Winter Passing (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Upon learning that a publisher will pay dearly for the love letters her novelist father (Ed Harris) wrote to her late mother, Reese Holden (Zooey Deschanel) returns to Michigan after seven years away from home. But instead of the reclusive man she expected to find, she discovers her dad has formed a deep connection with the struggling musician (Will Ferrell) and ex-grad student (Amelia Warner) who now live under his roof. Amy Madigan co-stars.

Review: Excruciatingly AWFUL movie. There was so much wrong with every facet of this movie….crappy editing, drab scenery, poor acting, alcoholism, promiscuous sex, suicide, drug abuse and killing a kitten combined with a plot that goes nowhere…slowly and with mindnumbing pain. First time in a long time a movie has made me want to throw up. Wish I could have given it a few negative stars, especially on behalf of the poor kitten.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/30/06

Something New (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Having carefully calculated her professional life, African-American accounting executive Kenya Denise McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) is concerned that her personal life doesn’t measure up. After agreeing to a blind date with a sexy, free-spirited landscape architect (Simon Baker) — who happens to be white — she meets a seemingly perfect black man (Blair Underwood). But no matter what her friends and family might say, it’s up to her heart to decide.

Review: This was a beautiful movie about accepting love in whatever form it arrives. I enjoyed it very very much! It’s cute, funny, warm, charming…but the best word to describe Something New is “refreshing”. The sensitive topic of interracial love is expressed very tactfully with an honest, fresh perspective and the movie is very respectful of the message it delivers. Although Kenya has to overcome the racial stigmas of dating a white man, I really think her bigger problem was being a society snob and also a professional woman in a man’s world, and that interfered with her feelings more than race at times. Alfre Woodard was excellent as always. Sanaa Lathan is gorgeous and Simon Baker…well, I am going to see what other movies I can find of his…hubba, hubba!! His accent was spot on in the movie, I had NO idea he was Australian until I watched the DVD Extras, lol. Great movie, thumbs up!

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/29/06

Ultraviolet (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: When a vampirelike disease begins infecting the human population — giving the afflicted enhanced intelligence, fantastic stamina and lightning-fast speed — the world quickly divides into those who have it and those who don’t. Believing the infected to be a menace to society, the government seeks to wipe them out. But can one woman with the disease (Milla Jovovich) help save an infected child (Cameron Bright) from cruel and unusual punishment?

Review: Ultraviolet is SUCH a typical “guy” movie! A hot young chick in leather brandishing weapons, performing impossible acrobatic feats and tearing around on a motorcycle or futuristic car, while displaying the appropriate amount of endearing maternal instinct. The plot is thin and there is an overabundance of cheesy lines that are guaranteed groaners but the well-played action sequences and the creative special effects in Ultraviolet are stunning to behold. I was very tempted to just mute the sound and watch for the sheer pleasure of watching and forget the lame story altogether. Ultraviolet is definitely worth a peek for the flashy special effects and clever action scenes, just don’t expect much intelligence from it and you won’t be disappointed. The only aspect of this movie that distressed me was the overuse of the gaussian blur effect, especially on close-ups of Milla Jovovich. The gaussian blur was WAY over the top, giving Violet/Milla a very melted-wax, fake appearance. The vaseline-smeared camera lens trick of modern CGI movie-making, I guess, but I found it very distracting and pointless.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/28/06

Beauty Shop (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Fed up with her dishonest boss, Jorge (Kevin Bacon), hairstylist Gina Norris (Queen Latifah) decides to set up her own beauty shop in this comedy. Gina and her shampoo girl (Alicia Silverstone) take over a run-down Atlanta salon complete with sassy stylists and quirky clientele and give Jorge a run for his money. Includes appearances by Djimon Hounsou, Mena Suvari, Andie MacDowell, Alfre Woodard and Keshia Knight Pulliam.

Review: This was not a laugh a minute, and was very predictable, but it was cute movie and very enjoyable. Worth it just to see Rudy Huxtable all grown up! LOL Wow did she turn out to be a beauty. Kevin Bacon is one of my favorite actors and he was great in this. Alicia Silverstone’s accent could’ve used a little work.

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Submitted by: Karen 6/26/06

The New World (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Set in 1607 at the founding of the Jamestown Settlement, Terrence Malick’s epic adventure chronicles the extraordinary actions of explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Native American princess Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). As English settlers and Native Americans clash, Smith and Pocahontas find their worlds colliding and their hearts entwined, but ancestral loyalty may tear them apart. Christian Bale and Christopher Plummer co-star.

Review: The New World is excruciatingly BORING. I watched it from beginning to end so I could finish the story but by the time the credits rolled, I was desperate to stop the DVD, couldn’t click STOP fast enough. The voice-over narration, although beautifully poetic at first soon began to feel voyeuristic in nature. I felt like I was watching a National Geographic documentary about the mating habits of an extinct species. Horrible movie. The only good thing I have to say about The New World is Q’Orianka Kilcher is very beautiful and Colin Farrell is a hunk in his period clothes, his “rough, Colonial bad boy” look is perfect.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/25/06

Tristan & Isolde (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Directed by Kevin Reynolds, this timeless medieval tale follows Tristan (James Franco) and Isolde (Sophia Myles), star-crossed lovers doomed by the forces of imperial politics. When gallant English knight Tristan wins the love of beautiful Isolde — the daughter of the Irish king (David O’Hara) — their liaison threatens to destroy the uneasy truce between their two nations. Rufus Sewell plays English warlord Lord Marke.

Review: This is a beautiful retelling of the legend of Tristan & Iseult, an ancient story that was the predecessor for tragic lovers such as Lancelot & Guinevere, Romeo & Juliet. It’s not entirely true to the most widely accepted version of the tale but a love potion isn’t as romantic as true love, I suppose. Other than that, I loved the authenticity of detail for the period. There is nothing spectacularly exciting about this movie, it was just great cinema. The scenery was beautiful, the characters were believable and the story was interesting. James Franco did an excellent job in particular, Tristan’s anguish over his love for Isolde and his love for Lord Marke was evident and heartbreaking. The ending had tears streaming down my face, right along with Isolde.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/24/06

Beach Girls (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: In the wake of her mother’s untimely death, a young Nell Kilvert (Chelsea Hobbs) returns to the beaches of Hubbard’s Point, Conn., with her widowed father (Rob Lowe) in tow, both seeking to hold on to their connection with their deceased loved one through the memories of her dearest friends. Julia Ormond and Cloris Leachman co-star in this made-for-television adaptation of Luanne Rice’s best-selling beach read by the same name.

Review: I have not rated this yet because I am SO torn! i JUST read the book a couple of weeks ago and wanted to see the movie. SIGH. I should have KNOWN better. The movie is SO different, I mean 95% of the entire movie is different from the book! It’s such a sweet and precious story about friendships and I really wanted to see the characters come to life on the screen but the story was just too different, I was devastated. I was going to list all the differences but I can’t even attempt that because there are too many. Basically only the names are the same and the very very basic plot outline of grieving father & daughter. Almost everything else is different, they added a bunch of different scenarios and people and took grievous license with the storyline. All that being said, if I had seen this and NOT read the book, I would have LOVED this movie.

Submitted by: Brandy 6/23/06

Casanova (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Lasse Hallstrom’s witty romantic comedy stars Heath Ledger as Jacamo Casanova, the infamous and dashing player of 18th century Venice who holds the key to every woman’s heart — all but one, that is. Francesca (Sienna Miller) detests the lothario’s conquering approach to matters of love and rallies against him in her writing … which only makes her more alluring. But to win her over, Casanova must first decide what kind of man he truly is.

Review: Although, Heath Ledger is one of my two favorite actors (Orlando Bloom being the other, lol) I very nearly turned this movie off in the first 5 minutes. I am so glad I didn’t!!! I LOVE this movie, it has earned a spot in my Top 5, my all-time favorite movies. Heath just looks so amazing in period clothes (remember The Patriot???) and I was impressed by Sienna..this was the first movie I have seen her in. Casanova is “fluff” but it’s charming fluff and it’s very humorous. The glove slapping scene totally cracked me up! By the time the credits rolled, I was grinning from ear-to-ear! Maybe I was just in the mood for a silly romance but I had such a great time watching this movie, it was FUN! LOVE IT, will definitely buy it! It was slightly reminiscent of The Pirate Movie where love overcomes with a dash of humor and everything works out for the best….although not quite as slapstick. Anyway, I might even be able to forgive Heath for his part in the Brokeback debacle after seeing Casanova, lol. I would give this movie 10 stars if I could.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/21/06

Shopgirl (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: Lovely but lonely Mirabelle (Claire Danes) feels purposeless selling gloves in a world where they’re hardly ever worn. But her sad-sack days are soon enlivened by Ray (Steve Martin), a rich suitor who showers her with sex and attention. Mirabelle soaks it all up but yearns for more commitment, which Ray can’t give. So when she meets the penniless but sincere Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), she wonders if it’s time to give up one man for the other.

Review: I didn’t get this movie. I thought Ray Porter was ridiculous and moronic, I just didn’t get what his hang up was… why couldn’t he commit to Mirabelle??? He wasn’t married… he wasn’t dying of some dread disease… he wasn’t impotent… so, he was older??? Since when has Cupid ever checked birth certificates? They were both legal! Ugh. Although the Jeremy character got his act together by the end of the movie, he still completely creeped me out. He was SO disgusting and gross in the beginning of the movie that I just couldn’t get over it enough to enjoy the end of the movie. As for the plot itself… I thought it was weak, there was very little substance to it and the entire movie can be summed up in 4 lines.
Girl meets stupid boy.
Girl meets rich man and leaves stupid boy.
Stupid Boy emotionally grows into a stupid man.
Girl leaves rich man and ends up with stupid boy-man.
There you have it, the entire movie, in a nutshell.

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Submitted by: Brandy 6/18/06

EDtv (1999)

Netflix Synopsis: From his dead-end job to dealing with his deadbeat brother, the things that comprise Ed Pekurny’s life don’t amount to much. But when a TV executive puts Ed (Matthew McConaughey) in front of the camera 24 hours a day, his existence gets much more interesting … and public. A sly take on Warholian fame and modern media hype, EDtv redefines the term boob tube.

Review: What an entertaining movie! Matthew McConaughey was great. I even liked Ellen DeGeneres and Woody Harrelson in this & I’m not a fan of their stuff. LOVED the ending.

Submitted by: Mel 6/17/06