The Constant Gardener (2005)

Featuring: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston. Director: Fernando Meirelles.

Warning: This movie is only supposed to be available for streaming until Dec. 15th. Act fast!

The Constant Gardener is one of those movies that has been stuck in my queue since I had a queue. I knew it was supposed to be good and that it features an Oscar winner (Rachel Weisz), but I only just watched it last night because it is set to expire in a few weeks.

I think it took me so long to check it out because anytime I hear a movie is supposed to be good and is set in Africa I automatically assume it is going to be f****** depressing. Mostly because good movies set in Africa always are. The last movie I remember being set in Africa that didn't make me completely sad was The Lion King and I don't really think that counts. I understand (and commend) that filmmakers that want to expose to the world all the shitty things that are going on in Africa because a lot of that is happening and needs to be talked about. But, despite their noble intentions, I think that Africa as a place has been stereotyped in movies as hell on earth. Maybe I'm not watching the right movies, but I would like to see a story set in Africa that isn't completely tragic. A little hope might help. In the worst conditions you can find some of the happiest people. Yes, I'm randomly ranting here, but it's a trend in film-making I'm growing tired of. We might have gone from portraying Africans only as savages to portraying them only as victims - but a negative stereotype still exists. Rant over, back to review.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I would like to say that this is a good little thriller filled with love, international intrigue, scandal, and the battle between loyalty to ones country and standing up for what is right. The story follows an excellent Ralph Fiennes as a stuffy British diplomat that falls in love with a fiery revolutionary (Rachel Weisz) looking to take down some pretty evil drug companies (if I hadn't already gone off on a rant I'd talk about how corporations are the bogeyman in the millennium here). He gets sucked into her conspiracy and all sorts of things start to happen. The real bright spot for me, however, was Danny Huston. He was creepy, bad and I found the scenes featuring him to be the most grabbing apart from a few intense and very sexy scenes featuring Weisz.

So yea, if you're like me and have had this in your queue forever go ahead and watch it before it expires. Yes, it is depressing at times and the plot can be a little confusing. But, it is brilliantly acted and worth the liberal guilt you'll feel afterward.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 12/15/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Rachel Weisz won a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance and I just heard it was pretty good.

Is it artsy? No, it's a well made thriller.

What stood out the most to you? Weisz may have been the one winning awards but to me Danny Huston was by far the most interesting actor in the movie.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Willing to pay the price of possible depression to watch a good film.

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

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The Bat (1959)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead. Director: Crane Wilbur.

Well, the time has come for my annual Vincent Price marathon. Nothing gets me in the Halloween spirit more than the man with the creepiest voice in history. First up was the murder mystery, The Bat. One million dollars has turned up missing and there is a murderer on the prowl looking for the stolen loot.

If it wasn't for the killer dressing up like a bat (who ironically has a costume that reminds me more of Catwoman), this would be your standard whodunit murder mystery. And that's not a bad thing, I love old school mysteries like this and with Vincent Price in the lead you can't really go wrong. I enjoyed this one, there were just enough twists and turns to keep it from getting boring. If you like murder mysteries and/or Vincent Price, then give this one a try.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 3/15/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? All available Vincent Price movies are in my queue.

Is it artsy? No, classic mystery.

What stood out the most to you? Vincent Price and a couple of the twists (which I won't mention).

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to solve a mystery. I figured it out before the movie explained it, but I still enjoyed the ride.

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

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The Lady from Shanghai (1958)

Orson Welles has to be the most interesting character in the history of film direction. From the moment he burst onto the scene with the breathtaking masterpiece Citizen Kane, his career was surrounded by battles with studios and controversy like no other director has faced since. I admire the man so much that I will watch absolutely anything that even mentions his name.

The Lady from Shanghai is one of Welles' forays into film noir. The movie stars Welles as a brutish sailor who gets hired on by the stunning Rita Hayworth to be a deckhand on her husband's yacht. This pleasure cruise turns out to be anything but fun as the rotten character of all persons involved in this sordid love triangle comes to light. Despite being set in beautiful locations there is a sinister air that hangs over the entire movie that really gives the movie an interesting mood.

While clearly not a masterpiece on the level of Citizen Kane (but really what else is?), this in some ways flawed movie is still something every lover of film noir and Orson Welles should experience. The plot is complex but isn't difficult to follow. Welles plays his part well and the supporting cast is just the right amount of creepy. Rita Hayworth is the real star though. She is incredibly sexy in this role and really commanded my attention with her performance. If you're a fan of Welles or film noir you definitely owe it to yourself to the queue this one up.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to instantwatcher.com this movie will stop streaming on 3/1/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Orson Welles.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? The cool mirror scene at the end.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for a good film noir flick.

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

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The Big Sleep (1946)

Humphrey Bogart is just so damned cool. Seriously, I wish I could talk like that for just a day. Rapid, intense, witty and with an air of superiority because damn the world it hasn't done anything for him. If you've ever seen a Bogart film then you know what you're getting from him in The Big Sleep (click here to add to your queue). He's the best at playing private detectives ever (sorry Jake Geddis). In fact, when I think of the words 'private detective' I think of Bogart running around and taking on the world. It's really film noir at it's best.

He's teamed up in this one with his wife, the lovely Lauren Bacall and he solves another twisting and turning mystery. While it isn't on par with Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon this is still a very good movie and if you like film noir, or Bogie, you should give this a look.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Bogart and Bacall, says it right there on the cover.

Is it artsy? No, Bogart doesn't do "artsy".

Best thing about the movie? Humphrey Bogart being Humphrey Bogart.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Feeling cool.

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

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