Motion Picture Binge

The random intersection of the end of the Tour de France with a free trial of Netflix has spun me into an unintentional movie binge over the last two weeks.

Contrary to rumor, I am not intending to watch every one of the 100,000 items on Netflix before the end of the free trial to avoid paying any fees. But I did consider it.

I have watched 12.3 movies and 14 tv episodes during the trial. So far. And I've brought a few young friends along for part of the ride. Some are "reruns" of movies I watched many years ago, and wanted to see again and/or share with the kids. Most are movies I have never seen, from old classics to recently released films I missed in the theater.

Here is my one sentence review of each film from this group, in deference to the twitter culture. My ratings are based on 11 stars.

Mask (1994): Zany Jim Carey romp where a straight-laced banker finds an ancient mask that gives him cartoon superhero powers. 7 stars

Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008): Powerful concentration camp story told from a German officer family's perspective. 8 stars

Roxanne (1987): Steve Martin excels in this modern Cyrano remake. 9 stars

Saturday Night Fever (1977): I had forgotten how weak this disco era defining film is, although some of the dancing was entertaining. 3 stars

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009): Entertaining teen comedy about a writer trying to work her way "up" to fashion in the magazine world. 6 stars

The Proposal (2009): Well done absurd, romantic comedy with a mis-match couple in a humorous setting. 8 stars

Flirting with Disaster (1996): Wandering comedy/adventure about adoptee Ben Stiller trying to find his birth parents (you'll notice I watch a lot of Tea Leoni films). 6 stars

Escape From Alcatraz (1979): Re-watch of the thrilling Clint Eastwood story based on the actual escape. 8 stars

You Kill Me (2007): Under the radar artsy film about an alcoholic mob assassin rehabing in SanFran so he can get back to work in Buffalo (another Tea flick). 8 stars

Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself (2005): Not a movie, but a good taped stand up comedy show...if you like that sort of thing. 7 stars

Soylent Green (1973): Rewatch of the futuristic overpopulated, polluted world of 2022 exploring several social themes including man's good/evil nature and the objectification of women. 9 stars

Holiday (1938): Cary Grant & Katherine Hepburn in a classic "common man marries rich girl" with quick dialogue and an even quicker plot. 10 stars

Next (2005): Nicholas Cage, as a Vegas magician who can see 2 minutes into the future, gets wrapped up in an FBI investigation and a soon-to-be romance. (No rating yet since I am only part way through this movie I taped to watch while I am working out)

I have many more films "queued up" for the dog days of August.