Film Retrospective Archive
A review of films seen through Netflix.
Rambo
There is so much to say about this film, I do not know where to start. This was a horrible end to the Rambo saga; that is not to say that the first two sequels fared any better, but if Stallone wanted to leave the business finishing up his projects (first Rocky, then Rambo, and [...]
Street Kings
Is this safe to say: Forest Whitaker over-acts just a bit? I mean, the wandering eye is a distraction, but when he is so animatedly insane (or his character is), it is even more distracting and almost laughable. House (the tv doctor) makes an appearance, although he may be playing the same role, minus the [...]
Meet Bill
This is one of those films that had no over-arching theme; nothing to learn, nothing to gain. Aaron Eckhart is a fine actor, but this film was a little too low budget for him to make it work. (Returned 08/19/08.) Rent with Netflix.
Pride and Prejudice
I had to use subtitles for this film. Yea, I know it is in English, but it that old slurry English that no one can damn understand. What did she say? (Returned 08/19/08.) Rent with Netflix.
Failure to Launch
My wife really enjoyed this film, and I can see why. It was harmless, and it contains a love story and a certain amount of safe humor. I can’t really complain, but the casting of Terry Bradshaw as the father was off. I understand that the film was going for a bit of slapstick, but [...]
The Goonies
It was great timing watching this the day after returning from the rugged Oregon coast. Chunk really makes this film what it is. “I can describe all of them [the Fratellis, to the police].” This is what Chunk says — unknowingly — to the Fratellis as he tries to summon help for the rest of [...]
The Bucket List
I have to admit that I fell asleep during this one, but I think it is safe to assume that I would have liked this film even less if I’d painfully stayed awake during it. Did they die at the end? (Returned 07/29/08.) Rent with Netflix.
Driving Miss Daisy
This film actually won several Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture, but it didn’t deserve it. Simply put, Field of Dreams should have won. (Returned 07/29/08.) Rent with Netflix.
American Psycho
The beginning of this film is downright hilarious, and there are some good parts along the way, but overall, I am a little disappointed, although I am quite sure I was expecting something totally different altogether. (Returned 07/22/08.) Rent with Netflix.
The Wire: Season 4
This was the most frustrating season to date — not to watch; the show is incredible — but to follow the plot. Every potential lead is squashed. Every positive action is pushed back by a negative. Simply fascinating television. (Returned 05/20/08, 06/24/08, 07/01/08 and 07/21/08.) Rent with Netflix.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
If you don’t have that great of an idea for a story, simply chop it up and show it from different angles and points of view several times, in order to constantly infuriate the viewers. Mission succeeded. The opening scene is pretty good; you’ll know what I mean. Marisa Tomei must be looking to make [...]
The Savages
This movie pairs together probably the two best (and for a long time, the most underrated) character actors of our generation — Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney (who continues to make every character she plays memorable). However, this script is not that great. The film takes place in Buffalo, and was shot there, so [...]
Pirates of Silicon Valley
This movie changed my outlook on life when I first watched it on TNT in 1999. I had to make sure my wife saw it too before it was too late, and although the soundtrack sound-levels are considerably “off,” this made-for-TV movie stands up pretty well over time. I hadn’t realized, however, that while I [...]
Fool’s Gold
I think that any movie that incorporates a treasure hunt has the opportunity to be good, or at least, entirely watchable. Spoiler alert: Theo Huxtable is killed. (Returned 07/01/08.) Rent with Netflix.
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (Original Theatrical Version)
This movie is alright, but is it safe to say that this may possibly be — and I mean possibly — the most over-rated film in the history of the (known) universe? Is that saying too much? It surely was a remarkable film for its time, but looking back, has society elevated the film (and [...]
Juno
Some over-acting from the lead character, but that should be expected from such a young unknown actor in that role. A great film; a nice story. What killed me once was listening to a right-wing blowhard on the radio a few months ago… “Liberals have demonized this nation. That is why the top movie in [...]
The Great Debaters
This would have earned an additional half-star if it weren’t produced by Oprah’s Harpo production company. Other than that, it was a fine film, although it was a bit predictable at times. Potential spoiler alert… For some reason, the writers decided to have the seminal match-up with Harvard, which did not happen in real life, [...]
Redacted
This was too boring, although, I guess, the content was so real, it should not have been boring. Either way, I fell asleep. Here is the weird thing. The narrator speaks French. It does not say that anywhere in the description of the DVD. There are English subtitles for the French narration (which stopped after [...]
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
This will either reaffirm your belief that greed has corrupted American capitalism, or it will change your mind to believe that greed has corrupted American capitalism. It is the true story of the greatest downfall in corporate history (of a company that never created or provided any tangible product or service), and at the end [...]
Weeds: Season 1
I don’t think there has ever been a television series with a bunch of losers that I learned to care more about than with Weeds. I can understand if someone suggests that liking this show “requires a special taste.” A great theme song to smoke to, as well. (Returned 05/13/08.) Rent with Netflix.
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