Netflix: ‘Tramps’ is one not to miss, a romantic comedy with real emotion, real people

Can’t dedicate the time to binge out on a TV series? Then take a chance on these five films now streaming on Netflix.

1. “Tramps”: Netflix knocks it out of the indie filmmaking park (once again) with rising-star filmmaker Adam Leon’s enchanting followup to his 2012 feature-length debut “Gimme the Loot” (rent that one if you haven’t). A botched exchange of briefcases after a heist unites two young New York souls, one a stammering wanna-be chef (Callum Turner) and the other a confident and alternately insecure bartender/cocktail waitress (Grace Van Patten). Stalled dreams, complicated family obligations and breaking and entering posh abodes results while the duo peel back the layers of who they are and who they aren’t in this assuredly different romantic comedy, one that values creating flesh-and-blood characters that don’t always do the right thing. I just love this little gem and how it so unexpectedly made me tear up near the end. (3.5 out of 4 stars) 
2. “Oklahoma City”: This intense, intelligent documentary covers not only the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing instigated by Timothy McVeigh but the previous deadly headline-making events that triggered the Army veteran’s drastic actions.  Barak Goodman’s disturbing overview hits us hard as it taps into the spectre of hatred and the consequences and human casualties of when hate gets unleashed. (3 out of 4 stars)
3. “Backcountry”: Novice backpackers might think twice about venturing into the great outdoors after seeing this nervy survivalist thriller that tags along with an intrepid but not entirely prepared couple (Missy Peregrym and Jeff Roop) tangling with nature and each other. Warning: Things get grisly as well as grizzly. (3 out of 4 stars)
4. “Being 17”: Andre Techine savvy and observant character drama thrums with erotic tension as two high school-aged teens (Kacey Mottet Klein and Corentin Fila) get thrown together in the French countryside and then fight it out until they realize they’re attracted to each other. Techine (“Wild Reeds”) is on top of his game here, as is his splendid cast. (3.5 out of 4 stars)

      5. “Other People”: If you’re in need of a good “Terms of Endearment”-sort of cryout,           watch this family dramedy about a gay writer (Jesse Plemons) caring and tending for his cancer-stricken mom (Molly Shannon) in Sacramento. Chris Kelly’s weeper is destined to get you bawling, but it is also quite funny — at moments. Shannon is sensational. (3 out of 4 stars)