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This week on What To Stream Right Now we’re discussing a movie and tv show about geniuses! Because who doesn’t want to be one…

GOOD WILL HUNTING – Dir. Gus Van Sant (1997) IMDb

Will Hunting (played by Matt Damon) is a young janitor at M.I.T, but as you could probably guess, he’s also something of a math genius. However, he can’t seem to find direction in his life and looks to psychologist Sean Maguire (played by the late Robin Williams) for help. They form a unique relationship, which quickly transforms into a wonderful friendship.

I watched this film for the first time shortly after the death of Robin Williams, because I had heard from numerous people that this was one of his most endearing roles. And even with the vast number of amazing films he’s been in, that statement isn’t necessarily far from the truth. Both Williams and Damon give some of their best performances in this film. Williams’ performance even snagged him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It’s simply a touching story that’s well directed and well written. Damon and Ben Affleck, who also has an amazing role, wrote GOOD WILL HUNTING together, winning them their own Oscars at the ages of 27 and 25, respectively.   Luckily for you, you’ll only cry a few times while watching this, but I promise it has a happy ending!

SHERLOCK – Three Seasons (2010 -) IMDb

It goes without saying, but this genius is much less heart warming than good ole, Will Hunting. BBC’s SHERLOCK stars Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game, Star Trek Into Darkness) as the title character and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit trilogy, Fargo) as his trusty “sidekick”, Doctor John Watson. But unlike other Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adaptations, this variation is set in modern day London. That one simple twist in the narrative proves to be the most important piece of creating a refreshing and entertaining series from the stories we all know and love.

Steven Moffat created the show along with actor/writer Mark Gatiss, so you can be sure to enjoy Sherlock’s witty cynicism if you’ve ever enjoyed a more recent episode of DOCTOR WHO. Along with that, Sherlock plays as an interesting counter part to our beloved, Doctor. Both characters seem to figure impossible things out through intellect and intuition, but where one is whimsy and alien, the other is grounded in reality and functions solely on the basis on fact. With that being said, the series can certainly be enjoyed by anyone, including people who don’t like Doctor Who (but why don’t you???). Each season has only three episodes and each episode is 90 minutes long, so you’re essentially watching a bunch of little movies. This makes the show seem far more special than other shows, but unfortunately once you get caught up, you’ll still have to wait until 2017 for the next season.

That’s it for this installment! Feel free to share this article on Facebook and twitter! Make sure to check out episodes 5 and 4 if you feel like you haven’t spent enough time on the couch today already!

We’re doing something a little different this week. Don’t worry, change is good sometimes. For instance, in AMADEUS, Mozart changed the way people view geniuses and the work they create. In POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE, Mewtwo changed the world… and then kind of didn’t change anything. The point is, the pressure finally caught up to me and I’m out of TV shows, so we’re watching two movies instead (one of which isn’t even on Netflix).

But if you are looking for new shows to binge, check out the latest two episodes here!

Episode 14 and Episode 13

AMADEUS – Dir. Milos Forman (1984) IMDb

Following the life and death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of his rival composer Antonio Salieri, AMADEUS tells the story of what it takes to be great. The story begins long after Mozart’s death with Salieri being imprisoned in an insane asylum left to confess his sins to a priest. He recounts his experiences with the composer whom he grew to resent for being more famous and more talented than he. He explains the struggles he faced with his passion, morality, and religion until he is left an old, withered man in a building full of crazies.

Amadeus won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1985 along with wins for F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Milos Forman for his direction. In all accounts, it is simply a classic film that has proven to withstand the test of time and continues to be admired and studied to this day. At just over three hours in length, you would think the film would drag and suffocate you with classical music, but that isn’t the case. The pacing is impeccable and the story is told in such a fashion that you seem to forget you’re watching a period piece from 30 years ago. The operas performed in stunning detail are really fascinating and intriguing. I can’t exactly say how much of the story is historically accurate, but for the sake of the film it doesn’t really matter. Every actor and actress brings their A-game for one of Forman’s most masterfully crafted pictures. You don’t have to be a fan of the time period, the music, or even the filmmakers to enjoy Amadeus. It’s a wonderful look into the life of someone we all know, but maybe know too little about.

POKÉMON: THE FIRST MOVIE – MEWTWO STRIKES BACK (1998) IMDb

Now, before you start freaking out, this movie is not on Netflix. For a limited time you can stream this classic piece of animation by visiting Pokémon TV. I highly recommend it and not only because this was an integral part of my childhood. POKÉMON is a cultural phenomenon that crosses the globe. It all started with this movie. Okay, maybe it started with the video games. Or maybe the card game. Perhaps the TV show? It doesn’t matter; MEWTWO STRIKES BACK is a classic! It’s a wonderful story about the world’s most powerful Pokémon, looking to exact revenge on the people who abandoned him. All he wants is to free an enslaved race and wipe out their oppressors. How is he the bad guy?

Ash, Pikachu, and their sidekicks must battle the odds to escape Mewtwo’s “evil” plan and save their Pokémon friends. Honestly there isn’t much more to the movie, but Mewtwo has some really inspiring and motivating dialogue that is uncharacteristic of a Japanese children’s show. That being said, this is a great way to get excited for the new Pokémon games coming out later this year and it’s really your only opportunity to watch one of the many Pokémon movies. Luckily for you, this is the very best! Like no one ever was…

I’ll see myself out.