So Close (2002)

Netflix Synopsis: Karen Mok, Shu Qi and Zhao Wei star in this action thriller imported from Hong Kong and directed by Corey Yuen. Two sisters (Qi and Wei) take over their family’s computer surveillance business and continue a battle borne from deep-seated grudges that they take to murderous levels. Only a determined police detective (Mok) can stop them, but is she too late?

Review: First off, all three of these women are big stars in Asia and some of them are now getting offers stateside (Karen is from Hong Kong, Shu Qi and Zhao Wei are from Taiwan). (Shu Qi was the girl in The Transporter.) Second, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this as much as I did (since one GUY friend of mine absolutely hated it). Third, aside from the first scene (which looked like it was done by a high school student in Computer Science 101 class), the rest of it completely entertained me with the thrills, chills and spills that I was expecting! Corey Yuen has directed a lot of stuff (many films by Jet Li, including my favorite, The Bodyguard from Beijing) and stateside, The Transporter (uh yeah, not so much).

If you’re in the mood for a stylized action thriller, where the GIRLS are the main characters and show off all of their sweet moves and that actually has a decent plot - this is for you. It’s not a movie where you need to concentrate too much (in other words, you can let your brain rot!), but still completely enjoy this. And NO, this is not Charlie’s Angels - here, it’s the 2 girls (assassins) against the other girl (the cop played by Karen Mok), until one of the assassins’ employees decides he wants the assassin offed. Girlpower, fun outfits, sweet action scenes and good times - how can you beat that? Boys, you’ll love it too b/c of the cute girls kickin’ as*, takin’ names and doin’ splits. tee hee.
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Submitted by: Audrey 11/30/06

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: An identity mix-up places an innocent man in the middle of a mob war in this noir crime thriller. While checking out his missing friend Nick’s apartment, Slevin (Josh Hartnett) is mistaken for Nick by thugs. Just how much trouble is Nick really in? Slevin finds out when he’s forced to participate in a high-profile murder for a powerful crime boss. The top-notch cast includes Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Bruce Willis.

Review: I was completely engrossed in this film from the beginning, and I never did stop trying to figure out the thing with the wallpaper, LOL. Some type of funky statement being made there, indeed. Anyway, this is a good, strong role for Hartnett, a refreshing turn for Lucy Liu, nothing really new for Bruce Willis but still a worthy turn. Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley are masters of their craft and always a pleasure to watch. The serpentine plot kept me guessing and I found the dialog to be snappy and the script well-written (other Netflix reviewers disagree). Fast-moving, quirky-noir thriller gets all-thumbs up from me.

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Submitted by: Kym 11/30/06

After the Sunset (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: After one final heist, a last hurrah of sorts, Max Burdett (Pierce Brosnan) finally decides to retire from the game with his alluring and cunning wife, Lola (Salma Hayek). But are they really ready to squander their prodigious talent for criminal enterprise forever? FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson) doesn’t think so — and that’s why he’s followed the pair to their island hideaway to see if Max and Lola are making good on their promise.

Review: I am a heist-film fan and Pierce Brosnan fits the genre perfectly. This film isn’t terribly well-reviewed on Netflix, and I can see the points made there. Most of it has been done before, and has been done better, but I thoroughly enjoyed the way it was done it this film. It is simply fun to look at the gorgeous Caribbean island setting and the gorgeous eye candy, plenty for everyone. Pierce is, well, Pierce, with plenty of chest hair. And Salma Hayek, always stunningly gorgeous, is often rather scantily clad. Woody Harrelson plays the semi-bumbling FBI prat–or does he? I found this movie to be a sassy, fun diversion.

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Submitted by: Kym 11/30/06

The Reading Room (2005)

Netflix Synopsis: This heartwarming drama stars James Earl Jones as a widower who honors his wife’s dying wish by opening a reading room in a tough inner-city neighborhood. Affluent suburbanite William Campbell (Jones) is surprised by his wife’s request but donates his extensive library to the effort. He soon finds himself faced with many obstacles — and triumphs — as he tries to teach illiterate community members to read. Joanna Cassidy and Tim Reid co-star.

Review: Started off a little slow, but I really enjoyed it. James Earl Jones has an awesome voice. Loved the story, loved the idea, loved the ending….makes me wonder if it was based on a true story though.

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Submitted by: Mel 11/29/06

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Netflix Synopsis: Members of an avaricious Southern clan scramble to curry favor with their dying, wealthy patriarch (Burl Ives) in this adaptation of playwright Tennessee Williams’ sizzling drama. Paul Newman stars as alcoholic ex-football star Brick Pollitt, whose self-pity and drunken malice jeopardize not only his inheritance, but also his marriage to the seductive Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor). Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Review: To preface, I’ve actually seen this before (rented it off Netflix), and loved it so much I bought it. When we had a crowd here this weekend, everyone wanted to see it so I busted it out and we watched it again. During the whole movie no one got up. I have never heard the words “Big Daddy” used so much in my life. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever heard that word in my life. It looks like some of you have seen this before and rated it highly - this is definitely as good, if not better, on second viewing than first.

What to say except this is pure dramatic filmmaking genius? Tennessee Williams is one of my favorite playwrights ever - and though I haven’t seen all the film adaptations of his plays yet (all marinating in my Q) - this ranks as one of my favorites along with Streetcar. Filmed in beautiful, lush color, Elizabeth Taylor, her body literally poured into amazing hourglass outfit after hourglass outfit, is a force in this movie. But her yearning-to-please-her-estranged- hubby character is marvelously layered, as her strength to defend him from the harpings and character assassinations by the rest of the brood (namely, her hubby’s older brother and conspiring sis-in-law) shows. As I mentioned, Liz is a force in this movie, a garrulous force both eager to please but also a pillar of strength. Usually there is only one force, but this is countered by Paul Newman’s equally strong force - by moments taciturn, reluctant and passive, then other moments explosive. It is AMAZING to see these two actors counter each other on screen. And then you throw Big Daddy (Burl Ives) into the mix, who is trying to get his son to snap out of it and who is deciding who to leave the family’s estates and holdings to (he’s on the verge of death) and who is ANOTHER force with almost as much screen time as the two characters and it’s just an amazing amazing interplay. There’s so much complexity of human emotion here - greed, love, guilt - and all in the family. I love how this film shows realism - a passel of kids aren’t always cute, Hollywoodized angels, in fact they can be tools of manipulation and can be master manipulators and virtual little devils themselves. Finally, the wonderful dialogue is what runs this movie as the setting stays the same (in the family’s house).

Now on a purely superficial level, Paul Newman has NEVER been hotter than in this movie - MEE-YOW. Those baby blues go on and on and on. I never really understood why people thought he was that attractive until I saw this. And Elizabeth Taylor is absolutely beautiful, luminous, ravishing, and she has the most wonderful voice.

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Submitted by: Audrey 11/28/06

Casino Royale (1967)

Netflix Synopsis: Five directors (including John Huston) crafted this wonderful, hilarious, all-star spoof of Ian Fleming’s 007 stories. Sir James Bond (David Niven) comes out of retirement to squash an evil organized crime ring and pass on his top-spy status to his blundering son (Woody Allen). The top-notch cast includes Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, Deborah Kerr, Usula Andress and many more.

Review: What a riotous hoot! It’s also a complete and utter mess, but if you can accept that from the getgo and just watch it for the laughs, sly droll wit, stupid sight gags and impressive cast, you’re bound to have a good time. This is more 60s than the 60s. It is also the inspiration for Mike Meyer’s Austin Powers series. I must re-emphasize, this flick is unabashedly campy and the ending downright ridiculous… but Peter Sellers is at his best, and the casino scene between him and Orson Welles is not to be missed. David Niven is silky-smooth and Woody Allen is… young.

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Submitted by: Kym 11/27/06

The Lake House (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Speed co-stars Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves reteam for romance in director Alejandro Agresti’s remake of the Korean film Siworae, exploring a mysterious mailbox that somehow bridges time. After moving away from her peaceful lakeside home, a lonely physician (Bullock) begins writing letters to the frustrated architect (Reeves) who now occupies the building, only to discover that they’re living two years apart.

Review: This is just a mini-review, since The Lake House has been reviewed and discussed here before. Add me to the list of those who enjoyed it! There were a couple of times when I went “wait a minute, now if this is before that happened then how could this be…” but my dad and I had made a pact not to do that, so we just let it go and flowed on with the movie. It was comfortably cute, sedately paced, and charming in a very subdued way. I felt good after watching it.

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Submitted by: Kym 11/27/06

Babette’s Feast (1987)

Netflix Synopsis: Philippa (Hanne Stensgaard) and Martina (Vibeke Hastrup) turn down a chance to leave their Danish town, instead staying to care for their pastor father and his small church. Thirty-five years later, a French woman (Stéphane Audran) seeks refuge, and Philippa and Martina (now Bodil Kjer and Birgitte Federspie) take her in. The feast the woman prepares in gratitude is eclipsed only by her secret in director Gabriel Axel’s Oscar-winning drama.

Review: What a great movie though it took me a bit to get into it at first. It’s about 2 sisters that never married b/c their minister father was very much an influence in their lives. You meet 2 gentlemen that come along to compete for the sister’s but in the end they leave. Years later, Babette joins the women and begins to cook for them and the town. When she wins the lottery she prepares a meal that is more than just a feast, it enlightens their spirits. The only issue, well 2 issues I have with this movie there is no smell-a-vision and food should be provided with disc.

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Submitted by: Bear 11/27/06

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Director-producer Davis Guggenheim (HBO’s “Deadwood”) captures former Vice President Al Gore in the midst of waging a passionate campaign — not for the White House, but for the environment. Laying out the facts of global warming without getting political, Gore makes a sobering impression on the audiences who hear his message, urging them to act “boldly, quickly and wisely” … before it’s too late to act at all.

Review: If you were to decide tonight to only see one movie for an entire year, then An Inconvenient Truth should be the one. AIT lays out the facts on global warming and the effect we are having on our environment worldwide in easy to understand terms and with the data to back it up. The only criticism I have of this movie is the self-important detours highlighting Gore’s life and political career, these little side-trips were unnecessary and in fact, very distracting. The movie claims to be apolitical however there are a couple of obligatory digs at the expense of the Bush administrations, Sr and Jr. But don’t let these small hiccups deter you from the facts this documentary presents. AIT will all too easily be dismissed sight unseen by many who a) just don’t care because the climate crisis won’t affect them, B) are too wrapped up in their politics to pay attention and ADMIT that we are on a collision course with our climate, c) those who care but don’t think that they can make a difference. I urge YOU not to be one of these and give this Documentary a chance to speak for itself. It’s a matter of life or death and you owe it to yourself, your children and your grandchildren to sit up and pay attention to this issue. Al Gore has made it EASY for you, by providing this easy to understand, educative and surprisingly ENTERTAINING movie. Whether you like or dislike Al Gore, put aside partisan politics and see for yourself. We all CAN make a difference, in small ways and through global measures such as the Kyoto Treaty…don’t let the chance to make a difference slip through your fingers, watch this movie and find out how you can make a difference! Would have been 5 stars had Gore remained the narrator/emcee and focused entirely on the issue and less on himself.

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Submitted by: Brandy 11/27/06

Scoop (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: A young American journalist hits the jackpot when she chances upon a major scoop and falls for an upper-crust Brit in this Woody Allen comedy. While visiting friends in London, college journalism student Jade Spence (Scarlett Johansson) beats out Britain’s reporters by exposing a story involving murder and magic, and just as the story heats up, so do things between Jade and a hunky aristocrat (Hugh Jackman). Allen and Ian McShane co-star.

Review: Critics very harshly panned Scoop but I thought it was a rather likeable movie, a quirky light comedy. I usually do not care for Woody Allen or his movies but I was highly entertained and grinned throughout most of Scoop…odd since it’s about murder. Allen’s comedic portrayal of Mr Spence aka Sid Waterman is clever and amusing. Johansson’s Sondra/Jade is such a departure from her norm that I was enchanted and delighted with her performance. I do like Hugh Jackman very much as an actor and enjoy most of his films but he doesn’t really stretch his acting muscle until the very end of Scoop and then it’s too late. There was virtually no chemistry between Jackman and Johansson and it defintely detracted from the story for me, dropping this movie from four to three stars. Surprisingly entertaining film overall though and I enjoyed most of it.

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Submitted by: Brandy 11/26/06