Stir Crazy (1980)

Featuring: Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, Craig T. Nelson
Director: Sidney Poitier

Warning: This movie is only streaming until March 26th so act fast!

Richard Pryor is a genius. If you didn't know that then get the f*** off my page. Just kidding, I really meant go watch some of his stand-up, it's brilliant. His movie career wasn't anywhere up to par in comparison, but he still had a few funny flicks. In this one he teams up with his usual partner, Gene Wilder, and turns in a pretty funny movie.

In Stir Crazy, Wilder and Pryor are a couple of buddies planning on traveling across the country. Along the way they get framed for bank robbery and end up in jail. As with all prison movies, they try to escape. Unlike most prison movies where the specter of sphincter violation weighs heavily over the characters head, this is a comedy so mostly it's just poking fun at stereotypes about prison and some zany fun just for kicks.

Overall the movie was pretty decent. There were some really funny parts, but I found myself getting distracted a bit here and there. Some of the jokes I've just seen so many times. It's worth it to check this one out just because it's so much fun to watch Wilder and Prior together. That and Sidney Poitier was the director. This movie isn't an accurate reflection of Pryor's genius, but it's fun to watch nonetheless.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

According to instantwatcher.com this movie will be available for streaming on Netflix until 3/26/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Richard Pryor & Gene Wilder.

Is it artsy? Nope.

What stood out the most to you? Gene Wilder was rather delightful as a bold free-spirit.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready for a few laughs and a bit of nostalgia.

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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