Wet, hot Netflix picks in June

Netflix in June brings us Jon Stewart’s Rosewater, about Maziar Bahari's 2009 imprisonment by Iran, Jennifer Aniston’s Cake, about a woman in chronic pain, and the Wachowski brother’s new sci-fi series. But these thrillers, comedies and surf-tastic films below might be more fun, fun, fun for the start of summer. 

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Bradley Cooper’s disappointing summer film, Aloha, will be saying “hello” and “goodbye” quickly in the theatres, but his summer camp period piece has had a long unexpected life already. This satire features Paul Rudd, Amy Poehelr, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon and more. Watch the film now to prepare for July’s Netflix series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which will feature most of the same amazing cast — plus Chris Pine and Kristen Wiig. (Available now.)

Bloodline (2015)

I highly recommend you meet the Rayburn family of the Florida Keys this summer. This Netflix original series features stellar performances by Kyle Chandler, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard and next September’s Oscar front runner Ben Mendelsohn. The first show is slow but stick with it and you’ll get drawn in to its sleepy, sun-drenched pacing. (Available now.)

Endless Summer (1966)

It was the first documentary that captured my attention and I could watch it again every summer. In 1966, two top surfers ride the waters of Hawaii, Africa and Australia in search of the perfect wave. (Available now.)

Grease (1978)

Summer days drifting away,to, uh oh, those summer nights. Now that I think about it, every June should start with Sandy and Danny and this breezy fun film. Even today, Grease is the word.(Available now.)

Nightcrawler (2014)

Want something less sunny? Picture Jake Gyllenhall as a cameraman on the dark side of tabloid journalism in this film that won him a Best Actor SAG nomination (but not an Oscars one). It’s a dark choice but it contains one of the best car chase scenes in recent memories — and Rene Russo.  (Available June 10)

Ten buck review: All are ten-buck worthy.