On Demand: The New & the Recommended in September

Whether you’re streaming NEON or Netflix, renting or buying online, or building a life-size fort of physical releases, 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

It Follows

Heralded American indie horror sees 19-year-old Jay develop a highly unusual affliction after a sexual encounter. She is now being pursued by a being that can take human shape, though remains invisible to the uninfected, and it won’t stop until it catches Jay or she passes the curse on by sleeping with someone else. “A hypnotic, utterly terrifying film that earns its place on the list of classic horrors.” -Tony Stamp, Flicks Now on Neon

Experimenter

Biopic of social psychologist Stanley Milgram (Peter Sarsgaard) who conducted the “obedience experiments” at Yale University in the early ‘60s. Co-stars Winona Ryder and Anton Yelchin. “A smart biopic, a great history lesson, and an ode to critical thinking.” -Liam Maguren, Flicks Now on Neon

Slow West

Sundance-winning western starring Michael Fassbender as the mysterious companion of a teenager (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Let Me In) searching for his long-lost love. Shot in the New Zealand town of Twizel, Canterbury (read our world exclusive set visit and interview with the star and director). “One of the most thoughtful, witty, satisfying Westerns of the last decade.” -Liam Maguren, Flicks Now on Neon

The Intern

Comedy from director Nancy Meyers (What Women Want), one of Quentin Tarantino’s fave films of 2015. Ben (Robert De Niro) is a 70-year-old widower who, bored with retirement, takes a job as an intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules (Anne Hathaway). “There’s a bright and breezy freshness to proceedings that draws you in.” -James Croot, Stuff.co.nz Now on Neon

Mr. Turner

Timothy Spall gives a Cannes-winning performance as British impressionist JMW Turner in this biopic from writer-director Mike Leigh (Another Year). “Dick Pope’s cinematography emulates Turner’s greatest works, and the 1850s period setting is captured in sumptuous detail.” -Adam Fresco, Flicks Now on Neon

That Sugar Film

Australian actor Damon Gameau attempts to expose the truth about the sugar content in supposedly ‘healthy’ food by maintaining a diet consisting of only those culprits. “A great eye-opener.” -Giles Hardie, Flicks Now on Neon

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Interesting experiment of a romance film split into two different movies – Her and Him – following a separation told from each character’s perspective. Stars Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy. “There is something wonderful about the concept of these films.” -Giles Hardie, Flicks See ‘Her’ on Neon | See ‘Him’ on Neon

Black Mass

The true crime drama that was suppose to land Johnny Depp an Oscar nomination, playing ruthless South Boston criminal Whitey Bulger. Co-stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Juno Temple, Dakota Johnson and Joel Edgerton. “Ends up feeling like a cover version of previous crime dramas, with only a few moments that truly unsettle.” -Tony Stamp, Flicks Available September 16

Winnie the Pooh: The Movie

The 2011 Winnie the Pooh movie that not enough people saw. An all new tale, inspired by five stories from A.A. Milne’s original books, rendered in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn animation. “The whole program could make a nice introduction to moviegoing for a small child.” -Roger Ebert Available September 23

Spectre

Last year’s 007 blockbuster sees Daniel Craig and Skyfall director Sam Mendes return to Bond alongside a new companion (Léa Seydoux, Blue is the Warmest Colour) and a new/familiar villain (Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz). “The film’s beautifully shot and features some bravura action sequences.” -Steve Newall, Flicks Available September 30

Full list of new Neon titles | neontv.co.nz

NEW TO NETFLIX

Audrie & Daisy

Documentary that sheds light on two recent sexual assaults on teenagers in the U.S. amidst a culture of victim-blaming. “Sure to provoke a national discussion after events that led to California teen’s suicide – and scare viewers from laying foot near Maryville, Missouri.” -The Guardian Available from September 23

Amanda Knox

Explores the murder case that made headlines around the world. Was she a cold-blooded psychopath or tourist trapped in a nightmare? Available from September 30

The Big Short

Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt lead this Oscar-winning true story about the four outsiders who predicted the global economic meltdown. “Don’t let the subject matter put you off, this is a highly entertaining watch that’s full of belly laughs, but will nevertheless see you leaving the cinema feeling uncomfortable about what you’ve just watched.” -Steve Newall, Flicks Now on Netflix

A Few Good Men

Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore star in Rob Reiner’s 1992 drama about the dangerous difference between following orders and following one’s conscience. “That rarest of things: a top-level Hollywood court-room drama with the smarts to match its slick style.” -Empire Available from September 21

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Peter Jackson’s third film in his second trilogy based on the prequel book by JRR Tolkien. “A surprising amount of thrills, laughs and tension as opposed to the bloat of parts one and two.” -Steve Newall, Flicks. Available from September 26

Girl, Interrupted

Set in the late 1960’s, this is the searing true story of a young woman (Winona Ryder) who finds herself prescribed a “short rest” at a renowned mental institution. “Sensitive, well-acted.” -Washington Post Available from September 21

Narcos: Season 2

Continues the chronicle of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. “Each tightly packed episode moves quickly without sacrificing richness, chronicling the uneasy alliances and gross tactics employed to Snare Escobar.” -Entertainment Weekly Now on Netflix

Marvel’s Luke Cage

Following Jessica Jones and the first two seasons of Daredevil is this 13-episode debut of the man with super strength and unbreakable skin. Available from September 30

Full list of new Netflix titles | netflix.com

NEW TO iTUNES & GOOGLE PLAY

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Taika Waititi’s (Boy) adaptation of Barry Crump’s Wild Pork and Watercress. Stars Julian Dennison (Shopping), Rima Te Wiata (Housebound), Sam Neill. “Takes plenty of creative risks on its way to delivering movie magic.” -Steve Newall, Flicks Available now

Weiner

Documentary chronicling disgraced New York Congressman Anthony Weiner’s epic meltdown of a mayoral campaign. “A fabulously entertaining, gobsmackingly embarrassing, so-mad-it-must-be-true portrait of megalomania,” -Adam Fresco, Flicks Available now

Keanu

Comedy duo Key & Peele lead this crime comedy as two straight-laced cousins who enter their neighbourhood’s criminal underground to save their stolen and adorable kitten. “It’s ironic, but Keanu might be a better movie if it was more like TV.” -Time Out New York Available now

Me Before You

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Sam Clafin (the Hunger Games series) lead this UK romance drama. “If you want to see a bumblebee-stocking-wearing Khaleesi chip away at the prickly exterior of a rich, handsome, wheelchair-bound former banker, here’s your movie.” -Aaron Yap, Flicks Available now (on Blu-ray and DVD September 21)

X-Men: Apocalypse

Filmmaker Bryan Singer follows up his X-Men, X-Men 2 and Days of Future Past (as well as Matthew Vaughn’s First Class) with this all-encompassing entry to the Marvel mutant superhero franchise. “If you’re just in it to see mutants scrap it out, Dragon Ball Z-style, you’ll probably leave satisfied.” -Liam Maguren, Flicks Available from September 23