by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to the Buried Treasure of the Streaming World! This series takes a month’s worth of content at a time and sift out the buried treasure that exists on all forms of streaming. These films most likely fly under the radar, but now it is time to shine that spotlight on them and give them the attention they truly deserve. Time to dive in, shall we?
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (3.5/5 stars) — Netflix
Who got caught up in the swirl of hype that was Netflix’s launch of The Witcher? I honestly was not the biggest fan of the convoluted first season, but the concept is so great. When I heard that there was going to be an anime, Nightmare of the Wolf, coming from the world of The Witcher, I got quite excited. This anime is set in the history of the show when the world was inhabited by more Witchers. The action is well-rendered and intense as blood and guts fly everywhere. The mythos of the show is expanded, even if the narrative is still a little stuffed. With strong vocal standouts like Theo James and Graham McTavish, this anime is a great stream over on Netflix.
Birds of Paradise (3/5 stars) — Prime
Who would be interested in returning to the cut-throat world of ballet from the likes of Black Swan… but with teens? Yeah… that might not be the biggest sell, but the classic tale of competitive rivals butting heads is always ripe for new perspectives. Amazon delivers this new story from filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith with two young women at a top-notch Parisian ballet school. Diana Silvers and Kristine Froseth have impressive chemistry together and deliver plenty of tension that drives the narrative forward. Is the story unique and fresh? Not quite, but the characters and the filmmaking deliver enough drama to make a fun and engaging experience. Show this under-the-radar teen drama some love over on Prime and check out Birds of Paradise?
Nona (4/5 stars) — Disney+
Who says a film must be feature length to grab you by the heartstrings and deliver some emotions? Disney has a long legacy of creating wonderful short films that have captured the imaginations of plenty of people. As a fan of wrestling, Nona sparked memories of my grand mom walking by as I watched old wrestling DVDs and getting so involved (she genuinely believed they were all fighting for real). This short and sweet story of intergenerational connection and love is a little charming. The imagination packed in a tiny package is plenty of fun along with a few moments of genuine emotion. Enjoy these few moments of joy, sadness, and action over on Disney+.
Rare Beasts (3/5 stars) — VOD
Who is sick of the same old rom-com machine just popping out generic films full of cliches and tropes? Billie Piper seems like she did, and she delivers Rare Beast, a new “anti-rom-com.” Piper and Leo Bill embody a couple who are not your standard rom-com duo as they shoot sexual barbs and lewd comments back and forth. Their chemistry is strong as their characters balance on a tightrope of tension and suspense. Will they make it work? Should they? Piper not only stars, but also writes and directs this film as well. There are plenty of bold storytelling choices that create a unique viewing experience. Does Piper’s venture always come together? Not quite, but this is a memorable and bold film that is worth the support as we don’t see enough of these types of films.
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (3.5/5 stars) — Netflix
Who wants some happy little trees to brighten up their days? The fascination with Bob Ross is honestly quite impressive today. Whoever thought some random painting show guy from decades ago would become a meme and an internet icon? I would never have guessed, but I suppose good vibes go a long way. Everyone can use some happy accidents in their lives and the sweet effect of this lovable man. This Netflix Documentary, Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed, is a tale of two films: one is a standard documentary that is still inspired and shows the life and times of Ross. Then there is the other. The darker turns this film takes are semi-suspenseful, but not always related. The other side of the film is the aftermath and legal battles after Ross’ death. There is plenty to process and plenty to enjoy!