The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Elizabeth Shepard. Director: Roger Corman.

The third movie in my Vincent marathon is yet another Poe inspired collaboration between Price and Corman. The story is centered around a love triangle between Price's character, his second wife (sort of) and his dead wife. Yes this movie has it all. Creepy atmosphere, beautiful locations and possible necrophilia.

This one is more subtle and has slower pacing the most of Corman's films which tend to be a little more tongue-in-cheek. The deliberate pace lends to the ominous feel of the film but also makes it a little slow at time. I have to admit, there were times early on when I was focusing more on Elizabeth Shepard's rack than the story. However, the story eventually builds and the ending drew me in more. This wasn't my favorite Price film, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Vincent Price makes my panties moist.

Is it artsy? For a Vincent Price film? Sort of, but not really at all.

What stood out the most to you? How upset PETA must be about the end of this movie.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A quiet mood with the patience to let the story build.

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

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Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Featuring: Tom Cruise, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe. Director: Oliver Stone.

Warning: This movie will only stream until May 1st so act fast!

We all know Tom Cruise is a d-bag. I think we can all agree on that. All the Scientology crap, the jumping on couches and the whole closeted homosexual bit just turns people off of him and for good reason. He's a weird little man. All of his eccentricities make it very hard to take him seriously these days. He's not a bad actor though. There was a stretch there when he was a decent leading man and Hollywood's golden boy.  Sure, he's no Paul Newman, but he's not a talentless hack posing as a leading man like say, Warren Beatty, either.

In Born on the Fourth of July everyone's favorite Scientologist  gives one of the best performances of his career as a young man who goes to Vietnam as an idealist and returns a cynic and a cripple. Believe it or not, I thought Cruise was really believable in this role and probably even deserved the Oscar nomination he got for it.

The movie itself seemed a little uneven to me. It seemed to sort of just bounce around and there wasn't nearly enough about his time as a protester. I don't really get the academy's love of Oliver Stone (he won another best director award for this one) in the 80's. I've enjoyed a lot of Oliver Stone movies but he has never seemed to be a master of the craft like say, Scorsese (who was continually snubbed in the 80's). His movies all feel rushed and unbalanced. It's like he won his awards based on how good his movies could have been if he wasn't coked out the entire time he was making them. That being said, this is a good movie and worth watching for Cruise's performance. Yea, I just said that.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's an Oliver Stone movie I hadn't seen yet, it stayed there so long because Tom Cruise was on the cover.

Is it artsy? No.

What stood out the most to you? A surprisingly awesome performance from Tom Cruise.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a good mood so the depressing life of a troubled Vietnam vet won't bring you too far down.

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

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The Pianist (2002)

No matter how good the movie is supposed to be it's still hard to get excited about watching a holocaust movie. It's just such a depressing topic and movies are generally used as an escape from reality. However, sometimes it is important to use the medium as a mirror to reflect the worst of what human beings are capable of. While he may or may not be a sleazebag, director Roman Polanski (himself a holocaust survivor) demonstrated a masterful touch in telling the story of Polish holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman.

Everyone's favorite lanky actor, Adrien Brody, gave a brilliant performance in this film that he'll probably never again be able to match. He apparently went to great lengths to realistically portray his character, going as far as actually starving himself during shooting. He was really incredible and definitely deserved the Oscar he received for his performance.

The story itself is gripping, horrifying and at times seems almost surreal. What the Nazi's did was so unbelievable that it even seemed unbelievable to the people it was being done to at times. It's an awful, depressing tale told in a brilliant and moving way. You really can't help being riveted by this movie. If you've never seen this movie before you should take the plunge and check it out. It really is a brilliant film.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

According to instantwatcher.com this movie will only stream until 3/15/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Somehow I never got around to watching this movie till now even though it was supposed to be really good.

Is it artsy? No.

Most memorable moment? The guy towards the end that gives him the coat.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In such a good mood that it won't send you into depression.

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

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The Bounty (1984)

First off, I need to say that The Bounty has an incredible cast. With Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Laurence Olivier and Liam Neeson it goes without saying that this movie was very well acted. This film was based on the book Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian and according to Wikipedia this is the fifth time this story was made into a movie. Sort of makes me think I should read the book.

Anyhow, this movie is about an English ship on it's way to Tahiti and once they get there and become infatuated with all the half-naked women a number of the men understandably aren't eager to leave. Captain Bligh (Hopkins) has to crack down pretty hard to get everyone back in line and Mr. Christian (Gibson) leads a mutiny and hardship ensues.

I thought this movie was good, and Hopkins especially gives an amazing performance. The plot rocks back and forth as much as the ship does and I could never quite figure out if I sympathized with the Captain or the crew until the very end. One thing I was certain of though is that I never could have made it as a sailor during the glory days of the British Empire. What a tough line of work that was. If you you like period pieces and your looking for a good movie with great acting give The Bounty a try.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It had a loaded cast.

Is it artsy? No, just a good period piece.

Best thing about the movie? If you're a straight male, all the topless natives. If you're anyone else the performance by Hopkins.

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

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

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The Last Emperor (1987)

The Last Emperor is an interesting period piece about the life of the last emperor of China. Emperor Pu Yi had to have lived one of the stranger lives in history. From the age of three he was raised to believe he was infallible. Can you imagine being a kid who can do no wrong? He is completely isolated in The Forbidden City and has no contact with the outside world. He doesn't even realize that he no longer rules the country until after the Communists have already been in charge for some time. His life takes a number of twists and turns before he ends up in a reeducation camp and is really rather fascinating.

This was a really well done movie and it made me a lot more interested in learning about this period in Chinese history. The acting, plot and feel of the movie are all really good. There's a reason this film won 9 academy awards. If you're interested in period pieces or history you should definitely watch this movie. Even if you aren't, add it to your queue anyway.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

Movie available for streaming until 1/22/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I like period pieces and this is supposed to be a really good one, and it was.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? The strange out of place lesbian foot fetish scene.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to be engaged in a really good movie.

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

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Amadeus (1984)

Everything about this movie was good. The acting was superb, particularly from F. Murray Abraham who gave a brilliant performance as Mozart's rival Salieri. The plot was wonderful and made you think about the nature of talent, art and why some people are born with such great natural talents and others aren't. Although clocking in at 3 hours long the movie never gets dull and the costumes and music were phenomenal.

In short, this is a fantastic movie that explores the dark sides of artists and the creative process in a way that is both historical and entertaining. I never knew Mozart was such a hell-raiser. I need to get a biography on his life and you need to watch this movie. There is a reason it got a boat load of Oscars.

Click here to add to your queue.

This movie will stop streaming on 1/1/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I'd heard it was a great movie but never got around to checking it out.

Is it artsy? No, but it is about the pains that go with great talent and creating great art.

Best thing about the movie? Mozart's creepy laugh.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to be blown away by great music and acting (and with 3 hours to spare).

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

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A Very Long Engagement (2004)

I think I was about a half hour into this movie before I realized I was completely in love with it. In the interest of objectivity I do need to confess that I am completely in love with Audrey Tautou so that may have something to do with it. She is a brilliant and uniquely beautiful young French actress whom I've been enchanted with since I first laid eyes on her in the movie Dirty Pretty Things. She is ridiculously charming and talented enough to carry a movie as she's done more than a few times.

This film is set just after WWI and Tautou's character is determined to find out what exactly happened to her fiance during the war. During her search she comes across a variety of interesting characters and their stories all intermingle and intersect in ways that always surprise and delight. There was never a dull moment during this movie because it seemed every few minutes something happened that shocked me, moved me, or made me smile. This movie had a great sense of humor, wonderful acting, just enough action and an interesting enough plot to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout. I very highly recommend this movie. Five Stars!

Click here to add this film to your queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I want to marry Audrey Tautou.

Is it artsy? No, but it is in French, some may think it's artsy for that reason.

Best thing about the movie? All the smiles and surprises.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to watch a very good film and willing to read subtitles.

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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The Pillars of the Earth (2010)

Featuring:  Ian McShane, Donald Sutherland

The Pillars of the Earth is an 8-part miniseries that centers on the construction of a cathedral in 12th-century England. The series is from the Starz network so you can't expect the production values of an HBO show or all the hot sexin' of a Showtime series but the story is good, the acting is good, it doesn't look cheesy and you do still get some sexin'. I really enjoyed the series and if you like shows like The Tudors you'll probably like this too.

If you've got a lazy Saturday and are looking for a marathon TV series session this is a good one to go with. You've got action, intrigue, a good plot and Al "feed him to the pigs" Swearengen (Ian Mcshane) from Deadwood playing the villain, you can't go wrong here.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? My sister told me about it.

Is it artsy? Nope, some of the dudes wear tights though.

Best thing about the movie? Al F'n Swearengen.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a lazy, rainy Saturday kinda mood.

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

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Far From Heaven (2002)

Featuring: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert. Director: Todd Haynes.


Far From Heaven is a solidly acted movie set in the 50's that deals with some pretty heavy social issues including homosexuality and interracial love in Connecticut. The movie features Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore as the ideal couple on the outside yet battling to save their marriage behind closed doors. Dennis Quaid is a closeted homosexual and Juliane Moore ends up in good hands with the Allstate insurance guy (who is black if you haven't seen the commercials).

The acting was good. It felt like a movie from the 50's, all the cinematography was really good. The screenplay is really where this movie shined though. It dealt with what were taboo topics in the 50's very well without making it seemed forced or overly preachy, it was a real human tragedy. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here. 

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I don't exactly remember, must have liked the cover.

Is it artsy? It's artsy in that it is a movie made to illustrate real social issues yet doesn't come off preachy.

Best thing about the movie? Figuring out that was the guy from the Allstate commercials and waiting to make an "in good hands" joke for this blog.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood to feel a range of emotions.

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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