The Invisible Man: Special Edition (1933)

Featuring: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Henry Travers. Director: James Whale.

The Invisible Man is probably my favorite of the old school Universal monster movies. The reason is definitely Claude Rains incredible performance. Rains plays a scientist who discovers a serum that turns whoever injects it completely invisible. As with most drugs, there are side effects. In this case... madness.

It's hard to pull off madness without it coming across as campy. Watching this movie now, as opposed to as a kid, I can really appreciate how good of a job Rains did. It's really unbelievable to me that an actor you can't even see can completely command all of your attention on screen. The most comparable performance I can think of to this one is Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Rains and Ledger created characters that were both supremely creepy, insane, and completely unpredictable. The chaos caused by the Joker and The Invisible Man is some of the most random, and wild anarchy you'll see on screen.

This is one of my favorite movies. It's a technical marvel in old school filmmaking with wonderful acting. If you've never seen it and you like sci-fi type horror you really owe it to yourself to queue this one up. You won't be disappointed, The Invisible Man is way ahead of it's time.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/14. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's a classic, it should be in everyone's queue.

Is it artsy? No, but Rains is an evil genius.

What stood out the most to you? Rains performance and spotting Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to witness sci-fi horror madness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!
 

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Destry Rides Again (1939)

Featuring: Jimmy Stewart, Marlene Dietrich. Director: George Marshall.

Warning: This movie is only supposed to be available for streaming until Dec. 25th. Act fast!

I've always associated the holidays with Jimmy Stewart. His charm, the peculiar way in which he talks and the morally upstanding, but mischievous characters he plays, give me the warm and fuzzy feeling I crave in between thanksgiving and new years day. Before I decided to watch It's a Wonderful Life for the millionth time, I thought I'd see what else ol' Jimmy had on Netflix. I came across a few movies and the one I decided to watch first was Destry Rides Again.

I picked this one mostly because I had no idea how the hell a guy like Jimmy Stewart would fit into a western genre known more for violence and rough characters than that aw-shucks charm Mr. Stewart is famous for. Throw the always intriguing Marlene Dietrich into the mix and I just couldn't resist. This movie wasn't at all what I expected when I turned it on, but after watching it, I thought that it was exactly what I should have expected. Jimmy Stewart fit in the way he always fits in, with that unique force of nature he seems to possess.

Having Marlene Dietrich playing opposite of him made this movie quite the treat. She played a wild and sometimes venomous woman that was always interesting when on screen and her chemistry with Stewart was wonderful. Stewart played a sort of pacifist sheriff out to bring law and order to a wild west town. The premise is a little silly, but the performances of Dietrich and Stewart make the end product wonderful. If you like westerns, and/or Stewart and Dietrich, queue this one up immediately.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 12/25/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I just couldn't imagine what Jimmy Stewart would be like in a western.

Is it artsy? No, its good raunchy (for the time) fun.

What stood out the most to you? How wild Marlene Dietrich could be.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood to watch an old movie that will make you laugh.

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

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It Happened One Night (1934)

Clark Gable has to be one of the funniest leading men of all time. He just seemed to be a natural smart ass in his films and in this one he can be riotously funny. He paired with Claudette Colbert and director Frank Capra to create a film that was funny, romantic, touching and brilliant. I mean really, how many romantic comedies do you see me reviewing let alone loving? This movie is so good it actually won Oscars for best actor, best actress, best director and best picture. Has that ever happened before or since? That's not rhetorical, I really don't know and I'm too lazy to investigate.

The film is about an heiress whose running away to marry a man that her media tycoon father doesn't approve of. She's not that street-smart and runs into Gable's character who is a bit of a dodgy newspaper man whose going to sell the story of her misadventures to the papers. They of course fall in love en route to New York and have some pretty funny shenanigans along the way. This is a great movie to grab your girl and curl up on the couch with.

Click here to add to your queue.

This movie is scheduled to stop streaming on 1/1/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I think I got on an add Clark Gable movies kick.

Is it artsy? No, it's just a good movie.

Best thing about the movie? Clark Gable's timing.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to score points with the girlfriend.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!

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Duck Soup (1933)

Duck Soup (click here to add to your queue) should be right up my alley. It's satire, it's old, Groucho is an asshole. It's supposed to be a classic of early cinema, and I can see why a lot of people say that. Personally, it just didn't live up to the hype. I'm a bit of a film geek. When I hear a movie is supposed to be awesome or important from a historical point of view I jump up and down till my panties get all in a bunch. If I was there and living through the bullshit of depression times I'd probably have an entirely different opinion of how important this film is. I wasn't though. Despite the brilliance of Groucho's one-liners there wasn't much else that made me enjoy this movie.

I can't say this is a great movie as much as I want to. What I can say is that Groucho Marx is the undisputed king of one-liners. If these make you bust a gut, watch this movie. Here's a sample:

Say! You haven't stopped talking since we got here! You must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle.

Will you marry me? Do you have any money? Answer the second question first.

Notables from every country are gathered here in your honor. This is a gala day for you.
Well, a gal a day is enough for me. I don't think I could handle any more. 

I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows till you come home. 

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I wanted to sample the Marx Brothers.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? One-liners.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood to talk too fast and be funnier than you are.

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

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