Friday, February 13, 2015

Netflix This Movie! Vol. 116

When I say "Netflix," you say "This Movie!"

Adam Riske: Fools Rush In (1997, dir. Andy Tennant) Maybe the only good Matthew Perry movie...checking, checking...yep. I've always enjoyed Fools Rush In. It's slight, sitcomy and generic but the two leads have surprisingly good chemistry and the movie is very sweet and just funny enough. I like this movie so much that I once watched it on the TV Guide channel.
Adam Thas: Radio Bikini (1988, dir. Robert Stone) Coming in under 60 minutes, Radio Bikini could almost be considered a TV episode if it wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award. If you are unaware of Radio Bikini, it follows the evacuation of Bikini Island in the Marshall Islands so that they could be used for nuclear testing from 1946-1963 in what was called the Operation Crossroads. There is very little “new” footage in the movie; it's mostly made up of archival footage and only a few recent interviews. Radio Bikini is very interesting because it doesn’t take sides; however, we end up taking sides because of the increased knowledge we have of nuclear warfare and radiation 40 years later. In 1946, the United States government was almost like a kid with a new toy -- they didn’t quite understand this new weapon they had developed. It is also a very interesting retrospective on a long past time where we believed everything the government said. It's fascinating and has one of the more shocking reveals I’ve ever seen in a documentary.
Doug: Chef (2014, dir. Jon Favreau) I'm pretty sure anyone with a Netflix account noticed this movie pop up on their main loading page the day it was released ("Really clever suggestion, Doug! Why don't I just watch HOUSE OF CARDS next!" -you, dripping with sarcasm). However, as Chef made my top 10 list of 2014, I feel I must recommend it. If you're on the fence about the film (or are weirdly unfamiliar with it), check it out. It's a joy -- pleasant and warm. There aren't any traditional villains, it's filled with great cameos, SofĂ­a Vergara has never been cuter (and less annoying) and [wait for it] ... it will leave you HUNGRY (ugh, sorry). If you chose to read it as such, it also has some interesting things to say about movies in general, and director/star Jon Favreau's career in particular. I like this movie.
Heath Holland: Grosse Pointe Blank (1997, dir. George Armitage) Grosse Pointe Blank is one of my all-time favorite movies. John Cusack plays a hitman with even more personal problems than professional ones, and things only get worse when he ends up back in his hometown for a high school reunion. In supporting roles are John's sister Joan (adorable) and Minnie Driver (equally adorable) as a former girlfriend with whom our assassin never quite managed to find closure. Add Dan Aykroyd as a rival killer, Alan Arkin as Cusack's psychiatrist, Jeremy Piven as an old high school buddy, and a soundtrack by The Clash's frontman Joe Strummer and you've got the recipe for an idiosyncratic movie that doesn't telegraph every story development and plays out in some unusual, strangely beautiful ways. Can you tell I really love this movie?
JB: Blue Summer (1973, Chuck Vincent) Okay, babies, allow Netflix Instant Streaming and I to save all of you ten or twelve bucks and about an hour of your lives. Fifty Shades of Grey opens this weekend. Do not go and see it -- I know you want to see it; you want to see what all the fuss is about and perhaps you read the book. Do not be hoodwinked. The first round of reviews have not been kind to Fifty Shades of Grey. Slate's Dana Stevens walked out of it! Resist the temptation to "make an appointment with Mr. Grey."

TANGENT: My local IPic Theater is offering a Valentine's Day special this weekend. If you buy two tickets to Fifty Shades of Grey and a special themed cocktail that costs 11 dollars, you get a free pair of handcuffs. I am not making this up. Why don't they throw in a whip, some duct tape, and a rope and stop being coy about it?

Watch Blue Summer instead: delightful soft-core porn from the early seventies when all a young lad needed was a van and a few six packs of beer to attract busty, unattractive women. It was a simpler time. Blue Summer features crazy, extended scene of young couples writhing around in the altogether, pretending to have sex, during which you can all start work on your taxes. At least in Blue Summer, no one gets hurt.
Patrick: Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014, dir. Tommy Wirkola) I originally reviewed Dead Snow 2 last May, and my praise was effusive or swear-filled enough to land my first-ever quote in a trailer! [/humblebrag] That's not why I'm recommending it! I do not love the original Dead Snow despite giving it a few tries, but thought that Dead Snow 2 delivered on the promise established by the original idea. Is it a GREAT horror comedy? No, but it makes good on some outrageous splatter and really commits to the bit. Tommy Wirkola finally cuts fully loose and makes a ridiculous movie that enjoys being ridiculous. There are things in Dead Snow 2 that I've never seen in a movie before. If you're in the mood for it, this is exactly the movie you want it to be. Also, it's Valentine's Day this weekend and the last scene of Dead Snow 2 is the most romantic thing you'll see in a movie all year.

19 comments:

  1. That tagline for Blue Summer is kind of great.

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  2. I thought I was the only one who liked Fools Rush In. Great pick Mr Riske. Heath I freaking adore everything about Grosse Point Blank, it's also one of my favorite movies and one that makes me miss the hell out the John Cusack I used to love. Where did he go?

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  3. I think I need to choose Chef. I keep scratching my head when I see it and keep scrolling by. And I do kinda like Favreau.

    Im not seeing fifty shades JB. I would rather have a Comcast account ;)

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  4. You've probably already guessed ive already seen Dead Snow 2 , This year im going Nazi , I cant actually remember which column that came from, pretty sure it was Riske? Its apt though

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    1. The "Outpost" movies are actually decent for the genre. There are 3 of them worth checking out. "Shock Waves" is a classic from the 70's and "Devil's Rock" was a decent indie from a couple of years ago.

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    2. Dennis, "Wyrmwood" just hit VOD here in the US. If it's out in the UK watch it NOW!!! It's a blast!!

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    3. That goes out to all Zombie lovin' F-heads too!

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    4. I own Shockwaves but missed Devils rock. Cheers

      Today I joined both ends of the spectrum. Because im not going to see the film I watched the trailer for 50 SOG and then the Trailer Wyrmwood, The most boring and most exciting trailer of the year so far.

      Holy crap. Aussie Zombie Apocalypse movie. Im in. Cheers Chaybee

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    5. Really liked "Devil's Rock". Reviewed it for Scary Movie Month.

      "Good News/Bad News, Guys. She swallows."

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  5. My wife and I were planning our upcoming Mid Winter break vacation back in December, and Chef was our inspiration to go to Miami and open a food truck. Well, we are at least going to Miami. And eating delicious Cuban sandwiches. Thanks Chef! Oh, and by the way, we really liked the movie. Just don't watch it on an empty stomach.

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  6. What I really liked about Grosse Pointe Blank is that it not only sets him up as a deadly assassin, but also follows through when he's called upon to fight. I remember being taken aback by some of the violence at the time just because I wasn't expecting it to commit so much.

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    1. If I'm not mistakin john cusak has study kick boxing for a number of years. The guy hit fights toward the end is or was a world class fighter in real life.

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    2. Interesting. I had no idea. Cheers. :)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD6qtc2_AQA

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  7. I love Grosse point too Heath! So checking out Dead Snow 2, Rockstar Patrick is being quoted in trailers, go Patrick! I'm also sold on Radio Bikini, I know nothing about it and this f baby wants to learn more.

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  8. GROSSE POINT BLANKE IS FRICKIN AWESOME, HEATH!! Always been one of my favorites, it's one of those "litmus test" movies for me.

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  9. JB - But, how much are they charging for the handcuff key?

    :-)

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  10. I just finished Dead Snow and watched the first 10 minutes or so of the sequel before realizing I was way too sleepy to enjoy it. That said, I think I enjoyed that 10 minutes way more than the entire movie that preceded it. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest.

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