Here’s What’s New On Netflix In December, Including ‘Wolf Of Wall Street’ And ‘American Beauty’

You’re going to have some time off this month due to a jolly fat man in a frilly suit breaking into your home — oh and Santa Claus is coming by too. So between all the breaking and entering and gift-giving and snow-ins, you should have plenty of time to shut yourself in and watch a few programs on your trusty Netflix streaming service. We already know what we won’t be streaming this month, but now let’s take a look at some of the new programs being stuffed down our digital chimneys this month.

The 8 Movies/Specials You Should Definitely Watch In December

1.) American Beauty

The magic of director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball’s American Beauty lies in the pair’s ability to not juggle, but weave together the vapid facets of the supposed “American Dream” into a tale of love and loss along the mortality highway, with its many detours and off-ramps. The characters are presented — warts and all — with an ambiguity that allows the audience to both compare themselves and distance themselves from their craggily constitutions. Annette Bening and Kevin Spacey put in career-defining performances in this instant classic.

2.) Out of Time

Denzel Washington is fantastic in this edge-of-your-seat popcorn flick. He plays a police chief who races against time to exonerate himself from a crime he didn’t commit while seeking evidence that will implicate the real culprits. If you want something more cerebral, this isn’t the ticket to punch, but if you’re looking for a concise thrill ride with a good payoff, then give Out of Time some time.

3.) The Wolf of Wall Street

Sure, it contains so many F-bombs it would make Andrew Dice Clay blush. Sure, there’s enough debauchery in it to make the inhabitants of Skid Row turn in horror. Sure, it’s a lengthy investment of your time. But through the facade of drugs, breasts, and midget-tossing, there lies a potent tale of corruption, greed, and the importance of staying true to one’s sense of honor and integrity. Also, it’s a ton of fun and masterfully choreographed by Martin Scorsese.

4.) Child of God

I’m taking a chance here because I didn’t actually see Child of God, but I did read the slim book it’s based upon, by Cormac McCarthy, and it’s riveting. Highly violent, highly deviant, the tale thrusts you into the mind of a murderous outsider who descends down a rabbit hole of depravity that few have ever embarked upon. You’re going to want to take a shower after this one.


5.) Almost Famous

Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film, chronicling his time as a young music journalist, is filled to the brim with charm and the kind of coming-of-age bravado that few directors, like John Hughes, can pull off with so much gusto. Crowe does an amazing job taking us on a whirlwind of fame and maturation.

6.) Bill Burr: I’m Sorry You Feel That Way

Full-time comedian and part-time actor Bill Burr is one of those special breeds that can meld biting satire, scathing monologues, and potent storytelling all into one great big mass of hilarity. Like Louis C.K., Burr almost never disappoints with his comedy.

7.) The Village

It’s possible I may be the only person on the planet that enjoyed The Village, but I found M. Night Shyamalan’s rumination on the processing of grief to be a nice, semi-poetic ride. No, it’s not perfect, and it’s nowhere near the excellence of his earlier work, but there is a genuine sweetness and heart to this film that endures to this day, and that counts for something.

8.) Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: Super Sized Version 

With a running time of two and a half hours, this new cut of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues features over 700 new gags and bits. So, if you liked the sequel, now you can have much more of it. Kind of sells itself, doesn’t it?

You might want to also check out Netflix’s newest original show, Marco Polo, which is a period piece boasting a healthy dose of action and drama. Here’s the rest of the stuff coming to the streaming service in December:

“A Knight’s Tale”
“Bewitched”
“Jewtopia”
“Knights Of Badassdom”
“Madison”
“Out of the Clear Blue Sky”
“The Out-of-Towners”
“Troop Beverly Hills”
“Oculus” (Dec. 3)
“Son of God” (Dec. 3)
“Ava & Lala” (Dec. 6)
“Sharknado 2: The Second One” (Dec. 6)
“I Am Ali” (Dec. 9)
“Drive Hard” (Dec. 9)
“A Haunted House 2” (Dec. 10)
“Nick Offerman: American Ham” (Dec. 12)
“Don’t Blink” (Dec. 13)
“Jake Squared” (Dec. 15)
“Ragnarok”(Dec. 18)
“Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” (Dec. 20)
“Dark Skies” (Dec. 22)
“Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” (Dec. 22)
“The Trip To Italy” (Dec. 23)
“Legends Of Oz: Dorothy’s Return” (Dec. 24)
“Good People” (Dec. 25)
“Labor Day” (Dec. 27)
“Behaving Badly” (Dec. 28)
“I, Frankenstein” (Dec. 28)
“Last Weekend” (Dec. 30)

TV Shows
“Turbo FAST” (Additional episodes)
“‘American Horror Story: Coven” (Dec. 6)
“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” Season 3 (Dec. 8)
“Broadchurch: Season 1” (Dec. 12)
“The Honourable Woman,” Season 1 (Dec. 18)
“All Hail King Julien” (Dec. 19)
“Comedy Bang! Bang!” Season 3 (Dec. 28)
“Maron,” Season 2 (Dec. 28)
“Jessie,” Season 3 (Dec. 28)

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