2018 BY MONTH

All MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2018 BY MONTH

2018 Was huflixPrime's first year in existence. We sure hope we have many more! We got off to a rocky start, had to change layouts a few times, experienced the mad rush to get content up on self-imposed deadlines as well as the joy of correcting typos way into the wee hours of the morning. For those of you who have been paying attention, we hope you're enjoying huflixPrime, if not; well a tasty sandwich usually makes us happy, you could try that instead. Below you'll find all the great films we recommended in 2018 arranged by the months for which we recommended them. Enjoy.

Images link to Amazon. Buttons link to Apple iTunes Store.

DECEMBER 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
December 2018 was "not so holidayish, holiday movie month"

“Tower Heist” (2012 Universal Pictures) Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Téa Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Casey Affleck, Michael Pena, Judd Hirsch and Alan Alda. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

This is just plain fun, Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller are brilliant together! Tower Heist is probably the most underrated "All-Star" cast film to date. It's a great story which fits perfectly in our "non-holiday, holiday films" category only because it is set around Thanksgiving.

“The Legend of 1900” (1998 Medusa Film) Tim Roth, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Bill Nunn. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple iTunes Store.

This amazing "fable" by Giuseppe Tornatore (Academy Award winner for Cinema Paradiso) tells a story that will bring tears to the eyes of even the grinchiest among us. No, it's not really a "holiday" film, but it sets a mood that fits the season just right. Let "The Legend of 1900" take you back to a time when people traveled across the seas in luxury and enjoyed the finest Jazz.

“A Little Princess” (1995 Warner Bros.) Liesel Matthews, Liam Cunningham, Elenor Bronchiole, Rusty Schwimmer, Arthur Malet, Vanessa Lee Chester, Error Sitahal. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Also currently available on HBO Max

This is the perfect kids movie for the "non-holiday, holiday" category, and trust us, you'll love it as an adult too! Nominated for Oscars in the Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction categories, directed by Alfonso Cuarón ("Gravity") and based on the classic children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, "A Little Princess" is a film we're sure you'll fall in love with. If nothing else, watch it for the stunning cinematography!

“Home for the Holidays” (1995 Paramount) Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Jr, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Dylan McDermott, Cynthia Stevenson, Steve Guttenberg and Claire Danes. Available on Starz, Amazon Prime and Apple iTunes Store.

We love Holly Hunter, and we also had to give you one "mostly-holiday" film. It's a good one though. If we hadn't been so busy with the elections in November we may have recommended "Home for the Holidays" last month so you could prep for Thanksgiving. Hey, everyone's family is crazy. You can polish yours up or bury your garbage as deep as you want, but come on...you know, everybody's got problems. Let this film take your mind off of yours. Experience the awkward crazy family troubles of someone else's family by enjoying this excellent film directed by Jodi Foster.

NOVEMBER 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
For November of 2018 we gave you movies to help encourage you to get out and vote.

“Bullworth” (1998 20th Century Fox) Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Oliver Platt, Jack Warden, Sean Astin. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple iTunes Store.

In our opinion, this is Warren Beatty's best work. Senator "Jay Billington Bullworth" is a flawed hero for the ages. Stand-out roles for both Halle Berry and Don Cheadle: "Bullworth" is a must see for anyone walking towards a voting booth.

“The American President” (1995 Warner Bros.) Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J Fox, Richard Dreyfuss and more. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

We always wonder if Aaron Sorkin cringed while writing this "rom-com" but only because it's a "rom-com" Mr. Sorkin's scripts are typically so much smarter than rom-com's (but we've watched almost everything he's done and we know he's got a sensitive side and a heart!). For those of you who don't know, Aaron Sorkin's works include "The West Wing" and "The Newsroom" both of which we hope to see rebooted (we've heard rumors)! When you watch "The American President" you may feel you're watching the "spark" that created "The West Wing". Enjoy!

“The Distinguished Gentleman” (1992 Hollywood Pictures) Eddie Murphy, Lane Smith, Victoria Rowell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Charles S. Dutton, Joe Don Baker, James Garner and more. Unfortunately, this film is currently unavailable for streaming however Amazon's got it on DVD, or check your local library. (Wamp wamp wamp waaaaa).

We recommended this in November 2018. Also check out our new: Eddie Murphy Page!

"Charlie Wilson's War" (2007 NBC Universal) Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Denis O'Hare, Christopher Denham. Available on Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.

Written by Aaron Sorkin (busy guy), based on the book by George Crile, this is a must see for all voters! Also, we feel that this is the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's best role ever! If you only get to watch one of our recommendations this month, make it "Charlie Wilson's War"! (Or "Bullworth", flip a coin!)

“In America” (2003 Fox Searchlight) Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger, Neal Jones. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple iTunes Store.

Experience immigration through the eyes of a child. "In America" reminds you that people come from all over the world seeking a better life in America. This Oscar nominated film, directed by Jim Sheridan, stars real-life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger. It captures the challenge immigrants face getting to America and staying in America, just as most of our ancestors did.

OCTOBER 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
In October of 2018 we recommended scary movies for Halloween!

“Gerald's Game” (2017 Netflix), Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas. Available on Netflix.

Based on Stephen King's 1992 novel of the same name, we've got to hand it to the folks at Netflix, they did a nice job with this. We've added this film and book to our AGAB's list. Learn more here.
Yes, we are well aware of the connection to "Delores Claiborne" which is also a great film and great book. We'll be recommending that at some point in the future, but for now consider this a "two for one" month.

“Drag Me To Hell” (2009 NBC Universal), Alison Lohman, Justin Long. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

This is a surprisingly well-made "scary" movie. Trust us, just watch it. You can also currently find it on HBO GO/HBO NOW.

“The Omen” (2006 20th Century Fox), Live Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Mia Farrow, Sara Houghton. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple iTunes Store.

WARNING - STOP! This version is a remake of the original but we love it, and strongly encourage you to give it a view with a clear mind, you'll be surprised! It goes in our new "REMAKES WE LIKE" category. Very, very well done!

“Let The Right One In” (2007 Frida Asp), Kare Hedebrantt, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar. Available on Hulu, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

We love vampire stories and movies - and this is one of our favorites! This links to the original Swedish film which is based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Watch this one before cheating and watching the American remake "Let Me In".

SEPTEMBER 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
September 2018 was our first official huflixPrime "Sci-Fi" month, we'll do it again every September!

“Passengers” (2016, Columbia Pictures), Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

This was surprisingly good! It was not at all what we expected. Definitely worth a watch.

“The Martian” (2015, Universal Pictures), Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Based on the bestselling 2014 novel by Andy Weir, "The Martian" tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) who is accidentally left behind on Mars (it’s not his fault; his crew thought he was dead with good reason)! Some people might argue that this isn't "Sci-Fi" but we don't really care. "The Martian" is one of those films that is "nearly" as good as the book. We classify it as an "AGAB" Learn more here.

"Star Trek" (2009, Paramount Pictures) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, and Leonard Nimoy. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

We love it! We think this is an awesome, amazing way to reintroduce the "Star Trek" world to a new generation! Live long and prosper! Check out all three J.J. Abrams Star Trek films, AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE KIRK here.

“Serenity” (2005, Universal Pictures), Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, and Ron Glass. Available on Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.

You CANNOT mention anything about "Serenity" or "Firefly" without listing the entire cast (entire ship's crew) of Serenity! WARNING - STOP! Don't watch this movie unless you've already enjoyed "Firefly". "Serenity" is the cinematic ending to the short-lived, but awesome 2002 TV Series "Firefly". "Serenity" gave fans an ending, but not "peace". True fans wanted more, and many were not happy with the film. But we love it! ("Firefly" is available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple iTunes Store. We recommend you watch all 14 episodes prior to viewing "Serenity").

AUGUST 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
Finally by August of 2018, huflixPrime had gone live to the general public! The fans (all three of them) went wild!

“The Next Three Days” (2010 Lionsgate), Russel Crow, Elisabeth Banks. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

We like this film because it seems like the most logical prison break you’d see in film. Be warned, this is a slow movie to start, but it’s very suspenseful and really gets going at the end keeping you on the edge of your seat.

“A Quiet Place” (2018 Paramount Pictures), Emily Blunt, John Karasinski. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Excellent SciFi Thriller/Monster movie? not sure how to classify it really, but well done! Get your glasses out…you’ll need to read subtitles because the beauty of this thriller is that there is very little spoken dialogue.

“Pretty in Pink” (1986 Paramount), Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, James Spader. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

YES you heard it! It’s available on Hulu! An 80’s classic, fun for the whole family (maybe).

“Moonrise Kingdom” (2012 Focus Features), Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton. Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Also currently available on HBO GO/MAX.

We love all Wes Anderson films, (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, to name only a few) The best way to describe them is to say that they are quirky, witty, and fun. As far as Moonrise Kingdom goes…great cast, and hey…who doesn’t want to go to the “hullabaloo”

JULY 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
By July of 2018 huflixPrime was still mostly a beta site (most critics think we still are)! Still, we were finding our stride.

“The Station Agent” (2003 Lionsgate), Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

This movie is just so good, makes you want to go chase trains.

“Phantom Thread” (2017 Focus Features), Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Daniel Day-Lewis has said that he is retired, love him or hate him, this may well be his last film, you owe it to yourself to see it, it's quite good.

“Argo” (2012 Warner Bros.), Ben Aflec, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Watch the Credits for the brief interview with Jimmy Carter, very interesting.

“The Kings Speech” (2010 The Weinstein Company), Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter. Available on Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.

This is just fantastic…if you’re at all a history buff, you’ll enjoy it.

JUNE 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
In June of 2018 we were still working out some bugs. We love these four films and think you will too!

“About Time” (2013 Universal Pictures), Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. Also currently available on Netflix.

This movie is an excellent surprise, loved it!

“Sucker Punch” (2011 Warner Bros.), Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, and Scott Glen. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. Also currently available on Netflix.

Dark and borderline creepy, but very excellent. Not for the kids.

“Seeking A Friend for The End of The World” (2012 Focus Features), Steve Carell, Kira Knightley. Available on Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Also currently available on HBO GO/MAX.

Touching, and funny...includes the best “got pulled over by the cops” scene ever!

“Begin Again” (2013 The Weinstein Company), Kira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, James Corden. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Quiet good! If you're a musician or not, this is enjoyable. Kind of a love story, but not really. (More like a love of Music!)

MAY 2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
huflixPrime got started in May of 2018 when the first beta edition went live. These are our first four film recommendations.

“Almost Famous” (2000 Dreamworks), Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, & Zooey Deschanel. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

If you remember the good old days of music, before the digital age, you'll really appreciate this film. A must see!

“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005 Warner Bros.), Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

This may be the film that made Robert Downey Jr. a legitimate actor! Comedy, mystery, drama, and suspense all rolled into one!

“In Bruges” (2008 Focus Features), Colin Farrell, Brenden Gleeson. Available on Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Also currently available on STARZ.

You may find yourself planning a trip to Bruges after watching this. But seriously, it's Colin Farrell at his best! Check it out.

“This is Where I Leave You” (2014 Warner Bros.), Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver. Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

If you love movies about "people" this is for you! an all star cast and a story that's touching, funny, and reminds us that life goes on. Based on the book by Jonathan Tropper.