Netflix Streaming Report: Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and More

Welcome to your Netflix Streaming Report for August 6, 2015. After the long week you deserve a relaxing staycation with a bowl of popcorn, a bucket of ice cream, and only your Netflix queue to judge you. This past week, Netflix Watch Instant has been kind enough to supply us with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Welcome to Me, The Skeleton Twins, and more. Also see what’s new to Netflix Streaming this August.

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (Michael Showalter and David Wain) Rated TV-MA [30 min] – Follow the counselors and campers on their first day at Camp Firewood in the summer of 1981. Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Showalter, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Marguerite Moreau, Lake Bell, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Schwartzman, H. Jon Benjamin, Christopher Meloni, David Bloom, and Hailey Sole

To be honest, I don’t remember much about Wet Hot American Summer from when I first saw it a few years back. It didn’t leave any kind of impression on me and it has never been one that I’d say I would revisit. But after seeing First Day of Camp, I am inherently intrigued to rewatch the film, which is also available to stream on Netflix. This new series – or miniseries if they choose not to make another season – is absolutely fantastic. I dislike David Wain’s They Came Together, but the satire and overall goofiness of this world works within the confines of the story. All of the actors are incredible, and maybe it’s the 14-year gap that has made Wet Hot even better with age.

(Watch it now)

The Skeleton Twins (Craig Johnson) Rated R [93 min] – Having both coincidentally cheated death on the same day, estranged twins reunite with the possibility of mending their relationship. Starring Kristen Wiig, Ty Burrell, Bill Hader, and Luke Wilson

One of my favorite movies of 2014, The Skeleton Twins is a real honest character study of a brother-sister duo that have found each other on hard times. Together, their story is both loving and poignant. Hader and Wiig rock the socks off this film.

(Watch it now)

Welcome to Me (Shira Piven) Rated R [105 min] – When Alice Klieg wins the Mega-Millions lottery, she immediately quits her psychiatric meds and buys her own talk show. Starring Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Linda Cardellini, and Wes Bentley

And if you want a Wiig double feature night you can watch Welcome to Me. It’s not as well structured as The Skeleton Twins, but if you feel as though there isn’t enough sad characters in your life definitely fire this one up and let the emotions take flight. Wiig puts on another impactful performance, but the story and character could have been a little stronger.

(Watch it now)

The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow) Rated R [131 min] – During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work. Starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty

Relive the reason why James Cameron’s Avatar lost the Academy Award for Best Picture. And rightfully so.

(Watch it now)

Three Kings (David O. Russell) Rated R [114 min] – In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, 4 soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help. Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube

I’ve never seen Three Kings, but have liked David O. Russell’s recent works: The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Hustle. So now’s your chance to go back and check out one of his earlier works.