Streaming Movies Guide: ‘Zoolander,’ ‘Saw,’ ‘Upstream Color’

These days you can watch any movie you desire online. Yet there’s still one thing the magical wonders of instant streaming haven’t solved for indecisive movie-lovers: what the heck to watch! Moviefone is here to recommend the best streaming movies from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant each week in the Moviefone Stream.

This week’s Moviefone stream picks range from model comedies and limb removal to immortal angels and gun kung fu. Check out our suggestions below and happy streaming!

Comedy: ‘Zoolander’
Ben Stiller’s model spoof “Zoolander” is one of those early 2000’s comedies that can be revisited over and over no matter how dated it gets — the mini cell phone is still pretty awesome/hilarious. Mugatu may still be one of Will Ferrell’s funniest characters, Blue Steel (and Magnum) never get old, and Wham!’s “Wake Me Up” will forever and always remind you of giggling models spraying gasoline. If you need to practice your walk-off skills (be careful with the undies) or just have a good laugh, there’s always “Zoolander.”
Stream It On: Amazon Prime Instant, Netflix

Action: ‘Equilibrium’
Often discredited as a ripoff of “The Matrix” and other prominent dystopian stories, 2002’s “Equilibrium” is nonetheless smart and action-packed with some added sci-fi elements. From Kurt Wimmer (“Law Abiding Citizen,” “Salt”), the film stars Christian Bale as John Preston, a high-up police officer of the fictional Fascist state Liberia where all emotions are banned. In a very “Fahrenheit 451” and “1984” manner, Preston eventually turns against his government and attempts to overthrow it. Also starring Sean Bean, Emily Watson, and Taye Diggs, “Equilibrium” is mostly awesome for its kickass gun kata fight scenes — you can definitely see signs of some Bruce Wayne here.
Stream It On: Amazon Prime Instant

Classic: ‘Cleopatra’
The four-time Oscar winning classic turned 50 this year and it’s still as epic as ever. Starring Elizabeth Taylor as the historical Egyptian queen and Richard Burton as Mark Antony, the Joseph Mankiewicz film is one of the most infamous in movie history. “Cleopatra” not only marked the start of the heated affair between the two stars, but it’s also known as one of the most expensive movies ever made, primarily because of director complications, Taylor’s illness, and (of course) Taylor’s contract. The film’s budget is equivalent to $ 334 million dollars today, but hey, we still love each of its 192 minutes. If you haven’t seen it, add it to the top of your queue right now for the sake of increasing your movie knowledge.
Stream It On: Netflix

Sci-Fi/Horror: ‘Saw’
The horror film that shook up the genre, James Wan’s 2004 “Saw” was undoubtedly the best of the series and still one of the most inventive scripts to date. The film not only took horror violence and body mutilation to a whole new level, but it meshed gore with the psychological in unique ways. Even though the “Saw” series got overly ridiculous and too dependent on cheap thrills, the first film is always fun to revisit and still maintains to unsettle you today.
Stream It On: Hulu

Indie/Documentary: ‘Upstream Color’
Ranked #1 on our Best Indie Movies of 2013 (So Far) list, “Upstream Color” was the sci-fi drama that completely blew away the festival and indie crowds earlier this year. Written, directed by, and starring Shane Carruth (“Primer”), the film begins with a modified organism that is ingested by people against their will, altering their lives forever. Yet little do these supposedly random victims know, they are all connected and drawn to one another in a mysterious web. Also starring indie favorite Amy Seimetz, “Upstream Color” is one of those films that will transfix you, confound you, and implant itself deep in your mind like an organism of its own kind. While the film is an unparalleled theatrical experience, it’s now available on Netflix and certainly a must-see if you love puzzling, gorgeous films.
Stream It On: Netflix

Foreign: ‘Wings of Desire’
Wim Wenders’ (“Pina”) 1987 classic “Wings of Desire” is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful films ever made. Shot in rich black and white film by cinematographer Henri Alekan (1946’s “Beauty and the Beast”), the film follows an angel (Bruno Gantz) who decides to take the fall to earth and become mortal to experience what he watches humans do each day. You’re probably thinking you’ve heard this before and that’s because the 1993 Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan film “City of Angels” is an sappy, cliche knock-off. If you saw that one, we forgive you, but make up for it by checking out the gorgeous original.
Stream It On: Hulu