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16 February 2004 — Best of Netflix (13)

Are you tired of discussing movies yet? Tough.

Based on your recommendations, I've given second chances to both Gosford Park and The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Grommit.

While the latter improved in an environment where I controlled the volume, and each short had some amusing bits, I'm still not overwhelmed by them. In particular, I found "The Wrong Trousers" tedious. I did like "A Close Shave", though.

Gosford Park, on the other hand, improved a great deal on rewatching. I had liked what I was able to glean from it the first time I saw it, but that viewing had taken place the little Milwaukie theater, the place with a terrible sound system. (This sound system is so bad that it made parts of My Big Fat Greek Wedding difficult to decipher.) On DVD, the sound was mostly clean, and there were always subtitles for those sections we couldn't decipher. Gosford Park is a fun film, a condensed Upstairs, Downstairs of sorts. I recommend it.

We've been doing Netflix for five months now. In that time, we've watched 64 films. Here are my favorites (though, to be honest, I didn't see Breaking the Waves — this ranking is based on Kris' review):

  1. Unforgiven (simply and amazing film)
  2. Six Feet Under, Season One (Disc Two)
  3. Six Feet Under, Season One (Disc Three)
  4. Whale Rider (the young star of which is nominated for Best Actress)
  5. Breaking the Waves
  6. Kon-Tiki (a 1950s documentary about sailing across the Pacific on a raft)
  7. A Few Good Men (many people think this is average — I like it)
  8. Rebecca (our favorite Hitchcock)
  9. Gosford Park
  10. Tie: Sports Night, Season One (Disc Two) and Sports Night, Season One (Disc Three)
A common thread between all of these films? Great writing. As you might expect, I'm a sucker for great writing. That might also explain why these ten films are my least favorite (worst listed first):
  1. Altered States (simply awful — almost completely unwatchable)
  2. Malice (proof that Aaron Sorkin doesn't always get it right)
  3. Fistful of Dollars (those early Clint Eastwood films were not good)
  4. Hero (painful to watch — and I've never been a Geena Davis fan)
  5. Glengarry Glen Ross (I know some of you love this film, but it was simply too much)
  6. Ladyhawke (this had potential, but mostly was a pile of suckage)
  7. Rebecca, bonus disc (not much of a bonus)
  8. Sophie's Choice (the story of the young writer was fine, but Sophie's story was overwrought)
  9. Far From Heaven (liberal feel-good film at its worst)
  10. Talk to Her (not terrible, just very strange)
The two films we've seen that are most unclassifiable are Network and My Dinner with André. Both have elements of greatness, but are very different from anything else we've seen.

Coming up in our queue: a bunch of British history and Shakespearean stuff, followed by a bunch of foreign films (especially Japanese). We're still waiting for Curb Your Enthusiasm to become available, too.

What other films should we add to our queue?

Would anyone like a large houseplant?

We have a fifteen-year-old spathiphyllum that has outgrown us. It's about the size of an easy chair. We'd keep it except that Nemo has decided that it is his favorite toy. It's a beautiful plant (except the lower leaves, which Nemo has shredded), and we'd rather give it to a good home than just throw it out.

If you're interested, drop me a line.

On this day at foldedspace.org

2005 — Bathroom Remodel: Step One   We took the first step on our bathroom remodel journey last night, and after that first step, Kris and I are both a little wary.

2003 — Hacked!   Mac notified me that my site had been hacked!

Comments
On 17 February 2004 (08:35 AM), Joel said:

"You Can Count On Me" was a pleasant netflix surprise for us a while back.


On 17 February 2004 (08:43 AM), Tammy said:

Hey I'd like that plant. i used to have one and it finally died on me. I think we had if for about ten years! If no one else is game I'll take the thing!


On 17 February 2004 (08:46 AM), J.D. said:

Okay, Tammy, sounds like a deal, but you have to promise not to try to convert it. It's an atheist houseplant.


On 17 February 2004 (09:18 AM), Dana said:

I have to disagree with you on Hero. Yeah, Geena Davis is nothing special, there, but I really love the character of Dustin Hoffman. And the contrast between him and Andy Garcia's character was something I thought was handled really well.

Hoffman as an ass and a jerk who does the right thing under pressure, and the nice, kind, gentle guy who does the wrong thing under pressure. I thought it worked really well.


On 17 February 2004 (09:26 AM), Tammy said:

Oh no I will do my best to convert the poor thing. And until that time I will make sure my kids are kept away from it's evil influences! I suppose I'll have to keep it in my bedroom for awhile, at least until it comes to some sort of realization that it was created by God. Poor atheistic plant!


On 17 February 2004 (10:59 AM), Amanda said:

Yay yay yay for giving Gosford Park a second chance! I feel extra special today, considering it's one of my very, very favorite films and considering I praised it so highly. Glad you liked it!

As for your list of ten best, I think it's mighty fine. I would only disagree with Malice being on the bad list, as I find it delightfully evil, and give you a big high five for including Far From Heaven on the bad list.

The disappointing news is that I cancelled my Netflix membership. Not because I didn't love it, because I did, but because I just could not justify the $20 a month when, in reality, I just would not make the time to watch the films. And then when I did make the time, well, I fell into a deep, dark coma of movies from whence no house work or necessary things to do could emerge. I only rent films perhaps once every month or two, and I don't know why I expected having them delivered would miraculously deposit more time into my schedule, because it didn't. But I do recommend it highly for those who like to watch.

Also, I second the recommendation of You Can Count On Me. Nuff said.


On 17 February 2004 (12:19 PM), Kris said:

In all honesty, I am compelled to inform you all that the above photo does NOT show our plant. It is simply some image that Jd found to represent spathiphyllums in general. Ours is neither blooming (although it does, usually in the spring-summer) nor lushly foliated (thanks, Nemo). Still, it is looking for a good home.

Also, Jd & I saw "You Can Count on Me" when it came out. I agree: it was great, especially Laura Linney, who was new to me at that time.


On 17 February 2004 (12:31 PM), J.D. said:

In all honesty, I should point out that if you hover your cursor over the photo it clearly states this is not our plant.

Plus, Kris just said — almost verbatim — what I told Joel this morning about You Can Count on Me.

Are we married, or what?


On 17 February 2004 (01:01 PM), Joel said:

Okay, howabout Eddy Izzard, "Dressed to Kill"?


On 17 February 2004 (06:40 PM), Nikchick said:

I continue to disagree with you about Far From Heaven.


On 17 February 2004 (07:52 PM), Mom (Sue) said:

I have to admit I'm out of the loop when it comes to movies, since I generally rent them rather than going to see them in the theater (although I do go to a very occasional matinee and my friend Linda and I talk about seeing one together but never seem to find the time). Most of the time I even forget to rent them. However, I am a John Grisham fan (mainly in book form, but I have seen a couple or three of the movies made from his books) and when I saw Runaway Jury on DVD today in Costco, I had to get it. I watched it tonight. There were the inevitable changes, which I actually preferred to see in the movie because the book truly didn't have that much that would translate into vivid action in a film. I enjoyed it a lot, and especially Gene Hackman. He sometimes makes such a delicious bad guy! -G- J.D. and Kris, I don't know if you like this kind of movie, but if you do, let me know and I'll lend it to you if you haven't already seen it.

As to your plant, I think that was the one that Nemo posed under and I cropped it so that the plant's leaves just framed him, making what I feel was a great tag for myself out of the shot. -G-


On 18 February 2004 (03:43 AM), Andrew Parker said:

Wow, I feel like a slacker for getting through just 10 Netflix discs in 6 weeks...

"Winged Migration" is fantastic visually but the "bonuses" reveal that the documentary aspect is a sham.

I was surprised to see "Glengarry GR" on your "worst" list, but then I realized that I only *think* that I like Mamet. On the other hand, "Gosford Park" proved that Altman doesn't always suck.

"Bowling for Columbine" was the only Netflix movie that I really wanted to watch again.

Liked "Unforgiven"? You'll love "Mystic River"! I'm partial to all things Eastwood, but this really was brilliantly directed; the solid script and amazing acting are gravy. (You'll need to go to the theatre for this one...)

I've also enjoyed the first season of The Sopranos (yes, I *do* live in a cave) and a few old Bruce Lee flicks that are only stocked at the haughty/freaky cinematique rental shops.

The Netflix selection disappoints: there are at least a dozen films on my "to consider" list that simply aren't to be found. I managed to quickly assemble a queue of 170+ movies nonetheless. (Yes, a cave.)


On 18 February 2004 (12:07 PM), Paul said:

Because you are a U2 fan, I suggest you see
U2: Elevation 2001: Live from Boston (2-Disc Series) (2001)
MOVIE INFORMATION
Recorded live with 20 cameras in Boston's Fleet Center on June 6th, this 2-disc set features the full performance from U2's sold out "Elevation" tour, following the release of their highly acclaimed CD, "All That You Can't Leave Behind."

The transitional use of "40" from the song Bad to With or Without You is superb. I also enjoyed this versions Bullet the Blue Sky.

Disc 2 is not entirely necessary, unless you want to see the producer producing during the concert.

If you add any of the songs to iTunes let me know.


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