Those of you with a Netflix instant queue, sit up and take notice! When it comes to streaming entire movies on the interwebs, there are certain licensing issues that must be accounted for. And unfortunately, due to these, many of Netflix’s instantly-available titles won’t be instantly available after New Year’s. So those of you who’ve been letting your instant queue sit dormant, get on it! There’s a sell-by date!

Those of you who haven’t yet discovered the joy and wonder of Netflix’s instant queue yet, you really should think about it. Sure, regular Netflix is great too. There’s nothing quite like being able to rent movies in your pajamas (although you might want to bundle up before heading to the mailbox). But what’s even better than having your picks from a massive selection of popular and obscure DVDs to your door? Why, not having to wait 1-5 business days, of course!

Thanks to Netflix’s streaming capabilities, all you need is a high-speed internet connection to instantly enjoy many fine films…on your computer. But streaming movies to your computer? That’s so ’90s. Streaming to your T.V. - now that’s the future. All you need for that is a box purchased from Netflix, or an Xbox 360 and a Live Gold subcription (everyone who games online has one, and they’re about $4/month). And hey presto! Movies on your T.V., only slightly hampered by occasional buffering breaks. It’s like RealPlayer all over again.

Here are some of the movies you should definitely check out before they disappear at the end of the month. Dates vary from the end of December to the beginning of January, so read carefully.

Expiring 12/28/08

A Fish Called Wanda
This spectacular heist comedy features Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin at their absolute best. It’s all the high points of British and American humor, coming together in a beautiful marriage that will make you laugh until you cry. Are you going to k-k-k-kill me, K-K-K-Ken?

Expiring 12/30/08

Team America: World Police
Anyone who feels like South Park’s potential for high comedy is hampered by its short, paper-cutout format will thoroughly enjoy this puppet romp. It’s as dry as a roll of paper towels, but sometimes that’s exactly the kind of humor you’re looking for. The only overt jokes are in the song interludes, which include such hits as “America, F*** Yeah.” Fun for the whole family, assuming the whole family is over 18.

Expiring 1/1/09

2001: A Space Odyssey
Enduring sci-fi classic, or really really dull arthouse film that somehow escaped to the mainstream? You be the judge. This one’s best to watch while you’re doing something else that will hold your attention, otherwise you will start to wonder why you’re watching chimpanzees play with rocks for forty minutes. It’s all very important and meaningful, and the classical music soundtrack just can’t be beat.

An Evening with Kevin Smith / An Evening with Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder
You don’t really need to be a fan of his movies in order to appreciate Kevin Smith’s self-deprecating charm and wit. His genuine ramblings on life, love, and growing up as a fat kid are almost riveting enough to distract from the buckets of sweat that pour out from his ample forehead as he addresses college students across the nation.

Bonnie and Clyde
Heist movies are amazing in general, and this is the best. The characters are completely unassuming and fascinating, their desire to break free from an ordinary life leading them to adventure, excitement, and ultimately, their doom. It’s hard to believe that two criminals could be so lovable, but goshdarnit, they are. Don’t miss this one.

Casablanca
Don’t worry - this isn’t one of those enduring classics that will end up disappointing you. It’s an outstanding, passionate film about freedom and sacrifice. When it comes to the battle for Ingrid Bergman’s heart, you won’t know who to root for. But the wonderful Rick, who sticks his neck out for nobody, can be counted upon to step in and make the right decision on everybody’s behalf.

Chariots of Fire
Worth watching if only for Vangelis’ legendary synthesized theme, this movie is about much more than running and winning a race. It’s about faith, acceptance, priorities, and, well, running a race. Hum along now: dun dun dun dun dunnnn dunnnn. Dun dun dun dun dunnnnnn.

The Shining
It may not live up to the promise of the book, but this is classic horror nonetheless. (And that scene with the woman in the bathtub is just horribly, horribly terrifying. You won’t be able to enter the bathroom alone for a week.) See this one, if only so you’ll understand the neverending pop culture references it’s garnered in the past few decades.

The Fifth Element
It’s kind of like if Baz Luhrmann and Terry Gilliam got together and made a movie. It’s…bizarre and wacky and awe-inspiring in oh so many ways. You won’t know whether to smile, laugh, or cringe, but that’s kind of the point - and it’s perfect if you’re sick of sci-fi that doesn’t really attempt to examine how much life might really change in the future.

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