Svetlana and I are pretty obsessed with Netflix. I take the slightly more OCD route though by rating all my movies (between 1 and 5 stars) and rearranging my queue on an hourly basis. I will often berate her for giving odd ratings: “5 stars out of 5 for The Descent? Really?” She doesn’t give a shit. I also send a lot of “notes” to friends, a Netflix feature that allows you to suggest movies to your friends via an up to 200 character mini review. Svetlana wishes I would channel all my Netflix energy into BYT. So at her request every once in a while I’ll post some of my mini-reviews from the past 4+ years, a dozen or so at a time. Feel free to give me shit like I give her shit:
Tropic Thunder
At times painfully unfunny and boring. Profanity does not equal comedy. Some choice moments from Robert Downey, but this should have been much more entertaining. Not worth your time.
2 Stars
A Very Long Engagement
cale likey
5 Stars
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
stranger than it has to be, absolutely ridiculous, beautifully shot, def worth watching
4 Stars
Koko: A Talking Gorilla
Captivating 1978 doc on the early years of Koko, a sign language using gorilla. First you’ll be charmed and then humbled as it narrows the intellectual gap between humans and our primate relatives.
4 Stars
Sicko
why do people hate Moore again?
5 Stars
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
A definite must see. And stay for the credits, not only do you get Television’s ‘See No Evil’ but there is a nice little joke at the end.
5 Stars
The Savages
A frightening and depressing yet funny must see. Philip Seymour Hoffman may be the greatest actor on the planet and Laura Linney does that thing she always does so well.
5 Stars
Spider Baby
pretty amazing
4 Stars
Revolution OS
Dork Orgy 2000. Good lord.
2 Stars
Run, Fat Boy, Run
Simon Pegg + Michael Ian Black = should have been way funnier. I mean, it’s watchable and has moments, but David Schwimmer needs to stay in front of the camera. Wait, he sucks there too, nevermind.
3 Stars
Nacho Libre
It’s no School Or Rock, and lacks any meaningful substance, but my god is it hilarious.
4 Stars
After Innocence
Horrifying and emotionally draining – inadvertently shines light on the dangers of the death penalty and racial and socio-econimic prejudices in our justice system. Help out at: www.innocenceproject.org
5 Stars
Wanna be my Netflix friend? Click here:
http://www.netflix.com/BeMyFriend/PmzrQcDhoaLYHM0oKBu0
Wanna read Part 1? Click here:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews/
Part 2:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews-part-2/
Part 3:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews-part-3/
Part 4:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews-part-4/
Part 5:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews-part-5/
and Part 6:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/1-second-movie-reviews-part-6/
Wanna read my thing on the Roku? Click here:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/movies/netflix-hd/
Solid choices, Cale! It’s worth noting that Kirby Dick, who directed This Film is Not Yet Rated, also directed “Outrage,” the gay politician documentary now screening at E Street. In addition, I HIGHLY recommend another Dick movie, Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan Supermasochist, to anyone who can stomach watching a guy nail his cock to a board.
My recent ratings:
Louis CK: Chewed Up – 5 stars
Normally it takes a lot for me to laugh when I watch comedy by myself. This guy had be gasping for air. Amazing stuff.
Just Another Love Story – 4 stars
Solid Danish noir. Kinda like a cross between While You Were Sleeping and Out of the Past. Really interesting stylistic choices.
Nothing but the Truth – 4.5 stars
Rod Lurie (The Contender, Deterrence) makes the brainiest political thrillers around, and this one is no exception. Kate Beckinsale is excellent in the Judith Miller role, and Matt Dillon is great in Patrick Fitzgerald mode.
Splinter – 3 stars
Surprisingly good horror (for no budget). Gross creature, some truly horrifying moments, average story/acting.
Frozen River – 4 stars
Great thriller about two desperate women, and the peril they face in times of economic need. Mellisa Leo really did deserve that Academy Award nomination.
Murder on a Sunday Morning – 3 stars
Movie about a ludicrous trial, and the public defender who saves an innocent man. Interesting, but the personalities do not enthrall.
The Moderns – 3 stars
Paris in the 20s. Linda Fiorento and some weird guy playing Ernest Hemingway. Good period piece, some clever dialog, few engaging characters.
Interiors – 4 stars
Woody Allen’s first serious movie. Reminds me a lot of Bergman, especially the forced family dynamics. Haunting ending that’s some of Allen’s more powerful work.
I’ve had Sick sitting on my shelf for about 3 years now and have been afraid to watch it…
May 8, 2009 at 3:06 pm“and Laura Linney does that thing she always does so well”
what’s that? portray abigail adams?
May 8, 2009 at 3:30 pmThese reviews are simply brilliant.
May 10, 2009 at 9:36 pm
savages was soooooooooo good.
May 8, 2009 at 2:33 pm