On Demand: The New & Recommended This October

Whether you’ve subscribed to NEON or Netflix, peruse the VOD rental/buying section of iTunes or Google Play, or making the world’s biggest Jenga tower out of DVDs and Blu-rays, there’s plenty of new stuff to consider every month – from cinematic smashes to new series, as well as direct-to-home-video content. Every month we profile the best watches on the major on demand/streaming options.


NEW TO NEON

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Disney and JJ Abrams took the Star Wars franchise and made the biggest film of 2015. “I don’t know how it could have been better, but somehow have the feeling that’s exactly what’s going to happen with the sequels from Rian Johnson.” -Steve Newall, Flicks On Neon from 29th October

The Good Dinosaur

Pixar family adventure following the friendship between Spot, a young human boy, and Arlo, a giant friendly Brontosaurus. “Go and see it if you have not already.” -Flapper123, Flicks User On Neon from 30th October

Miss You Already

Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore are Milly and Jess in this romantic dramedy from the director of Thirteen and Twilight. Friends since childhood, their relationship is put to the test as Jess struggles to have a much longed-for baby, and Milly finds out she has breast cancer. “A touching more light-hearted look at the serious effects of cancer.” -Desiree1257, Flicks User Now on Neon

The Big Lebowski

The Coen brothers’ comedy masterpiece and cult classic, a Chandler-esque mystery involving The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Walter (John Goodman), Donny (Steve Buscemi), a ransom, nihilists, a millionaire and his avante-garde artist daughter, bowling and a rug that really tied the room together. On Neon from 27th October

Tangled

Disney’s 50th full length animated feature film – a telling of fairy tale Rapunzel. From the makers of Bolt. “Disney have their mojo back, and is definitely on the right track if they keep releasing movies like this!” -Clararar, Flicks User Now on Neon

The Rock

Perhaps Michael Bay’s greatest film (aside from Armageddon of course), starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage as the only solution to a massive problem: a military group has gone rogue. On Neon from 31st October

Westworld: Season One

Big budget sci-fi series from Jonathan (brother of Christopher) Nolan and his partner Lisa Joy Nolan, an adaptation of the 1973 Yul Brynner classic about a futuristic theme park world that replicates a romanticised version of the wild west complete with human-like robots. Fast-tracked each Monday from 3rd October

Supergirl: Season 1

Melissa Benoist (Whiplash) is Kara Danvers – AKA Supergirl – in this CW series that follows the adventures of Superman’s cousin. Available now

Kingdom: Season 2b

Underrated action star Frank Grillo (The Purge: Anarchy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) leads this MMA series as a retired fighter who now runs a gym – a role similar to his character in 2011’s excellent Warrior. On Neon from 14th October | Season 1 available now


NEW TO NETFLIX

13th

Director Ava DuVernay (Selma) explores the injustice of the US prison system and what it reveals about racial inequality in America. “A titanic statement by a major American voice. Viewing — right now — should be mandatory.” -Entertainment Weekly Now on Netflix

The Siege of Jadotville

Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) leads this Netflix combat thriller based on the 1961 true story of the 150 Irish UN soldiers forced to stand their ground in the Congo against thousands of ruthless mercenaries hired by mining companies. Now on Netflix

Mascots

This mockumentary from Best in Show director Christopher Guest takes place in the ultra-competitive world of professional mascots, where each mascot is out to win the most prestigious award on offer: the Gold Fluffy. Now on Netflix

7 Años

Netflix’s first original Spanish feature, a one-room suspense drama where four friends must decide which one goes to prison to spare the other three. On Netflix from 28th October

I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In This House

Haunted house thriller focused on a young nurse taking care of an elderly author. On Netflix from 28th October

Into The Inferno

Werner Herzog checks out some volcanoes. On Netflix from 28th October

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The unique oddball romantic comedy, written by the inventive Charlie Kaufman and directed by French low-fi innovator Michel Gondry. Now on Netflix

Interstellar

Space travelling sci-fi from Christopher Nolan (Inception), starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway who head to a distant galaxy to find humanity a new home. “For it’s kind, it is right up there in my books.” -RosieW, Flicks User Now on Netflix

The Sixth Sense

M. Night Shyamalan’s breakthrough thriller-drama with THAT twist. Stars Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis. On Netflix 26th October


NEW TO iTUNES & GOOGLE PLAY

Miles Ahead

Don Cheadle leads his own directorial feature debut, a dramatic biography of jazz legend Miles Davis. Co-stars Ewan McGregor. “A largely inventive and energetic portrayal of a past-their-prime music legend…” -Empire Available now

Everybody Wants Some!!

From Richard Linklater (Boyhood) comes this ensemble comedy set in a 1980s college, billed as the “spiritual sequel” to Linklater’s classic Dazed and Confused. “Manages to squeeze all the fun of college drinking and rooting and bantering while keeping a self-aware eye on the flaws and amusing observations of these masculine stereotypes.” -Liam Maguren, Flicks Available now

Meadowland

Olivia Wilde (Her) and Luke Wilson (The Skeleton Twins) lead this drama, nominated for Best Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival, as a grief-stricken couple falling apart. What Meadowland refuses to do, to its great credit, is conform to expectations.” -The Guardian Available now

Tanna

Venice Film Festival-winning South Pacific romance, based on a true story and performed by the people of Yakel in Vanuatu. “An enchanting real-life account of trouble in paradise.” -The Hollywood Reporter Available now

Ghostbusters

The new team – Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones – bust some ghosts in this revamped sci-fi comedy. “My inner seven-year-old has been waiting for this film for a little over 40 years.” -CapnJane, Flicks User Available now

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

Warner Bros. Animation and DC resurrect the Batman of the ’60s, with original cast members Adam West and Burt Ward back to reprise their roles as the Dynamic Duo. Expected mid October

Star Trek Beyond

The 13th Star Trek film, the third in the newly rebooted series. JJ Abrams, director of Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), steps aside for Fast & Furious stalwart Justin Lin. “A great thrill ride from beginning to end… Loved it.” -NeoRipley, Flicks User Expected late October

Finding Dory

Disney Pixar’s sequel to the 2003 Academy Award-winning family animated hit Finding Nemo, with Andrew Stanton returning to the director’s chair. “Top notch animation, fast paced, good fun. Not one of Pixar’s best, but I’d recommend it.” -JackWallace, Flicks User Expected late October

Sing Street

A 14-year-old lad tells his crush that he’s in a band. The only problem? He’s not actually in a band. The only solution? Start a band. From the director of Once. “It’s so well done that when, in the last act, Cosmo’s wish fulfilment breaks the ceiling of all believability, the chances are you’ll be too charmed to care.” -Matt Glasby, Flicks Expected late October