Film Retrospective Archive

A review of films seen through Netflix.

• Eastern Promises

  This just goes to show how ignorant I am. I had no idea that the Russian mob had a strong presence in London. Note to self: When in London, avoid Russian mob. (Returned 11/18/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Rambo: First Blood

  I’m kind of embarrassed to write this, but I fell asleep at points during this movie, and my wife stayed up the entire time, asking, “Why is he doing that?” and “Why did he have to arrest him, he didn’t do anything?” which truly makes my point. Rambo: First Blood is the most underrated action [...]

• Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Original Theatrical Version)

  Well, this is the best of the original three, topped off with the can’t-be-missed Ewok celebration at the end, but overall, I’m disappointed with this famed trilogy. Princess Leia looked her best in this film. You know what I mean. Question: If there is a planet with redwood trees that is inhabited by relatively friendly [...]

• The Darjeeling Limited

  A movie about normal people acting normal would be a nice change of pace. You know, something real Americans in real America can relate to. Natalie Portman does make a quality cameo appearance in the opening vignette. (Returned 11/04/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Far and Away

  I wonder if Tom Cruise was nuts back then. Did Nicole Kidman know it and just not tell anyone? These are questions that we need answers to. And I’m not sure if I’d leave the rugged coast of Ireland for the dry-scape of the Oklahoma flat, although freedom may play a role, I guess; or [...]

• The Incredible Hulk

  This is actually pretty good (as I had hoped), but they may have made the Hulk too big. He’s almost King Kong size. I smell a meeting for a sequel. (Returned 10/28/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Deadwood: Season 1

  Deadwood could not have had a more difficult act to follow in the reyonthehill screening room: The Wire. But not only did Deadwood hold its own, it secured its spot for me in the category of ‘best television ever.’ And I mean that. If you like westerns, and especially if you like vast amounts of [...]

• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

  What a god damn disappointment. I have always wanted to see this film, and thank the sweet little lord Jesus for the Netflix service which has made it possible (and so easy) to quench that thirst. Directions for use: Take a swig; and then spit it out. This film just didn’t know what it wanted [...]

• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

  This movie is neither good nor bad, just ‘eh.’ And there is no reason to not keep making them. There was no other reason to bring in Shia LaBeouf to play Indiana Jones’ son (oops, retroactive spoiler alert) then to have the ability to continue the series. Jones could become sort of like a Bond [...]

• Sex and the City: The Movie

  There are so many things wrong about this movie, I truly wanted to grade it lower, but my wife cried at several points during this film, and I do not want to hurt her feelings. Does Carrie Bradshaw have any family? Brothers, sisters, mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins? I have been to several weddings in [...]

• 21

  This is pretty good, except I wonder how true it is. And if I were in that class — meaning, had I been accepted to MIT and been studying advanced mathematics courses in order to get into Havrvard Medical School; if that were the case — I would have thought Professor Kevin Spacey was a [...]

• Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Original Theatrical Version)

  It is one of either two things: The Star Wars films were never really that good, or the films do not stand-up over the test of time. This film was very slow. Let me say it another way: get on with it. I remembered the “Luke, I am your father” scene a little differently. In [...]

• Hawaii to the Max

  My wife and I are taking a trip to Maui this coming January, so this video was helpful, but it could have been better. First off, the tour guide is a bit on the old side. (Returned 10/01/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Triumph of the Nerds

  This documentary of the rise of the personal computer is clearly dated, but it includes interviews with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, including the memorable “Microsoft has no taste” line…* This film does identify the basis however — for the record — the argument that Steve Jobs has exhibited the greatest second act in the [...]

• Unforgiven

  This is a good Western, no doubt, just a little slow, but it eventually gets there. (Returned 09/16/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Flawless

  This is a clunker because, in the end, the story just isn’t that great. No nudity either. (Returned 09/09/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• For Love of the Game

  I rented this based on a reader recommendation which led to me listing the best baseball films of all-time. It should be noted however — for the record — that the reader recommendation was sorely off, and that my list still stands. (Returned 09/08/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• The Wire: Season 5

  This wasn’t the best season, but the entire series is some of the best television ever made. I still cannot believe it is over. Life after The Wire now begins. (Returned 08/18/08, 08/25/08, 09/02/05 and 09/05/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• Smart People

  It is difficult to feel sympathy for these people. (Returned 09/03/08.) Rent with Netflix.

• What Happens in Vegas

  There are really two parts to this film. The first part is written by the Las Vegas Board of Tourism; and the second part literally steals every storyline from every other romantic comedy. This one is completely predictable, which was predicted. (Returned 09/02/08.) Rent with Netflix.

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