Monday, July 25, 2011

All Posts Updated

FYI all old posts have been updated with trailers... Enjoy!

Dead Awake (2010)



Genre: Thriller

Average Netflix Rating: 2.8 Stars

Synopsis: In this supernatural love story, lonely funeral home employee Dylan (Nick Stahl) fakes his death in order to find out who will attend his funeral. The surprising results prompt him to investigate the decade-old tragedy that ruined his life. Attending the phony funeral are junkie Charlie (Rose McGowan), who needs Dylan to save her from herself, and high school sweetheart Natalie (Amy Smart), whom he abandoned long ago.

Horrible. Waste of time. Thriller???? This was the most boring thriller I've ever watched. It was 5 different movies tossed together and it didn't work. Fake a funeral and watch the characters develop, could be an interesting drama, but then you throw in a random murder mystery, then add in druggies and the mob, then add in a love story, THEN if that's not random enough throw in ghosts and some random twists about who's alive and who's dead... This movie wants to be very smart, but tries so hard it comes off stupid. What really surprises me is Amy Smart... Why does she keep ending up in these horrible movies? I doubt that I'm the only person that thinks she should be a big star. On the same note, Nick Stahl has made a nice little career for himself - why is he in this piece of crap??

Where Should You Put It In Your Q? Don't put it in your Q at all, there's nothing here worth seeing...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Dead-Awake/70138788

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Exam (2008)




Genre: Thriller

Average Netflix Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis: In this psychological thriller, eight job applicants in a guarded, windowless room are given instruction, exams and 80 minutes to answer one discerning question that may win them a prime position. But they soon discover this is no ordinary test. The exams are blank. With one ejected for attempting to answer the unknown question, the remaining seven must decide what they will do and how far each will go for the coveted job.

How do you make a movie, a thriller non-the-less about a job interview??? Make it for a position people are willing to kill to get, and make the interview about 1 simple question. The problem is... no one knows the question. Maybe it's printed in invisible ink? Maybe it's printed in glow-in-the-dark ink so you should kill the lights? Maybe the ink is activated by heat, but what do you burn? This movie is EXACTLY why I wanted to do this blog, Bc there are movies out there that no one has heard of but you should be watching. I like my thrillers to be smart, and this is certainly one of them. Who's lying? Who's a mole? What is the job?? and most importantly... What is the question?? The answer is so simple and in your face the entire time, and like many of the candidates you realize... You should have known the answer but you just weren't smart enough... I don't want to write any more Bc the fun of this movie is discovering facts along the way with the characters? I say try it - take The Exam...



Where should you put it in your Q? Towards the top...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70120605

The Thing (1982)




Genre: Sci-Fi Horror

Average Netflix Rating: 3.8 stars

Synopsis: Scientists working in Antarctica are forced to abandon their research after a helicopter crashes near their camp, bringing a lone dog into their midst. But the plot thickens when the otherworldly canine changes form in the middle of the night. As it turns out, the dog is a shape-shifting alien that can attack animals -- and unsuspecting humans. Kurt Russell stars in this creepy John Carpenter-directed remake of the 1950s classic.

When you read the synopsis, you might roll you eyes at how stupid it sounds... but it's in my top 10 favorite horror movies and easily my all time favorite "monster" movie. Horror legend John Carpenter remakes an old 50s movie for the new horror craze of the 80s and it was intense, gory and quite in your face for it's time. I don't generally find monster movies scary but this one did get under my skin. Not only do you get the usual monster movie fun of seeing something "otherworldly" killing off people - but you get the slasher vibe the 80s horror movies were famous for. Who's infected? Who's lying? Who is the killer?? It's bloody and gory without being over the top and I remember being terrified as a kid when a certain mans best friend face rips open like a bloody tulip (and it has one of the best JUMP scares of any horror movie)... What really makes me recommend this movie??? It has 100% stood the test of time. The special effects are all real - there's no bad CGI moments that take you out of the picture. I will say the ending reminded me a little of IT - where once you see what has been terrorizing them your a little bit disappointed - but the journey is well worth one little complaint. And who doesn't love Kurt Russel in has hey-day???

Where should you put it in your Q? If you like horror movies, right to the top spot...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The-Thing/1038926

Friday, July 22, 2011

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)




Genre: Romantic Thriller

Average Netflix Rating: 3.7 Stars

Synopsis: A congressman (Matt Damon) who's a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter. Screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) makes his directorial debut with this romantic adaptation of Philip K. Dick's classic sci-fi short story "Adjustment Team."

I wanted to see this movie in theaters, and I'm so glad I waited. Here's the thing, in no way am I saying that it wasn't good enough to see in theaters, just that the marketing really made this movie into something it's not. The trailer made it seem like you were about to go on this thrilling action adventure supernatural ride, and then you left the theater dissapointed Bc instead you saw an edgy romance with some supernatural undertones. BUT by waiting and going into the movie with an open mind, its very good. Emily Blunt steals the show in every scene she's in, and the chemistry between her and Matt Damon is something we haven't seen on film in a while. The idea of living beings actually physically adjusting things to keep fate's time line in order, is clever and well done. My only complaint? When the movie ends, you still have some pretty big questions, yes the story of Matt and Emily's characters is resolved - but the bigger picture is never explored or answered.

Where should you put it in your Q? Add it right to the top,

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The-Adjustment-Bureau/70130140

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Here's a secret!!!!

I'm sorry to anyone who reads this blog! I've been a little overwhelmed! My car died, my sister got married, and I've been doing double duty at work! So here's a promise, I'll be back to blogging about what movies to watch in the next 24 hours, but in the mean time I'll share a secret website...

http://www.netflix.com/AllNewReleases?lnkctr=NavAllNewReleases

You can only get to this site with that link, it's not advertised or shared on the regular Netflix website, but it's updated every Sunday with the new movies they are offering to netflix subscribers! It's the best link to the new realeases Netflix adds every week!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Insidious (2011)




Genre: Horror

Average Netflix Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: After moving into a new home, Josh (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Renai (Rose Byrne) confront terrifying tribulations when their son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) falls into a coma and his body starts to attract malevolent forces from a mysterious netherworld. But when the family decides to move again, hoping to leave the evil spirits behind, they realize that their problems are just beginning. James Wan (Saw) directs.

I wanted to love this movie... I think I wanted to love this movie so much that I actually ruined it for myself. I set the bar way too high. Overall, it is a pretty scary movie, actually it's VERY scary at some points - there were many parts that were genuinely creepy. There is a scene in the trailer that really creeped me out, and in the movie actually got me to "jump", the first hour is tense and rooted in such a reality that even mundane things like characters looking out a window or just sitting in bed reading have you on the edge of your seat Bc your expecting something to happen. The first hour is great, above average horror fun. Then for some reason in the last 30 mins the film makers take everything that you loved and flip it upside-down... Everything is different in the last act - it feels like a different movie... Different setting, different atmosphere, I'll even go so far is to say the last act looked cheap with bad lighting and scary fog (can someone tell me why fog is scary??) AND then the big reveal of what's haunting the house - really?? REALLY?? It really is to bad Bc the glimpses you get earlier in the film are truly scary but as a whole entity it was laughable... and then based on the writers past movies he's done you know there's some sort of twist coming... and its predictable and LAME! Overall the movie isn't bad - the first hour is engrossing and well done. I personally think the end was bad enough the drag this whole movie down... 

Where should you put it in your Q? If your a hardcore horror movie fun add it to your Q but just leave it at the bottom - if your just an average person looking to be creeped out then put it towards the top (you'll probably be much less critical)

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Insidious/70142542

Monday, July 11, 2011

Antichrist (2009)




Genre: Thriller

Average Netflix Rating: 2.8 Stars

Synopsis: After their child dies, a therapist (Willem Dafoe) and his wife (Charlotte Gainsbourg) flee to their cabin in the woods, where they hope to mend their emotional wounds. But the grief-stricken couple watches their troubles multiply when very strange things begin to happen. Acclaimed Danish auteur Lars von Trier divides this tale into multiple narratives, revealing a surreal, horrific psychological adventure about the evils of nature, humanity and desire.

This is going to be short and easy. I NEVER want to watch 1 minute of this movie again. The opening scene sets up this crazy edgy beatiful movie. The opening act is pure geniius, from the music, to the black and white, to the emotional sucker punch it throws at you as you watch the death of this child - then act 2 starts... It's almost too boring to watch... I wanted to be invested in these people but I was annoyed at what a different direction the movie was taking, but I hung in there - and then act 3 started. Just thinking of what was put on film makes me want to perform a lobotomy on myself to forget - There were 2 scenes in the finale that were so visually scaring to me, just writing this is making me quiver. I can't even bring myself to type what they were. I can't even tell you how the movie really ended Bc I was so scarred by what I saw I mentally checked out. This is a horrible, disgusting, vile, unflinching, did I say vile? Piece of filth...

Where should you put it in you Q? At the top, so we can get all the copies from Netflix and BURN them...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Antichrist/70117549

Easy A (2010)




Genre: Comedy

Average Netflix Rating: 3.9 Stars

Synopsis: High school is the setting for this freewheeling comedic twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne's 19th-century novel The Scarlet Letter. Ambitious student Olive (Emma Stone) decides to boost her popularity by pretending to be the school slut. As the school's swirling rumor mill increases both her notoriety and her finances, Olive enjoys her newfound status but eventually must decide which is more important: popularity or self-esteem.

You know you've got something special when a teen sex movie wins "Best Comedy" at the Critics Choice Awards... Easily my favorite movie of 2010. Everything about this movie is sheer perfection. The writing, the acting, the comedic timing. I have NOTHING bad to say about this film. It takes everything you love about the teen sex comedy and turns it around, taking every teen movie cliche and either acknowledging it's cliche-ness or taking that cliche and turning it into something that feels totally fresh. Who would have ever thought of taking The Scarlet Letter and turning it into a teen sex comedy??? Pure genius. The movie is 100% carried by Emma Stone, her delivery and understanding of comedy is what elevates this above the average comedy... I have a hard time with comedies, I just simply don't laugh (I still haven't seen THE HANGOVER" but I laughed non- stop from beginning till end... From smart innuendo jokes, to great one line zingers, to watching a family guess the word TWAT by spelling it out in peas , it's an absolute riot. You can feel how much the makers of this film cherished the seminal teen films of the 80s...

Where should you put this in your Q? Don't... Go out and buy it - actually go out a buy a blu-ray player so you can buy this on blu-ray and enjoy it in its best quality...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Easy-A/70123920

The Illusionist (2006)




Genre: Drama

Average Netflix Rating: 3.8 stars

Synopsis: With his eye on a lovely aristocrat (Jessica Biel), a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim (Edward Norton) uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crowned prince (Rufus Sewell). But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector (Paul Giamatti). Set in early 1900s Vienna, this lush period drama from writer-director Neil Burger earned an Oscar nod for Best Cinematography.

Every so often 2 major studies get the same idea and 2 movies come out close together that are very similar (right now they are making 2 big budget live action versions of Snow White). Sometimes one movie is much better then another (Deep Impact vs Armageddon) and sometimes they are both incredibly well done. The Illusionist and The Prestige came out the same year, The Prestige was an action packed thriller filled with twists and turns that kept the watcher on edge from start to finish. The Illusionist was a complete 180, a slow burn of a who-done-it. The Illusionist is a beautiful period drama romance, it's focus is more the beauty of storytelling. Its a beautiful film filled with drama, romance and murder. Where The Prestiges main focus was the magic and the tricks, here the magic is more scenery. By giving the magic a backseat it makes the story become the main puzzle. A puzzle I regretfully say is not 100% answered. My other issue?? I hate Jessica Biel, she's easy on the eyes but can't act her way out of a paperbag, BUT she somehow manages to pull this off. Maybe it's Bc she just has to be sexy and/or lifeless for most of the movie. I will also say that either the ending was very cliche or it's some sort of twist that I don't understand (Pay attention to her sleeve sleeve)...

Where should you put it on your Q? Towards the top (and while your there put The Prestige too)

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Illusionist/70043951?trkid=2361637

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday The Thirteenth (2000)




Genre: Comedy (I guess)

Average Netflix Rating: 2.9 Stars

Synopsis: It's Friday the 13th in Bulemia Falls and -- due to the mayor's dyslexia -- it's Halloween night as well. To make matters worse, a masked slasher is stalking the teens of BF High. Because the murderer is wearing a costume stolen under his watch, mall cop Doughy (Tom Arnold) is determined to get to the bottom of the killings. With the help of a cable video jockey (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), Doughy hunts the hunter in this goofy horror spoof.

By reviewing this movie, I'm admitting to choosing to watch this movie. But this is what I'm here for, to help you avoid my mistakes. I'll make this short and sweet - This movie is terrible. HORRIBLE! I'll admit there are some jokes that did make me laugh, but most of the others fail so miserably it's hard to believe anyone thought they were funny. Not even a hint of funny. There is even about 15 minutes of movie that is sooo unfunny that they added in "pop up video" facts to try to distract you from how bad what's actually happening is. STAY AWAY!

Where should you put it in your Q? Don't...

LINK:http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Shriek-If-You-Know-What-I-Did-Last-Friday-the-13th/60020575

Friday, July 1, 2011

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)




Genre: Children and Family

Average Netflix Rating: 3.9 Stars

Synopsis:An edgy Shakespeare adaptation like no other, this animated musical transports the classic tale of forbidden romance between two star-crossed lovers from warring families to the unlikely yet hysterical world of garden gnomes. Featuring songs from legendary recording artist Elton John, this movie features the vocal talents of Emily Blunt, James McAvoy, Jason Statham, Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine.

I'm a sucker for a good kids movie, and I'm a sucker for Shakespeare... so needless to say this movie had me at "for aught thou". I'll admit I finagled a way to see this in theaters and I'm glad I did. I found it smart and laugh out loud funny. The animation is great but still below Pixar's standards. The movie is Britain born so there are some language/slang slips but besides that the script dumbs down the tale of Romeo and Juliet enough to keep the little ones interested but has a bunch of Shakespeare to keep the adults interested. And for the adults there are a TON of visual jokes and Shakespeare references, that's really where I found the strongest elements of humor. But what's really the shinning star of all this is the music - 100% done by Elton John - it's a mix of old hits redone, new original songs, and an inspired score. The score is done by blending original music with hints of EJ classics, enough where the songs sound familiar but you can't quite place which they are... Just like the movie itself - it's something you know you've seen before but it's different enough this time around that it feels new...

Where should you put it in your Q? If you have kids - the top... If not throw it in the middle...

LINK: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Gnomeo-and-Juliet/70140917