and turns to God to get his father back in one piece; with Emily Watson and Michael Rapaport.
Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal: From the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, the actor/comedian showcases his blistering impressions and a raunchy swagger.
Raze (2013): Sabrina is kidnapped by a secret society and is forced to fight for her life in front of a hidden audience; with Sherilyn Fenn and Doug Jones.
December 19:
Chloe and Theo: An Iniut travels from the Arctic to New York to warn others about global warming, befriending a quirky homeless girl in the process; with Dakota Johnson and Mira Sorvino.
NLL: Yeonpyeong Haejeon (aka Northern Limit Line): During the World Cup in South Korea in 2002, patrol boats from North and South Korea are poised for battle in the politically sensitive Yellow Sea.
Trash: Three Brazilian youths find something suspicious in a garbage heap and outrace the law in the efforts to set things right; with Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara.
December 20:
Leo the Lion: A decision by Leo the Lion to pursue vegetarianism leaves him on the outside of the lion community. What is it that movies have against the vegan lifestyle?
Magic Snowflake: Young Nicolas's decision to do Santa's work for one year threatens the sense of joy that he has as well as Christmas itself.
A River Between Us: Documentary examines the innovative plan to restore the Klamath River to its glory by healing the historic rifts between its people which had led to war.
Santa's Apprentice: A young orphan named Nicolas learns how to slide down chimneys, guide a sleigh, and other duties needed to become the next Santa Claus. I presume that he won't have to eat all the cookies, right Santa?
December 21:
The Mend: A depressed New York returning from a vacation finds his uninvited brother living in his apartment, leading to some strange entanglements. So was this depression something he picked up from vacation or was it just an ineffective one; with Josh Lucas.
Redirected: The efforts of three crooks and an unsuspecting friend to hightail it to Malaysia following a heist is thwarted when they end up in Lithuania. I blame the travel agent; with Vinnie Jones.
December 22:
Queen of Earth: Weary after dealing with sad events, Catherine seeks refuge at an old friend's lake house, but their bond wavers due to stress; with Elizabeth Moss and Patrick Fugit.
December 23:
I Nostri Raggazi (aka The Dinner): Two couples find their dinner spoiled when they see a viral video showing their kids beating up a homeless woman.
Jimmy Goes to Nollywood: Documentary about the travels of actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes, Phat Girlz) who tours the thriving Nigerian film scene prior to hosting the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
December 24:
Cavalo Dinheiro (aka Horse Money): Aging immigrant suffering from a disease is haunted by images and people from his working class life.
Go Grandriders: Taiwanese seniors hit the open road on motorcycles, ignoring their aches and pains as well as family concerns.
December 25:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl: Captain Jack Sparrow is recruited by a young swain to protect a fair maiden from rival buccaneers, but he learns the rival pirates have a secret; with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.
December 27:
How to Survive a Plague: Searing documentary explores the efforts of young people, some of which who are HIV positive, to take on Washington DC and the medical establishment in dealing with AIDS.
December 28:
Fifty: Over one week, four successful Nigerian women on the verge of turning 50 reflect on their lives and loves.
December 29:
How to Smell a Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock in Normandy: Documentary filmmaker Leacock talks about his life, films, and the mystery of art in this documentary.
Songs from the North: In this documentary, a South Korean filmmaker offers a nuanced view of the enigmatic, controversial North Korea.
December 30:
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey: The saga of Arnel Pineda who went from fronting a tribute Journey band in Manila nightclubs to taking over as the band's lead singer in this documentary. It's like Rock Star, only a lot less manufactured and 100 percent true.
Secrets of War: During World War 2, two Dutch boys who are best friends bond with a girl who moves there and the three of them deal with complex circumstances.
December 31:
Amorous: Four Londoners weary of urban life move to the country and live communally, until an ex-lover enters the picture.
Finding Gaston: This documentary is about Gaston Acurio who goes on a personal journey of discovery to rediscover his culinary roots and inspire Peruvian cuisine.
Manhattan Romance: A filmmaker making a documentary about flourishing relationships in New York City finds himself reflecting on his own romantic challenges, including a crush on his best friend; with Katherine Waterston and Tom O'Brien.
Pay the Ghost: Almost one year later after Mike Cole's son disappeared during a Halloween parade, he starts having disturbing visions of his fate and who (or what) may have abducted him; with Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies.
Phantom Halo: Two brothers are forced to petty thievery to help support their drunken dad, but when he gets in hock to a loan shark, they'll have to up the game and the stakes; with Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Tobin Bell.
Uncanny: Brilliant inventor has spent 10 years building a lifelike robot named Adam with human qualities. But a week with a reporter reveals much about the inventor...and causes Adam to feel emotions; with Mark Webber and Rainn Wilson.
TV:
December 1:
50 Shades of They Season 1: Best selling author and pastor offers a series of inspirational lectures on making the most of every relationship.
Atelier Season 1: A naive female fabric geek seems like an unusual hire for a blooming lingerie company, but its boss has a secret plan for the company.
Big Ballet Season 1: Ballet legend and prima ballerina put 18 plus sized dancers through grueling practices for Swan Lake.
Broadchurch Season 2: In the second season of this British series, a cold case resurfaces and the trial of the person suspected of killing a child proves to be more complex than expected; with David Tennant.
Chasing Tyson: 30 for 30 movie focuses on Evander Holyfield's quest to take on Mike Tyson and the aftermath of their first bout.
#DeathToSelfie Season 1: How do you deal in a world with people's lives being airbrushed and made perfect online? Pastor Steven has all the answers.
Detectorists Season 1: Two friends deal with rivals and flawed lives while looking for buried treasure; with Toby Jones.
Doki Season 1: A 7 year old with many questions about science and nature travels around the world with his friends to get answers.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 2: Questions of what it takes to be a hero take up the second season of the series as does the continuation of the Holy Grail War.
Gary: Tank Commander Seasons 2-3: Gary and his friends return home to Scotland from Afghanistan and struggle to fit in with civilian life in these two comic seasons.
Grojband Season 1: Animated series dealing with a boy who forms a garage band with his friends, but has to deal with his scheming older sister who's not a fan.
Kate and Mim-Mim Season 1: Five year old girl and her toy bunny travel to a new place where they solve problems found in the real world.
Las Magicas Historias de Plim Plim Season 1: A clown shares stories that teach kids to help others, make friends, and save the Earth.
Real Rob Season 1: Rob Schneider combines stand up routines with a fictionalized version of his complex life as a celeb and a father. Basically, a poor man's Louie.
Sensitive Skin Season 1: Middle aged couple attempt to revamp their lives in this American remake of the British hit; with Kim Cattrall and Don McKellar.
Starting Over Season 1: Communicator and pastor helps people break the cycle of repeated mistakes in marriage, career, and relationships.
Tree Fu Tom Season 2: New challenges, new rewards seem to be the focus of season 2 of this series dealing with a Ranger and a sprite companion.
La Viuda Negra Season 1: Beautiful and ruthless, Griselda Blanco becomes the boss of Pablo Escobar and governs a world of cocaine, deceit, and death.
Winning Life's Battles Season 1: Joyce Meyer examines using the Holy Spirit and embracing God's power during times of spiritual warfare and defense of his plan for us.
December 2:
Power Rangers Dino Charge Season 1: An ancient battle between Sledge and Keeper over the Energems ends up involving the Power Rangers.
December 3:
India's Daughter: From Independent Lens, the searing documentary about the savage gang rape of an Indian medical student in 2012 and the public outrage that followed.
December 4:
A Very Murray Christmas: When Bill Murray's Christmas special goes kaput thanks to a blizzard, he gets some help from the hotel staff which the show was going to take place in; with Amy Poehler and Paul Schaffer.
December 6:
Crime Patrol Season 1: Reality series follows Indian authorities in great detail as they investigate prominent cases and close in on the suspects.
December 8:
Inside Man Season 3: Morgan Spurlock examines inside a wide range of topics including honeybees and robots in the third season of the CNN documentary series.
Tibetan Warrior: Documentary that examines the walk across continents by Loten Namling to raise awareness of Tibet's plight against the strict Chinese rule.
December 9:
Phineas and Ferb Season 4: The two young inventors build an infinity probability generator and attempt to prove that a mythical monster exists in season 4 while their pet platypus continues his spy career; with voices of Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Ashley Tisdale.
Top Gear Season 22: In the last season of the BBC series, Jeremy Clarkson and his crew return to racing, taking road trips, and testing hypercars.
Trailer Park Boys: Drunk, High, and Unemployed Live in Austin: Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles bring their trailer park humor to Texas for a night of bravado, schemes, and drunken acting demos.
December 11:
Adventure of Puss in Boots Season 2: The sword fighting, milk drinking kitty makes his way to a town full of treasure covered by a magical spell in this second season.
Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Seasons 1-2: Clueless American manager is sent to London to help boost sales of an energy drink called Thunder Muscle; with David Cross and Will Arnett.
December 15:
Ancient Black Ops Season 1: Series explores historical assassination squads known for their stealth and lethal skills.
Burnistoun Season 1: Sketch comedy series about the quirky residents of a small Scottish town.
Empty Season 1: Two property management employees learn about the secret lives of their residents while working on a daily basis; with Billy Boyd (Pippin from Lord of the Rings).
Hart of Dixie Season 4: The fallout of Zoe's confession to everyone in the small town of Blue Bell, Alabama about her feelings for Wade and his surprising response forms the basis for the final season of the show; with Rachel Bilson and Jamie King.
High Profits Season 1: Docuseries examines the rewards and challenges of a couple who decide to open a recreational marijuana business in Colorado.
Limmy's Show Season 1: Scottish comic Brian Limond hosts and participates in sketches that showcase his quirky, relatable combination of observational humor and black comedy in this series.
Little Witch Academia: A new witch struggles to fit into the stodgy Magical Academy, but she may be the only hope when a dragon is unleashed.
Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade: Akko and other troubled students at Luna Nova are assigned to manage the annual witch hunt parade, but she wants to make the event more positive.
Myth Hunters Series 3: The quest for historical and legendary treasures continues in season 3.
Rab C. Nesbit Seasons 6-8: The musings of a middle aged unemployed alcoholic who revels in his "job" as a street philosopher.
Secrets of the Bible Season 1: Series tackles the efforts of adventurers and biblical experts to find the evidence associated with biblical events.
World War 2 in Color: Series explores the strategies and the battles of World War 2, but in color.
December 16:
Helix Season 2: The CDC crew investigates the deaths of cruise ship passengers from a mysterious illness and it takes them to a cult-run island; with Billy Campbell and Matt Long.
December 17:
Bob's Broken Sleigh: The efforts of an overeager elf to improve Santa's sleigh leads to a crash landing and some help from some odd critters to take him back home.
The West Wing Seasons 1-7: Recently renewed. About the triumphs and failures of the White House senior staff under President Josiah Bartlet; with Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe.
December 18:
F is For Family Season 1: In the 1970s at the Burr household, Frank finds his career boosted, Sue tries to carve out an identity, and little Bill finds trouble around every corner; with voices of Bill Burr and Laura Dern.
Gangs of Wasseypur Season 1: During the course of 70 years, rival crime families vie in lethal blood feuds over a prosperous Indian coal mining town.
Glitter Force Season 1: Five preteen girls from Earth are recruited to form a superhero squad in the hopes of protecting a magical land from fairy tale villains.
Making a Murderer Season 1: A person freed from prison faces fresh criminal charges in a case that has allegations of police misconduct and witness coercion.
December 21:
El Senor de los Cielos Season 3: In the 1990s, Aurelio Casillas took over for Pablo Escobar and became the Mexican drug kingpin. In Season 3, he deals with a defection as well as possible strategy and principle changes.
Fireplace for Your Home: Just in time for the holidays, watch as the logs crackle and pop through the heat of a flame inside a fireplace. For the techies, these appear to be in 4K, so expect the fire to be brighter and clearer. Available in choices of Classic and Birchwood for your viewing pleasure.
December 22:
Dicte Season 2: Divorced crime reporter helps her hometown police solve murders and crimes, even though they're reluctant to accept her help at first.
December 23:
Invisible Sister: A teen trying to impress a science teacher with an ambitious experiment ends up making her sister invisible. For reasons that scream sitcom, she's forced to impersonate her; with Rowan Blanchard.
Oscillating Fan for Your Home: Supposedly this fan will serve as a backdrop to keep the holidays cool and offer a Yuletide ambiance. Not sure if serious or an early April Fool's Day joke.
Wentworth Season 3: Bea ends up back in Wentworth after a four month escape as the new boss, but she just wants to take down Joan "The Freak" Ferguson.
December 24:
Dawn of the Croods: American cave family continue to find the humor in discovering new things. Based on the Croods movie; with voices of Laraine Newman and Cree Summer.
December 25:
Black Mirror: White Christmas: On Christmas Day, two men share dystopian tales involving a socially awkward seducer, robot slaves, and a relationship gone awry; with Jon Hamm.
December 26:
Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes: How a defiant warrior monk prisoner earned his tragic nickname; spin-off special of the Netflix original series featuring Michelle Yeoh.
December 28:
Maron Season 3: A man launches a talk show in the attempts of going to the next level of his career while dealing with bad advice, old demons, and tricky relationships; with Marc Maron and Judd Hirsch.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 5: A unicorn called Twilight Sparkle and several of her horse friends travel around the land of Ponyville and Canterlot to solve various equine problems and protect the world from evil; with voices of Ashleigh Ball and Tabitha St. Germain.
New Years Countdown with Care Bears and Cousins/Inspector Gadget/King Julien/Peabody & Sherman/Project MC2/Puffin Rock: For the young ones who like Netflix shows but can't possibly stay awake until midnight (at least they can't blame school this year), they can join in the fun of counting down the New Year before bedtime.
December 30:
About a Boy Season 2: The season deals with the repercussions of the previous year's finale where Will moves to New York and the bad news he receives causes Fiona and Marcus to help him cope; with David Walton and Minnie Driver.
The Following Season 3: Ryan is ready to move on in his life and pursue a new relationship, but a new serial killer brings him back to Joe Carroll's realm; with Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy.
The Mysteries of Laura Season 1: Finally. A tough New York City homicide detective (but aren't they all) must balance a challenging job, a complex relationship, and raising two monstrous children; with Debra Messing and Josh Lucas.
Parenthood Season 6: In the final season of the dramedy, the Bravermans deal with a health crisis, a pregnancy, a school launch, and more; with Lauren Graham and Peter Krause.
Person of Interest Season 4: In season 4, the team must continue their job with new identities while trying not to attract the attention of a new surveillance system; with Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson.
December 31:
Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 13: A vain, but brilliant Belgian detective teams up with some old friends to solve the last mysteries of the Christie series of books; with David Suchet.
Battle Creek Season 1: A FBI agent brings flash and sophistication to a new office in Battle Creek, Michigan, but it will take teaming up with a crusty local to take down the bad guys; with Josh Duhamel and Dean Winters.
Foyle's War Series 8-9: The British spy and his faithful driver deals with Russian spy networks and various challenges from MI5 in these two seasons.
Nurse Jackie Seasons 1-5: An imperfect, but dedicated, nurse takes pain pills to get through the exhausting days in a hectic hospital in New York City; with Edie Falco and Peter Facinelli.
Violetta Season 3: A group of talented musical teens deal with a tour, issues involving the studio and personal crises in season 3 of the Argentinian series.
The End
Coming Soon:
January 1:
2 Fast 2 Furious
8 Crazy Nights
An Affair to Remember (?)
Aileen: The Life and Death of a Serial Killer
Aileen Wournos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
Along Came Polly
Amadeus
American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success (?)
Angry Bird Toons Season 1 (?)
Biggie and Tupac
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Bring It On: In It to Win It
Call Northside 777 (?)
Catwoman
Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills Season 1 (?)
Constantine (2005)
Counting
The Desert Fox (?)
Dreamcatcher (2015)
The Faculty
Flashdance
Forensic Files Collection Two
Friday Night Tykes Seasons 1-2 (?)
The Good Road
House of Wax
How to Change the World
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Intolerable Cruelty
Jack the Bear (?)
Journey to Le Mans (?)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959; ?)
Kangaroo Jack
Katt Williams Presents: Katthouse Comedy
LEGO: Adventures of Clutch Powers
Loins of Punjab Present (?)
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (?)
Maz Jobrani: Brown and Friendly (?)
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Miracle on 34th Street (1994; ?)
Mo'Nique: I Coulda Been Your Cellmate!
Mr. Deeds
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
Nanny McPhee
Notting Hill
Pee Wee's Big Adventure
Piku
Pooh's Heffalump Movie
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
The Quiet Man
Rock Star
Rumble in the Bronx
The Rundown
The Shining (1980)
Shout Gladi Gladi
Singh is Kinng
Smokin' Aces 2: Assassin's Ball
Something New
Star Trek: The Voyage Home
Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek: Insurrection
Stephen Fry Live: More Fool Me (?)
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Season 3 (?)
Swordfish
The Tale of Despereaux
Taps
Three Kings
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Wedding Date
The Whole 10 Yards
Young and Hungry Season 2
Black Butler Season 3
Netflix has almost redeemed itself for December by finally(!) streaming Season 3 of Wentworth. Now if someone could explain why Miracle on 34th Street is streaming in January(?).
ReplyDeleteMiracle on 34th Street is streaming next month because Amazon decided to pick up the Edmund Gwynn Miracle next month. It's a game of oneupsmanship, much like how both streaming services decided to stream different Bedazzleds last month. I agree that the time is a bit off, but they'll take new programs when they can get it.
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