Garden State (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff, who also directed) returns to his hometown in New Jersey after a decade away to attend his mother’s funeral. Having just weaned himself off antidepressants, the young man begins to see his life in a new light, which leads him to confront his psychologist father (Ian Holm) and forge a connection with a new friend (Natalie Portman). This whimsical comedy premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Review: This was a film about a guy who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, and leaves his antidepressants home. In doing so, he is able to face life in a way he has never experienced before. It was very strange and comical and sad. I really liked it and would recommend it.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/15/05

The Notebook (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, this drama chronicles an enduring love that withstands both war and disease. It begins in a nursing home, where a man (James Garner) arrives every day armed with a notebook from which he reads stories about a couple, Noah and Allie (played by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams), to an unresponsive woman (Gena Rowlands). Who are the characters in the book, and why does the stranger insist on reading about them aloud?

Review: I am really speechless for this one. I fell in love with the characters in this film, they were all well developed. I fell in love with the story, it was magnificent, breathtaking and amazing. I laughed, cried, felt my heart literally ache for these people and their situation, and then felt my heart soar for them, only to find it aching once again. It was definitely hands down, one of the best romances I have ever seen. A definite must see.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

Shark Tale (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: In this DreamWorks animated tale, Oscar (Will Smith) is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him in trouble. Lenny (Jack Black) is a great white shark with a secret: He’s a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and the truth about Lenny makes him an outcast, the two form an unlikely friendship — much to the dismay of Lenny’s mafioso dad (Robert De Niro). Angelina Jolie and Martin Scorsese also lend their voices.

Review: This was an animated film with several big name actors. Will Smith and Angelina Jolie played the lead roles as fish. Robert Di Nero plays a shark whose son (Jack Black) is a vegetarian and doesn’t like to eat the fish in the ocean. It was a cute family film. I enjoyed watching it with the girls.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

The Yes Men (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: This humorous documentary monitors the exploits of a group of jokester liberals who make names for themselves as they mimic members of the World Trade Organization at various venues across the globe. The absurd facade gets started when two members of The Yes Men create a web site that looks quite similar to the WTO site, resulting in the group being invited to high-level meetings and being mistaken for WTO officials.

Review: This was a documentary about a group of men who pose as members of the World Trade Organization at several meetings and conferences around the world. In doing so, they put themselves in some pretty crazy situations. It was amusing, but not a documentary I would recommend, unless you are actually interested in the job of those in the WTO.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

The Grudge (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a woman who battles the forces of evil in this English-language version of a famous Japanese horror film, Ju-On, about a wretched curse that descends on a person about to die in a fit of rage. Once the curse hits and the victim dies, a more powerful curse is spawned, one much deadlier and more difficult to overcome. Directed by Takashi Shimizu, who also helmed the original. Co-stars Jason Behr and Clea Duvall.

Review: Avoid this movie at all costs. It was annoying, the only thing scary about it, is that someone felt it necessary to release it to the public. It was nothing short of a terrible movie.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

Saw (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Would you die to live? That’s what two men, Adam (Leigh Whannell) and Gordon (Cary Elwes), have to ask themselves when they’re paired up in a deadly situation. Abducted by a serial killer, they’re both holed up in a prison constructed with such ingenuity that they may not be able to escape before their captor decides it’s time to dismantle their bodies in his signature way. Attempting to break free may kill them too, but staying definitely will.

Review: I was actually scared to watch this movie. I had heard from several people just how sick and twisted it was. I am a big fan of horror, but not of gore, so I was hesitant to see this one. I was quite surprised at the fact that there wasn’t any more gore than your typical horror story. It was a psychological thriller, and I absolutely loved the story. I thought this was a great scary movie.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Documentarians Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky had unprecedented access to Metallica while the rockers recorded their 2003 album, “St. Anger.” And the filmmakers were in the right place at the right (or perhaps wrong) time when lead singer James Hetfield spent five months in rehab. They also recorded the fallout when bassist Jason Newstad was replaced with Robert Trujillo and were on hand during the group’s no-holds-barred therapy sessions.

Review: I was a Metallica fan until the whole Napster thing, but even if you have absolutely no interest in Metallica, this is a movie that would still strike a chord. It is less about the music, and more about the dynamics of relationships and friendships, and how they influence people in different ways. There was a lot of emotion and character that you were able to feel by watching them interact. It also shows James Hetfield battle his alcohol addiction, and how the band copes while he goes to rehab. This is also a must see documentary.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

Spanglish (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: Cultures clash with a mighty clang in this comedy of manners and mayhem directed by James Brooks. When a beautiful Mexican housekeeper, Flor (Paz Vega), is hired by a rich Los Angeles family, everyone’s life is upended in hilariously zany ways, especially when the parents (Tea Leoni and Adam Sandler) make it their mission to be so welcoming that they become overwhelming — especially the dad, who’s quickly smitten by Flor’s beauty.

Review: What is it about these comedians? It seems to be a trend that the funny men are playing serious roles, and doing an amazing job too. Adam Sandler was anything but typical Adam Sandler. In this film, he stars as a husband and father who is instantly attracted in ways he doesn’t even understand, to the housekeeper that they hire for the summer. I am not a big Tea Leoni fan, but she was also very good in this movie. This is definitely a film worth seeing.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

Elektra (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: In this spellbinding thriller, Jennifer Garner reprises the role of fearless warrior Elektra — a character she originated in Daredevil. Now that she’s back in the fold of the mysterious Order of the Hand, the group’s leader, Kirigi (Will Yun Lee), tasks her with liquidating seemingly harmless widower Mark Miller (Goran Visnjic) and his teenage daughter. But all bets are off when Elektra falls for Miller and must battle her former allies.

Review: I am biased in my opinion of this movie. I absolutely love Jennifer Garner, I continue to watch her on Alias each week, even as the show gets worse and worse. I liked this movie, though I do believe, it was not a very good film. If you like action, comic book stories, there is a chance you will enjoy this, but it is a movie that you can skip and feel like you didn’t miss out on anything spectacular.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05

The Corporation (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: This documentary charts the spectacular rise of corporations as a dramatic, pervasive presence in our lives. Filmmakers Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott present a timely, entertaining critique of global conglomerates as they chronicle the origins of corporations, as well as their inner workings, controversial impacts and possible futures. The pros and cons are weighed via interviews with social critics such as Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore.

Review: This was a fantastic documentary discussing the role of corporations in our lives. It delves into the history, present and future of corporate politics and discusses the impact it has on all of us. A must see in my opinion.

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Submitted by: Heather 5/7/05