The Weather Man (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Chicago weatherman Dave Spitz (Nicolas Cage) gets one step closer to fame and fortune when he’s invited to try out for a spot on a popular national morning show. All he has to do is pull himself together, but that proves increasingly difficult as his marriage spirals out of control and his father (Michael Caine) gets sicker. Dave soon learns that while he may be able to predict tomorrow’s weather, he can’t stop life from raining on his parade.

Review: This was just ok. It was kind of slow moving and depressing and it had wayyyyy too much swearing in it. Honestly I think every other word was “F” and there were tons of other words you don’t even usually hear in movies. I realize that probably doesn’t bother most people but it does me. I love Nicholas Cage and Michael Caine but I don’t think this was their movie.

Submitted by: Karen 2/27/06

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Shortly after David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) moves into his new San Francisco digs, he has an unwelcome visitor on his hands: winsome Elizabeth Martinson (Reese Witherspoon), who asserts that the apartment is hers — and promptly vanishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she’s a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she’s alive. Their quest for the truth ultimately leads to love in this spectral romantic comedy.

Review: I FINALLY got to see this movie and I wasn’t disappointed! I LOVED it. Perfect blend of romance, comedy and heart-tugging. And there was a wonderful message behind the movie too, about how short life can be and to not take a single moment for granted. I am a HUGE fan of Reese Witherspoon (I think I have mentioned that before, lol) so I am buying this one to add to my collection. Jon Heder’s character was a great addition to the movie, he is great in that deadpan sort of way, lol.

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Submitted by: Brandy 2/26/06

Mystic Pizza (1988)

Netflix Synopsis: Reality rudely intrudes on the plans of three blue-collar, New England teens who share their dreams while slinging hash at the local pizzeria. Daisy (Julia Roberts) entertains visions of marrying into the upper crust, while levelheaded sister Kat (Annabeth Gish) wants to go to Yale. Meanwhile, wisecracking Jojo (Lili Taylor) has a man on the hook but finds that commitment cramps her style. A quirky linchpin of 1980s cinema, Mystic Pizza delivers.

Review: This is a great classic from the 80’s but to be honest the only reason I rented it to watch it again was because my husband is being sent to Groton, CT to attend a training class for the US Navy, lol. Mystic, CT is right there by Groton and I am driving my boys down for a weekend visit with their dad while he is down there. We wanted to watch it so my oldest son could understand our excitement! We are planning to eat at THE Mystic Pizza restaurant featured in the movie. What is REALLY funny is that my husband went to the store tonight to pick up some staples for me and guess what he found in the freezer case? Frozen pizza made by Mystic Pizza! ROFL! So we ate our Mystic pizza while watching Mystic Pizza and talking about our trip to Mystic. Too cool right?? ANYWAY, the movie is a classic and a must see at least once. And to see Matt Damon before he was “somebody” was a surprise!!! He played a short scene as the “uppercrust” guy’s brother. Julia Roberts was great in this, for so early in her career….PRE-eyebrow waxing/plucking, lol!

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Submitted by: Brandy 2/26/06

Rent (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Members of the original 1996 Broadway cast star in Chris Columbus’s adaptation of the award-winning musical set in New York’s East Village. Based on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” the story follows a group of bohemians through life’s ups and down as they face true love, broken hearts, HIV, drug addiction … and of course, paying the rent. Rosario Dawson, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and Wilson Jermaine Heredia star.

Review: I didn’t know anything about this movie, really, except for hearing the one song over & over (and reading the blurb, of course). Not what I was expecting, really. Overall it was ok/good. I had problems with parts of it. Without getting in to what could be a hot topic, I’ll just say I don’t care for PDA’s from same sex partners. There was a bit too much of that for me. Other than that, it was ok. I liked all the singing.

Submitted by: Mel 2/25/06

North Country (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Based on an inspiring real-life event that took place in the 1970s, North Country stars Charlize Theron in another low-glamour but high-impact role as Josey Aimes, one of only a handful of women working in the Minnesota iron mines. Forced to labor under sexist conditions, she and her female colleagues decide to stand up against the unrelenting harassment from their male counterparts. Frances McDormand, Sissy Spacek and Woody Harrelson co-star.

Review: This is a movie with Charlize Theron, Sissy Spacek(small role) and Frances McDormand. I think it did a good job of telling the story of a woman standing up to sexual harassment. If you like movies such as Silkwood and Norma Rae you will enjoy this movie also.

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Submitted by: Lisa 2/23/06

The Perfect Man (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Teenager Holly (Hilary Duff) decides to take matters into her own hands after her mom, Jean (Heather Locklear), suffers yet another painful breakup with another loser guy. To boost her mom’s self-esteem, Holly invents a secret admirer — the perfect man. She eventually borrows her friend’s hunky Uncle Ben (Chris Noth) to play the suitor in order to keep her mom’s spirits up, but her scheme nearly backfires when the real perfect man materializes.

Review: This is one very cute movie. It is definitely the epitome of FLUFF. The mother is a neurotic woman without a clue who sets a horrible example for her daughters…but that’s part of the plot. The daughter would NEVER get away with the stunts she pulled in this plot if it was real life, never in a million years. There would be lawsuits left and right. But if you ignore this and just enjoy the movie, it’s typical adorable teeny-bopper fluff and it leaves you smiling as the credits roll. Mother-Daughter chick flick, perfect for when you had a bad day and just want to watch a feel-good movie without thinking about it too much.

Submitted by: Brandy 2/17/06

Curious George (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: The Man in the Yellow Hat (aka Ted, voiced by Will Ferrell) tries his best to tame Curious George in this animated version of the beloved children’s series. Museum guide Ted travels to Africa to find a priceless artifact but returns with the inquisitive chimp instead. George (literally) paints the town red and is ever the lovable troublemaker. Jack Johnson provides the music, while Drew Barrymore, Eugene Levy and Dick Van Dyke lend their voices.

Review: I took my 3 year old to see this movie in the theater yesterday. It’s a delightful and engaging movie about a character most of us grew up with…but is really strictly preschool-toddler material in my opinion….if you have no kids or older kids, I would skip it. Unlike a lot of modern animated movies that are targeted towards adults as much as kids (think Pixar and many Disney movies) this one has very little appeal to adults. I was bored to tears for myself so I spent most of the movie watching the face of my toddler and the other toddlers in the theater. Almost every single child stayed in their seat and kept their attention focused on the movie, rare for toddlers especially since this movie was full-length. They were fascinated and hearing the occasional cute toddler comments coming from the dark theater was adorable…the first time I have enjoyed chatter from others during a movie, lol. I plan to buy this for my little one since he enjoyed it so much (he is now Curious George crazy…I had to buy him a book and a Wendy’s Happy Meal because it had a C.G. toy, lol!) but I won’t watch it again myself. And I won’t make my teen suffer through it either. One thing about the movie that DID appeal to me even as an adult was the music, the soundtrack was fantastic! I rated this a three star because even though I wasn’t sitting on the edge of my seat, it DID appeal to it’s target audience (my son).

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Submitted by: Brandy 2/17/06

Grey’s Anatomy: Season 1 (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: An overwhelming critical and popular success, this Emmy-nominated medical drama stars Ellen Pompeo (leading an ensemble cast) as Meredith Grey, a first-year surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital. Guided by a skillful team of dedicated doctors, Meredith and her fellow interns struggle with life-and-death decisions, the pressures of a highly stressful career and the usual but no less significant complications of their personal lives.

Review: WOW isn’t a big enough word for this series. Like all the other reviewers on Netflix, I just assumed this was another ER wannabe until I accidentally watched last weeks episode. I was hooked immediately and got right on Netflix to order Season 1. I was not disappointed. The cast is amazingly talented, the storylines are fresh and unique. For me, this is my new “Friends”. It’s nothing like ER, as a matter of fact, I think it’s 10x BETTER than ER! If you like dramadies like Desperate Housewives, you will love this TV show. I can’t WAIT for Season 2 to come out on DVD now!!! I hope this show has a long, long run because I am now emotionally invested in the characters as if they were family, lol.

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Submitted by: Brandy 2/17/06

Zathura (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Jon Favreau directs this science-fiction adventure from the creators of Jumanji, based on the book by acclaimed children’s author Chris Van Allsburg. After discovering a mysterious game in the basement of their house, pint-sized brothers Danny and Walter Budwing (Jonah Bobo and Josh Hutcherson) are sent flying into space, where they must finish the game by reaching the planet Zathura — or be trapped in galactic limbo forever.

Review: I sat and watched it with the kiddos last night and loved it! Lots of action to keep the kids entertained, but the action is enough to keep adults drawn in also. Very sweet family film with a great message behind it. I am really glad I bought it!

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Submitted by: Lisa 2/16/06

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Shortly after David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) moves into his new San Francisco digs, he has an unwelcome visitor on his hands: winsome Elizabeth Martinson (Reese Witherspoon), who asserts that the apartment is hers — and promptly vanishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she’s a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she’s alive. Their quest for the truth ultimately leads to love in this spectral romantic comedy.

Review: Very simple movie. I thought the performances by Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo (hope I spelled that right) were very good. I really liked the ending. It was one of those where you sit there and go “awwwwww”

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Submitted by: Lisa 2/16/06