Live Flesh (1997)

Featuring: Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal. Director: Pedro Almodovar.

Warning: This movie is only supposed to be available for streaming until Dec. 14th. Act fast!

Some movies are inspiring because they explore the wonder and joy that true love can bring. This isn't one of those movies. This is a movie that delves into the darker aspects of love. The way that love can make you do terrible, hateful, vengeful things. This movie shows us what some of our more primitive emotions can drive us to do.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar has never shied away from exploring sex in his movies and this one certainly isn't any different. Live Flesh features a young Javier Bardem (who you may know as the creepy guy from No Country for Old Men), a complicated Francesca Neri, and a revenge-filled performance from Liberto Rabal. The story revolves around the three of them in a unique love triangle that goes deeper than just jealousy over one man taking the others lover. Bardem plays an officer, who gets shot by Rabal and Neri flip-flops between the love and guilt she feels for both of them. It gets complicated, as love and passion always does, but the story is compelling enough to keep you interested between dirty sex scenes.

If you like your passion mixed in with a little anger, you should enjoy this film.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 12/14/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I was curious to see some other movies featuring Javier Bardem.

Is it artsy? No, but it is in Spanish, for some subtitles count as artsy.

What stood out the most to you? Penelope Cruz giving birth, and the cutting of the umbilical cord. You'll know what I'm talking about.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood to explore some of the more base emotions of life.

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

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The Boxer (1997)

Featuring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson, Brian Cox. Director: Jim Sheridan.

Warning: This movie is only supposed to be available for streaming until Dec. 31st. Act fast!

For those of you that are unaware, Daniel Day-Lewis is the most intense man in the world. His stare would make Chuck Norris wet his pants. He's an insanely talented actor, and when its all said and done he'll go down as one of the greatest of all time. In The Boxer, we find Day-Lewis in one of his more understated roles. While Day-Lewis was spot on as always, the most interesting character in this movie was the political turmoil that affected every single person in the story.

I'm not Irish or anything, but I know enough about history to know that the famous luck of the Irish is actually bad luck. The Boxer is set during the period of time when peace was just around the corner in Ireland. After decades of conflict, the Irish were a hardened people that knew nothing but fighting and tragedy and you can imagine the kind of effect that would have on the psyches of Irish citizens. It made them paranoid and led to an odd sort of morality that is reflected in this film.

Against this backdrop, we have Daniel Day-Lewis portraying a former IRA fighter, fresh out of jail, looking to make a comeback in boxing after 14 years. I won't spoil the plot, but Day-Lewis ends up in the thick of things. And of course there is a girl, and it is of course complicated. Emily Watson did a wonderful job as the love interest and their unconventional relationship made for some powerful, if subtle, scenes.

I shouldn't really have to tell you to watch this movie because you should already know that every single Day-Lewis movie is required viewing here at Netflix Stream. This is yet another interesting film in one of the most interesting film careers in history.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 12/31/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Daniel Day-Lewis is an acting god.

Is it artsy? No, it's a boxing movie, but it isn't in black and white.

What stood out the most to you? The political backdrop of the story.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? For a good fight.

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

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Following (1998)

Featuring: Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell. Director: Christopher Nolan.

Christopher Nolan is an interesting director and the nice thing about interesting directors is that they can tell a good story with a minimal budget. The other thing about interesting directors that got started in the 90's is that they can't seem to tell stories in sequential order. I've always wondered why that is. Is it the Tarantino effect or do they teach you in film school that telling a narrative from beginning to end is just too mainstream?

Luckily, Mr. Nolan was, and is, a talented enough storyteller to avoid having this movie become one of those cliches and now his movies have made billions of dollars. Following is the story of a guy who well, follows people. Yes, this movie embraces the creepers of the world. What keeps this movie from becoming a voyeuristic bore is that the people he follows turn out to be even stranger than he is. Considering the low budget, this film has just enough twists and turns to be a pretty good movie. Don't expect incredible acting or many pretty shots. But the story moves well and is unique enough to carry the film. If you're a fan of Nolan, I suggest giving this one a shot.

 Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 11/20/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Christopher Nolan has made some interesting movies so I thought it'd be work checking out his early stuff.

Is it artsy? It's an indie and it's in black and white, so yes. Not overly artsy though, more a having no budget kind of artsy.

What stood out the most to you? How much an interesting story can cover up poor production values.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Just don't have a fear of being watched and you'll be fine.

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

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Clockers (1995)

Featuring: Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Michael Imperioli. Director: Spike Lee.

Warning: This movie will only stream until May 11th so act fast!

Spike Lee has always been a controversial director. I'm cool with that, I like to the stir the pot and I admire a guy that is determined to do things his own way. I don't even mind that 95% of his films are made with the purpose of making a political or societal statement. What bothers me about Spike Lee is that he doesn't really have a sense of humor. Even films on the most serious of topics are enriched with a little humor. Spike usually comes up with great ideas for films, the dialogue is just often lacking. Because of this, if the actors in his films don't give transcendent performances their characters come off as a little boring.

I think of how awesome this film could have been if Scorsese had directed it instead of just producing. He spends the time to make sure every word and shot is necessary and interesting. That's why he's Martin Scorsese and we're not. This movie is centered around a drug dealer who makes some really questionable decisions and is played by Mekhi Phifer who gives an admirable performance. He's the kind of guy that has a lot of potential but a very questionable moral compass.

For most of the film he and a homicide detective played by Harvey Keitel go back in forth over a case Phifer's character is very involved in. Keitel's partner is played by another Netflix Stream favorite, John Turturro. The best performance in the movie, however, comes from Phifer's boss played by Delroy Lindo. He was really the most interesting part of the movie and that is my biggest problem with this film.

The other actors are all professionals and turn in decent performances but their dialogue just isn't interesting enough and it slows down the movie. I really wanted to like this movie, but I didn't. I wish Spike would slow down a little more sometimes and spend more time fleshing out the characters in his movies. He's got the ideas, he just needed to focus more on the execution here.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

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

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I'll watch anything with Harvey Keitel or John Turturro in it.

Is it artsy? Sort of, it is definitely trying to imprint a message. I'm just entirely sure what message that is.

What stood out the most to you? Delroy Lindo was awesome. Almost worth watching just to see him kicking ass and taking names.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? You ran out of crime movies to watch.

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

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Sam Kinison: Family Entertainment Hour (1991)

Featuring: Sam Kinison.

Warning: This will only be available to stream until April 15th so act fast!

We here at Netflix Stream (well, me) believe, nay, we know that Sam Kinison is one of the top five stand-up comedians of all time. At a time when comics like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld were putting asses in seats with clean, observational humor a preacher named Sam Kinison burst onto the stand-up scene and completely blew the lid off of the mother and changed stand-up comedy forever. You say you like the anger of Lewis Black? The vulgarity of Lisa Lampenelli? The willingness to confront people with sexuality like a Russell Brand?

Well, they can all pretty much suck Sam Kinison's cocaine covered d***. Don't get me wrong, those are all funny comedians in their own right but they each ripped a single page out of Kinison's playbook while Kinison wrote the whole damn thing. In Family Entertainment Hour we get Sam as the f****** rock star he became later in his career (Netflix says this was released in 1987 but it was really released in 1991). When he enters accompanied by two young ladies on leashes wearing next to nothing you immediately realize that this isn't family entertainment at all. Sam riffs on topics like rap music, religion, sex, women, drugs and the legal issues he was having because of them. I will say that I think his earlier stuff was better but this was still damn funny and if you're a fan of stand-up comedy you definitely need to check this out right now.

To add this to your Netflix queue click here. 

This movie will stop streaming on Netflix 4/15/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Sam Kinison is a f****** genius.

Is it artsy? Not at all.

What stood out the most to you? Kinison encouraging troubled veterans to assassinate rappers with Ice-T in the audience.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to laugh your ass off.

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

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Michael Collins (1996)

Featuring: Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, Alan Rickman. Director: Neil Jordan

Warning: This movie will only stream for another week so act fast! You only have until April 6th.

Contrary to popular belief the Irish aren't a lucky people at all. In fact, I'd put them right up there with the Jews and anyone from Africa as being some of the unluckiest people in the world. Do you know how I know this? Anytime I've ever watched a movie about Irish history it has been partly inspirational but mostly tragic and depressing. If they weren't such a humorous, good-spirited and loyal people movies about them would be almost unwatchable.

This biographical tale follows the life of Michael Collins (played by Liam Neeson) who organized an uprising against the British Empire for Irish independence. For those of you who aren't very familiar with history, despite how classy the British sound, for the most part they were real sons of bitches for most of their history and ruled the world with an iron fist. This movie shows just how much respect they had for the Irish, very little.

Michael Collins' uprising was the first successful uprising against the British but it led to a controversial agreement that divided Ireland and led to even more violence. Some thought Collins a hero, others a traitor to the cause and this makes him a fascinating character study which Liam Neeson knocks out of the park.

I've always been a fan of Neeson and this just may be his best work. He gives a wonderful performance and supporting actors like Julia Roberts and Aidan Quinn give great performances as well. If you like historical biographies at all you should really check this one out. If you're Irish and have never seen this you need to queue it up right now. This is a really good movie.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

This movie will stream until 4/6/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I like historical biographies and Liam Neeson is always interesting.

Is it artsy? No.

What stood out the most to you? Neeson's intense performance.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Great acting, great story and a bit of violence.

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

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Bugsy (1991)

You never really hear Bugsy mentioned in the same breath will all the brilliant, epic mob movies we've seen over the last forty years. There's a reason for that, it sucks. I really could not stand this movie. I think Warren Beatty is one of the most overrated actors of all time. Just because you look like a leading man, it doesn't mean you are one. He tried to give a complex performance but I just couldn't believe him.

I'm really stunned that this movie got so many Oscar nominations. Nothing looked authentic at all. You could tell that every single shot took place on a Hollywood set. Even the actors didn't look right. It was weird seeing Ben Kingsly have hair and Harvey Keitel without it. It's a petty example I know, but the wigs they used were so awful looking that it illustrates the problem with the whole movie: it all looked incredibly fake.

The real shame here is that director Barry Levinson made an incredible supporting cast look like amateurs. With Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, and Joe Mantegna this movie really could have been a classic. Instead, you're left scratching your head and wondering what the hell happened?

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

This movie will stop streaming on 3/1/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's a mob movie and on paper had an incredible cast.

Is it artsy? Nope, it's crappy.

Best thing about the movie? The end credits.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A mood where you don't really feel like paying attention to what's on the screen.

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

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Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Waiting for Guffman is a Christopher Guest mockumentary about community theater. The movie takes place in the small town of Blaine, Missouri and centers around Corky St. Clair who didn't make it in New York, moved to Blaine and was put in charge of the local community players. The actors are enacting the history of Blaine for the town's 150th anniversary but they soon find out that a famous critic from New York was coming to see the play. Because of this, everyone thinks they are automatically headed to Broadway to become famous actors and hilarity ensues.

I have to say I related to this movie because I have two little sisters that have been involved in community theater since a young age. I've seen some really bad community plays and some really good ones and I know how much work goes into putting on one of these shows (and how ridiculous the drama behind the scenes can get).

Most of the jokes were spot-on and there were some pretty hilarious parts in this movie. If you like satire of small town life or if you've ever been involved in community theater you should definitely check out this movie.  Even if those things are foreign to you this is still a pretty funny comedy you may want to check out anyway.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

Movie available for streaming until 1/31/11

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? TB from Year 31 recommended it to me.

Is it artsy? I wouldn't call it artsy but it is a satire of a form of artistic expression.

Best thing about the movie? The scene in the Chinese restaurant.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for something light that will make you laugh.

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

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The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

I love the Coen brothers. I adore the Coen brothers, they make awesome movies. Fargo? The Big Lebowski? No Country for Old Men? O' Brother Where Art Thou? And many, many more. They have a ridiculous track record of off-kilter classics. So when I saw there was a Coen Brothers movie on Netflix I hadn't seen yet I almost started drooling. The Hudsucker Proxy (click here to add to your queue) sure didn't disappoint. I can't believe I missed this movie.

It was a hilarious screwball look at the corporate world with so many hilarious twists and turns. If you missed this one too you should definitely check it out. The story centers around Tim Robbins character who works in the mail room and is promoted to president of the company in order to bring stock prices down so the company can be bought on the cheap. It's a brilliant corporate satire and one of my new favorite movies. 5 Stars!

Oh, and make sure you hurry, it's only streaming until December 1st!

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Coen Brothers!

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? O (you'll understand when you watch it).

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to laugh.

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

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Sleepers (1996)

Featuring: Kevin Bacon, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Patric, Brad Pitt. Director: Barry Levinson.

This is a movie I'm surprised I'd never seen before. With a cast featuring Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro I'm not sure how this ever slipped through the cracks. Sleepers is a revenge movie with a pretty predictable plot that contains enough confronting content and good acting to make it work. I was expecting it to be more of a mob movie (mostly because of the cover) but while it had that sort of mob movie setting/feel it was more about these 4 boys who have bad things happen to them in a reformatory and what it does to them as boys/men. It was a good movie if you've never seen it, give it a look.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? The ensemble cast of talented actors.

Is it artsy? Nope, just a good ol' fashioned revenge flick.

Best thing about the movie? Kevin Bacon being evil.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for a serious drama.

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

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Of Mice and Men (1992)

Featured: John Malkovich, Gary Sinise. Director: Gary Sinise. 

There are a few actors that if I see their name in a movie it's an automatic addition to my queue. Christopher Walken and Steve Buscemi are my classic examples of that. They always play the most random roles and even if the movie is going to be really bad I can be assured that their performances will be entertaining. John Malkovich and Gary Sinise are also on that list and are also great together in this movie. Of Mice and Men is of course based on the classic Steinbeck novel which I haven't read yet but now plan to. I can't talk about how true the movie stays to the book since I haven't seen it but it sure feels like Steinbeck.

The story is about a couple of guys who travel and work the fields. One is smart (Sinise) and the other is affected with a disability (Malkovich). The acting was really good, the story was good and to be honest you can't really lose with a movie like this. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go tend to the rabbits.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? John Malkovich and Gary Sinise!

Is it artsy? Nope, just a good ol' classic drama

Best thing about the movie? The chemistry and talent of Malkovich and Sinise.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood to watch a good drama.

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

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