What's New on Netflix Australia in August 2017
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (Series)
Two years ago, Netflix rebooted the 2011 cult classic Wet Hot American Summer. First Day of Camp was a prequel series that starred many of the film’s adult cast… as teenage versions of their original characters. To confuse things further, Netflix is now releasing a sequel (to the film, not the prequel) called Ten Years Later. It’s set in 1991 – the year that saw Paul Keating become PM, and the arcade release of Street Fighter II. As always, the ensemble cast is stupidly good – Elizabeth Banks, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Wiig and Chris Pine are just some of the returning faces. Join the gang as they fire up old campside antics and summer flings from August 4.
Icarus (Documentary)
Naked (Film)
Twenty-plus years since the release of Groundhog Day, Hollywood has seen its fair share of time-loop movies (shoutout to Looper and Run Lola Run). If you’ve noticed a lack of comedic time-loops, Marlon Wayans is looking to fill that void. In Naked, he plays an irresponsible groom-to-be who keeps ending up naked in the same elevator. The trailer jump-cuts between a mortified Wayans and an elevator that constantly dings when it reaches level “L” – poor dude is literally taking L after L. Directed by Michael Tiddes (A Haunted House) and co-written by Wayans, Naked is letting it all hang out on August 11.
Marvel’s The Defenders (Series)
Between the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming and the recently wrapped Avengers: Infinity War, the Marvel thirst is very real. Thankfully, Netflix has rounded up its own family of Marvel heroes in The Defenders. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and the Iron Fist need to overcome their differences if they want to save New York from the insidious Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver). Also stirring the hype-pot are appearances from Elektra (Elodie Yung), as well as other recurring characters from Netflix/Marvel shows. All eight episodes drop on August 18.
Lynne Koplitz: Hormonal Beast (Stand Up Comedy Special)
In case you missed it, Netflix loves comedy specials. This time, it’s New York native Lynne Koplitz on the mic. If her past stand-ups are anything to go by, Hormonal Beast will be a no-holds-barred rant on being considered a “crazy” woman, and the bleakness of life in your late forties. Hint: it’s not all doom and gloom – Koplitz relishes the fact that she doesn’t have kids, and claims to know “the three things that all men want.” Airs August 22.
Death Note (film)
Death Note started out as a much-loved Japanese manga that was made into a Japanese movie trilogy in the early 2000s. Hollywood has toyed with the idea of a remake since 2007, and after a decade of writer, cast and crew switch-ups, it’s finally here. But let’s be honest – the trailer isn’t great. Nat Wolff as Light/Kira looks like the ultimate weeaboo, and lacks the subtlety needed to pull off his character. The only saving grace is Willem Dafoe’s drawl as the voice of Ryuk, the death god. Although the trailer has been copping a lot of hate, one YouTube comment rings true: “Everyone’s saying this looks shit, and it does, but let’s be honest, you’re still gonna watch it.” Airs August 25.
Ryan Hamilton: Happy Face (Stand Up Comedy Special)
One last comedy special to tie you over until September. Ryan Hamilton has appeared on every talk show and comedy show you can think of, and has also starred in the sketch series Inside Amy Schumer. He’s a clean comic, so expect belly laughs that don’t stem from cuss words. To give you an idea, he’s called himself the “illegitimate child of Jerry and Elaine”. Hamilton hails from a small town in Idaho, and has since moved to New York, where he’s taken the comedy scene by storm. Watch him do an hour-long Seinfeld stand-up intro on August 29.
