Time for another round of This Month on Netflix! The beginning of each month, we are going to draw attention to five titles streaming on Netflix. With that said, we are not fully endorsing any or all films mentioned*. Our goal with this is to (hopefully) expose you to some films that might be a little lesser known. “Lesser known”… that can mean something different to each person. What that means now is films that might not fall into the “essential” category. Other times, we’re just going to make it known that certain titles are now streaming.

We strongly believe it’s good to branch out in genre. Some of these titles you might like, or you might not like. Regardless, you’ll never know unless you try, which is part of the fun.

*In other words, we aren’t exactly saying these are the best of the best. Everyone has different tastes, so it’s impossible to pick films everyone is going to like. There will be film’s we might not exactly like, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see them. Really, we saying this to avoid, “But you said it was good” comments.

 
The Signal
Composed of three “transmissions”, each directed by a different director, The Signal tells the story of a strange signal broadcast by the radios and televisions in the city of Terminus that breeds envy and hate, turning sane people into murderous lunatics. Each “transmission” is done in a different style, with the same actors/characters, making it a truly unique experience.

The Dark Half
Last month we talked about George Romero’s Bruiser. This month Romero adapts a Stephen King story, The Dark Half. In this chilling tale, author Thad Beaumont writes terrifying murder novels under the pen name George Stark. Eager to branch out, Beaumont plots to separate himself from his nom de plume by staging a mock killing of his alter ego.

Peeping Tom
A disturbed filmmaker literally kills with his camera in this ahead-of-its-time shocker from revered British director Michael Powell. Like the same year’s Psycho, this film’s combination of voyeurism, eroticism and horror repelled some 1960 critics, but its cult reputation soared in later years.

Tales From The Crypt: Ritual
Remember Demon Knight and Bordello of Blood? Well, TftC planned to release three films, all of which dealt with the same story line (the key containing the blood of Christ)… But that didn’t exactly happen. Originally released in 2001, Ritual did not carry the Tales From The Crypt header until it hit DVD in 2006. Stripped of her license when a patient dies, Dr. Alice Dodgson moves to Jamaica and accepts a job ministering to a man suffering from encephalitis… and claiming to be hexed by voodoo curse.

Blubberella
Uwe Boll… A lot could be said about the guy. Correction, a lot HAS been said about the guy. Say what you will about him, but nothing stops him from cranking out films. Here’s his latest, Blubberella. Hefty half-vampire Blubberella sets her sights on a Nazi leader who’s concocting a diabolical plan to create an army of undead soldiers. Yep…

The beginning of each month, we are going to draw attention to five titles streaming on Netflix. With that said, we are not fully endorsing any or all films mentioned*. Our goal with this is to (hopefully) expose you to some films that might be a little lesser known. “Lesser known”… that can mean something different to each person. What that means now is films that might not fall into the “essential” category. Other times, we’re just going to make it known that certain titles are now streaming.

We strongly believe it’s good to branch out in genre. Some of these titles you might like, or you might not like. Regardless, you’ll never know unless you try, which is part of the fun.

*In other words, we aren’t exactly saying these are the best of the best. Everyone has different tastes, so it’s impossible to pick films everyone is going to like. There will be film’s we might not exactly like, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see them. Really, we saying this to avoid, “But you said it was good” comments.

Maniac
While the poster art conveys a typical 80′s slasher, Maniac offers more than that. Although his mother mistreated him and is now dead, Frank (Joe Spinell), a photographer by day, misses her. In a grotesque act of reminiscence, he kills young women at night and puts their scalps on mannequins masquerading around his New York apartment. He befriends a fellow photographer, but soon his day and night lives begin to meld, blurring the lines of reality.

Features some outstanding special effects work from Tom Savini. Catch Maniac before the remake starring Elijah Wood comes out!

Maniac Trailer

Bruiser
While plenty know this, others might not. George Romero offers more than just zombie flicks! Here’s one of his from 2000. Henry Creedlow awakens to a nightmare world in which he has no face, features or identity. Stripped of everything he’s ever known, he sets out on a bloody rampage to destroy the people who’ve betrayed him, including his philandering wife, his belittling boss and his evil best friend.

Look for genre fav Tom Atkins and The Misfits (MIchale Graves-era)!

Bruiser Trailer

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Think you know the story of attractive college kids going into the woods and blood starts to fly? Think again! Expecting to enjoy a relaxing vacation at their rundown mountain cabin, backwoods boys Tucker and Dale see their peaceful trip turn into a nightmare when college kids camping nearby accuse the duo of being psychotic killers.

If you like your horror accompanied with equal parts blood and humor, look no further.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil Trailer

Pontypool
Valentine’s Day is off to a bizarre start for a radio shock-jock when he runs into a crazed woman on his way to work — and that’s only the beginning. Soon, scores of other people in the small Ontario town of Pontypool start acting awfully odd.

This will definitely go down as one of the most interesting and unique take on the zombie subgenre in recent years, if not ever.

Pontypool Trailer

To Let
Looking for something different with your horror, Spain and France have been supplying healthy doses of horror in recent years. In Spain’s To Let, an expectant newlywed couple needs to find a new place to rent, and when they visit a creepy apartment, they’re unimpressed and turn it down. But the leasing agent and landlady have other ideas, and force the couple to stay against their will.

To Let is directed by Jaume Balaguero, co-director/creator of [REC].