It's an interesting week on Flicks to Stream. First off, after a two-week hiatus, we're back. Here's a quick tour of this week's movies.
Past the over-quoted-comedy-event of 2000 is an extremely satisfying tournament fighting movie (which you just can't get enough of these days) that actually made it into theaters, and deservedly so.
Then, Michael Keaton does some comedy, Macaulay Culkin has sex with three other people, and... wait. (Insert sound of a screaching stop here.) Yes, you did read that right. Skip on down if you must.
By the way, did you hear the latest news about M. Night Shyamalan? He is making a sequel to The Sixth Sense--I Sense A Seven starring Ben Affleck instead of Bruce Willis. Should be fantastic.
Who would have thought ten years after The Sixth Sense that Affleck would be considered a better director that Shyamalan. What a crazy world we live in.
Popcorn Movie of the Week
Dude, Where's My Car? (HD)
It's about time Dude, Where's My Car made it's way to Netflix Watch Instantly. Honestly, where has this movie gone? It's kinda amazing to see how Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott transitioned off of Dude, Where's My Car. Scott made movies that were actually lower on the intellectual totem pole, while Kutcher defnintely made movies of more intelligence, but not necessarily quality. Just saying, I would much rather watch The Rundown over The Butterfly Effect. The great thing about really trendy comedies is that they are like a quick killing disease, they play themselves out so quickly that it's hardly enjoyable to see it for the next year. But then, nearly a decade later (wow, where has the time gone?), Dude, Where's My Car? is ready to be soaked up again. Sweet! Dude! Sweet!
Never Back Down
Don't judge a movie by it's cover, or it's title. Never Back Down sounds like a horrible attempt at a title that literally explodes, but it has a decent tie-in to the plot. Who would have thought? Here's what you get with Never Back Down. A lead actor who should probably be the next Superman, the vampire from the first Twilight (the guy who looked like Duane Allman), Amber Heard, and Dijmon Hounsou completely taking a simple supporting role into an amazingly emotional portrayal of a martial arts gym owner. Oh, and did I mention Amber Heard? Seriously, this is probably the highest quality tournament-fighting movie since Bloodsport. Man, I miss the days of tournament movies. Never Back Down is a quickly paced ommage to the days of old. Oh, and it has Amber Heard in it. (P.S. Djimon Hounsou should be in every movie. He's that damn good.)
The One That Got Away
Multiplicity (Hulu)
Finally, my favorite sleeper movie of all time. Anytime you get in a verbal sparring match about underrated movie, i.e. Andie MacDowell movies other than Four Weddings and a Funeral, or the validity of Michael Keaton as an actor--bust out Multiplicity. It's just a fun, kinda zaney movie. Yes, zaney. Take Michael Keaton, kind of a boring middle of the road contractor, and then make a few split personalities. Nice. Then plop in Andie MacDowell being your typical straight-laced wife and--here's my favorite synopsis line ever--hilarity ensues. If you find yourself watching it on a lazy afternoon, Mulitiplicity will quickly go from a background filler, to captivating your interest. It's one of Keaton's unsung comedic performances. Keaton--comedy--go watch it. How can you resist the Keaton?
Sex and Breakfast
Maculay Culkin and sex don't exactly mix. No one in their right mind can think of him as anything but the adorable Home Alone kid. Sadly, the one oft-overlooked nugget about Muaculay is--he can act. In fact, he's damn good at it. Sadly, he won't ever be able to escape the curse of the child-star. However, his acting chops will always be on display in a seemingly random indie movie or two. Sex and Breakfast is the prototypical example. It's a brisk 90-ish minute tale of two couples who are on the verge of a break-up, so they go in for some "group therapy sessions". Be advised, it's not a National Lampoons boob-fest, but it is a raw documentary about couples and sex.
For the Movie Buff
The Sixth Sense
It may seems strange to put The Sixth Sense in a category for the movie buffs, but there is good reasoning behind it. Ignoring the fact that it doesn't fit in with a popcorn movie or "one that got away", the reasoning is even more basic. The Sixth Sense is a bonafide classic. No matter what you think of it now, when it was released, it represented a crowning achievement in movie-twists, pacing, and directorial debuts. This movie started an entire career, helped to re-ignite Bruce Willis's sagging career, and set the standard for suspense thrillers. Let's be honest, it is probably the most Hitchcock-ian (i.e. suspense with a good ending) of all post-Hitchcock endeavors. That's quite a compliment, but it's deserved. It's time for another viewing.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
I'm just going to lay it out there. I had extremely high hopes for Bonndock Saints II. The first movie, Boondock Saints, is a cult classic. It has it's issues, but the plot idea, coupled with a gritty and fun stylistic approach to violence set the movie apart from the rest. Well, imagine stripping the movie of all those qualities, then making a cool idea seem like a tired one, and that's Boondock Saints II. Doesn't sound like much of a recommendation does it? Well, honestly, I am glad I finished the movie. The first half hour seems like a chore to get through, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Towards the end there are some clever attempts at character background which adds to the interest, but mostly its just fun to see a totally cheesy shooting romp. They just don't make 'em like they used to (come back Jean-Claude, come back!).
Sweet Streams. See You Next Week!
All movies this week are available on Netflix unless marked as Hulu.
Past Weeks of Flicks to Steam
Week 20 - X-Men, Airheads, Revenge of the Nerds, Good Will Hunting, Visioneers
Week 19 - Zombieland, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Radio, Pollock, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Week 18 - Surrogates, The Sandlot, Jaws, Contact
Week 17 - Law Abiding Citizen, Loser, Syrian, Risky Business
Week 16 - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, It Might Get Loud, Rudy
Week 15 - The Big Lebowski, Get Carter, Letters from Iwo Jima, Let the Right One In
Week 14 - Up, The Messenger, The Stepfather
P.S. I Sense A Seven was a joke, just in case your sarcasm detector was broken today.
