Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Taking Woodstock

Description from Netflix: A thirtysomething man (Demetri Martin) finds his life forever changed in the summer of 1969 when he offers up his parents' motel in the Catskills as a home base for Woodstock organizers and helps the show go on by donating an all-important music festival permit. Ang Lee directs this fresh take on 1960s counterculture based on Elliot Tiber's memoir by the same name. Eugene Levy, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch and Jeffrey Dean Morgan co-star.

Another disappointment. Ang Lee was a little too accurate in his movie skills and paced it like a movie from the 1960s. This movie dragged a lot and felt twice as long as it actually was.

There were weird character developments and no music from that era. You never see the concert except from way up on the hill. Everyone did a great job acting wise especially Demetri who is great on Jon Stewart's Daily Show.

I can't say I recommend seeing it in the theater. It's a rental at best.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This Week In Netflix

Inkheart (2008) Description from Netflix: Unbeknownst to his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie (Eliza Bennett), bookbinder Mo "Silvertongue" Folchart (Brendan Fraser) has a secret ability to bring characters to life by reading their stories out loud. But when the wicked Capricorn (Andy Serkis) comes after her father, Meggie must rescue him. Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren co-star in this enchanting fantasy based on the best-selling children's novel by Cornelia Funke.

I liked this a lot. More adult friendly than Journey to the Center of the Earth, but not as good as Stardust. I recommend checking it out.

People Like Us: The Complete Series (2-Disc Series) (1999) Description from Netflix: In this BBC mockumentary series, filmmaker Roy Mallard (a fictional character played to the letter by Chris Langham) traipses around England to interview a variety of everyday people, from pilots to doctors to vicars. The result is a hilariously deadpan meditation on the "skilled" professionals who make the world go 'round, with appearances from well-known actors such as Bill Nighy, David Tennant and Jessica Hynes.

Bloody BRILLIANT! I could not stop giggling through all the episodes. You seriously need to check it out. The dry sense of humor is just perfectly delivered. Bill Nighly and David Tennant were great as the photographer and the actor, respectively. The best part is the documentarian keeps getting in the way.

State of Play (2009) Description from Netflix: When his mistress is found dead, Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) tries desperately to protect his name and career. As journalists Cal (Russell Crowe) and Della (Rachel McAdams) investigate further, they uncover an intricate web of lies that stretches to the highest levels of power. Based on the critically acclaimed BBC miniseries, this intriguing political thriller co-stars Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman.

A nice little intertwined thriller. All kinds of twists and turns with such a great cast. I need to add the BBC version to my queue now.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

This Week In Netflix

Duplicity (2009) Description from Netflix: Julia Roberts and Clive Owen co-star in this curveball-throwing thriller as a pair of romantically involved corporate operatives who are entangled in a bitter rivalry between two mammoth pharmaceutical companies. Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson convincingly round out the heavyweight cast as warring big pharma CEOs in this intriguing espionage effort from writer-director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton).

Meh. It was just okay. The ending made the movie at least not a total waste of time. I think for some reason the combo of Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti make for a bad movie for some reason. Not sure why, but this is the second movie they have done together and it's just not good.

Adventureland (2008) Description from Netflix: Unable to afford the European vacation he'd dreamed of, recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) reluctantly takes a gig at a local amusement park, only to learn that the dead-end job is, in fact, excellent preparation for the real world. Writer-director Greg Mottola's semi-autobiographical comedy-drama, filmed in Pittsburgh's Kennywood Park, also stars Ryan Reynolds and Kristen Stewart.

Ugh. I didn't enjoy this. I have this thing. I may have mentioned it before. If I cannot identify or understand a character, I can't get into the movie. A movie is like a party. The party could totally rock, but if I can't find a door to get into it, then I'm not going to enjoy it from the front lawn. It seems like Jesse Eisenberg is always at these parties with the hard to find doors. Seeing him just brings back all the hatred I had for "The Squid and the Whale."

The Foot Fist Way (2006) Description from Netflix: A pompous control freak, small-town tae kwon do instructor Mr. Simmons (Danny McBride) finally loses his cool when he gets wind of his wife's infidelities. Facing meltdown, he sets out on a pilgrimage to see his hero, martial arts master Chuck "The Truck" Wallace (Ben Best), in action. But is the world ready for a meeting between these two black-belt egos? Expertly drawn characters and furious action make this a comedy that really packs a punch.

If you like Danny McBride, you will love this movie. It feels like they made it up as they go. I think if I had taken tae kwon do, I might have gotten a few more jokes. If you don't like Danny McBride, do not go near this movie. You will hate it.