Netflix Fridays: What Are We Watching Now?

Hello everybody! We had to hold off on our Bones Marathon this week s we're waiting on one disc so we've been plowing through our Netflix queue. We finally made it through Disc 2 of BSG. Good, but - as usual - needs more yucks. Wendy & Lucy was very good - nothing bad happened to the dog but it still quite sad. Quantum of Solace wasn't as disappointing as we expected (though I did fall asleep) but it defintely was not as good as Casino Royale. We also watched Happenstance, a french movie staring the lovely Audrey Tatou. We both fell asleep during that one. Enough said.

Here's what we've getting to this week:

Born in Brothels - This should be interesting to watch after seeing "Slumdog Millionaire." It's an Oscar-winning documentary about several children who live in Calcutta's red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes. Spurred by the kids' fascination with her camera, Zana Briski, a photographer documenting life in the brothels, decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.

It's sure to leave me in tears....

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky - Funny and provocative, this 1992 documentary explores the political life and ideas of Noam Chomsky, the world-renowned linguist, intellectual and political activist. Chomsky illustrates how the media tacitly manipulates public opinion to further the agendas of the powerful.

It's sure to leave me depressed for weeks.

Battlestar Gallactica: Season 4, Disc 3 - I really wish that we were able to watch this show as it aired originally. It's funny watching it on DVD... I have to really get myself worked up to watching it - and I always enjoy the shows after I've watched them, but each time we get a new disc, I have to almost convince myself I like this show again. It'd be so much easier if it just came on once a week and I had to watch it then. No debates, no procrastination. Oh well... we are enjoying it, it just needs a teensy weensy bit of levity injected into it every once in a while.

Netflix Fridays: What Are We Watching Now?

You'd think with network TV into reruns, we'd have nothing to do but watch all our Netflixes in a row, but that has not been the case this week. As you've no doubt noticed, we actually were released from our house arrest this week and got out to see a movie in the theater! After that, we've been shirking our Netflix duties by cruising through Season 3 of Bones which was lent to us by our good friend Stephanie. Season 3 has my all-time favorite episode, "The Mummy in the Maze" which contains all the elements of any good Bones episode - with some awesome Halloween costumes to boot! So, long story short, we haven't touched Battlestar Gallactica this week. But we do have coming up this weekend:



Quantum of Solace - We've heard this was nowhere near as good as the awesome Casino Royale - and we've had to wait about 3 months for it to become available on Netflix, so I am guessing we're probably going to end up being disappointed a little by it. Still, Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are always worth watching!







Wendy & Lucy - A sad movie about a down on her luck woman with nothing but her dog. I've heard that Michelle Williams gives a heart-breaking performance in this far-from-a-feel-good film. All I have to say is nothing had better happen to that damn dog! I do not do well with sad dog movies - sad human movies, yes. Sad dog movies, no.

Mini Review: Star Trek

Hooray for Grandparents! We have a few days off from parenting and saw our first in-theater movie in a long time! I should start by saying I am not a Start Trek fan. And when I say that, don't think I mean "I'm not a Trekkie" (or is it Treker?) No, I mean I really don't enjoy Star Trek. I watched "The Next Generation" a tiny bit in high school, but that's about it. I was always firmly in the "Star Wars" camp. So imagine my surprise when the second wave of "Star Wars" movies sucked ass while the reboot of "Star Trek" kicked major ass! This movie is everything it should be (and, for me, everything "Star Trek" usually isn't.) It was fast, exciting, funny, and interesting. God bless J.J. Abrams (and producer Damon Lindelof) for knowing exactly what this franchise needed. He assembled a pitch perfect cast (especially the sublime Simon Pegg!), threw in a few winks for the true fans, and crafted a thoroughly enjoyable thrill ride for the masses. No geek-cred required. Simply put, it's the perfect Summer movie.

Guest Columnist: Gianna's Top 100 Movies Every Film Buff Should See, Pt 5

Here's the next10 film recommendations, we're at the half-way point! I'm 7 for 10 again and this list has another of my all-time favorites: Holiday!

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Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001, Dir: John Cameron Mitchell, Wr: John Cameron Mitchell & Steven Trask) A rock musical, that actually features a great rock score. Cameron Mitchell’s tale of a young East German man’s struggle to find his identity after a botched sex-change operation, is humorous, touching and uplifting.

His Girl Friday (1940, Dir: Howard Hawks, Wr: Charles Lederer)-The great Roslind Russel in yet another amazing comic performance. One of the countless versions of the Front Page-this is my favorite.

Holiday (1938, Dir: George Cuckor, Wr: Donald Ogden Stewart)-Yes, everyone knows Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story, but I am at a loss as to why this exquisitely charming Hepburn & Grant film is completely neglected.

Hope and Glory (1987, Dir: John Boorman, Wr: John Boorman)-John Boorman’s semi-autobiographical film of early World War II England. Hope and Glory illustrates that even amidst the horrors of wartime, children can find the most joyous aspects of absolute destruction.

House of Games (1987, Dir: David Mamet, Wr: David Mamet & Johnathan Katz)-A thoroughly absorbing mystery/suspense flick. Though you have to endure the always wooden Lindsay Crouse (what can you say, she was married to Mamet at the time) House of Games is a tightly crafted film that keeps you mesmerized until the very end.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994 Dir: Joel Cohen, Wr: Joel & Ethan Cohen)-Joel & Ethan’s Cohen’s wonderful comedy about the invention of the Hula Hoop. Fantastic performances by Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Newman, superb art direction and cameo’s from Bruce Campbell and Steve Buscemi make for some fun viewing.

Imitation of Life (1959, Dir: Douglas Sirk, Wr: Eleanor Griffin & Alan S)-Douglas Sirk is too often dismissed as a director. True all his films are over-the-top, highly melodramatic and filled with Bad-Movie-We-Love moments. Still, he is a director that made every effort to push the envelop in tight 50’s production code days. Imitation of Life, with its themes of identity of race and prejudice, is one of my favorites.

Inside Moves (1980, Dir: Richard Donner, Wr: Valerie Curtin)-A totally forgotten film from the early eighties, about patrons of a local bar that caters to the handicapped. Instead of being a hit-you-over-the-head ‘See what we can do’ type of movie; Inside Moves is a small film with a sweet and human tone.

Iron Giant (1999, Dir: Brad Bird, Wr: Tim McCanlies)-Brad Bird’s wonderful animated film is stunning to watch. Utilizing a great 50’s look, this charming and entertaining film is a must for any film library.

Island of Lost Souls (1932, Dir: Erle C. Kenton, Wr: Waldemar Young)-One of the earliest and best adaptations of The Island of Dr. Moreau-there is nothing creepier or scarier than Charles Laughton.

Music & the Movies

So Sean and I have an ongoing discussion about what constitutes a "Musical" and what is just a "Movie with Music." It is my firm contention that not only are movies like "Footloose" and "Flashdance" which heavily feature original musical sequences not musicals (as they were often categorized in the 80s when traditional musicals died), but I go so far as to say that many films about a non-fictional group or performer (Walk the Line, A Hard Day's Night) which feature their music in full musical sequences don't count either.

Here are my basic rules:

A "Musical" must feature music written specifically for that project.

Musical sequences must be performed by the characters, preferably in character.

There should be at least one big dance sequence.

Songs should serve to further the plot and/or character development.

Sean loves to try to trip me up citing certain movies and asking whether or not they would count. Ray? Nope. Help? Close, but no cigar. What about Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Dreamgirls? They're about performers! Yes, but some songs are sung in character and all songs are about the plot/characters.

Every now and again he stymies me. Truthfully, some movies are tougher to argue for or against. Some are very much on the line. I don't consider Ray a musical, but do I consider Yankee Doodle Dandy one? Probably. It's tough. Is it just because George M. Cohan's music is more traditional and therefore more befitting a musical? Or is it because many of the recreations of his performances are theatrical presentations instead of a singer singing into a microphone in a nightclub? My carefully chosen rules don't always work. Sometimes for me it comes down to what feels like a musical and what doesn't.

Some of my favorite musicals:

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - dated, but adorable

Singing in the Rain - Pure, unadulterated joy

My Fair Lady - A movie I never cared for a t first, but continues to grow on me more & more (but it's not a romance!)

Dreamgirls/ Chicago - all hail to re-birth of the movie musical!

Some of my favorite "movies with music:"

Once - simple & sweet, with a tremendous soundtrack

Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe & Martin Scorsese are probably two of the best directors for knowing how to use music.

A Hard Day's Night - Come on, it's the Beatles! How can you top that?

The Commitments - Perhaps one of the best soundtracks ever created for a film.

Netlfix Fridays: What Are We Watching Now?

We've managed to watch quite a few movies this week - even sandwiched in between lots of season finales (Lost: amazing, 30 Rock & The Office: awesome!, House: meh, Bones: horrible!!) Goodbye, TV - see you again in September!


Battlestar Gallactica: Season 4, Disc 2 - Still plodding along through this series. As well done as it is, it certainly doesn't have the adrenaline rush of watching 24, or the maddening puzzles of Lost which keep you breathlessly waiting for the next disc. The first disc of this season was really just a 2-hour movie about mostly unknown characters, so to me this will really be the setting off point for Season 4. Hope it's going to be a good one!




Dr. Katz, Disc 7 - We're still working our way through Dr. Katz as well, but his is much more fun! We're about halfway through the entire series at this point and it's still damn funny! Can't wait to see how many times they get Ray Ramono on this time. He's practically a supporting character he's on so often! Nothing wrong with that, of course, because he always brings the funny.








Crazy Love - I've been waiting to see this one for a while. Here's what Netflix has to say: "This documentary from director Dan Klores chronicles the disturbing true story of an obsessive relationship gone awry in 1950s New York between Burt Pugach, a married lawyer, and his twenty-something mistress, Linda Riss. In a shocking reversal of the traditional "woman scorned" formula, it was Pugach who came unglued when Riss broke up with him -- and the subsequent fallout made headlines across the country. " I mean, just look at this guy! He's got whack-job written all over him!

Guest Columnist: Gianna's Top 100 Movies Every Film Buff Should See, Pt 4

Here's your latest installment... Cool, I'm up to 7 out of 10 this time!
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Dial M for Murder (1954, Dir: Alfred Hitchcock, Wr: Frederick Knott)-Another great Hitchcock film, and the only one of his films that was filmed in 3D. Interesting to watch with that knowledge, as you’d never know it (unlike other 3D films of that era) and it makes you appreciate the cinematography even more.

Dogville (2003, Dir: Lar Von Trier, Wr: Lars Von Trier)-The first of Von Trier’s America trilogy. Filmed on a sound stage with minor set pieces, it features Nicole Kidman as a young woman hiding out in a small town. Serves as an interesting commentary on America’s foreign policy.

East of Eden (1955 Dir: Elia Kazan, Wr: Paul Osborn)-In his short career James Dean shot three pictures: Rebel Without a Cause, Giant and East of Eden. Everyone has seen Rebel and Giant is, well, it’s long and it has Elizabeth Taylor. East of Eden, I feel, captures his best performance.

Ed Wood (1994, Dir: Tim Burton, Wr: Scott Alexander)-Tim Burton’s biography of Ed Wood is just heaven. One of the best Burton/Depp films, its celebration of the mediocre makes it one of the most joyous film bios made.

Eight Men Out (1988, Dir: John Sayles, Wr: John Sayles)-A great sports movie about one of the most infamous scandals in baseball. One of my favorites Sayles’s films.

Grave of the Fireflies (1988, Dir: Isao Takahata, Wr: Isao Takahata) A touching film of children in post Hiroshima Japan. An unusual subject for animated film, it executes the story beautifully.

Grey Gardens (1975, Dir: Albert & David Maysles)-This documentary, about Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie was shot shorty after they were ordered to clean up their crumbling home Grey Gardens. No voice over narration or commentary and little background info make this an interesting documentary.

Harold and Maude (1971, Dir: Hal Ashby, Wr: Colin Higgins) The ultimate May/December romance, this film has some of the most amusing and equally touching moments I’ve seen. You also can’t beat the wonderful performances and chemistry of Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort.

Heaven Can Wait (1978, Dir: Warren Beatty & Buck Henry, Wr: Elaine May) One of my all time favorite comedies. Warren Beatty is at his most charming and endearing in this film. A stellar supporting cast hits all the marks.

Heavenly Creatures (1994, Dir: Peter Jackson, Wr: Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh) From the opening scene, to the roll of the credits this film grabs you and never lets go. Up until this film, Jackson was mainly known for horror-comedy gore-fests. An incredibly faithful retelling of one of New Zealand’s most shocking crimes, it features the screen debut of Kate Winslet.

Margarita Movies: Mommie Dearest

Happy Mother's Day, everyone! To celebrate the magical and joyous bond of Motherhood, why not pop in one of the all-time best Worst Movies: Mommie Dearest. This is right up there with Xanadu in its extreme awfulness! You have Faye Dunaway, single-handedly killing her career so thoroughly that it still hasn't recovered over 25 years later, you have creepy kids making cocktails, you have unfair swim races, and you have dialogue... oh my, do you have dialogue! What's your favorite line?

"Don't f**k with me, boys! This isn't my first time at the rodeo!"

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt!"

"But I'm not ONE OF YOUR FANS!"

and, of course, "No Wire Hangers.... EVER!"

Does it get any better than that? The truly funniest thing to me is that poor little Christina comes off almost as someone you'd want to hit! Even when I see the actress (who played older Christina) in other projects (not too long ago, she even showed up on Lost!), I can't help but envision her getting bitch-slapped by Faye Dunaway.

And then I smile.
A little.

So make yourself a heaping Margarita, take that leftover steak out of the refrigerator, slather your face in cold cream, strap your little brother into his bed and enjoy the greatest Mother of them all!

Netflix Fridays: What are we watching now?

Good week for movies - Roman Polanski and Frost/Nixon were excellent. Battlestar was a bit uneven - but only because it began its fourth season by focusing on a completely new story with completely new characters. Took a while to warm up. So here's what we've got on deck:


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Our last of the Oscar nominees from this past year and by far the worst. We just watched this last night and - oh my God - does someone owe the guy who wrote Forrest Gump some serious money! There are so many parallels it is truly dizzying. Except - of course - for the whole "being interesting" part. Let me tell you something, Benjamin Button, I have seen Forrest Gump. I own Forrest Gump. You Sir, are no Forrest Gump.





Last Chance Harvey - I really am so excited to see this movie. It looks like one of those little gems which - while probably a little slight - just makes you smile. And how can you go wrong with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson? I ask you!





Ace in the Hole - Perhaps one of the best filmmakers of all time, Billy Wilder, brings us our last viewing option. This was recommended to us by Netflix, based on our ratings. I had never even heard of it before and am quite intrigued. As Netflix describes it: "After being fired from several major newspapers, reporter Charles Tatum (Kirk Douglas) tries to reestablish himself in New Mexico. When a local store owner is trapped in a cave-in, Tatum turns the victim's misfortune into a media frenzy to further his own career. A local sheriff agrees to help prolong the rescue efforts, thereby helping build up the story. This classic film has been touted as director Billy Wilder's sharpest, most uncompromising piece of work." Sounds good, yes? And also sounds like one of those movies which was way ahead of its time.

Guest Columnist: Gianna's top 100 Films a Film Buff Should see Pt 3

Jami's note: Ok, I guess I never saw the thing about "60 FILMS" in Gianna's previous posts... ooops! Still, who can't use a few more recommendations? Also - out of today's 10, I've seen 6. More respectable, indeed - plus 3 of today's are some of my all-time favorite films. Enjoy!
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Okay, it took me a little while to send the third installment. This was due to the fact that I had only done a list of 60 films, but the titles of the last two installment promised 100. So I went back and assessed some more films and came up with the additional 40. In a way it was a good thing, there were some titles that I had forgotten and there some titles that I had debated on that now got into the cut. I also want to clarify that this is not a ‘Best of’ list or ‘My Favorite’ list. These are films that I feel are worth seeing, but for whatever reason don’t get the same ink that other films do.

The Accidental Tourist (1988, Dir: Lawrence Kasdan, Wr: Frank Galati)-This fantastic adaptation of Anne Tyler’s wonderful novel of the same name, tends to suffer from the inaccurate billing of being a romantic comedy. Though, the film does have numerous light moments, it really is more of an examination of loss and the inability to connect with people.

Alice (1988, Dir: Jan Svankmajer, Wr: Jan Svankmajer)-A completely surreal and disturbing version of Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. Czech animator Svankmajer utilizes stop-motion animation to create a unstable and frightening Wonderland.

Allegro Non Troppo (1977, Dir: Bruno Bozzetto, Wr: Bruno Bozzetto & Guido Manlui)- Essentially Italy’s version of Fantasia, it’s a more adult take and features some stunning and heartbreaking animation.

American Movie (1999, Dir: Chris Smith)-Chris Smith’s film of amateur filmmaker Mark Borchardt, is supremely funny. So funny that you almost think it’s a mockumentary - but it’s all true. A fantastic account of one individual who lives in his own world, not always to his own benefit.

Beauty and the Beast (1946. Dir: Jean Cocteau, Wr: Jean Cocteau)-One of the most gorgeous live-action fairy tales put to the screen. Beautiful and haunting cinematography frames this stunning French film.

Before Sunrise (1995. Dir: Richard Linklater, Wr: Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan)-Perfect in its simplicity of story of two young people who meet on a train in Europe and spend the rest of the night talking. Refreshing and honest.

Before Sunset -(2004, Dir: Richard Linklater, Wr: Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy) The sequel to Before Sunrise. This film takes up nine years later, with our twenty-somethings now in their 30’s. One can only hope that Linklater and his two stars-Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, will revisit these characters every 10 years.

Blood for Dracula (1974, Dir: Paul Morrisey, Wr: Paul Morrisey)-Sometimes a movie doesn’t have to be a great or even good film to be a must for viewing. Andy Warhol’s Blood for Dracula is one of those films. Filled with bad acting, copious sex scenes and a rather blah script, there is something joyous is it’s badness. The cherry on the cake is Joe Dallesandro’s Brooklynese dialect amongst the all European cast.

The Changeling (1980, Dir: Peter Medak, Wr: William Gray)-This fantastic ghost story shows that atmosphere and a good creepy story can be as scary as anything. Starring George C. Scott as a recent widower who moves into a house that is occupied by the ghost of a young boy; the film’s non-use of special effects is a rarity in horror.

Cry in the Dark (1988, Dir: Fred Shepisi, Wr: Robert Caswell)-Unfortunately, this film is only known for it’s infamous line ‘The dingo ate my baby!’ However, this excellent Australian offering thoroughly examines how the media manipulates a story, how public obsession clouds truth and how quickly the truth gets lost in the quest for sensationalism.

Netflix Fridays: What are we watching now

Another busy week, but we managed to finish out John Adams (that good-for-nothing John Quincy...) and The Wrestler (Not bad, but one of those "saw the whole movie in the trailer" kind of experiences for me) and are on to fresher fare. Here's what we have lined up:



Frost/Nixon - It's funny how I'm seeing the Best Picture nominees in about the same order I had interest in them (leaving Benjamin Button for last). Still, I have hope that my lackluster feeling about his year's Oscar crop can still be turned around by a terrific film. If Opie can't pull it off, who can?





Battelstar Gallactica: Season 4, Disc 1 - So we're beginning the penultimate season and hopeful won't have too long a wait until Season 5 is released so that we can cruise to our (hopefully) satisfying ending. They continue to delve into a lot of religious psycho-babble in here and I wish they would just embrace the sci-fi (and political parallels to our current world-state) a bit more. We'll see what this season brings.




Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired - A documentary examining the controversial director. It touches on his career as well as his tumultuous personal life including the rape charges which made him flee America and the murder of Sharon Tate.