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.
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