Looking for something more off the wall (maybe with a buzz)?

 

 

ANIMA

This is a compillation of music videos featuring 3 songs from the new album of the same name by Thom Yorke, lead singer from Radiohead. He’s enlisted Paul Thomas Anderson to direct and Darius Khondji as cinematogphaer. Both of these two have helped create an optically dazzling and somewhat bizarre world, but it’s the unique choreography by Damien Jalet that takes this piece of art cinema to even greater heights. Running time is only 15 minutes, but is a compelling visual masterpiece (the songs are interesting too). Netflix website

 

(5 / 5)

 

 

MAGIC FOR HUMANS

You’ve probably seen David Blaine with his astounding magic, but have you encountered Justin Willman? Each episode in this series has a theme and some humor, but what’s truly amazing is the illusions he creates. Willman is less somber than Blaine and makes an entertaining host, as he interacts with real people on the street who are dumbfounded by his incredible feats. Tricks that will truly have you scracthing your head in disbelief and wonder. Truly magic! (Season 3 coming 5/15) Netflix website

 

(5 / 5)

 

 

 

DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE

This new AMC series was created by and stars Jason Segal. He plays one of a quartet (including Sally Field, André Benjamin & Eve Lindley) who answer a flyer that takes them on a mysterious journey to solve an existential mystery. I got about half way thru the season and gave up. The esoteric bullshit just flies around every scene and the personal insecurities just got boring. Field is the only actor who adds an interesting character. It held promise, but just got too bogged down in trying to be weird without much success. Series website

 

(1.5 / 5)

 

 

 

THE MIDNIGHT GOSPEL

This is probably the most bizarre animated series on Netflix. Pendleton Ward (best known for animated series Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors) has staged this on a space ship, where the lead character visits a different multiverse in each episode (20 – 30 minutes each). There he has an esoteric chat with someone, voiced by interviews from comic Duncan Tressell’s podcast The Duncan Trussell Family Hour.  I wasn’t familiar with any of these people or shows, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was some truly weird animation (with a style that harks back to Yellow Submarine) with dialogue that’s completely useless. Netflix website

 

(3 / 5)