This month is an especially bountiful and diverse one for new arrivals on Netflix, with the debuts of titles both well-known and obscure.
‘Soul Surfer’ (2011)
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An unexpected box office hit, this uplifting and inspirational bio-drama tells the story of amateur surfer Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb). Based on the book of the same name, co-written by Hamilton, the movie mostly plays it safe. Considering the subject matter and target audience (teen girls), it was a wise choice.
At 13, Hamilton was attacked by a shark near her home in Hawaii and lost her left arm as a result. With strong support from her parents (Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid), Hamilton “got back on the horse,” as it were, and went on to enjoy a professional career while supporting philanthropic endeavors.
‘Midwinter Break’ (2026)
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Receiving a modest limited theatrical run this past winter, this low-key romantic drama stars Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds as a middle-aged married couple trying to recapture the spark. To that end, the pair takes a trip from England to Amsterdam, where they begin the courtship process over from scratch.
The movie marks the feature debut of British director Polly Findlay. Her extensive background in England’s National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company shows, but in a good way. Don’t expect a lot of emotional fireworks or passionate exchanges. This is a movie for adults who prefer their stories presented in plain, unfettered English.
‘Firehouse Dog’ (2007)
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After getting separated from his owner and wrangler, Trey (Dash Mihok), during a stunt gone wrong, Irish Terrier “actor” dog Rexxx holds up in an abandoned building that catches fire. Rescued by fire Captain Fahey (Bruce Greenwood), Rexxx finds a new home with Fahey and his son Shane (Josh Hutcherson) while becoming the station’s new mascot.
When Trey discovers Rexxx’s whereabouts, he begins the process of reclaiming him, which, go figure, meets strong resistance.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that critics looked down on the movie while audiences were far more positive. Not the greatest, but easily a worthy entry into the “shaggy dog” sub-genre.
‘The Shallows’ (2016)
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A companion piece of sorts to both “Soul Surfer” and “Jaws,” this action thriller stars Blake Lively as Nancy, a college student mourning her mother’s recent passing.
When revisiting one of her mom’s old haunts at a beach, she spends a day surfing until she is attacked by a great white shark that bites her and traps her on a rock.
Save for a handful of brief human interruptions, the movie finishes as a “woman vs. beast” survivor’s challenge. It’s made all the more interesting when Nancy dubs the shark “Steven Seagull.” (Get it?)
Pulling in $119 million at the box office against a $13 million budget, the movie was also hailed by critics. Thankfully, to date, there has been no sequel, although an Asian remake was released in 2025.
‘SEAL Team’ the Complete CBS series (2017–2021)
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The CBS disclaimer is included here because, like a scant few shows before it, “SEAL Team” was canceled by its original network (CBS) only to be picked up and seen to completion by another (Paramount+, 2022–2024).
After three highly successful back-to-back-to-back stints on other shows (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” and “Bones”), David Boreanaz tackled his most physically demanding role yet as Navy SEAL master chief petty officer Jason Hayes.
The shows include a crack ensemble supporting cast (Max Thieriot, Jessica Pare, A.J. Buckley, and Toni Trucks). It also benefited greatly from having actual Navy SEALs on the writing staff and dozens of others doing the beyond-impressive stunt work.
‘Mike Wallace Is Here’ (2019)
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It’s a good bet that this documentary, directed by Avi Belkin, would not have been made during its subject’s lifetime. Containing as much scorn as it does praise, the movie presents Wallace in a light most people had always suspected: He was not a nice man.
Far from the hit job it could have been, Belkin’s movie is as fair and balanced as one could possibly expect, considering Wallace’s frequent mercurial and volatile temperament. Containing snippets from over 80 interviews Wallace conducted on “60 Minutes,” it points out his tendency to go from probing and inquisitive to intrusive and mean-spirited.
Also included is extensive footage and audio chronicling Wallace’s early career as both an announcer and actor on 1940s radio and early incarnations of interview shows that set the stage for his 40-year stint on “60 Minutes.”
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