As part of their Black Friday discounts, both Amazon and Staples are offering the 3rd generation Apple TV for $89.

Staples were the first to offer the Apple TV at $89 with free shipping, and whilst it doesn’t seem like much of a discount, money off Apple TV’s doesn’t happen very often. Amazon quickly followed and will price match Staples, which might appeal to users more if signed up for the Amazon Prime service.

Purchase the Apple TV now for $89 at Staples here or Amazon here. At 10% off it’s the perfect chance to pick up the best media streaming device currently on the market.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ to be first to know about all Black Friday 2013 deals.

The post Black Friday deal: Apple TV 3 available for $89 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The thermometer is taking a dip around this part of our hemisphere and that means that indoor activities are becoming more crucial than ever. One of our default picks for indoor entertainment is firing up the big screen and downloading the latest to give our weekends a little junk culture jolt.  And this weekend we might just lock the doors, order pizza, commandeer the couch then call it a movie marathon and here’s our top choices for that race.

NETFLIX:

• TV Pick of the Week– The 3rd Season of one of the most vibrant sitcoms on TV, “Louie”, has just been added and CK is still bringing all the laughs along with his own unique take on our modern world and one of the most incisive looks at the urban reality, from the profane to the glorious, of current day NYC and its excitable inhabitants.  And 13 more episodes means hours of spit-your-drink-through-your-nose scenes from one of the most humanely twisted comics around!

Buy “Louie” on DVD from Amazon.

• One of our all-time favorite Musical Classics just dropped so get on board with the Kids from Rydell High in 1978’s, “Grease”. Where do we start?  50’s Boy (a shockingly young and charming John Travolta) meets Girl (a fresh-faced, honey-voiced Olivia Newton-John), loses Girl and you know the rest as great songs and high energy dancing bust out all over the place.  With the late, great Jeff Conaway in the role he was born to play (Kenickie) and Stockyard Channing matching him all the way as the Main Pink Lady/Bad Girl (Rizzo), who can forget the cleverly wicked, “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee”, or the raucous, “Greased Lightning”? Hell, they’ve got romance, love songs, a drag race, a climactic H.S Dance and “You’re the One that I Want”!  You’ll be singing along all the way to the end, then replaying it over and over.

Buy “Grease” on DVD from Amazon.

• Bless the NF Gods because perhaps the best film of the 90’s, “Fargo”, has finally dropped and we can’t wait to see it again.  Arguably a near perfect effort from the brilliant Coen Brothers (Joel and Ethan), this modern day classic grabs you in a headlock and never lets up no matter how much you may laugh at this very, very dark tale of greed, crime and punishment.  William Macy is unforgettably squirmy as the desperately grasping, in-way-over-his-head used car salesman who sets the wheels of violence in motion then spends the rest of the film trying to frantically free himself from the slowly grinding gears. Oscar Winner Frances McDormand as Police Chief Marge Gunderson is the hilarious antidote to the poisonous chain of events that swirl around her as she doggedly chases down all the bad eggs while still courageously clinging to all her hope with her warm humanity. With Steve Buscemi (kinda funny lookin’) and Peter Stormare as an ill-matched pair of casually malicious career criminals along for the ride, this is simply and simultaneously one of the blackest, bleakest, funniest and most strangely inspiring stories of murder, mayhem and random idiocy run amok you’ll ever witness.  Classic!

Buy “Fargo” on DVD from Amazon.

• And if you’re still craving more hardcore crime then all hail Director Abel Ferarra’s 1990 masterpiece, “King of New York”. With the inimitable Christopher Walken as the title gangster looking to make a difference in his dirty world, the cast also includes then relative unknowns Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, David Caruso, Giancarlo Esposito (and even a bit from Steve Buscemi) in this always riveting, consistently shocking and intensely passionate tale of a crime lord who knows his clock is ticking but wants to go down fighting nonetheless.  Nobody does NYC characters like the native Ferrara and nobody lets the City’s hard edge shine more than he does!

Buy “King Of New York” on DVD from Amazon.

HULU PLUS:

• Looks like an Abel Ferrara kind of weekend because HP has 1992’s, “Bad Lieutenant”, available this week. Not to be confused with the Herzog/Cage remake, this original features a searing performance from Harvey Keitel as a deeply corrupted NYC detective degenerating into a full blown meltdown as he struggles to keep all his demons at bay while his fingers are in every pie he can reach. Harvey’s a tax-payers nightmare come to raging life and his creepy crawly disintegration is a sight to behold.

Buy “Bad Lieutenant” on DVD from Amazon.

• Director Oliver Stone’s Academy Award Winner, 1986’s “Platoon”, landed this week and if you’re in the mood for scathing war dramas, they just don’t get much more scorching than this one. With Charlie Sheen as a babe-in-the-woods (pre-tigers blood era) and bravura performances from both Willem DaFoe and Tom Berenger as the men who he follows into his own personal hell as they try to guide him through their respective Vietnam minefields in their own very different ways. Harsh, unforgiving and unforgettable.

 Buy “Platoon” on DVD from Amazon.

• TV Pick of the Week– “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” just debuted and is available for your viewing pleasure. This series has its rough edges (like most sitcoms at the start) and hasn’t quite hit its stride just yet but it has enough wacky, winning characters and packs enough laughs in its 22 minutes to make it a good bet for the long haul.  With Andre Braugher flexing some wry comic muscles as the Captain and Chelsea Peretti robbing scenes blind as office arbitrator Gina Linetti, Andy Samberg definitely has a chance to prove that he can effortlessly carry the show if it falters.  Try it, you might like it.

iTunes:

• 2013’s, “This Is The End”, is here… And if you’re in the market for slacker/stoner/sex-starved sarcasm, snark and self-parody then this is the Hollywood home movie for you. With Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Jay Baruchel and Craig Robinson, be prepared to laugh your asses off as the insulated world of this comedy Rat Pack comes to a hilarious finish. And Emma Watson too!

 Buy “This is The End” on DVD from Amazon.

• Are you ready for Giant Robots vs. Giant Monsters? We thought so. Well, let’s just say that Director Guillermo Del Toro is in charge of the mayhem so you are in for an earth-shaking rumble of truly epic dimensions with all the smallest details biven loving attention.  2013’s, “Pacific Rim”, is here with Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi and Ron Perlman as the Players in this rock ‘em-sock ‘em battle for the planet. Be prepared for nerdgasms, fanboys and girls because this is gonna get messy!

Buy “Pacific Rim” on DVD from Amazon.

• Speaking of fanboys, 2013’s, “Iron Man 3”, by Director Shane Black this time, has touched down and do we really need to say anything more about arguably the most popular superhero franchise ever made? “3” has all the old, familiar faces, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Jon Favreau along for the ride with RDJ but also features some hot new blood with Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley filling out the shellhead roster. And this ride is worth it as Shane definitely gives this superhero/supervillian tale his own tricky twists.

Buy “Iron Man 3” on DVD from Amazon.

That’s all for this week so save us a seat and don’t hog the remote!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Oct. 11 – 13) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The weekend is here and for us that means long, lazy hours on the couch/bed carefully monitoring the very latest in cyber-cinematic culture.  And we’re not sure exactly how much culture our pix picks are packing this week…but we like what we see!  So if you’re in a viewing mood, here are this week’s winners.

NETFLIX:

• First off we’ve got a very slightly different family film from Director Lisa Cholodenko, featuring a very slightly different type of family.  2010’s “The Kids Are Alright” is here with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo in a story about itchy long term relationships, scratchy teen angst, family dynamics and the consequences of an unexpected addition of a nebulous father figure into an otherwise estrogen heavy mix.  Heartfelt, fun and reassuring in surprising ways.

Buy “The Kids Are Alright” on DVD from Amazon.

• You may, or maybe not, have noticed that “Rush” is in theaters now and if you still can’t get enough of your Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing thrills then tune in and treat yourself to one of the best sports docs we’ve ever seen, 2010’s “Senna”. Tracking the career of the Brazilian genius behind the wheel, Aryton Senna, this riveting film captures every facet of the excitement, glory and grungy politics of F1 through the eyes of one of its most compelling and controversial stars.  And never fear, you won’t have to know anything about Formula 1 racing to fully enjoy this thrilling, subtle and moving documentary.

Buy “Senna” on DVD from Amazon.

• Alt Pick of the Week– Feeling down and need a little lift? Then this is definitely NOT the film for you!  But if you’re looking for a drug addiction drama that will rip your heart and soul out, pour gasoline on ‘em and burn ‘em to ashes then Director Darren Aronofsky’s 2000 velvet sledgehammer of a movie, “Requiem for a Dream”, is the one for you.  With the beautiful Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans with a killer performance from Oscar Winner Ellen Burstyn, we can only assure you that this film takes no prisoners in its brutally harsh descent into addiction and its terrifying effects.  Adults Only Please, unless you want the kids to have grown-up nightmares before they grow up.

Buy “Requiem for a Dream” on DVD from Amazon.

• One for the Kids– We know it’s not Halloween time quite yet but NF just added one of the funniest, funkiest and goofiest TV Classics of All Time to its roster, “The Munsters”, and we guarantee your kids are gonna LOVE IT almost as much as you do! With 2 Seasons (38-25 minute shows) of the hilariously good-natured misadventures of Herman Munster and his offbeat family, you’ll be howling once again even as your kids get to enjoy hours of the wacky, heartwarming hijinks for the first time. And it’s never too early for Halloween ideas!

Buy “The Munsters” on DVD from Amazon.

HULU PLUS:

• If you’re in that folksy kind of mood then why not go back to the source and check 2005’s music rockumentary by that great American aficionado, Director  Martin Scorsese’s, “Bob Dylan-No Direction Home”, as it chronicles the early years (’61-’65) of the folk legend and the impact he had, and continues to have, on the music world.  You know that Marty and Bob are gonna bring the Goods!

Buy “Bob Dylan-No Direction Home” on DVD from Amazon.

• Want to make it a musical weekend and craving a bit of ballroom dancing woven into your heartfelt drama? Then 2005’s, “Innocent Steps”, is your ticket.. Featuring Korean sweetheart, Guen-Young Moon, this uplifting romance and ballroom bash will plaster a big smile on your face and then have you dancing in the sheets!

Buy “Innocent Steps” on DVD from Amazon.

• If you’re feeling 80’s (we often are) and need some hard-boiled drama to wash out all the sugary sweetness then take a bite out of 1986’s, “Thompson’s Last Run”, with Robert Mitchum and Wilford Brimley.  An underappreciated classic about an old convict-on-the-run (Robert Mitchum) being chased by an even older lawman-on-a-mission (Wilford Brimley).  A great character study from two great actors.  They just don’t make ‘em like Mitchum anymore!

Buy “Thompson’s Last Run” on DVD from Amazon.

iTunes:

• 2012’s “Safe House” with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds is here and if you’re ready for 115 minutes of cool, serviceable action from Director Daniel Espinosa with Denzel in Full Bad-Ass mode then give it a look.  And for the ladies- Yes, we have word that RR does indeed gratuitously remove his shirt at some point.

Buy “Safe House” on DVD from Amazon.

• Speaking of shirt removal…2011’s “Crazy, Stupid Love” is available and if you’re hungry for a sharper than average rom-com, you can’t go wrong here.  Baby Goose (Ryan Gosling) is here sans top for the Ladies with the gorgeous Emma Stone, the saucy Marisa Tomei and the luminous Julianne Moore filling out the Guy bill with a little something for everybody.  Can’t go wrong for Date Night!

Buy “Crazy, Stupid Love” on DVD from Amazon.

• Ready for a seriously underrated thriller from Director Edward Zwick?  Then download 2012’s, “Blood Diamond”, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou in a terrifyingly real tale about the true cost of the diamonds we buy for bling and the price that others pay for our happiness.  One of DiCaprio’s finest performances as a desperate, greedy profiteer looking for a very dangerous ticket out of his homeland while everyone else is scrambling for the same deal with the Devil. Unforgettable.

Buy “Blood Diamond” on DVD from Amazon.

That’s all for this week so unpack those sweaters and save us a seat!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Oct. 4 – 6) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Are your leaves starting to change colors yet? Well, our Fall TV schedule has already made the change and along with that seasonal shift in our televised viewing habits we’ve compiled a brisk selection of fall flicks for your soon-to-be autumn enjoyment.

NETFLIX:

• TV Pick of the Week– Yes, we know we’ve already pointed you in this particular direction before but the final episode of the best drama currently on television, “Breaking Bad”, is right around the corner and if you want to keep up-to-speed with all the water cooler conversation around the office (and online discussions everywhere) then now is a great time to bone up again on Season Five (sorry but NF currently only has the 1^st half) before the run up to the finale.  Trust us, once you start watching BrBa you’ll completely understand methheads…because you’ll be hooked!

Buy “Breaking Bad” on DVD from Amazon.

• Now if you need a break from all the poisonous evil of Walter White then how about washing yourself off with the vacuum-headed density of mooky male models trying their worst to figure out a murder plot in their midst? Just turn on 2001’s Ben Stiller directed/starred, “Zoolander”, for your refreshing comedy shower.  It’s an inspired bit of tilted weirdness from Stiller with the help of Owen Wilson as his equally vacuous model rival and wild Will Ferrel as the Evil Bad Guy, Mubuto.  With the always saucy Christine Taylor, the over-the-top Jerry Stiller and the tasty deliciousness of Milla Jovovich as a side dish, you might lose some brain cells along the way but you’re definitely going to laugh. A LOT!

Buy “Zoolander” on DVD from Amazon.

• If you’re in the mood for L-O-V-E then one of the best romcom ensemble movies ever made is available this week, 2003’s “Love Actually”.  Directed by Richard Curtis, this charming romp through London swingle life has an all-star pedigree (Keira Knightley, High Grant, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman to name but a few), a whipsmart script and is just a perfect soufflé of a romance that’s delicate, delightful and always satisfying. And yes, my fellow man, if you smile your way through this collection of valentines then she will be in the mood for love, actually.

Buy “Love Actually” on DVD from Amazon.

• Alt Pick of the Week– 2001’s Richard Kelly directed cult favorite, “Donnie Darko”, with Jake Gylenhall starring as the title character in a unique mélange of time travel, alternate universes, dark humor and twisted flips that leave you…thinking. With Jena Malone, Holmes Osbourne and Drew Barrymore along for one very strange cinematic ride.  Just dive in and don’t ask us what it all means in the end.

Buy “Donnie Darko” on DVD from Amazon.

HULU PLUS:

• And let’s keep it strange with 2004’s little-seen, direct-to-dvd, Sci-Fi thriller, “The Final Cut”. With Robin Williams, Jim Cavaziel and Mira Sorvino, this Omar Naim written and directed film examines our perceptions of privacy, memory, transparency and the consequences of playing with all three for our own ends.  A fascinating character study that goes deep and takes chances that hardcore sci-fi aficionados will applaud.

Buy “The Final Cut” on DVD from Amazon.

• Now how about some funny?  And it won’t get much funnier than everyone’s favorite high-heeled comedian (sit down Sarah Silverman), 2009’s, “Eddie Izzard: Live from Wembley”. Yes, that’s right, Eddie is here in his favorite gear in front of a raucous London crowd to do what he does best, slice and dice your expectations of his reality into bite size chunks of hilarity with some thoughtful, tasty tidbits to take home for later on.  Bring it Ed!

Buy “Eddie Izzard: Live from Wembley” on DVD from Amazon.

• One of our personal favorite drama/comedies is finally here, 1989’s Gus Van Sant directed, “Drugstore Cowboy”.  With Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and a young and tender Heather Graham as a loopy gang of thieves on the prowl for easy narcotics, a quick fix and all the fast living they can handle.  Dillon gives a bravura performance as the affable, inventive, and seriously superstitious Leader of their dope pack who has to somehow keep a rein on the whole junkie bunch even as he and his wife (Lynch in powerhouse mode) fully indulge their own very worst habits.  Brilliant, hilarious, thoughtful and sad.  And don’t miss the cameo by literary legend William Burroughs as a defrocked, dedicated dope fiend priest with a timely blessing.

Buy “Drugstore Cowboy” on DVD from Amazon.

iTunes:

• You may or may not remember her performance in the 70’s porn reel “Deep Throat” (well, if you’ve actually seen it you remember it) but the 2013 biopic, “Lovelace”, is available for download and if you ever wondered whatever happened to that pre-internet, oral queen of the silver screen, this is the epic for you. With the lovely, luscious Amanda Seyfried as the classic porn star and the always suspicious Peter Scaarsgard as her sleazy Svengali, this take on the reluctant “star” lifestyle has garnered very positive reviews regarding its honest, straightforward and sensitive examination of the troubled life of a good girl trapped in a bad system.

Buy “Lovelace” on DVD from Amazon.

• If you’ve read the Kerouac classic then you know that sooner or later you’re going to watch the filmed attempt…so why not make this the week?  Yep, that is indeed K-Stew (Kristen Stewart) starring as the luscious Marylou, inamorata of Dean Moriarty (Aussie actor Garret Hedlund) and fantasy girl of Sal Paradise (newcomer Sam Riley) as the trio travel, “On the Road”.  On the one hand, you know it can’t possibly match the energy and heartbreaking brilliance of Kerouac’s prose but on the other hand…K-Stew gets (briefly) naked! So that’s just another way of saying…we’re IN!

Buy “On The Road” on DVD from Amazon.

• Also available this week is 2013’s Liz Garcia directed, “The Lifeguard”, with the delightful, delectable Kristen Bell as the title character.  Kristen plays a shell-shocked New Yorker in career free-fall and on full retreat who insinuates herself into some very questionable behavior back in her old hometown.  Yes, we said Kristen Bell and questionable behavior. Do you need to know anything else?

Buy “The Lifeguard” on DVD from Amazon.

That’s all for this week so enjoy your downtime and save us a seat!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Sept. 27 – 29) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

This week let’s cut straight to the chase and jump right into the tasty tips and tarty treats for your weekend snuggle time.

NETFLIX:

• Ready for some weekend whackness on a world class scale? Then try 1998’s, Terry Gilliam directed, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, with Johnny Depp as fearless journalist Hunter Thompson and Benicio Del Toro as his dangerously loyal and desperately out-of-control legal advisor.  Depp channels Thompson’s madness as Gilliam visually explores some of the themes of cultural disconnection and the chasms inside the American Dream that Thompson railed at in his brilliant work.  AND WATCH OUT FOR THE LIZARD PEOPLE!

Buy “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” on DVD from Amazon.

• Speaking of disconnection, Director Christopher Nolan’s spellbinding take on the noir thriller, 2000’s, “Memento”, is also available this week.  This Rubik’s cube of a film features Guy Pearce as a dangerously disconnected, man-on-a-mission to find his wife’s murderer.  Only problem?  He suffers from severe short term memory loss and so almost instantly forgets anything and everything he’s learned/known.  To top it off, Nolan whip cracks the tricky tale at you in reverse as the both you and Pearce try desperately to “remember” what is real, where you’re going and where you’ve been.  With Carrie-Ann Moss as La Femme and Joe Pantoliano as just one of the shady characters in this jumbled backwards world.  If you’re a Nolan fan then stay sharp and enjoy this mind melting meditation on the fluidity of time, memory and reality.

Buy “Memento” on DVD from Amazon.

• Feeling Disco?  Well, we are and what better film to get your groove on then the brilliant original that kicked off the late 70’s craze, “Saturday Night Fever”.  Sure, you’ll come for the funky Bee Gee’s soundtrack and the even funkier fashion but what you may not remember is just how powerful a coming-of-age film this John Badham directed 1977 classic really is. With John Travolta in his first starring role as Brooklyn loser Tony Manero, a not-too-bright thug who only comes to life on the dance floor, this surprisingly gritty tale will touch any poor boy from nowhere who yearns to get out even if he doesn’t have a clue how to grow up.  AND WE DARE YOU TO JUST TRY AND STAY IN YOUR SEATS WHEN TONY DOES HIS THING!

Buy “Saturday Night Fever” on DVD from Amazon.

• One For the Kids– Disney’s 2002 animated hit comedy, “Lilo & Stitch”, is new this week and sure to please the shorties with its charming tale about a kinda cute, misfit girl who finds a kinda cute, misfit dog (she thinks) and the lessons they both learn along the way to a happy, Disney ending.

Buy “Lilo & Stitch” on DVD from Amazon.

HULU PLUS:

• Ready for a deeply freaky tale of a hapless, neglected nebbish passively crumbling into the arms of madness? Then check 2011’s Shion Sono Directed, “Cold Fish”.  With Mitsuru Fukikoshi and Megumi Kagurazaka as a staid, middle class married couple whose rebellious teenage daughter gets caught shoplifting at a grocery store, causing them to be forced to fetch her and then face public humiliation.  A jolly, charismatic, successful samaritan, Denden in a searing performance, appears from nowhere to help the couple out of their social jam then rapidly ingratiates himself and proceeds to inject a little high life excitement into their otherwise humdrum lives.  And that’s when the trouble starts…WARNING- EXTREME GRAPHIC VIOLENCE INTENDED FOR MATURE VIEWERS ONLY! Prepare to be unsettled.

Buy “Cold Fish” on DVD from Amazon.

• And now for a little breather.  1994’s breakthrough comedy, “Clerks”, is available this week so why not watch it one more time.  Yes, the film that broke the indie mold and popped Director/Co-star Kevin Smith’s cinematic cherry is here and is still as hilariously irreverent, uproariously off-color and likably low-budget as it always was.  And with Jay and Silent Bob around as the hilarious Greek chorus this film just never gets old.

Buy “Clerks” on DVD from Amazon.

• Call the ex-Mrs. Ritchie what you want (and we can think of more than a few choice names for her) but don’t call her boring and here’s just one of the reasons why.  From way back in 1991, “Madonna: Truth or Dare”, is now available for download and we think it might be time to recall the “Material Girl” when she was at her most relevant.  Tracking her “Blonde Ambition” Tour, Lady Gaga fans may want to pay special attention to this one as Madge goes all out to monopolize as much camera as she can possibly get, even if it’s not quite as much as she needs. An always entertaining peek inside the dreamy reality of a superstar.

Buy “Madonna: Truth or Dare” on DVD from Amazon.

iTunes:

• Single of the Week– “Blurred Lines” (Deluxe Version) by Robin Thicke is available for download.  C’mon…you know you love it!

Buy “Blurred Lines” (Deluxe Edition) on CD from Amazon.

• Now how about some mindless, wall-to-wall action, loud revving engines, squealing smoking rubber and hot girls in sizzling short skirts?  We thought so! That’s right, 2011’s fifth installment of the F & F franchise, creatively titled, “Fast Five” (extended Version),  is available with Vin Diesel, Pretty Boy Paul Walker, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and just about everybody from the first four around to rev their engines, slam down the pedal and peel out! No need to make sense of anything here, just turn your thinking caps off and enjoy!

Buy “Fast Five” on DVD from Amazon.

• One of the best efforts ever (and that is saying something) from the genius’ at Pixar Animation, 2012’s, “Up”, is available for download and we can’t recommend this one more strongly for each and every member of your family!  A delightful, imaginative, inspiring and truly moving tale of adventure and acceptance, this film is an experience you’ll come back to no matter how long you live.  And don’t miss the tenderly heartbreaking brilliance of the opening montage.

Buy “Up” on DVD from Amazon.

That’s all for this week so enjoy your downtime and save us a seat!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Sept. 20 – 22) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

We don’t know about you all but we’re feeling awfully dramatic these days. The kids are back in school, summer is officially over, fall is slowly approaching and this means, to us at least, that our trusty Apple TV is more important than ever as the nights get cooler and indoor fun seems more soothing.  So here’s this week’s pix picks and some comfort food for your soul.

Netflix:

• Let’s kick off with 2013’s Taylor Hackford directed, “Parker”, a reliably entertaining if somewhat run-of-the-mill crime thriller with an interesting cast that’s giving it their best in pure b-movie fashion.  The very basic plot (filmed previously in various incarnations)- Action hero and all-around bad-ass Jason Statham teams up with J-Lo to get some payback after a caper-gone-bad.  Michael Chiklis, Clifton Collins, Bobby Canavale and Nick Nolte are in the mix as an assortment of the bad guys “the Statham” has to deal with in his quest for payback but the real reasons we picked this one?  The Statham tries on a Texas accent (not-too-painful) and J-Lo drops her dress (thank you) then treats us to a rear view that is still worth the 2013 price of admission. You are welcome!

• Speaking of Bad Guys…this week brings us Director P.T. Anderson’s 2007 Best Picture Nominee, “There Will Be Blood”, with Daniel-Day Lewis as a fearsome, mysterious, morally questionable “Oilman” determined to build a fortune no matter what or who he has to punch holes in to do it. Paul Dano co-stars as his main spiritual hurdle/ineffectual conscious as the always riveting DDL devours everyone in his path and chews up most of the scenery along the way. A challenging, thought provoking film that you may love or you may hate but one you won’t stop watching until the bitter end. I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!

• And after that head pounder you may need a breath of fresh air so let’s lighten up with a sweet confection of a comedy from director Jesse Peretz, 2011’s “Our Idiot Brother”.  With the comely, charming Elizabeth Banks, the gorgeous , goofy Zooey Deschanel and the soulful, soothing Emily Mortimer as the Sisters, this bubbly movie aims to please.  The amiably winning, effortless funnyman Paul Rudd is the title character and sure this is a not-quite-perfect film but it is a comedy you’ll laugh at a LOT as you enjoy the engaging ensemble cast. And Steve Coogan  in dastardly scoundrel mode too! The definition of a huggable, light-hearted, feel-good flick.

Hulu Plus:

• How about starting off with a blast from the 80’s past? Indie auteur Jim Jarmusch’s 1984, “Stranger Than Paradise”, is available for cool kicks once again.  With John Lurie, Eszter Balint and Richard Edson along as a mismatched trio searching for the American dream on a cross-country quest to nowhere in particular. It’s one of our JJ faves.

• Ready for more 80’s and in the mood for some belly laughs?  Then try 1983’s, “Easy Money”, starring the one-and-only Rodney Dangerfield as a hapless schlep (what else can Rodney be) who just might come into a fortune if he can only clean up his act and keep his fingers out of the cookie jar.  With Joe Pesci along for the ride as his not-so-helpful buddy this isn’t the Rodney film we always dreamed of but it’s so damn close that we don’t mind.

• And if you’re in the market for a bracing true story of obsession and insanity then tune in and check out Werner Herzog’s fascinating 2005 documentary, “Grizzly Man”.  Always captivated by madmen, this time Herzog films the frighteningly obtuse Timothy Treadwell as this obsessed and oblivious nature lover attempts to commune with wild Alaskan grizzly bears.  A sharp look at one man’s dangerously misguided folly and heedless nature’s cruel wrath.

iTunes:

• One for the Girls– Director Garry Marshall’s popular 2001, light-hearted fantasy/fairy tale, “The Princess Diaries”, is available this week for all your beloved tweens with tiaras in their eyes. Starring a young, innocent Anne Hathaway as the title princess and the still radiant Julie Andrews as her makeover mentor, this “G”-rated flick is sure to please the 11-14 set and their Moms too!

• One for the Boys– 2013’s animated feature, “Lego Batman: The Movie- DC Heroes Unite”, is here for all the mini-testosterone monsters in your charge.  In case you’re wondering about the content (they aren’t), hey, it’s got Batman, Superman, the Joker, Lex Luther and Legos! What more could a Red-Blooded Boy ask for? And it’s 90 minutes of peace and quiet for you too!

• And finally…One for the Adults– Another fluffy romp that’s guaranteed to provide the smiles, 2010’s, “Date Night”, is here for when you put the rugrats down for the evening and finally get to relax and pour the wine. With everyone’s fave funnygirl Tina Fey and everyman Steve Carrell as middle-aged, middle-class marrieds who want to add some “spice” to their mundane routine, the suburban settlers decide to take their chances in the sophisticated wilds of Manhattan and throw caution to the wind. Needless to say they get hilariously lost along the way as they hold each other’s hands and try to find their way back to dreary domestic bliss.  Co-starring Mark Wahlberg as a shirtless, Manhattan Knight-in-shining-armor who is just a little too comfy around Tina’s sexy soccer mom. It’s nice to laugh at the unhip from the security of the couch sometimes.

That’s all for this week so turn on, tune in and drop out…and save us a seat!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Sept. 13 – 15) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Well, like it or not boys and girls, summer is officially over (although with global warming who knows what we can expect weather-wise) so let’s try to go out on a sunny high note with some fun, funky selections for some frivolous summery viewing before the fleeting air turns chilly to our embrace.  And with that happy thought, here are this week’s mostly frothy selections.

Netflix:

• What is this thing we call Art you may or may not have asked at some point in your life? And who are the real Artists who sacrifice their lives on this Altar of Love? The absorbing 2011 documentary, directed by Street Art legend/provocateur Banksy, “Exit Through The Gift Shop”, cheerfully, engagingly examines these questions and so much more as the viewer takes a journey to and through the birth of the Street Art movement through the eyes of a desperately charming aficionado…who also happens to be taking his own personal journey towards a rather interesting relationship with the art scene himself. Director Banksy delivers the goods with wry humor and a clear-headed vision that is perhaps a bit more unsettling than Artist Banksy is chagrined to admit.  Whatever opinion, or lack thereof, you hold regarding the current art scene this film is a jauntily revealing look into the mirror mirrors of our collective, creative dreams and a funhouse ride all the way!
• We did say that this week was mostly frothy but here’s a bit of bite to go with your light.  The overlooked Oren Moverman directed 2011, “Rampart”, with Woody Harrelson as a dangerously  overconfident LAPD street cop who is spiraling out of control and bringing everyone down with him. Featuring Anne Heche, Robin Wright, Ben Foster, Ice Cube and Ned Beatty as the strangers who veer in and out of his arrogant trip to oblivion, this slow simmering character study is taut and memorable with the entire cast wielding the gripping script, co-written by Moverman and hard-boiled LA scribe James Elroy, like a straight razor.
• And for a cinematic experience with one of the most straightforward and primally frightening premises you will ever witness, this week we have 2004’s, “Open Water”.  Written and directed by Chris Kentis,
  this bracingly bare bones story concerns a not-so-happily married, scuba-diving couple who are unwittingly abandoned by their dive boat, stranded and left deserted and drifting in a vast ocean with no way home.  And we all know the ocean isn’t empty but they are, indeed, very, very alone…

Hulu Plus:

• TV Show of The Week–  Fox’s brand new animation series, the hilariously subversive, “Axe Cop”, is here for your pleasure and the rapid fire 10 minute episodes of this superbly realized animated madness is exactly the type of palate cleanser you need before you dive into your televised entrée.  Enjoy!
• And for your end-of-summer entrée we’re recomending 1995’s tasty take on the late, great Elmore Leonard’s sizzlingly sharp novel, “Get Shorty”. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring John Travolta as wiseguy film buff Chili Palmer, the fantastic cast includes Gene Hackman as a smug hack director, Rene Russo as a savvy B-Movie actress, Delroy Lindo as a crime boss itching to break into show business, the recently departed Dennis Farina as a screamingly hilarious thug mobster on-the-make and Danny DeVito as the blissfully ignorant superstar Actor of the title. This is 105 minutes of wicked grins, wisecracks, slick twists, goofy, giggly turns and everyone involved seems to be having the time of their life bringing Leonard’s charming rogues to effervescent life. A grand slam home run from Sonnenfeld and an always re-watchable, instant classic delight!
• And speaking of home runs why not take another look at Director Pedro Almodovar’s 1990 passion play about kidnapped love, “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!”.  Almodovar veterans Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril are the main players in this romp but, like most Almodovar stories, there is a lot of everything going on here! And yes, we like it hot.

iTunes:

• This week 2013’s Michael Bay directed comedy (?), “Pain & Gain”, is available for download.  Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson star as misguided muscleheads who believe kidnapping, extortion and murder are the keys to their American dream of money, money and more money. Yes, Bay eschews the explosions for plotting and laughs and we’ve heard that there’s more hits then misses so we think it’s worth a shot. And we did say The Rock, didn’t we?
• Youngsters who likely don’t remember that 80’s touchstone “The Breakfast Club” may enjoy the update, 2012’s, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, with Hermione Granger…oops…sorry, Emma Watson and co-star Logan Lerman as the angst-ridden protagonists familiar to readers of Stephen Chbosky’s super popular YA novel of the same name. Is the book better than the film? We think you ought to be the judge on this one.
• And, what-the-hell, why not make it an double feature for all you hormonally challenged pre-teens and an I-double-dog-dare-you test for the post pubescent with that 2012 finale so many young hearts were so breathlessly waiting for, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2”.  Featuring K-Stew (our top secret crush so don’t tell anybody) and R-Pat as everyone’s favorite sparkly immortals, just give in and surrender to the cheesiness of it all. For those of us who are lucky enough to be street legal why not make it into a special viewing Twilight Drinking Game– Every time K-Stew bites her lip…SHOTS FOR EVERYONE! You may not make it to the finish but you’ll enjoy the film so much more!

That’s all for this week so enjoy the last of the long days and we’ll be there when the sun go down!

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Sept. 6 – 8) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

We’re heading into those rowdy, raucous, end-of-summer holidays at full speed and we know you’ve got big plans but if you find yourself with some unexpected downtime in between the action then here are this week’s pix picks that are guaranteed to ring your bell!

Netflix:

• This week we’re going all-out action, all the way, starting off with the mostly ignored and underappreciated, gone-from-the-theaters-before-you-could-blink-your-eyes, 2012 crime thriller, “Dredd”, an update/upgrade of the previously ludicrous 1995 version of the same character. This time around Director Pete Travis has trimmed the fat and delivered a lean, mean, fighting machine of an action flick with most of the very straight story (Judge D and Rookie arrest/execute drug dealers in a vast housing complex and then have to fight their way out) taking place inside an awesomely rendered, mammoth ghetto of a complex. Karl Urban provides the scowls as Judge Dredd, the lovely Olivia Thirlby scores with soul as the Rookie and Lena Headley menaces as a scarred crime lord with a thirst for vengeance.  WARNING: Although this film is based on the popular graphic novel characters IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN!  Catch the first 5 minutes and, trust us, you’ll see what we mean. And from there it is pedal-to-the-metal, shoot-‘em-up, non-stop action to the end!
• Next up is Director Timor Bekmambetov’s 2006 bold, bloody and excellent take on the undead genre, “Day Watch”. Vampires and shape shifters and Moscow…OH MY!  This action/horror entry will be sure to knock the Twilight right out of anybody. And this is only the opening chapter of the tale…
• Last but certainly not least we have Director Pierre Morell’s exuberant 2004 crime/thriller/kung-Fu/free running  spectacular, “District 13”, for your viewing pleasure and this one will indeed be a pleasure.  Inspired no doubt by the suburban Paris rioting of the 2000’s this go-for-broke mashup throws everything at you with frenetic energy and mad fun. And if you are a fan of Parkour then brother you are in a for a treat as Cyrill Raffaelli and David Belle take off running from the jump and don’t stop until the credits roll.  There’s drugs, armies of thugs that need ass-whuppings, an evil crime boss, even eviler bureaucrats, a captive girl, a nuclear device and everybody scrambling to stay on top of it all. This one is a big BLAST!

Hulu Plus:

• One For The Kids– Treat yourself to a 100 minute babysitting break and let the adolescents enjoy themselves as they gets mesmerized once again by the superfun, supercool, superslick  2012 sequel, “Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams” by director Robert Rodriguez. With Carla Gugino, Antonio Banderas and a huge cast of veteran actors having a great time in this clever “G”-rated adventure your own wanna-be spies will too as their mini-heroes fight to figure out how to save their family and then the world, pretty much in that order.
• And for a much different type of kid…check the 2010 doc, “Comic-Con Episode 4: A Fan’s Hope”, and witness a world most adults never do.  Yes, the ultimate nerdy fanboys (and girls) land en masse on San Diego to get their geek on and live out their fantasy worlds in this real one.  As Spock himself might say- Fascinating!
• Here’s a much different but no less involving oddball documentary, Director Errol Morris’ quirky, brilliant, “Gates of Heaven”. What starts off as a straightforward examination of the somewhat strange business of pet cemeteries turns into a disarmingly deep meditation on the nature of life and death as seen through the eyes of pet owners and the beloved family members who have passed on into eternity.  A deeply moving film with a perfect sense of gravity.

iTunes:

• 2013’s “Drinking Buddies” is available for download with Jake Johnson, Ron Livingston, the wickedly sultry Olivia Wilde and the luminous Anna Kendrick as matched/mismatched singles who are looking for love in the mostly right places. An adult romp that will have you thinking as well as laughing.  And we’d pay money just to see this cast read the phonebook anyway.
• Well boys and girls, it’s here so why not give it a look?  Yes, everybody’s favorite pick in the game of celebrity death watch, former child star and current tabloid teaser Lindsay Lohan stars in the Paul Schrader directed, Bret Easton Ellis penned, “The Canyons”.  With popular porn star James Deen opposite Ms. Lohan in this erotic thriller about dissolute Los Angelinos going nowhere fast you can only expect the unexpected.  So just enjoy the trainwreck and we’d also advise that Lilo may want to keep Mr. Deen’s number for future work reference.
• One for the Kids– 2010’s DreamWorks Animation, “Megamind” is available this week with voice work from heavy comedy hitters Will Ferrel, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill as well as Brad Pitt more than holding his own.  The Young ‘uns will definitely get a kick out of this script flipped supervillian tale that is full of fun for adults too so go ahead and make this one a family affair!

That’s all for this week so save us a seat and we’ll let you hold on to the remote!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (Aug. 30 – Sept. 1) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

If you’re spending the weekend indoors then you just know that TV is going to get cranked up and cooking so why not allow us to suggest a few choice selections to make your couch time just a little bit more interesting. Here’s this week’s winners!

Netflix:

• In the mood for an offbeat, off balance, non-sexual romance/comedy with ScarJo (that’s Scarlett Johansen you know and whatever you do don’t miss the opening minutes) as the object of Bill Murray’s adult adoration.  Well, Academy Award Winning Director Sofia Coppola’s 2003, “Lost in Translation”, is here with its seductive lack of narrative and whimsically loopy approach to an organic story of platonic love between two endearingly disconnected characters desperately seeking connection.  The film flows like fine wine (as do the laughs) and just keeps getting better with age.
• Speaking of laughs, how about a blast from the past?  1985’s criminally underrated comedy classic, “Clue: The Movie”, is available and we do recommend if you’re looking for some belly laughs.  A stellar cast including Martin Mull, the late, great Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry and that incomparable comedy vixen of our dreams Madeline Kahn, all show up to sling the jokes and keep the yuks rolling so that you laugh ‘till it hurts. Fun for everyone of all ages.
• And if you’re ready for some action and satisfaction then check the indie fave and cult shoot-em-up, 1999’s, “The Boondock Saints” with Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery as the titled brothers seeking justice with Fed Willem Dafoe as the nasty, scenery chewing Bad Guy in their way.  All this film promises is action, action and more action and it delivers for all of its 1 hour and 48 minutes of funky fun.  Don’t blame us if you end up watching it again and again but make sure you have plenty to drink on hand for your friends when you all do.

Hulu Plus:

• If you haven’t seen it yet then do yourself a favor and settle into one of the finest adult comedies that you will ever find, 1967’s, “The Graduate”.  Introducing in his film debut a young actor named Dustin Hoffman and starring a stunningly lovely Katherine Ross, this twisted tale of post-college, about-to-enter-the-real-world angst broke the mold and still has us spitting our beer through our noses whenever we watch.  And then there is Anne Bancroft as the legendary temptress/she-devil from all of our virgin fantasies/fears…God bless you please Mrs. Robinson!
• And here’s another ahead-of-its-time trendsetter, Director/Star Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary, “This is Spinal Tap”.  One of the first films of its kind to twist the tit of the Rock Gods with its wickedly mocking, spot-on killer overkill.  Don’t think too much, just turn it up to “11” and laugh your Rock Lovin’ asses off!
• One for the Kids– A somewhat overlooked animated fantasy that nevertheless was nominated for an Academy Award, 2009’s “The Secret of Kells” is available for the wonderment for your entire family.  Brilliant animation and a truly enthralling story based on an Irish classic myth.  A healthy treat for your shorties and a visual feast for all.

iTunes:

• No, we didn’t see it in the theater either but Director Baz Luhrmann’s 2013, “The Great Gatsby” is available this week so, like us, maybe you might want to give it a shot.  We’re not sure why Hollywood keeps trying to film the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of lost love and decadent youth but it seems like they’re determined to try it every 20 years or so until they get it right.  We don’t think that’s ever going to happen but this time Leo DiCaprio plays the title Hero with Tobey Maguire as our innocent narrator and Carey Mulligan as Daisy.  And once again Baz is swinging for the fences so good for him.
• And if you ladies are not yet fully satisfied then 2004’s timeless tearjerker, “The Notebook” is also here with Ryan Gosling as the Love-of-her-Life, the Dee-luscious Rachel McAdams as the Love-of-His and just make sure you keep plenty of hankies nearby because you are going to need ’em.
• So let’s hang with Baby Goose and check 2013’s Director Derek Cianfrance’s somber crime thriller, “The Place Beyond the Pines”, for some more of that Gosling magic.  This time Baby Goose is a B-Boy headed for trouble with his Lady Love Eva Mendes along for the ride.  Bradley Cooper also displays his acting muscles in this decades spanning story of crime and corruption that has the testosterone pumping.
• Track of the Week– “Applause” by Lady Gaga.  For the Little Monster in all of us!

That’s all for this week so save us a seat and we’ll bring the beer!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (August 23-25) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The Dog Days of summer are here and as we revel in the sizzling heat and party through the night let’s remember to power down, take a break, throw it in neutral and give the couch a good workout with some of your favorite flicks.  So, heeding that sage advice, here are this week’s suggestions for some quality downtime.

Netflix:

• And let’s start off with a stunning, sparkling, timeless masterpiece from Director Terence Malick, “Days of Heaven”.  A revelation of a film that feels like a dream as you’re transfixed by the wanderings of a Man-on-the-Run (Richard Gere), his True Love (Brooke Adams) and her younger, wiser Sister (a striking Linda Manz) as they seek a new life away from his crime and the crushing poverty of home.  The star crossed trio flees to Texas where a wealthy farmer (Sam Shepard) falls in love with Gere’s girl and the story spins helplessly toward tragedy.  Epic and unforgettable imagery tells the tale almost without the use of dialogue as you feel the heartbeat of the characters every step of the journey.
• New this week is Director Ang Lee’s moving story of true love between two conflicted cowboys who have strayed off the ranch, “Brokeback Mountain”.  Late Oscar Winning actor Heath Ledger powerfully plays the torn would-be rancher Ennis, Jake Gylenhall is his wayward lover and Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams play their long suffering wives as forbidden love achingly transforms into tragedy.  A beautiful western backdrop only adds to the painful sweep of the doomed romance.  Crying will be allowed.
• Looking for a deeply twisted tale of murderous rampage and poisonous revenge?  Then look no further than Korean Director Ji-woon Kim’s frighteningly intense film about the wages of sin, 2011’s, “I Saw the Devil”, with rising star Byung-hun Lee as the vendetta crazed cop-on-a-mission in pursuit of a vile madman.  WARNING: This film depicts numerous scenes of shocking, horrifying violence and is STRICTLY FOR ADULTS ONLY! If you have nightmares after viewing don’t blame us.
• Alternative Pick of the Week– 2012’s enthralling, inspiring political sports documentary about the price of freedom and the joys it can bring, “The Other Dream Team”, is a story that will move you to the core. Tracing the long, tragic history of Lithuania as a backdrop for eventual formation of the Medal Winning National Team of 1992 along with evocatively depicting the deep love for the game of basketball in their homeland, this doc is a film you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Hulu Plus:

• Looks like it’s epic week and new on HP is another great drama, Director Peter Weir’s 2010, “The Way Back “ with Colin Farrel, Ed Harris and Saoirise Ronan in a story of prisoners escaping a Siberian gulag the only way they can which happens to be the very hard way. An inspiring story of human endurance.
• And in another tale of human endurance, check the fascinating 2006 documentary (if you haven’t already), “The U.S. vs. John Lennon”. The film follows the singer/songwriter and then Ex-Beatle through his New York years as the US government doggedly seeks to deport Lennon as an “undesirable”.  An absorbing look at the tumultuous life of a great musician, activist and free thinker.
• Alternative Pick of the Week– 2006’s “The Last days of the World” from Director Eiiji Uchida. A young boy believes that the world is coming to an end and decides to live his life accordingly.  A compelling premise leads to an unusually uplifting tale of strange faith in the unknowable.

iTunes:

• Just in time for the sequel, 2010’s Original “Kick-Ass” has arrived with Chloe Grace Moretz, Aaron Johnson and Nicolas Cage as foul-mouthed, home-made heroes on a quest for truth, justice and the mostly American way. Extremely salty language and extensive violence make this wacky comedy unsuitable for most children so put the kids to bed before you tune in.
• Also available this week is Director Neil Bloomenkamp’s first feature film, 2009’s “District 9”, a political allegory that wades into the waters of immigration, endemic racism and cultural assimilation in a fascinating Sci-Fi spectacle that is ultimately very down-to-earth.  A powerful debut that is sparkling with fresh ideas.
• And speaking of political allegories, why not give 2006’s, “V for Vendetta” another chance?  Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore this film may not be the perfect rendering of Moore’s vision that fanboys are still waiting for but with Natalie Portman (with or without the shaved head) along for the ride this explosive take on fascism and totalitarianism lurking right around the corner is always thrilling in its momentum and you can search for dull moments but they just won’t be there.  Hugo Weaving plays the Masked Man with an agenda and you just might find yourself uncomfortably cheering the destruction of beautiful buildings in the end.
• Free App of the Week– “SoundCloud” from SoundCloud Ltd. What you got here is a free music app that works and that just can’t be bad.

That’s all for this week so pop the popcorn and save us a seat!

The post What to Watch this Weekend on Netflix, Hulu Plus and iTunes with your Apple TV (August 16-18) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.