Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Dear Zachary: A Letter to His Father About His Son (2008)




Genre: Documentry

Average Netflix Rating: 4.1 stars

Synopsis: Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne's poignant tribute to his murdered childhood friend, Andrew Bagby, tells the story of a child custody battle between the baby's grieving grandparents and Shirley Turner, Bagby's pregnant ex-girlfriend and suspected killer. Initially, Kuenne made this documentary as a memorial for Andrew's loved ones, but it morphs into an emotional legal odyssey when Turner goes free on bail and is allowed to raise her son.

I really dont know how to review this movie. I want to yell from the rooftops that everyone should watch this, but its truth is so dark that I feel like no one should see it... After multiple viewings I'll tell you it takes exactly 65 seconds to make me start tearing up again... During your first viewing it will take you a little longer but know your signing up to be emotionally demolished. This movie takes you on an adventure of a man documenting the story of a murdered man for his new born son he will never meet. The events that unfold are shocking, sad, and almost unbelievable if the evidence wasn't so concrete. As the interviews and evidence piles up you find yourself so angry and sad that either way, your so invested and sickened that if your not crying, I consider you inhuman. Most of this movie is interviews with friends and family of Andrew (the deceased) and as time goes on you become more and more angry about the justice system. There is a moment towards the end that is so sickeningly sad that I wanted to throw up. But here I am telling you to watch this... Know what your signing up to watch... Know that your going to cry and then go and pick up the book that coincides with this amazing story. What makes this movie incredible is that it's 100% true.

Where should you put this in your Q? Don't... Either buy it knowing that your signing up for a disgustingly sad story or if your not emotionally ready avoid at all costs.

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Dear-Zachary-A-Letter-to-a-Son-About-His-Father/70095159

All Good Things (2010)




Genre: Thriller

Average Netflix Rating: 3.2 Stars

Synopsis: After restless real-estate scion David Marks (Ryan Gosling) weds middle-class beauty Katie McCarthy (Kirsten Dunst) against the wishes of his disapproving father (Frank Langella), suspicions of murder fall on the unmoored heir when his wife mysteriously vanishes. Though he's not indicted in her disappearance, people with ties to the case begin turning up dead when it's reopened two decades later -- and the unhinged David is the prime suspect.

It's movies like this that made me want to do this blog. Where does a movie with this cast and such a great story go that no one knows it's out there? Every single person in this movie delivers. The plot moves along quickly going from a sweet romance, to a story about the dark side of the New York real estate underbelly, to ultimatly the story of murder. Twists and turns abound and there were moments that I was shocked silent to others where I actually said outloud, alone, what the F#%K?? Any one who knows me knows I have an an unwavering hate for Kirsten Dunst but I enjoyed this movie so much I didn't even notice my hatred creeping in. The last 40 minutes creeps up on you and never let's go until the end. Every so often a movie comes in my mailbox and I have no idea why I added it to my Q, and this was one of those movies... But I'm sure glad it did!

Where should you put it in your Netflix Q? Movie it right to the top...

LINK:http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/All-Good-Things/70116678

Monday, June 27, 2011

Forget Me Not (2009)



Genre: Horror

Average Netflix Rating: 2.9 Stars

Synopsis: A party-filled graduation weekend turns into a nightmare for popular class president Sandy Channing (Carly Schroeder) when her friends begin to vanish one by one. Soon Sandy discovers they have awakened the vengeful spirit of a girl they mistreated years ago. Now she must work to resolve the dark mysteries of her past before she and all her friends become unwilling victims in this bloody horror flick.

A perfectly average horror movie, except for one really good underlying idea. An unbelievably attractive group of seniors celebrate their graduation by revisiting a childhood game they used to play in their local cemetery. But this time their innocent game (creepy hide-n-seek) awakens some sort of vengeful entity. It's to bad the synopsis tells you about the "girl they mistreated", knowing that definitely ruins some of the suspense. The deaths are nothing special and the acting is on par for what you would expect. What works really well is some creative writing that keeps you interested despite the films mediocrity. When someone dies, they are completely wiped from the memories and lives of our characters. So after each death memories, relationships, physical surroundings, etc all change. It keeps things interesting and it's an idea I hadn't seen done before but at the same time I felt they could have put more into it. The finale ties up all the pieces but I will admit, I didn't really "get" the last 30 seconds. Not a bad way for horror fans to kill 90 mins...

Where should you put it in your Netflix Q? Leave it at the bottom...

LINK:http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Forget-Me-Not/70120535

Welcome!

People have been telling me to start a blog about all the random movies I find on Netflix, so here you go...No movies in theaters, just stuff you can find and get from Netflix - a review a day, everyday.