This Week In Netflix

"Transporter 3" (2008) Description from Netflix: Buckle up and hold on tight for the third installment of the action-packed Transporter series, which follows the thrilling adventures of Frank Martin (Jason Statham), a mercenary driver who makes his living by delivering important cargo, no questions asked. Co-written by French director Luc Besson, Transporter 3 brings back co-star François Berléand and welcomes the addition of Robert Knepper to the cast.

All of the Transporter movies are created equal. Once you have seen one, you know what you're going to get. Okay action, plot lines you can drive semi-trucks through and Jason Statham. This one was no different. Could have been worse. Could have been better.

"Role Models" (2008) Description from Netflix: Slackers Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) have coasted their way through jobs at an energy drink company. When their goofing off catches up with them, they're sentenced to community service with the Sturdy Wings mentoring program. The assignment is supposed to teach them responsibility, but it just proves that they're the last people who should be in charge of kids. Elizabeth Banks co-stars in David Wain's sidesplitting comedy.

Meh. I didn't really care for it until the ending. The ending redeemed it a bit. I also think the R rated sex and language really don't fit in all modern comedies. I found it more off putting than anything. Pretty much since "Knocked Up," I've been over it. It doesn't make it funnier or better or more realistic in any way, shape or form.

"Rachel Getting Married" (2008) Description from Netflix: When drama queen Kym (Anne Hathaway, in her first Oscar-nominated role), a former model who's been in and out of rehab for 10 years, returns to her parents' home just before the wedding of her sister, Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt), long-standing family conflicts begin to resurface. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this touching and humorous drama co-stars Debra Winger and was nominated for a Best Feature Independent Spirit Award, among others.

I think this movie is the perfect example of how a script in the hands of a good director can make a good movie. This script in the hands of an independent director or first-time director could have easily turned into self-indulgent crap. I thought that Demme chose to show all the characters in such a way you can see all of their view points. You can see both how the character sees something and how the other characters react to it. Had the guy who directed "Squid and the Whale" did this, I probably wouldn't have made it 10 minutes. Demme understands that you can show flawed characters and show how you can understand them despite that.

"Battle In Seattle" (2007) Description from Netflix: With the World Trade Organization about to convene in his city, Seattle's Mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta) tries to make sure all events go smoothly. As tensions between protestors and authorities rise out of control, activists and bystanders get caught in the crossfire. Based on the 1999 protest referred to as the "Battle of Seattle," this drama features Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin, Connie Nielsen and Michelle Rodriguez.

Bit preachy and there is one horrific scene involving violence to a pregnant woman. Ripped my heart out. Really don't think that scene will ever leave me. However, as a movie goes, it's not good. Too many characters, too many subplots, too much politics and way too much preaching.

"Happy-Go-Lucky" (2007) Description from Netflix: Poppy (Sally Hawkins, in a Golden Globe-winning role) is a perpetually cheerful 30-year-old London teacher. When her beloved bike is stolen, she decides to take up driving, and is paired with Scott (Eddie Marsan), an instructor who's her polar opposite. Their relationship is strained until Poppy's bright personality attracts a co-worker, making Scott unexpectedly jealous. Alexis Zegerman and Karina Fernandez co-star in Mike Leigh's effervescent comedy (nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe).

I heard a lot of people talking about this one. Sally Hawkins was great, but the character was super annoying. The best moments were when she was being serious. Still, a very good movie and fun comedy. Poppy's accent reminded me a lot of Catherine Tate's accent in Dr. Who. I kept waiting for her to yell "Oy!"

"Synecdoche, New York" (2008) Description from Netflix: After his painter wife (Catherine Keener) leaves him and takes their daughter to Berlin, theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) stages a new autobiographical play in a massive warehouse amid a life-size replica of Manhattan. Meanwhile, Caden must contend with the many women in his life -- including a box-office worker, an actress and a shrink -- in this beguiling directorial debut (winner of a Best First Feature Independent Spirit Award) by ace screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.

This is probably my least favorite Kaufman. I like and own Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine is great and I even liked Adaptation. Maybe because he wrote and directed it. I think that is a bit too much Kaufman to handle. All of the performances were great and I think it got overlooked because of it being too much Kaufman for the mind to handle.