Netflix Streaming Selections to Help Prepare for Comic-Con 2014
Are you headed to San Diego for Comic-Con this year? Here is a list of Netflix streaming options to help you prepare for the con.
Movie Selections:
Donnie Darko (2001)
Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Writer-director Richard Kelly’s trippy, mind-bending feature debut stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a troubled Midwestern teenager plagued by incessant sleepwalking, family drama and visions of a menacing 6-foot-tall, doomsday-prophesying rabbit.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Dwayne Johnson, Jonathan Pryce, Byung-hun Lee, Elodie Yung, Ray Stevenson, D.J. Cotrona
In this action-packed sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the elite anti-terrorist team finds itself ambushed and framed for treason by global mercenary Zartan. Driven into hiding, the warriors devise a desperate plan to defeat Zartan’s forces.
Hellboy (2004)
Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Selma Blair, Rupert Evans, Karel Roden, Jeffrey Tambor
Based on Mike Mignola’s cult comic book series, this fast-paced live-action film tells the dark story of Hellboy, a charismatic demon who’s put on Earth by the Nazis to terrorize the rest of the world. But Hellboy has other plans. Deciding to fight for good instead of evil, he vows to rid the world of supernatural monsters and the powers that rule them.
Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
An all-star lineup of superheroes — including Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and Captain America — team up to save the world from certain doom. Working under the authority of S.H.I.E.L.D., can our heroes keep the planet at peace?
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho
This sequel returns much of the cast from the Star Trek feature released in 2009, breathing new life into the seemingly ageless space franchise. Led by the intrepid Captain Kirk, the Enterprise crew still includes Scotty, Spock and Chekov as well.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Earl Boen, Joe Morton
A reprogrammed Terminator arrives from the future to protect young John Connor from a relentless shape-shifting cyborg in this sequel to Terminator. On the run, John and his guardian seek John’s mother, Sarah, who is locked away in an insane asylum.
The Expendables 2 (2012)
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews
In this high-octane thriller, Mr. Church brings the Expendables back together for an easy job — but things go wrong, and one of the mercenaries is brutally murdered. Now the band of hired guns goes on a mission of revenge in hostile territory.
World War Z (2013)
Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, David Morse, Ludi Boeken
A U.N. employee races against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop the spread of a deadly zombie pandemic. As the undead hordes gain strength across the globe, governments topple and Earth stands on the brink of total social collapse.
TV Selections:
American Horror Story: Season 1-2
Exploring humankind’s unsettling capacity for evil, this darkly twisted drama plays upon the power of supernatural fears and everyday horrors. Each season brings back familiar faces, but they’re playing different characters in an all-new setting.
This adaptation of the story of DC Comics’ Green Arrow stars Stephen Amell as the titular character, an affluent playboy who becomes an archer superhero at night, saving the city from villains armed with just a bow and arrows.
Everyone knows what happened in Psycho, but this chilling series takes viewers inside Norman Bates’ world before Marion Crane checked in. The story opens following Mr. Bates’ death, as Norman and his mother buy the motel that will bear their name.
Socially awkward forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan teams up with intuitive FBI agent Seeley Booth to investigate crimes that have left scant evidence behind: namely, the bones of the deceased.
Raised by their dad to fight supernatural forces, grown siblings Dean and Sam crisscross the country in their 1967 Chevy Impala, investigating paranormal activity and picking fights with deadly demons, ghosts and monsters.
When escaped serial killer Joe Carroll goes on a new killing spree, reclusive former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is called in, having captured Carroll nine years ago. Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has a loyal following of killers ready to terrorize.
The Vampire Diaries: Season 1-4
Trapped in adolescent bodies, feuding vampire brothers Stefan and Damon vie for the affection of captivating teenager Elena, who attempts to unravel the many dark secrets of her hometown of Mystic Falls.
In the wake of a zombie apocalypse that desolates the world as we know it, a group of survivors led by police officer Rick Grimes holds on to the hope of humanity by banding together to wage a never-ending fight for their own survival.
Besides being an artist and the mother of two daughters, Joanna Beauchamp harbors an identity she hides from the world: that of a centuries-old witch. But she hasn’t told her two daughters that they too are witches — until fate forces her hand.
Kick-Ass Women
Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
Thrill seeker Lara Croft journeys to an underwater temple, where she finds a sphere that contains a map pointing to the mythical Pandora’s Box. But the orb is promptly stolen by the leader of a Chinese crime syndicate.
Emily VanCamp in Revenge: Season 1-2
Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, this modern-day drama follows a lovely young woman who moves to the Hamptons and charms the pants off her new neighbors — while plotting their downfall for sins committed against her family.
Jennifer Garner in Alias: Season 1-5
Created by J.J. Abrams, this action-packed spy series made a star of lithe leading lady Jennifer Garner, who redefined armed and dangerous as double agent Sydney Bristow, a CIA operative whose mission is to destroy a global crime syndicate.
Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games (2012)
In a dystopian future ruled by a totalitarian regime, resourceful Katniss and her partner, Peeta, represent their district in the lethal Hunger Games, a televised survival competition in which teenage contestants fight each other to the death.
Summer Glau in Serenity (2005)
Malcolm Reynolds, captain of the ship Serenity, picks up two fugitives from the powerful coalition ruling the universe. Mal and his mates find themselves at the center of a cosmic conflict, pursued by military forces and space-roaming savages.
Maggie Q in Nikita: Season 1-3
Nikita is one of the most highly skilled assassins on the planet, and her target is the mysterious corporation that created her. The Division, as it’s known, picks up at-risk teens to train as killers, and Nikita will do anything to bring it down.
Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s articulate direction and Woo-Ping Yuen’s balletic martial arts choreography elevate this story about a young woman in ancient China who longs for an adventurous life rather than a dull arranged marriage.
Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element (1997)
In this imaginative sci-fi epic, a 23rd-century cabbie finds himself involved with a fetching alien who may hold the key to saving the world. But it’s curtains for planet Earth unless the duo can stay a step ahead of a demented villain named Zorg.
Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 1-7
Despite her desire to live a normal life at Sunnydale High, tough-as-nails teenager Buffy Summers fulfills her mystical calling as a Slayer by protecting humankind from vampires, demons and other malevolent supernatural creatures.
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) & Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)
In the first volume of this gritty revenge saga, an assassin is shot at the altar by her ruthless employer, Bill, and other members of their assassination circle. But she survives and sets out to kill all those who wronged her, saving Bill for last. In the second installment of Quentin Tarantino’s action thriller, The Bride has three left on her rampage list: Budd, Elle Driver and, of course, Bill himself. But when she arrives at Bill’s house, she’s in for a surprise.
Animated Favorites:
Young Finn and his shape-shifting dog buddy, Jake, have a series of surreal adventures as they journey through the postapocalyptic Land of Ooo, encountering odd situations that involve even odder characters in this quirky animated series.
“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane strikes again with this animated comedy about politically conservative CIA agent Stan Smith and his eccentric brood, a family unit that includes a talking goldfish with the brain of an East German athlete.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Season 1-2
Deep in New Jersey lurks an evil that only smart-mouthed fast-food superheroes Master Shake, Meatwad and Frylock can squelch in this off-the-wall animated series that pits the mismatched trio against monsters, aliens and their neighbor Carl.
Archer: Season 1-4
Sophisticated spy Archer may have the coolest gadgets, but he still has issues when it comes to dealing with his boss — who also happens to be his mother — in this wicked animated spoof of spy flicks and the sex-crazed agents who populate them.
Bob’s Burgers: Season 1-3
In this animated series, hamburger restaurant owner Bob Belcher, his happy-go-lucky wife, Linda, and their three rambunctious kids try to outwit a rival eatery and overcome their own family dysfunction to get their greasy spoon off the ground.
In Seth MacFarlane’s no-holds-barred animated show, buffoonish Peter Griffin and his dysfunctional family — including wife Lois, children Meg, Chris and Stewie, and dog Brian — experience wacky misadventures.
Futurama: Season 1-10
Pizza boy Philip J. Fry awakens in the 31st century after 1,000 years of cryogenic preservation in this animated series. After he gets a job at an interplanetary delivery service, Fry embarks on ridiculous escapades to make sense of his predicament.
Stop-motion comedy, parody and anarchy are rolled into one in this demented series. The Robot Chicken himself is an unfortunate creature rescued by a mad scientist and forced to watch movie satires, fake ads and other faux-TV programming nonstop.
Based on the comic strip by Aaron McGruder, this satirical animated series follows the socially conscious misadventures of Huey Freeman, a preternaturally smart 10-year-old who relocates from inner-city Chicago to the suburbs.
Teenage numbskulls Hank and Dean, with their embittered mad scientist father, Dr. Rusty Venture, and he-man bodyguard, Brock Samson, face off with a string of oddball villains in this madcap parody of the adventure cartoon “Jonny Quest.”
Comics Brought to Life:
Astonishing X-Men: Set 2-4
Writer Joss Whedon brings a 21st century vision of the X-Men to this motion comic series. Cyclops and Emma Frost plan to reform the X-Men’s purpose is derailed when a “cure” for mutants is discovered, and ferocious enemies test them to their limits.
The classic Batman tales takes on darker overtones in this Daytime Emmy Award-winning animated series that revisits billionaire Bruce Wayne at retirement age, when he passes the torch — and his costume — on to teen protégé Terry McGinnis.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Season 1-3
Batman travels to different times — even to different dimensions — to fight crime in this animated series, which finds the Caped Crusader teaming up with Green Arrow, Plastic Man and other superheroes to thwart a host of cunning villains.
Doctor Strange (2007)
Seeking to heal from a tragic past, Dr. Stephen Strange makes a life-altering journey to Tibet. As he begins to recover, he gains mystical powers and soon embarks on his mission of protecting humanity and saving the planet from destruction.
Green Lantern: The Animated Series: Season 1
In the farthest reaches of deep space, Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, patrols the Guardian Frontier, where he must face invasions from the evil Red Lantern Corps, which has sworn to destroy the Green Lanterns and everything they stand for.
Hulk Vs. (2009)
Who would win in a battle between Hulk and Wolverine? How about Hulk vs. Thor? Find out in this action-packed animated double feature, which pits the unruly green superhero against two of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful characters.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Season 1-2
In this action-driven animated series, teen phenom Tony Stark takes to the skies with help from an ingeniously engineered suit of armor, taking down villains to learn the truth about his late father’s mysterious passing.
Anything’s possible in this animated series when world-famous superheroes — including Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Batman and Robin — band together to fight crime as the Justice League of America.
Justice League Unlimited: Season 1-2
As humanity faces threats from all kinds of new and vile villains, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and a dozens of other animated superheroes create a league from which they form small, specialized teams to combat each new menace.
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble: Season 1
After Iron Man persuades his fellow superheroes to reunite, the Avengers combine their skills to battle both longtime foes and deadly new villains.
Marvel’s Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United (2013)
When scientists join Hulk’s gamma energy with Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor, the resulting force creates a foe that only the two Marvel heroes can combat.
Planet Hulk (2010)
When Earth’s superheroes exile the volatile Incredible Hulk to a distant planet called Sakaar, the muscle-bound green monster is sold into slavery. But he soon joins forces with his fellow slaves to fight for his freedom — and a chance for revenge.
Neil Patrick Harris, Ian Ziering and Lisa Loeb lend their voices to this animated TV version of the comic book and hit film. The show picks up with Peter Parker in college, trying to juggle a personal life and his superhero duties battling baddies.
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: Season 1-3
Joined by his friends Firestar and Iceman, the amazing Spider-Man swings into battle against New York City’s most dangerous villains, using his superhuman strength, agility and ability to climb walls.
The Invincible Iron Man (2007)
In this animated adventure, inventor Tony Stark digs up more than he bargained for when he unearths an evil entity buried for centuries in an ancient Chinese ruin. To protect himself from the destructive force, Tony designs a high-tech suit of armor.
This classic animated series chronicles the ongoing war between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, giant, intelligent robots that can transform into vehicles. With Earth as the battleground, mankind’s future pivots on the outcome.
Transformers Prime: Season 1-3
In this animated update to the Transformers franchise, the Autobots once again protect Earth from the onslaught of the Decepticons and their villainous leader, Megatron. This time around, the Autobots find powerful allies in three humans.
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising (2013)
Unicron is revived and takes over Megatron’s body to seek revenge on the Autobots in this feature-length conclusion to the Transformers Prime series.
Transformers: Rescue Bots: Season 1-2
Together with human counterparts who are a family of emergency responders, four young transformers, Heatwave, Chase, Blades and Boulder, are tasked by Optimus Prime to protect and study the ways of humanity on the island of Griffin Rock.
Ultimate Spider-Man: Season 1-2
Peter Parker comes of age in an epic tale that finds him torn between his teenage life and a war between SHIELD and villain Norman Osborn. The series follows 16-year-old Peter as he comes to terms with his origins and new abilities.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Season 1
To bring down the powerful Mutant Response Division and ward off a catastrophic future seen by the missing Professor Xavier, Wolverine reunites with Storm, Rogue, Cyclops, Beast and the other X-Men to wage a war against the enemies of humanity.
This explosive animated series captures X-Men favorites as teenagers, coping with their nascent mutant powers under the guidance of Professor X or archrival Magneto. Between battles, the series adds depth to many characters’ backstories.
This animated series follows Robin, Aqualad and other teenage superhero sidekicks as they form a secret crimefighting squad to save the world and prove they’ve got the chops to join their mentors in the adults-only Justice League.
Anime:
When four young wizards from the rowdiest, most destructive guild in Fiore team up to take jobs across the kingdom, they forge a bond more powerful than any magic and grow stronger with every mission.
Ryuko Matoi is a vagrant school girl traveling from place to place searching for clues to the truth behind her father’s death – the “woman with the scissor blade.” The journey had led Ryuko to Honnouji Academy. Honnouji Academy – where an elite group of students is granted superhuman powers by their special uniforms called the “Goku Uniform.” With the power of the uniform, the student body president, Satsuki Kiryuin rules the students with unquestioned power and fear. Satsuki holds the secret to the “scissor blade” and Ryuko confronts Satsuki to gain information but… Was their encounter a mere coincidence or fate? The clash between the two will soon consume the whole academy!
An original anime series about Nagate, a low-born youth in a society of genetically engineered humans, refugees that escaped the destruction of Earth one thousand years earlier and now occupy the massive ship Sidonia. When Nagate’s talent as a pilot is revealed he becomes one of Sidonia’s elite defenders against the Gauna, shapeshifting aliens bent on eliminating humans from existence. Based on the popular Japanese manga comic.
Fuu is a spacey waitress at a teahouse where a swordfight breaks out between two warriors. In exchange for saving the pair from execution, Fuu demands that they accompany her on a journey to find “a samurai who smells of sunflowers.”
This is the story that goes back to zero, back to the beginning. The Holy Grail War – Seven Masters summon seven Servants and fight until one remains.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
After failing to resurrect their dead mother using the taboo science of alchemy — and suffering physical losses in the process — brothers Edward and Alphonse battle nefarious forces in an effort to reclaim their bodies in this supernatural anime.
Eden of the East
Waking naked outside the White House, Akira Takizawa has no memory — and his only clues are the gun and cell phone he holds in his hands. It turns out his phone gives him access to billions of yen, and he’s connected to a recent terrorist attack. Akira soon discovers he’s a key player in a deadly international game — and if he doesn’t get the rules right, he’ll wind up dead in this anime adventure series.
For over a century, people have been living behind barricades to block out the giant Titans that threaten to destroy the human race. When a Titan destroys his hometown, young Eren Yeager becomes determined to fight back.
Video game whiz Kirito helps create a new technology that enables players to guide their online avatars with their own bodies. Once the game is introduced, however, Kirito finds a dark twist hidden in the new virtual universe.
Trigun
On a distant, deserted planet that resembles America’s Old West, outlaw Vash the Stampede — who is a walking disaster — wanders from town to town with two insurance agents in pursuit trying to minimize the destruction.
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