A lot of people are unhappy with the changes Netflix has made, but I still think they offer the best service out there (mostly due to their Watch Instantly library). Here’s 10 reasons why:
1. All the Criterion films on Instant. New and old, there’s a lot and they keep adding more.
2. Every season of Mad Men is on Instant. The new season doesn’t start until 2012, you have plenty of time to catch up.
Remember channel surfing? Remember staring at the television, vacuous, changing channels compulsively, brainless and never really watching anything?
With the advent of TiVO, Netflix streaming, Amazon streaming, hulu, youtube, ad infinitum, a new world was opened up to us: focused entertainment. No more channel surfing. In most cases, no more commercials. No more scheduling our evenings around entertainment–the entertainment schedules itself around us. Together, we’ve embraced this new technology, revelling in the new worlds opened up to us, but have–if you’re anything like me–realized that tv still hasn’t cured boredom.
Netflix streaming has saved me tons of money–I no longer have to buy all four seasons of Battlestar Galactica or Veronica Mars. There’re tons of eclectic films available that I’d never have shelled out five bucks to rent: I am Love, Hunger, Duck, You Sucker, Night and The City, The Orphanage, The Devil’s Backbone. Most of the great documentaries end up on Netflix streaming. I’ve been introduced to great films by Johnnie To, Errol Morris, Woody Allen, and Steve McQueen.
So why the heck do I still end up browsing my Netflix queue for hours? It feels like I haven’t finished a thing I’ve started on Netflix lately. Among my abandoned viewings:
- The British show Downton Abbey, an ecstatically reviewed show that I found ludicrously boring.
- Mesrine: Killer Instinct, a hyped up French action film compared to the works of Melville. I gave it forty minutes. In spite of the great performances, I felt like I’d seen the movie a dozen times before.
- Hunger, which I couldn’t stomach. It’s a good film… I just couldn’t
stomach it.
- Shutter Island, which I’m watching for another article. For some reason
I just keep losing interest. I even liked the movie. I just… urgh.
- Max Ophuls’ masterpiece “The Earrings of Madame De…” I didn’t even
make it through the opening credits.
I keep clicking on random titles hoping to be surprised. Normally I’m disappointed. The last streaming film that grabbed me by the delicates and
never let go was “A Man for All Seasons.”
At the end most of my aimless video binges, I end up working on something, whether it be a writing project or and one of the films I’ve been working on lately.
The lesson, as of late, seems to be that man finds more satisfaction in
creating than consuming. As much as childhood has me wired to sit in front
of the TV and watch Nickelodeon for six hours, it often feels like a waste
of time now. I don’t watch to enjoy, I watch to create noise so I don’t
have to think or feel. It’s rare that I have a nice communal TV viewing
experience lately, unless it’s with family–and even then I’m such a
workaholic that I end up working on something while it’s on. I don’t know if I’m over it all or what–a man just needs a hill to climb, or something. Or maybe my attention span has atrophied to the point where I can’t sit for two hours and watch something. Or maybe the movies aren’t as good.* There’s a part of me that’s tired of sifting through hours and hours of garbage, trying to find a single work of art that I can connect with. It doesn’t click with me as easily as it used to. Even with 50,000 titles to look through, I can’t help feeling like I’ve seen it all before.
Are you spending hours going through your Netflix queue trying to find that perfect movie to watch and make your night complete? Stop wasting time! We have the perfect recommendations for you! Sit back, relax, and check out the Instant Pix below (we picked them special, just for you).
PAY TO SEE (May not be the best thing you’ve ever seen, but entertaining and worth the price of admission.)
The Science of SleepA timid young man can’t control the fantastical plots and images of his dream world from intruding into his waking hours in this science-fiction romance from director Michel Gondry.
Not as good as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but not as bad as Human Nature. This is a good effort from Gondry, lots of great scenes here and really good performances too. A lot of potential, but just falls a little short. A must-see if you’re a fan of Gondry’s other work, plenty of fun visual gags and creative special effects.
I LIKE AVATAR (If you like Avatar, and Jason Statham is your favorite actor, this is for you. Light on story and heavy on blowing crap up!)
Crank 2: High VoltageAfter surviving the brush with death that ended the first Crank film, top assassin Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) returns in this action-packed sequel to track down a ruthless Chinese mobster who has stolen his most prized possession: his heart.
I couldn’t finish the first Crank because it gave me a migraine, but I decided to try out Crank 2 anyway. I can’t deny that this movie is pretty fun. It’s completely over-the-top and hilarious. It’s like live-action looney tunes for adults.
REEL LIFE (Documentary recommendation.)
RestrepoHunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region’s most strategic valleys, the filmmakers uncover the dark humor, sleepless surreality and constant anxiety of war in this Oscar-nominated documentary.
See it before the Oscars this weekend. The footage that the filmmakers capture here is phenomenal, they literally put their lives at risk every day to get this film made. Possibly the most up-close and personal war documentary ever made.
FILM BUFF (For the elite. The smug, film nerds that are willing to sit through a 3 1/2 hour B&W foreign film.)
35 Shots of RumThis heartfelt slice-of-life drama by filmmaker Claire Denis tells the story of widower Lionel (Alex Descas), a train driver, and his grown daughter, Sophie (Mati Diop).
This film takes a little patience, but it is driven by some very well-written characters and exceptional acting. A good example of how stories are sometimes better told with rich characters and not heavy plot.
OLD SCHOOL (Old enough to be on VHS, but not quite old enough to be a classic. Or good enough.)
Brotherhood of JusticeFed up with the violence and crime swarming the halls of his suburban high school, a popular jock (Keanu Reeves) recruits a band of student vigilantes who dub themselves the Brotherhood of Justice.
I was obsessed with this movie as a kid! I mean, the title is Brotherhood of Justice, how can it not be kick-ass? Keanu and Kiefer are in top form here. This movie is a forgotten 80′s classic, mostly because it was straight to video and rated “M” for mature. Don’t let that discourage you though, this movie defies stupid mpaa ratings, it’s that radical!
HAVE A DRINK (These ones will probably be best after you’ve had a few drinks)
Leprechaun 5: In the HoodThe bloodthirsty Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) is back — and this time he’s killin’ in the ‘hood. When a group of wanna-be rappers gets jilted by pimp Mack Daddy (Ice-T), the young victims exact their revenge by breaking into Daddy’s place and stealing his stuff.
Ice-T, Coolio, and a rapping Warwick Davis create pure gold! Yes, the pun was intended. I’ve seen this movie countless times and it just doesn’t get old. I have a feeling this gem of a movie is also the reason for this awesomeness.
be sure to check back on our Instant Pix section for more recommendations
Are you spending hours going through your Netflix queue trying to find that perfect movie to watch and make your night complete? Stop wasting time! We have the perfect recommendations for you! Sit back, relax, and check out the Instant Pix below (we picked them special, just for you) :
CLASSIC (Oldy, but goody. Most likely B&W, and undeniably good.)
John Wayne and John Ford, what else do you need to know? If you recently saw True Grit and are in the mood for more Western, check out this classic. Criterion recently did a release of this and it’s about as good as it gets.
DRAAAMA (Heavy-hitting Drama that will drain you emotionally, but a great film nonetheless.)
One of John Cassavetes’ best and most heartbreaking films. Anyone who has ever had an interest in acting, or just really enjoys seeing an actor give 100%, needs to see this film. Gena Rowlands pulls off what I consider to be the best female performance ever put on screen. The great Peter Falk ain’t to shabby either. This little gem is pure independent filmmaking.
Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain (from “The State”) star in this hilarious, but short-lived, Comedy Central series. I dare you to watch the first episode and not laugh your ass off. It’s lowbrow humor, but lowbrow humor done right. If you’re a fan of Dumb & Dumber, you’ll love this show.
JUST MISSED IT(New movies to Netflix Instant that were recently in theaters.)
A powerful and moving drama about a young boy from the UK that gets wrapped up in the skinhead scene in the mid 80′s. Loosely based on the childhood of the director, Shane Meadows, this is one of those great films that just gets better with each viewing. Two things that I especially loved about this film: The excellent score by Ludovico Einaudi, and one of the best child performances I have ever seen, by Thomas Turgoose.
YOU COULD DO BETTER (You probably could have done a better job making this movie. So bad it’s good.)
For most people Clifford seems to either be that movie you love or that movie you hate. I always thought this movie was very funny, but I can understand why some people might think Martin Short playing a 10 year old is a little creepy. Yes, it is in fact a little creepy, but that is half of what makes this film work. To me, this is Martin Short at his best. If you take this for what it is and don’t try to over-analyze it, I think it’s hard not to laugh at every little thing Short does.
be sure to check back on our Instant Pix section for more recommendations
Unquestionably, he’s one of the most gifted filmmakers who ever lived: David Lynch, a bona fide weirdo, and the grand transgressor of American cinema. His best scenes live on in your mind just like those dreams you’ll never forget: the nightmarish arrival of Robert Blake in Lost Highway, the circus-freak march of The Elephant Man, Dennis Hopper’s oxygen mask in Blue Velvet.
Some of Lynch’s work I embrace and love: The Straight Story is amazing. But most of his work I either don’t touch with a ten foot pole or don’t have the stomach to finish. Admittedly, the only films in the first paragraph I didn’t shut off were The Elephant Man and Blue Velvet. I loved The Elephant Man. I wish I could unsee Blue Velvet.
As alienating as his films are to me, he is a erudite man and a gifted communicator.
The man knows film, and he knows how to communicate his love for film. Heck, even our tastes are similar—he loves Hitchcock even more than I do. I have an intense amount of respect and admiration for Lynch, and for his command of the medium.
And then we have Dune. I was six years old when I first saw this film, and it stuck in my head: The bad guys’ six-inch-long eyebrows… The super-evolved, space-folding psychic monster men… knife-fights with bizarre yellow energy shields… Sting… Even as a kid, I wanted to like the film—giant worms and spaceships, come on!—but it didn’t make a lick of sense.
Thank God for Netflix streaming. In a moment of idle curiosity, I found Dune again. I’ve been on a pre-90s sci-fi kick lately (old school Doctor Who! Yes!!), so I clicked on it…
…and oh my goodness, I feel like throwing up.
The film opens with a shot of Virginia Madsen staring at the screen, fading in and out, setting up the world of Dune for us by talking directly to the camera. It is the year 10,000-something. Something about “the spice must flow.” A bunch of weird names like Atrides and Arrakis. I’m sort of captivated—kudos to Madsen and Lynch for creating a dreamlike erotic atmosphere… but I can’t understand a word she’s saying. Is that English?
Check the opening out. I can’t embed it from youtube, but you can watch it here.
Fade down Virginia Madsen. Fade up opening credits.
And then comes one bizarre, incredibly over-plotted, incomprehensibly weird scene after another.
The casting’s insane: Kyle Maclachlan, Patrick Stewart, Linda Hunt, Francesca Annis, Dean Stockwell, Sting, Jurgen Pronchow, Brad Dourif, Max von Snydow, Richard Jordan, Fernando Rey, Sean Young. All somehow leave a distinct impression on the viewer, delivering full-bodied characterizations in the midst of a very messy film.
The villains of Dune are classic David Lynch. Brad Dourif, whose ridiculous pyscho-religious dialogue and bizarre gestures and body language set the viewer on edge. Kenneth McMillan as a flying, psychopathic fat man. A bunch of attendants with their eyes and ears sewn shut. A psychotic doctor who whispers sweet nothings into Kenneth McMillan’s ears while sucking puss out of his face. A bald witch lady. Michael Bolton.* Sting.
About halfway through the movie—long after I gave up trying to make sense of it–Kyle Maclachlan and his mother get stranded in the desert. They’re taken in by some sort of native terrorist tribe run by Everett McGill, who has the coolest voice this side of James Earl Jones. From this point on, the movie threatens us with comprehensibility… there’s a neat sequence where Maclachlan uses some sort of psychic shouting thing to blow up rocks. The giant worms show up. The editing becomes smooth (it’s a complete hack job up until this point), and the film’s atmosphere becomes stronger. In another sequence, Kyle Maclachlan drinks a potion and goes on an acid trip. When he wakes up, the giant worms are sitting at his feet like puppy dogs, and he’s become, apparently, some sort of Future Space Jesus Christ.
At this point, I have the impression that Lynch may have had a good film here somewhere during the editing process.
I also have a headache. I pop a Tylenol and continue.
Finally, there’s a climactic battle in which the heroes attack a future space dessert city while riding giant worms. It should be noted that the special effects here aren’t the greatest, and the battle looks like… well, it’s a bunch of penis-shaped worm puppets attacking a miniature city.
The good guys win. Virginia Madsen shows up for the first time since the opening, speaking one line (why was she in this movie again)? Kyle Maclachlan fights Sting and stabs him to death. Then Kyle Maclachlan, summoning his Future Space Jesus Christ powers, makes it rain. Cue closing credits.
All in all… what the heck just happened?
That said, I think there was a good film in there. It should have been an hour longer, allowing Lynch to flesh out the story and give us something more comprehensible. The novel Dune is based on is thick—like 544 pages. It is regarded as the Lord of the Rings of science fiction—i.e. it is a unique, intricate, and complete world, filled with maps and glossaries and mishmash. Imagine if the first Lord of the Rings film had been cut down to two hours. We all would’ve hated it.
According to my research,** Lynch turned in a four hour cut, and it was chopped down by the producers for release—Lynch was contractually obliged to turn in a two hour film. An obvious mistake on the producers’ part.
Ridley Scott was developing Dune to direct before Lynch, and had suggested splitting the first book’s story into two films. This was probably the wisest choice. The Sci-fi Channel’s miniseries adaptation of the novel spanned six hours, and apparently made a lot more sense. There’s just too much information in the novel to adapt into a sensical two hour film.
Lynch’s film has its good points, buried in an obsence mess of uniformly awful editing. The score by Toto is sublime. The cinematography by Freddie Francis is atmospheric and heady. The performances, as I noted earlier, are full-bodied, weird, and attention-grabbing. And it has the touch of an auteur, which can make a terrible film like Dune more entertaining to me than vacuous fluff like Night at The Museum.
That said, it still made me wanna throw up. Netflix it at your own risk.
· Bolton can be spotted in a single shot at the end of the film. He plays a drummer during a climactic knife fight between Sting and Kyle Maclachlan.
death2themovies 2/3/12 @netflix pick: CITIZEN RUTH. One of the first films from Alexander Payne. Like most of his work it's clever and funny. #netflix365
