Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
There’s no doubt that life can get rather complicated and brutally tiresome at times. When you’re able to find a minute or two in your busy schedule, try your best to slink away for a moment and relax with a great film to soothe your working day woes. Or better yet, gather your buddies around the man-cave and watch something that’s guaranteed to be beloved by all. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with spending some time with your dude-pals, right?
Netflix has a load of new titles hitting the streaming service for the new year, with a brilliant mix of some beloved classics, and new originals set to entertain the masses and have you up all night long. (sing it, Lionel). Here are eight films that’s essential viewing for the guys this season. So get to reading and then get to watching!
8 Perfect Guy Films Streaming on Netflix
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8 Perfect Guy Films Streaming on Netflix
1. "Full Metal Jacket" (1987)
Photo: Warner Bros.
Considered one of the best films from the brilliant mind of Stanley Kubrick, Full Metal Jacket is set during the Vietnam War, and features a number of veteran actors including Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio and R. Lee Ermey as the man with an affinity for conjuring up insults, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. The film is praised for its phenomenal performances from every member of the cast and its exploration of masculinity in a military setting. Full Metal Jacket doesn't shy away from showcasing the brutal nature of the training these Marines endure with Ermey playing a vital role in this concept.
It may not be the most cheery film to watch on a Sunday afternoon, however it's definitely worth it to appreciate the genius of one of Kubrick's finest films.
2. "Tropic Thunder" (2008)
Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
The Ben Stiller-directed Tropic Thunder is a wildly hilarious take on the action genre and features a number of hysterical performances from its lead cast consisting of Stiller, Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, and Robert Downey Jr. -- the latter earning a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2009 Academy Awards. It follows a group of actors filming a big-budget Vietnam war film who find themselves in a world of danger when their director drops out, and they're left in the middle of the Golden Triangle which is a neat name for the home of the gun-wielding, heroin-producing Flaming Dragon gang.
Tropic Thunder is a quotable laugh riot with a stellar main cast, and an equally stellar supporting cast including Matthew McConaughey, Bill Hader, Steve Coogan, and Danny McBride. It also introduced audiences to the iconic Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) and really, no one can prepare you for his receding hairline/terrifying dance-off to Flo Rida's song "Low ."
3. "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994)
Photo: Warner Bros.
This classic Jim Carrey romp remains an incredibly hilarious comedy that you must watch if you haven't seen it in awhile. The ridiculousness of Ace's character is only elevated by Carrey showcasing his impeccable physical comedic abilities that really only Jim Carrey possesses. The film follows pet detective Ace Ventura as he attempts to solve the mystery of the missing Miami Dolphins mascot, "Snowflake." A pre-Friends famed Courteney Cox has some impressive comedic timing as well and lest we forget the wildly inappropriate depiction of Sean Young's Lois Einhorn -- as if we needed to be reminded, the '90s were a very different time.
The film provides all the belly laughs you're craving and will forever remind you of the sound advice every football player should know, "LACES OUT!"
4. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby" (2006)
Photo: Columbia Pictures
Will Ferrell stars in Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby directed by his long-time collaborator, Adam McKay. McKay has directed Ferrell in a number of his most beloved roles including Anchorman, Step Brothers and 2006's ode to "hot, nasty, badass speed."
Talladega Nights follows ace NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) as he faces his most challenging competitor to date, a French Formula One driver who threatens his illustrious career. The film is a nonstop roller coaster of emotion by illustrating the physical and emotional strain that can arise through fervent competition, while also highlighting the complexities involved with adult male friendships. There are also lines said by children including [Grandpa] Chip's, "I’m gonna come at you like a spider-monkey," that really makes the film a must-watch.
5. "Bright" (2017)
Photo: Netflix
Netflix's original film Bright stars one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Will Smith, portraying an LAPD officer in a universe where mythical creatures -- orcs, fairies, elves etc. -- run amok. If that concept doesn't sound ridiculously entertaining by itself, Joel Edgerton stars as his partner who's the first-ever Orc Deputy in the department.
Smith's Suicide Squad director David Ayer helms the project, and describes it as not being "some bullshit standard issue PG-13 studio move." With a promise of profanity, violence and social commentary, Bright is looking to be a wild ride that is destined to be a fun watch during a weekend with the grown ups.
6. "Lethal Weapon" (1987)
Photo: Warner Bros.
Every father's favorite buddy cop comedy hits Netflix at the beginning of 2018; 31 years following its initial release. Superman and Scrooged director Richard Donner created an iconic addition to the buddy film genre with Lethal Weapon , a film that spawned three sequels (which will all stream starting on January 1), and a successful TV series on Fox.
The film follows the familial elements of the buddy cop trope -- a pair of incompatible detectives must work together for a greater goal -- however there are certain elements to it that are unique to the film itself. With a sharply-written screenplay by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys ), the legendary Donner doing some of his best work behind the camera, and the phenomenal chemistry between Gibson and Glover, it's no surprise why Lethal Weapon stands out from the rest of the pack.
7. "Batman" (1989)
Photo: Warner Bros.
The film that arguably paved the way for the bustling and lucrative business of the superhero genre features Michael Keaton in the shoes of famed caped crusader, Batman. With a cast consisting of the stupendously amazing Kim Basinger, Billy Dee Williams, Pat Hingle, Robert Wuhi, and Jack Nicholson's exemplary portrayal of the Joker, Tim Burton's Batman is not afraid to show the titular character kicking the asses of some major criminal scum. Watching a menacing Joker taunt Batman during a parade truly never gets old as Nicholson owns every eccentric moment he's on screen, and Keaton's stoic demeanor provides for a great juxtaposition between both characters.
While its subsequent installments in the '90s became increasingly more ridiculous than its predecessor (Bat Nipples), the original 1989 incarnation remains a mainstay in the hearts of legions of fans old enough to remember when Keaton was constantly referred to as Mr. Mom.
8. "The Godfather" (1972)
Photo: Paramount Pictures
When it comes to debating what are some of the best films in the history of film, one title will forever be in the running for such an honor, and that's Francis Ford Coppola's magnum opus, 1972's The Godfather . The famed trilogy will stream on Netflix in January starting with the very first one, which introduced audiences to the Corleone family led by Marlon Brando's Academy Award winning portrayal of Vito Corleone. Watching the family and political dynamics at play, the cast utilizing their immense talents for their respective roles and the rousing cinematography provided by the Prince of Darkness, Gordon Willis, adds a layer of authenticity to the film you truly begin to fully appreciate after a number of watches.
Regardless the time of year you watch The Godfather , you're guaranteed to annoy whoever comes in contact with you following your watch because your mind is fraught with Godfather quotes such as: "leave the gun, take the cannoli," "don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again," and, of course, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." So if you're into badgering your loved ones, ensure that The Godfather is included in your must-watch list.