Each month, Netflix adds many new movies and television shows to its streaming lineup in order to keep viewers on their toes. I think we can all agree that this is a good thing – you can only binge the new season of “Stranger Things” so many times before you’re like, “Okay, I get it, everything was cooler back in the ’80s.” But the changes in Netflix’s monthly lineup are a double-edged sword; to keep balance (or maybe just for laughs?) the streaming service has to take away titles too. And I’m not going to sugarcoat things; this month is rough.
Let’s start with the good stuff, though. Starting November 1, baseball biopics “Field of Dreams” (1989) and “42” (2013) will be available to watch. If sports aren’t your thing, maybe you’ll enjoy “Charlotte’s Web” (2006) starring America’s favorite spider, “Chappie” (2015) which actually looks pretty cool (even though I still don’t know why Die Antwoord are in it), or Will Smith classics “Men in Black” (1997) and “The Pursuit of Happiness” (2006).
If you’re still feeling the Halloween spirit, “Scary Movie” (2000) is another title that arrived earlier this week. If you like sex jokes, the Spice Girls, any of the Wayans brothers, and weed – or just hate slasher flicks – this is the movie for you. It’s literally “Scream” (1996) but dumber, funnier, and better in every way. It just might be the greatest American film ever made, but if you’re too good for perfection, you can settle for Oculus (2013), Silent Hill (2006), and Casper (1995), which boasts Christina Ricci’s best performance. Why these movies are coming to Netflix in November of all months is a mystery, but who are we to question the gods?
As for new arrivals in the show department, the only one semi-worth mentioning is the long-hyped “The Punisher,” Netflix’s most recent addition to their comic book collection. I’m not quite sure what it’s about, if the Punisher is a good guy or a bad guy or whatever, but I’m sure it’ll be great – anything will be better than “Iron Fist.”
As usual, the list of titles leaving Netflix seems to be much longer than the one of titles coming in. As of November 1, Scorsese’s “Hugo” (2011), the revenge tale “Hard Candy” (2005) starring Ellen Page, and “Twilight” (2008) top the list of dropped films. “V for Vendetta” (2005) and the “Matrix” trilogy (1999, 2003), all written by the Wachowskis, will also be leaving – which is sad, seeing how I just recently heard this really great theory that the original “Matrix” is actually an allegory for transitioning from male to female. Mind blown.
Perhaps the most hard-hitting, heartbreaking departure this November is all five billion seasons of “How I Met Your Mother.” You heard me: after November 13, “How I Met Your Mother” will no longer be available to watch on Netflix. I personally couldn’t care less, but it seems like everyone on campus and their tutor watches this show. Maybe now that “HIMYM” is leaving, my friends will actually want to watch the shows I want them to watch. A man can dream, can’t he?