Roku Blog Feed: “Roku expands Roku TV licensing program into Europe” plus 2 more |  |
- Roku expands Roku TV licensing program into Europe
- Here’s your chance to win a Roku Smart Soundbar and a Roku Wireless Subwoofer
- The best comedy movies on Netflix right now (September 2019)
| Roku expands Roku TV licensing program into Europe Posted: 07 Sep 2019 01:30 AM PDT Today, we're pleased to announce that our Roku TV licensing program is expanding into Europe! Our CEO, Anthony Wood, just shared during his keynote speech at IFA, a world-leading tech show in Berlin, that Hisense is the first European Roku TV partner. Hisense Roku TV models combine Roku's intuitive and easy-to-use operating system including thousands of streaming channels; with Hisense's picture and screen technologies delivering 4K Ultra HD resolution and enhanced detail and contrast levels of HDR.
TV manufacturers can license Roku TV reference designs and use the Roku OS to quickly build world-class smart TVs. Roku TV was first introduced in 2014, and today 100+ models are available from 10+ brands in North America. Roku estimates that in the first half of 2019 more than one-in-three smart TVs sold in the U.S. were Roku TVs, making the Roku OS the #1 selling smart TV OS in the U.S. Roku TV is a better smart TV. Roku TV removes the complicated layers and menus, and unnecessary features and settings that plague smart TVs today. Instead, Roku TVs feature a Roku home screen that showcases all available content sources in one place making it easy to watch live programming, stream a movie or TV show, or listen to a song in just seconds. Just like Roku streaming players, Roku TVs have full access to the Roku Channel Store filled with thousands of streaming channels that offer access to 500,000+ movies and TV shows as well as live sports news, music, kids, food, science, tech, fitness, foreign language and other programming. Roku TV models can be controlled with either an included simple TV remote or with the Roku mobile app for Android and iOS devices. With the Roku mobile app, you can stream entertainment to your Roku TV, use your voice to search for movies and TV shows, and enjoy private listening of TV audio with headphones. Hisense Roku TV models are expected to bring an affordable yet enhanced viewing experience to UK consumers. Hisense Roku TV models are expected to be available for purchase in the UK in Q4 in sizes ranging up to 65 inches. Pricing and other details will be announced by Hisense later this year. Happy Streaming! The post Roku expands Roku TV licensing program into Europe appeared first on The Official Roku Blog.    |
| Here’s your chance to win a Roku Smart Soundbar and a Roku Wireless Subwoofer Posted: 06 Sep 2019 09:59 AM PDT The post Here’s your chance to win a Roku Smart Soundbar and a Roku Wireless Subwoofer appeared first on The Official Roku Blog.   |
| The best comedy movies on Netflix right now (September 2019) Posted: 05 Sep 2019 08:10 AM PDT Sabienna Bowman is an entertainment writer for Bustle and Reelgood, a streaming service search engine that keeps track of where you can watch your favorite shows online. Few genres are quite as broad as comedy. Netflix’s catalog of comedy films covers everything from indie gems to rom-coms and full on silly classics like the Monty Python movies. Sorting through all of those options can take ages, so we’ve cut right to the chase so that you can start laughing faster. These are the very best comedy movies streaming on Netflix right now; so fire up your Roku box and start streaming, because every night is a good night to watch a comedy. Check out our other always-up-to-date guide for the best movies on Netflix: Stripes Stripes was released in 1981, but thanks to the combination of Bill Murray and a truly hilarious fish out of water plot, this army set comedy is still a total classic. John Winger joins the Army on a whim (which is the worst reason to join the Army), and he immediately begins to wreak havoc on the orderly institution. Band Aid Zoe Lister-Jones is the writer, director, and star of this understated, but sublimely funny little film. Anna (Lister-Jones) and Ben’s (Adam Pally) marriage is a mess, but the one thing they’ve always had in common is their love of music. In hopes of saving their marriage, the unhappy couple form a band to work through their problems. Superbad Superbad is part of a pantheon of last day of high school films. What sets it apart is, in short, Jonah Hill. The talented actor sells the plot (which involves a trio of teens trying to secure enough alcohol to supply a house party) with his gift for playing characters that are at once sweet and raunchy. A Futile and Stupid Gesture Director David Wain turns his eye for the absurd to Doug Kenney, the co-founder of National Lampoon magazine. Kenney faced a number of challenges in his life that were anything but funny, including drug addiction, but with the help of stars like Will Forte and Joel McHale, Wain brings the comedy legend’s story to film. Big Bear With a lesser cast, Big Bear likely wouldn’t work. Thankfully, this tale of a group of bros helping their jilted friend get revenge stars Adam Brody, Zachary Knighton, Tyler Labine, and Pablo Schreiber, all of whom are more than capable of adding a touch of heart to the silliness. Ant-Man and the Wasp The imminent coming of Disney+ means Netflix won’t have Marvel movies for much longer. That makes now the perfect time to watch Ant-Man and the Wasp, and bask in Paul Rudd’s ability to anchor this bonkers superhero film with his deadpan sense of humor. Masterminds Based on the true story of a Loomis truck robbery, Masterminds is a kooky caper film that provides plenty of laughs. The movie stars Zach Galifianakas, Kristin Wiig, and Owen Wilson, as well as a number of other comedy favorites. And it makes excellent use of all its stars to create a Southern-fried comedy that’s simple, but reliably funny. Burn After Reading Everyone knows Brad Pitt is a heartthrob, but he doesn’t get nearly enough praise for his comedic chops. Thanks to the Coen Brothers, Pitt gets to cut loose in this wonderfully silly story of two people who try to use a CIA agent’s memoir as blackmail material. Frances Ha Greta Gerwig is mesmerizing as the titular Frances, an aimless New Yorker who chases her dreams with little to no regard for reality. The movie is a beautiful love letter to New York and dreamers everywhere, and it has a gentle sense of humor that’s hard to resist. Murder Party If dark comedy is your thing, then you need Murder Party in your life. A man gets an invitation to a Halloween party, only to discover that everyone there is plotting his bloody demise. Sure, it’s a grim premise, but trust us, it’s funnier than it sounds. Groundhog Day Phil’s neverending day isn’t so fun for him, but it makes for one iconic movie. Groundhog Day is Bill Murray at his sardonic best. As Phil slowly figures out how to escape the time loop he’s stuck in, this exquisitely funny movie also offers up some sobering meditations on what it means to be a good person. Four Weddings and a Funeral Hulu recently adapted Four Weddings and a Funeral into a modern rom-com series, which makes now the perfect time to revisit the ’90s original starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. Delightful British humor aside, it’s Grant’s winning performance that really sets this movie apart. If you want to know why he’s still regarded as the rom-com king, this is a great place to start. Then Came You This British comedy is just as likely to make you cry as it is to make you laugh. Game of Thrones‘ Maisie Williams stars as a terminally ill teen who refuses to allow her diagnosis to define her. Instead, she faces her situation with humor as she convinces her friend to embark on an adventure with her. Man Up A case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected romance for Simon Pegg’s Jack and Lake Bell’s Nancy. Nancy is in London celebrating her parents’ wedding anniversary when Jack mistakes her for his blind date. She goes with it, leading to a charming and sweetly funny modern rom-com. Pineapple Express If you don’t like stoner comedies, then you’ll probably want to skip Pineapple Express. However, if you do enjoy movies about slackers getting caught up in situations they have absolutely no idea how to deal with, then this Seth Rogen comedy is sure to delight you. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World The punk rock sensibilities of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World are more than enough to make it a blast to watch. But thankfully, the video game-style plot that finds Scott battling his new love’s exes in order to win her heart has a smart sense of humor and terrific performances from Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, and Aubrey Plaza, too. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs The Coen Brothers’ western anthology is by turns clever, hilarious, and full of irreverent asides. By all accounts it could be Netflix’s best original to date, and it certainly has one of the best casts. Liam Neeson, Zoe Kazan, and Brendan Gleeson all turn in stellar performances. The Young Offenders Two pals from Cork ride off on a quest to find a whole lot of cocaine in this bawdy Irish comedy. The movie’s heroes are lay-abouts with hearts of gold (more or less) which makes their less than legal cash grab far more endearing than it should be. The Man Who Knew Too Little Murray embraces his silly side in this James Bond sendup. The actor’s Wallace Ritchie thinks he’s simply taking part in a role playing game, but when he’s soon mistaken for a hit man leading to mishaps and plenty of hilarity. Caddyshack Come for the gopher, stay for the incomparable Bill Murray. This movie about golf-obsessed rich dudes is every bit as riotous now as it was when it was first released in 1980. The One I Love The One I Love is a horror movie if you tilt your head just right, but the black, comedic heart of this marriage gone wrong story with a sci-fi twist can’t be denied. Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss star as a couple whose last ditch attempt to save their relationship leads them to stay in an unusual weekend house recommended by their therapist. And things just get weirder from there. Mamma Mia! Look, if Meryl Streep exuberant singing ABBA songs doesn’t make you grin, then nothing will. As rom-coms go, Mamma Mia! Is light on plot, but it more than makes up for that with the boundless energy of the all-star cast. Operator Mae Whitman gets the spotlight she deserves in this quiet, biting comedy about a husband and wife whose marriage goes off the rails when they both use each other in their work. Whitman is joined by Martin Starr, who quickly proves that he’s leading man material in a small, but clever indie comedy. Julie & Julia Sweet, romantic, and full of funny moments, Julie & Julia is a love letter to the power of food to bring people together. The movie stars Streep as the larger than life Julia Child, and Amy Adams as the modern day blogger who vows to cook her way through the legendary chef’s most famed cookbook. The Breaker Upperers The Breaker Upperers is one of those devilishly funny films that you won’t be able to stop talking about once you’ve seen it. The movie follows two cynical women who decide to break-up with other people’s significant others for them — for a praise. They of course find themselves drawn into other people’s personal lives leading to plenty of hilarious and heartfelt moments along the way. As Good As It Gets Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt both took home Oscars for their roles in this biting rom-com, and for good reason: their performances are brilliant. Nicholson plays a prickly man suffering from OCD, and Hunt is the only waitress who is willing to serve him in the local diner. As you might expect, they fall in love, but the take a touching and funny path to get there. The Edge of Seventeen Coming of age tales are rarely as astute and self-assured as this one. The comedy is quiet, but watching Hailee Steinfeld navigate being 17 is always rewarding. (And there’s bonus Woody Harrelson, and it’s a known fact that he makes everything better.) Harry and the Hendersons The ’80s were a gloriously weird time for movies. But the decade gave the world cult classics like Harry and the Hendersons, a movie about a family that inadvertently ends up adopting Bigfoot. John Lithgow stars in this silly, but oh so watchable film that will make you feel like you’re 10 again. Zack and Miri Make a Porno Don’t let the salacious title fool you, Zack and Miri Make a Porno isn’t nearly as salacious as it sounds. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks play roommates drowning in debt who decide to make an adult film for extra cash, but in true movie fashion things quickly spiral out of control leading to a funny, but also warm comedy that you’ll want to watch again and again. Always Be My Maybe Netflix is almost single-handedly making the rom-com genre relevant again, and it’s all thanks to brilliant little movies like Always Be My Maybe. Starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, the film about estranged high school sweethearts who reconnect as adults is a bit like a modern day When Harry Met Sally. The film finds humor in the yearning for the central characters to find love with one another, even as it suggests that may not be what’s best for either of them. Add in a sublime performance from Keanu Reeves, and you have the recipe for one of the best romantic comedies of the year. Someone Great The twin life changes of a breakup and a new job lead to an unexpectedly delightful comedy about female friends indulging in a wild night out. Starring Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, and DeWanda Wise, this Netflix original packs in laughs even as it lingers on the uncomfortable realities of adulthood. Rodriguez is the perfect anchor for this tale of female friendship and new adventures, and you’ll find yourself rooting for her (and relating to her) in no time. About Time Released in 2013, About Time appears to be a time travel themed love story about a man who decides to improve his life after his dad reveals that the men in the family can time travel. It’s a bit more complicated than that though. Sure, there’s a love story at the heart of this funny little film, but don’t be surprised when it turns out to be less about romance than it is about the bonds between fathers and sons. Unicorn Store Captain Marvel and Nick Fury first united in Brie Larson’s 2017 directorial debut, Unicorn Store. And believe it or not, this movie is exactly what it says on the tin. Larson plays a failed art student whose dream of owning a unicorn comes true thanks to Samuel L. Jackson. It’s an unabashedly weird, but also life-affirming story about chasing your dreams, even the impossible ones. Wine Country What happens when you put seven of the funniest women in the world together in one film? Nothing but good things. Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Tina Fey, Emily Spivey, and Ana Gasteyer star in Wine Country, a movie about a group of lifelong friends reckoning with the realities of middle age during a 50th birthday trip. The jokes fly fast in this movie, but expect plenty of truth bombs about adulthood to be dropped by the incredible cast too. About a Boy Hugh Grant is finally getting the career recognition he deserves thanks to his roles in A Very English Scandal and Paddington 2, which makes now the perfect time to look back on what may very well be his best performance. About a Boy stars Grant as a man child living off the royalties of a single hit song. He has no responsibilities and no direction, but all of that changes when a strange little boy from his neighborhood forces him to grow up. This is a comedy with a razor sharp dramatic edge that offers both humor and plenty of pathos. Monty Python and the Holy Grail Comedies with drama and romance are great. But sometimes you just want to laugh until you cry and your sides hurt. On those days, you need the sublime silliness of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A three-headed giant, a killer rabbit, and a fearless knight who doesn’t know when to cut his losses are just a few of the delights you’ll find in this classic. Wet Hot American Summer Before it was a Netflix series, Wet Hot American Summer was a fearlessly madcap film about a group of teens falling in love, growing up, and also maybe saving the world over the course of the last day of summer camp. Granted those teens were played by adults like Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper. And the growing up sometimes happened in a single scene. Oh, and did we mention the talking can of beans? You know what, you’re just going to have to watch this one for yourself. Heathers Before Mean Girls, there was Heathers. The 1988 dark comedy stars Winona Ryder as a teen navigating the vicious cliques that form in high school. Her objection to the cruelty exhibited by her own clique spirals out of control in record time. Deliciously wicked and an utter blast to watch, this movie’s perfect for a night when you want to laugh at some seriously bad behavior. In Bruges Two hit men lie low in a small city in Belgium for what’s meant to be a respite from their bloody work. Instead, they find themselves interacting with locals and tourists who push their lives in an unexpected direction. This comedy definitely falls into the dark category, but while it has its brutal moments, In Bruges is a pleasure to watch. Empire Records Empire Records is a true cult classic starring plenty of future famous faces including Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, and Tobey Maguire. Set in a failing record store, the movie includes all of the music references and snark that you could ask for, but it also tells the story of a group of young people who aren’t passionate about much except for music. Their quest to save the store is by turns funny and heartfelt. Swiss Army Man Daniel Radcliffe’s been determined not to be typecast as Harry Potter since the franchise ended, and Swiss Army Man is a pretty extreme departure for the actor. In the film, he plays a flatulent dead body and a source of endless humor as his corpse becomes the key to Paul Dano’s character Hank’s escape from a deserted island. Fair warning, this movie is weird, but it’s also pretty darn amusing. Our Idiot Brother Paul Rudd is a gift from the acting gods, and he proves that once again as the titular “idiot brother” in this indie gem. After selling marijuana to a cop, Rudd’s Ned is sent to jail. When he’s released, he finds himself at the mercy of his three sisters and their messy lives. Death at a Funeral Death isn’t the first subject that comes to mind when you think comedy, but this movie makes a good case for why a funeral can be the perfect setting for hilarity to ensue. Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, and Peter Dinklage star in this film about a family coming together to mourn their patriarch only to find the day marred by mishaps and family secrets. The Informant Steven Soderbergh directs this 2009 film about a hapless spy enthusiast who decides to help the FBI bring down a major corporation. Matt Damon stars as the informant, and his wide-eyed enthusiasm is the perfect hook for a comedy of errors inspired by real-life events. Everyone knows Damon can be suave and heroic, but he doesn’t get enough credit for just how hilarious he can be when given the opportunity. 50/50 Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen keep 50/50, the story of a young man’s cancer diagnosis, from becoming too grave. Their combined comedic prowess makes this film’s message about the power of having a good (and irreverent) friend by your side through a difficult time ring true. It also makes it a surprisingly fun watch. Set It Up Another inspired Netflix rom-com, Set It Up focuses on two overworked millennials who concoct a plan to get their bosses to hook up in hopes of decreasing their workloads. Of course, their scheme brings them together, but it’s a welcome development in what is a warm and clever film that’s as much about friendship as it is about romance. Still looking for more movies? Check our what’s free on The Roku Channel this month. Happy Streaming! The post The best comedy movies on Netflix right now (September 2019) appeared first on The Official Roku Blog.   |
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