Wet Hot American Summer
Wet Hot American Summer was not a box office smash by any means. When it came out in 2001, it didn’t even recoup its tiny $1.8 million budget with ticket sales. But when you look at the cast list 14 years later, it looks like it would be a summer comedy blockbuster today. Written by David Wain and Michael Showalter of The State fame, the film features Janeane Garofalo, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, and tons of other notables who all carry their own hit films now.
It’s not surprising that Wet Hot American Summer became a cult hit — Wain’s films have a tendency to find their audience eventually — given the huge amount of talent involved in making it. Netflix recently announced that it would be running a miniseries based on the film, and the majority of the original cast is back on board. Now is the perfect time to relive the film that launched a dozen careers.
Art And Craft
You may not know the name Mark Landis, but you very well may have seen some of his work. It just probably didn’t have his name on it. Landis is one of the most prolific art forgers in the United States, creating hundreds of faux pieces of art to museums for nearly two decades. The strangest part is that he never did it for money — he just donated them. This documentary examines the troubled life of the legendary art forger and his works.
Grace and Frankie
While Netflix’s hits House of Cards and Orange is the New Black regularly steal headlines, the company’s newest series may have the most star-studded cast we’ve seen yet. Grace and Frankie is a quirky little comedy about two aging couples who find themselves bonded by betrayal. Grace (played by Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) never got along, but are forced into an alliance when their husbands Robert (Martin Sheen) and Sol (Sam Waterston) out themselves as lovers.
D.L. Hughley: Clear
D.L. Hughley turns up every now and then, but in the 90s he was a bonafide star. A member of the Original Kings of Comedy crew, Hughley has starred on sitcoms, been in films, and even had his own show on CNN. Now he’s back to where he started: on stage as a stand up. His latest special, Clear, is his first in nearly three years, and it’s clear he has plenty to talk about. He touches on topics of race, politics, and everything in between. It’s definitely a bit different than his appearances on Dancing with the Stars.
Anita
We’re pretty used to hearing about controversy in our politics today, but the story of Anita Hill stands out still. In 1991, when then President George H.W. Bush nominated Clearance Thomas for the Supreme Court, Thomas’ attorney-advisor Anita Hill provided testimony about her time working under him. She alleged Thomas sexually harassed her repeatedly. She was doubted and questioned throughout the process, and Thomas eventually ascended to the court regardless, but her bravery to speak out resonates still. Anita captures it all.
