Playing sitcom star-turned-insult comedian Jackie Burke in “The Comedian,” Robert DeNiro digs into his best role since “Silver Linings Playbook.”
The increasingly bitter Burke is on a downward spiral, constantly borrowing money from his brother (Danny DeVito and sister-in-law (Patti LuPone) and performing in front of unresponsive audiences. An angry run-in with a podcaster earns Jackie community service at a soup kitchen, where he strikes sparks with the daughter (Leslie Mann) of a real-estate mogul (Harvey Keitel).
In addition to DeNiro’s killer turn as a celebrity fighting against the dying of the light, there’s plenty of incidental pleasures, including cameos by folks who’ve co-starred with DeNiro in previous projects. Flaws and all, “The Comedian” is a must-watch. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu.
Also New to VOD and Streaming
Fifty Shades Darker: The last time we saw Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and her S&M-loving billionaire boyfriend Christian (Jamie Dornan), they had severed their “arrangement” and were going their separate ways. But, this being a franchise, the couple is back together again for more drama, with Anastasia agreeing to reconcile on the condition that there are “no rules, no punishment and no more secrets.” Even though director Sam Taylor-Johnson has been replaced by James Foley (“Glengarry Glen Ross”), “Fifty Shades” is essentially more of the same, with Anastasia once again trying to save Christian from himself.
Expect kinky sex, opulence and a smidge more humor than in the first installment. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Paris 05:59: Theo (Geoffrey Couet) and Hugo (Francois Nabmo) might have the strangest courtship in the history of cinema. They lock eyes in a crowed Paris sex club and quickly enjoy a bout of passionate love-making. Afterwards, they go their separate ways, at least until they wind up in the emergency room where they re-connect over vending machine coffee. Soon, they’re strolling through the streets of early-morning Paris. Given the film’s explicit opening, it’s miraculous how the drama slowly transforms into such a sweet-natured love story. Not since “Before Sunrise,” has a movie captured so sensitively, in real time, the intricacies of falling in love. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Holy Hell: If you’ve ever wondered what life inside a cult would be like, check out this mesmerizing documentary directed by Will Allen, who spent 22 years as the in-house filmmaker for a mysterious, speedo-wearing “spiritual” guide named Michel. Allen was just out of film school when he joined a West Hollywood community that promised answers to some of life’s toughest questions. It would take more than two decades for Allen to realize the extent to which he was being manipulated. “Holy Hell” benefits not only from revealing interviews with former cult members but creepy footage of the groups’ rituals and retreats. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
MindGamers: A potentially fascinating premise about human minds being linked by a quantum computer is squandered in this sci-fi spectacle which is all flash and no substance. Even though “MindGamers” make some interesting comparisons between religion and science, it’s not enough to sustain a movie that occasionally feels like “The Matrix” remade as a video game. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
Small Crimes: After serving time for the attempted murder of a District Attorney, disgraced former cop Joe Denton (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) returns home looking for redemption. But Joe quickly finds himself trapped in the cross fire between a crooked sheriff, a vengeful DA, and a mafia kingpin. Expects heaps of tension and atmosphere. On Neftlix.
The Great War: This six-hour World War I documentary, which was originally broadcast on PBS, explores the conflict from a handful of fresh angles. In addition to chronicling the experiences of the American troops who became known as “doughboys,” the series delves into the little-known participation of African-American and Latino soldiers as well as suffragists and Native American “code talkers.” There’s also plenty of compelling information about how the War abroad led to a crackdown of civil liberties at home. Fascinating stuff. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
For The Kids
Anne With an E – Season 1: Netflix and “Breaking Bad” scripter Moira Walley-Beckett have teamed up to give fresh life to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved 1908 novel, “Anne of Green Gables,” which follows the adventures of a strong-willed yet effervescent orphan (Amybeth McNulty) who is adopted by unmarried siblings (Geraldine James, R.H. Thomson) and sent to live on Canada’s bucolic Prince Edward Island. Walley-Beckett takes a remarkably adult approach to Montgomery’s book in an effort to expose the often troubling psychological issues which helped shape Anne’s personality. If the series clicks, Netflix promises four more seasons. On Netflix.
Teen Titles
We Are X: The same production team behind the Oscar-winning “Searching For Sugar Man” is responsible for this exploration of the heavy metal band X Japan, which has sold an astonishing 30 million records around the world. At the center of the action is Yoshiki, X Japan’s drummer, pianist, composer and producer who speaks candidly about his often painful life. He’s an interesting figure but “We Are X” never really transcends the rock doc genre. That said, “We Are X’ is a fine introduction to an outfit that seems poised to conquer America. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
The Free Man: You’ve heard of extreme sports athletes but have you ever sampled the stunts of extreme sports performing artists? Olympic Freestyle skier Jossi Wells meets the Flying Frenchies to find out what drives these fearless souls to perform all kinds of stunts, including highlining, all over the world. On Amazon, Google, iTunes and Vudu
