Dogtown and Z-Boys (2002)

Featuring: Sean Penn. Director: Stacey Peralta

Warning: This documentary will only be streaming until May 18th so act fast!

I never fully realized how much I like watching documentaries on topics I care absolutely nothing about until I started writing this blog. There is something about documentaries that just sucks me in and forces me to watch them. Somehow I become fascinated by topics as mundane as origami and the California bar exam so long as it is presented in a documentary format.

Dogtown and Z-Boys, for example, is a documentary about skateboarding. I've never really given two s**** about skateboarding, I never really hung around with skateboarders much and the only experience I have on a skateboard came when I was about ten years old. I saved up a bunch of sku's from Kool-Aid packets for about a year and then sent them off in exchange for a skateboard. I got on the skateboard, proceeded to fall on my ass, and never used it again. Now, despite having little interest in the sport I will sit down and watch people talk about it for an hour and a half if it's narrated by Sean Penn. All because it's a documentary and I'm compelled to watch them all.

I think it has something to do with my attraction to passionate people and the only way you'll be featured in a documentary is if you're passionate about something. The Z-Boys were definitely a passionate crew. They were basically a bunch of young punks from Venice Beach (when Venice Beach was still a s***hole) who loved surfing, but since they could only surf for a few hours a day they started skateboarding. While they didn't invent the sport, they pioneered the techniques and style we think of when we think of skateboardering today. As you can imagine they have some pretty damn good stories and some of them even became known as the best skateboarders in the world. It made for an entertaining 90 minutes.

If you're into skateboarding this is a must-see. If, like me, you enjoy watching any sort of documentary or learning about counter-culture movements you should probably consider giving this one a look too. I enjoyed myself.

To add this documentary to your Netflix queue click here.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/18/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I'll watch any documentary. Plus, if Sean Penn is attached it must be good.

Is it artsy? Nope, just a bunch of punk kids doing what punk kids do best.

What stood out the most to you? The stories of the various forms of mischief these kids would get into.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to kick back and be a rebel from the comfort of your living room.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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Bad Boys (1983)

This movie has been in my queue for a while now. I put it in my queue because of Sean Penn and it stayed there for so long because of this incredibly cheesy line in the description: "On the mean streets of Chicago, Mick O'Brien (Sean Penn) plays by the rules -- the wrong rules." That little gem of a sentence just screamed cornball after-school special to me. If it wasn't for an interesting acting job by Penn and the antagonist Esai Morales this probably could have been an unwatchable movie.

Penn and Morales play teenagers trying to make names for themselves on the streets. Each one does pretty awful things to the other and they both end up in a tough juvenile detention facility where most of the movie takes place. It becomes abundantly clear that one of them has to go and the movie builds to an exciting climactic finish.

Despite having a predictable plot, this is a pretty interesting movie thanks to the performances from a couple of good young actors. If you're a fan of crime drams, prison movies or Sean Penn you'll probably want to give this one a shot.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

According to instantwatcher.com this movie will stream until 7/1/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Sean Penn.

Is it artsy? Not at all though it did have a sort of cheesy message to bad news teens.

What stood out the most to you? The finale.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for a well-acted prison drama.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.

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What Just Happened? (2008)

De Niro just doesn't seem to have it like he used to. He's been in a series of underwhelming movies lately but I just can't stop watching anything that has De Niro in it! The movie (click here to add to your queue)  has an interesting enough premise. De Niro is a Hollywood producer who has to deal with moody stars, directors with too much 'artistic vision', and pressure from studios. The supporting cast of Sean Penn, Bruce Willis, and John Turturro is about as good as you can get. Yet somehow the movie just falls short. Most showbiz movies end up just being depressing and this one is no exception.

The most interesting part of the movie is Bruce Willis (playing himself) flipping the fuck out because they want him to shave his Grizzly Adams beard. That part of the movie was awesome, the rest of it was just kinda meh. Not an awful movie, but just not that interesting. Very disappointing considering the talent involved.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? De Niro, Penn, Turturro and Willis.

Is it artsy? Nope, I think it would like to be though.

Best thing about the movie? Bruce Willis flipping out was awesome.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Really bored.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 2 stars.

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