The psychological thriller Side Effects (2013) is available on Amazon Instant Video. Starring Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum, and Rooney Mara, the film tells the story of a young woman whose depression medication leads to surprising and devastating side effects, and the ensuing investigation her psychiatrist takes upon himself to clear his name. The film is both a poignant commentary on our generation's trust of the pharmaceutical industry, and a story full of plot twists reminiscent of Hitchcock.
Looking for something for the family? Netflix just added a slew of Disney animated films to their instant streaming options—Hercules, The Jungle Book, and Wind in the Willows, just to name a few. Walt Disney defined and shaped the art of animated film story-telling, and these films are a part of that tradition.
The Academy Award-nominated Children of Heaven (1997) is streaming on Netflix this weekend. The Iranian family drama follows brother and sister Ali and Zahra, growing up in a poor family in South Tehran. When Ali loses Zahra's shoes, the two devise a plan to share Ali's pair of Converse sneakers so they can both attend school. The critically acclaimed picture was an Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film in 1998.
Kicking off HBO's documentary series, consider viewing Kevorkian (2010) on Hulu this weekend. The documentary is a portrait of the man who came to be known as "Dr. Death" for his participation in over 130 assisted suicides. Interviews with Kevorkian's famous lawyer, his sister Flora, his jail cell mate, and the doctor himself reveal a multi-faceted man who still claims, "I don't have regrets."
