“Whiplash” (streaming now)

Damien Chazelle’s 2014 breakthrough remains a thrilling look at abusive mentor-mentee relationships and the things we’re willing to sacrifice in pursuit of excellence. Miles Teller stars as a jazz drummer struggling to keep his head above water at an elite music institution while his instructor (JK Simmons) pushes him far beyond the bounds of common decency. Tense and unrelenting, it’s a near-perfect thriller that showed the endless potential Chazelle would unleash on the world over the next decade. If you missed a chance to see the 10th anniversary theatrical re-release, we suggest you hurry (don’t delay) and stream it on Netflix.

“Sixteen Candles” (streaming now)

If the holiday season has you itching for some comforting nostalgia, you could do a lot worse than throw back some John Hughes. The king of teen comedies made his directorial debut with 1984’s Sixteen Candles, which established his signature formula of Chicago high school romances, often starring Molly Ringwald. But even if she’d never picked up a camera, “Sixteen Candles” would still hold its own as a classic saga about a girl whose big birthday is overshadowed by her sister’s unexpected wedding and must alone the fun when everyone else is ignoring her. .

“Superbad” (Now Airing)

If John Hughes is ahead of your formative years and you’re looking for high school nostalgia of the more recent variety, maybe “Superbad” will be more your speed. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s screenwriting debut is arguably the definitive studio comedy of the 2000s, combining unapologetic hope with a borderline whimsical tale of two high school outcasts just trying to have a little fun before heading off to college . No matter how many times you’ve rewatched it, many of the jokes still hold up, ensuring its title as one of the funniest comedies of the 21st century remains undisputed.

“The Lost City” (streaming Nov. 9)

All the fuss in Hollywood about the death of original, star-driven films is often justified. But every now and then, a studio releases a piece of fluffy entertainment that makes you forget you ever heard the phrase “cinematic universe.” Such was the case with The Lost City, Aaron and Adam Nee’s lighthearted comedy about a successful romance novelist who teams up with her cover model after they both become targets of an eccentric billionaire who is obsessed with her books. The film is largely an excuse to allow Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum to be ridiculous together – although they are supported by a delightfully villainous performance from Daniel Radcliffe and a great cameo from Brad Pitt. If you’re looking for a little star power to brighten your day, it’s a great choice to stream.

“Fast and Furious” Collection (Streaming Nov. 12)

There may come a day when you feel an urge that can only be satisfied by a ridiculous piece of action movie. Something where the show takes precedence over everything else and you can be sure that you can just enjoy car chases and explosions. If that’s you this month, maybe the Fast and Furious movies will be to your liking. Netflix is ​​releasing the first six films in the never-ending franchise, making sure there will be no shortage of testosterone-fueled racing throughout the holidays.

“Emilia Perez” (streaming November 13)

When Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the consensus was that it had to be seen to be believed. An extended musical about a former cartel boss who tries to get sex-confirmation surgery and fake his own death in order to leave his life of crime behind, Audiard’s film takes every opportunity to make bold choices that they will polarize the public. With stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez well positioned as Oscar contenders, “Emilia Perez” could be a movie you’ll be hearing about for the next six months. Love him or hate him, you’re unlikely to ever forget him.

“The Piano Lesson” (streaming November 22)

With his 2016 work “Fences,” Denzel Washington embarked on one of the most ambitious projects of his career: adapting all 10 plays of August Wilson’s Century Cycle, which tells ten different stories about black families in Pittsburgh throughout the century the 20th, in a feature film. movies. He has stepped into a producer role for the second film in the series, 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. And this month, audiences will be able to experience the third adaptation, The Piano Lesson.

Malcolm Washington adapts one of Wilson’s best-known plays, which follows a Pittsburgh family who are torn about what to do with their prized piano, which was decorated by their enslaved ancestors. A nuanced story about the burden and opportunity of legacy, the source material should provide an ideal canvas for the film’s A-list cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler and John David Washington.