The Precious Butterfly that is Ned (Our Idiot Brother - 2011 - R)

So lately I've been obsessed with this show that only ran for like two seasons in 2000 called Dark Angel - which sadly is not streaming instantly on Netflix. While that is my current binge TV show, I've got a few movies to review for you in the meantime! The first is a film I discovered thanks to Netflix recommendations when I watched a bunch of indie films in a row - I'm so glad I took a risk on Our Idiot Brother. It's precious.

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Ned, portrayed by Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man, Ant-Man), is somewhat of a clueless hippie with a giant heart. After a run in with the law, Ned decides he needs to finally get his life together. As he puts together some money for a place of his own, Ned couch-surfs at his sisters' in the meantime - played by Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, and Elizabeth Banks. The sisters struggle with their brother's disruptive presence as he's notorious for making a bit of a mess.

Video credit: Movieclips, YouTube

I found Ned to be a lovable character with a precious soul and a hopeful personality. In my favorite line out of the entire film he says, "I like to think that if you put your trust out there, if you really give people the benefit of the doubt, see their best intentions, people will rise to the occasion." And honestly, that's kind of the message I got out of the film. Ned never loses his faith in the universe and his family. He's the chillest dude you'll ever meet - he's also one of the most positively passionate.

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The film also features characters portrayed by Rashida Jones, Hugh Dancy, Adam Scott, and Steve Coogan, among others. Some goofy, some supportive, some less than... As for the plot, while entertaining, the movie is a little choppy. There are a lot of little bits going on in the supporting characters' lives which tend to pull the movie in a lot of directions at once. Part of me wants to say that this is distracting, part of me wants to say that it works for this film.

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In the end of course, Ned's homecoming pulls his family closer together - he even gets his dog, Willie Nelson, back! Yay for the good feels! While the film has it's issues mechanically, I found it to be an overall adorable indie flick. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's

Metallic Assassins and Austrian Accents (Terminator - 1984 - R)

The original Terminator is a classic science-fiction film that everyone should take a risk and see at least once. Like Star Wars, you may not love it, but never having observed the beauty of it with your own eyes is frowned upon by all. (Though personally I love Star Wars with all my heart and most films of the science-fiction category - have I mentioned how stoked I am for the new movie???)

*cough cough*

Luckily, you have the chance to watch Terminator for yourself as it's currently available to instantly stream through Netflix!

Image credit: terminator.wikia.com

The film is set in 1984 near Los Angeles, California, where two beings arrive from the year 2029. The first is a cyborg assassin hell bent on killing a young woman named Sarah Connor. The second, a human fighting to save mankind and hell bent on saving her. 

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Sarah finds herself caught in the middle of a war going on nearly fifty years in the future. Her human protector, Kyle Reece, tells her that her future son will lead the humans in an epic war against the machines. The machines sent the Terminator back in time to kill her so her son would never be born. Now they have to find a way to kill this futuristic assassin before it kills Sarah - and of course, this being an '80s film, that's going to take a lot of fire.

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The movie feels quick, as the plot only occurs over the course of about 48 hours. It's a lot of running and hiding. But it gives a very Ripley vs. Alien vibe near the end when Sarah's forced to kick some robotic ass. And who doesn't get a kick out of some fabulous '80s special effects - including a stop motion cyborg (awkwardly) chasing Kyle and Sarah up the stairs. However, I was surprised at Schwarzenegger's performance - he has maybe six lines in the whole movie! That's one stone cold robot!

Video credit: MoviesHistory, YouTube

Personally, I love a good cheesy sci-fi and Terminator was good for my soul! Now I've got to catch the other two movies before I see Terminator: Genysis in theaters this month. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

If it bleeds, it leads. (Nightcrawler - 2014 - R)

My friend Colleen has been on me about watching Nightcrawler since she saw it in theaters. And good grief...this film was a wild ride from start to finish.

This thriller is set in Los Angeles, where unemployed Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal - Zodiac, Love & Other Drugs) is participating in some sketchy activities in order to get by - simple things you know, like stealing metal, watches, bikes. But when he happens upon a car crash and a couple of news video scavengers show up, Lou thinks he's found his calling. He pawns a stolen bike for a camcorder and takes off to find the crime of the night, hiring ill-fated Rick as his navigator and assistant.

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Lou becomes obsessed with being the first video crew on the scene and his moral compass begins to sway - that is if he even had one in the first place. He begins breaking into crime scenes and even staging them so he can get the best shot. It all leads up to a lovely unexpected twist near the end of the film.

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I started Nightcrawler thinking I was going to get the chance to actually like Lou before he turned salty, but I was quite wrong. His character was creepy from the get-go - obsessive manipulative, and scary good at selling himself. Think Patrick Bateman from American Psycho without the actual murdering, though I wouldn't put it past Lou if there were ever to be a sequel.

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As far as plot goes, I felt this film was kind of lacking. While it was entertaining, I didn't feel that there was anything really pulling it along rhythmically besides Lou's obsession with his work. There was no realistic resolution, which also bothered me. When Lou is finally confronted by investigators, they basically just slap him on the wrist and send him away. I also felt that the cinematography could have been better as each scene felt the same with a background of mostly police cars and firetrucks.

Video credit: MOVIECLIPS Trailers, YouTube

I was pretty hyped for Nightcrawler, but it left me hanging. It's a thriller with no real horror or suspense - unless you count the scene where Lou screams at a mirror. But it is graphic and gory, showing lots of dead and nearly dead bodies, hence the R rating. Ultimately, it was a decent film, but not the best for a thrill. Rating: 1.5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

A Journey in Self-Discovery (Hector and the Search for Happiness - 2014 - R)

I've been looking for the perfect film to start off our summer blog and it just so happened that my brother suggested Hector and the Search for Happiness randomly on Wednesday - this film totally stole my heart. It is the perfect film to kick off our Netflix journey on a happy note.

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Hector, played by Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead), is a British psychiatrist who lives a regular routine life with his girlfriend Clara (Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl, Pride & Prejudice). Hector listens to his patients as he absentmindedly sketches his dreams for journeys to faraway places. One night at a dinner party for his wife's work, a woman asks him about the elusive "'appiness."

Video credit: Hector and the Search for Happiness, YouTube

These questions vex Hector. What is happiness? How does a person simply be happy? He finds himself at a loss - is he even happy? Finally he decides to take a journey to explore the meaning of happiness to people from around the world. Think Eat, Pray, Love - Simon Pegg style. He travels to China, Africa, and the U.S. meeting wealthy businessmen, prostitutes, monks, and professors. He even befriends a drug lord in Africa (played by Jean Reno, a fav, who I will most definitely be writing about again soon).

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I love Simon Pegg for his typical goofy characters, but he portrays a more serious role in Hector and the Search for Happiness and I feel like he pulled it off really well. The character is a little bit clueless at first as he realizes that he's forgotten to truly experience life and his shift in perspective is a hopeful transition. However, my biggest issue with the film had to be the unrelatableness of some of Hector's experiences such as being kidnapped in Africa and a random wealthy guy he meets on the plane treating him to a night at the clubs - a bit far fetched if you ask me.

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All in all, I walked away from Hector and the Search for Happiness feeling light and optimistic. I would definitely throw it into the same category as Eat, Pray, Love and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I'm a sucker for films with a positive message about self-discovery and a search for personal truth. Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Suddenly I feel like doing paper-mache... (Frank - 2014 - R)

"Frank" starts by following Jon (Domhnall Gleeson - "About Time"), a wannabe musician and avid Twitter user, around the city streets as he tries to write a song. Unsuccessful, he eventually stumbles upon the SORONPRFBS, a band whose keyboardist happens to be trying to drown himself in a public display. In need of an emergency keyboardist, Don invites Jon to play at their evening show.

Jon finds himself immersed in a hot mess of sound as the band warms up, but is especially mesmerized when he sees Frank (Michael Fassbender - "X-Men: Days of Future Past"). Frank, the lead vocalist of SORONPRFBS, wears a permanent oversized paper-mache head. When the band decides they want Jon to replace their old keyboardist, they invite him to Ireland for the recording of their album.

Image credit: www.indiewire.com

Jon soon finds himself caught up in all of the creative freedom and realizes that the band could be a real hit among the indie crowd. He begins posting recorded videos of the album's progress on YouTube, which quickly grab the attention of some indie music diehards. Jon is fascinated with Frank and his natural ability to create a song about nearly anything - even a snag on a sofa - and gets wrapped up in knowing he can ride on the tails of this band's success. Based on the clips Jon posted online, SORONPRFBS gets invited to play at South by Southwest in Texas.

Frank's insecurities and nervousness get the better of him at SxSW and the band falls into turmoil. When the band members inevitably decide to ditch the gig, Frank has a total breakdown and runs away. Jon starts to feel guilty for setting himself up as the band's manager and leaves to search for Frank. Jon finally finds him in his hometown of Bluff City, Kansas, and reunites him with the band.

Image credit: www.moviefail.com

The movie was (very) loosely based on the fictional character, Frank Sidebottom, portrayed by real-life comedian/musician Charles Sievey, who passed away in 2010. As Frank, Sievey was known for wearing that large paper-mache head, and the movie itself takes Sievey's character inspiration, turning Frank into a more serious story exploring a darker side of the indie scene.

Video credit: JoBlo Movie Trailers, YouTube

Normally, I love a good off-beat independent film...but "Frank" fell a little flat. All of the elements were there - fantastic acting (especially from Fassbender), the weird-as-hell music (all played live as the scene was shot, by the way), even some genuinely witty humor. I just thought the film lacked a certain sparkle that I expected from all the hype. I watched and waited for that nugget of specialness, but it never arrived.

That being said, I wouldn't call "Frank" a let down. It told the story it wanted to tell and it catered to a more specific audience. So while "Frank" sadly didn't become an instant personal favorite as I hoped it would, I still know of a few friends that I would recommend it to for its very particular elements of awesome. Rating: 2.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Next Stop Knowledge! (Girl Rising, I Know That Voice, Superheroes, and Inequality for All)

I am a gigantic lover of documentary films and my passion for them has only grown with the aid of Netflix. Netflix has a documentary category filled with films from every perspective about every detail about life - history, science, economics, daily life, sexuality, gender...EVERYTHING. Here are some of my recent favorites currently available on Netflix.

Girl Rising (2013):

Video Credit: Girl Rising, YouTube

Girl Rising follows the stories of nine girls growing up in different parts of the world. If you aren't passionate about increasing access to education and literacy around the world, I strongly encourage you to watch this film. It could open your mind to statistics you didn't even realize and show you just what education can do to better the world. Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


I Know That Voice (2013):

Image Credit: www.imdb.com

This film follows the many voice actors that play the many iconic characters from the cartoon world that are so dear to you and me. The actors describe how they got into the business and will even give you some pointers on how to make yourself versatile in the voice industry. Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


Superheroes (2011):

Image Credit: www.hbo.com

Have you ever read the graphic novel or seen the film Kick Ass? Did you know that there actually is a community of real life superheroes living in the United States? These real life superheroes have a somewhat strenuous relationship with the police departments. Some worry that because they don't have formal training in the law and law enforcement, they are putting themselves in a very dangerous position with real criminals. These superheroes have a genuine passion for helping people. But the documentary raises a question of deviance. It takes a certain amount of deviance to be a superhero, but where is the line between vigilante and lawbreaker? Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.


Inequality for All (2013):

Video Credit: RADiUS-TWC, YouTube

Robert Reich is a hero. I saw Inequality for All for the first time just after I finished economics my senior year of high school. The film blew my mind wide open at the real injustice of the U.S. economy. Reich very clearly explains the the problems in the current economic state and how we got here. He also describes how to solve the crisis of inequality...and why the government isn't doing it. Even those with barley any background in business and economics can understand this documentary easily and enjoy it for Robert Reich's humor and sass. Rating 5/5 pints of Ben and Jerry's.

New Indie Films Added! (Liberal Arts, In A World..., Kinky Boots, and Mr. Nobody)

I don't know about you...but I am a huge fan of independent films. Several of my favorites fall into this category, including Into the Wild, Kings of Summer, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Way Way Back. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that some new indie films had been recently added to Netflix and I began throwing them onto My List. Here's what I've got for you this week.

Liberal Arts (2012):

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Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) stars in this film about a 35-year-old man who just can't seem to 'grow up'. He's going through a bit of a 1/3 life crisis when he meets Zibby, a student attending his former university. This is an interesting film about how to move on after college and step into the role of an adult while maintaining who you are. Rating: 2.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

In a World... (2013):

Image credit: en.wikipedia.org

I flipping loved this movie. I've never considered myself a fan of Lake Bell, but I really think she hit it out of the park with this film. In a World... is a fantastic movie about the voice-over industry and it's aversion to girls. It's a feminist film that calls for women to get passionate about something and go for it. Simple as that. With humor that is "funny because it's true", In a World... was my favorite watch this week. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Kinky Boots (2005): 

Video credit: CiwCiw.com GLBT Movie Trailers, YouTube

This British film was adapted from the true story of shoe factory that was saved by finding its own niche market - making women's shoes for men. The film was very entertaining. But I especially appreciated how it directly confronted the stereotypes associated with cross-dressing and gender identity. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Mr. Nobody (2009):

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Mr. Nobody tells the tale of Nemo Nobody, 117 years old and the last mortal on earth. This sci-fi film will force you to think about the realities and possibilities of time, because this movie isn't about the end of mortality as we know it...so much as it is about the ability to bend and control the events on a timeline based on the choices we make. Freaky, right? However, this movie feels super long, 2 hours and 19 minutes to be exact. But hey, that's 2 hours and 19 minutes of Jared Leto's beautiful face, so it might just be worth your time. Rating: 3.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Un Voyage au Cinéma! (Amélie, La Fée, Populaire)

Let's take a field trip to France! I've got three French films for you today. All are cute, feel-goods suitable for a chilly fall evening cuddled up in a blanket with some 'chocolat chaud'.

Amélie (2001):

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Amélie is a sweet girl who, despite an unlucky childhood, became an independent woman with a soft spot for the lonely. She is a curious one. She likes noticing the details of life that others tend to ignore. I love the way this movie is filmed with its added supplemental information and varying motion. The look of the movie is sort of avant garde. And the soundtrack - just yes. Warning: plenty of sex in this film - very French. Any time I'm asked for a foreign film recommendation, I ask if they've seen Amélie. I consider it somewhat of a classic. Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

La Fée (2011):

Image credit: www.ayannaberkshire.com

A very sweet film. A modern fairytale. It bounces off of cartoon-style humor to carry a playful tone throughout the film. It's creative use of low budget items made me giggle - grocery bags as jellyfish, etc. The uniqueness of this film is entertaining in itself.

The movie contains minimal dialogue, which makes some points feel as though they drag on and on. But I was in love with La Fée by the moment Dom was saved from choking on a ketchup bottlecap. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's. 

Populaire (2013):

Video Credit: MOVIECLIPS Trailers, YouTube

Rose is the most adorable person - but do not underestimate her. She wants to be a modern woman and for a young lady in late '50s France, that dream consists of being a secretary. Rose can type so quickly that her boss has her enter a speed-typing competition and things take off from there. Rose is tough and concentrated. This is her talent and she works her butt of to become the best. I was bothered by the sexist themes in this film...catty women, her boss's mind games. Rose deals with these problems delicately. She wants only a man who will treat her as his equal and let her kick butt at what she does best. 

Though I was frustrated by the men in this film, Rose did come out on top - proving to everyone that even a klutz can be a champion. Warning: one sultry sex scene in this film - oh le français! Rating: 4/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

A Robin Williams Tribute (Flubber; Goodmorning, Vietnam; The Birdcage; Aladdin)

Today, I will discuss four films featuring the late, great Robin Williams. Since his death, Netflix has added numerous shows featuring this lost actor. And since September 7th-13th was National Suicide Prevention Week and September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Day, I thought it was only fitting to feature Robin Williams for this week's post. Now I'm sure you're thinking, Ugh, another tribute post. Well get over yourself. Because he was a fantastic and talented man and he deserves to be commended for his good work.

The four films I have for you today are Flubber, Good Morning, Vietnam, The Birdcage, and of course Disney's Aladdin.

Flubber (1997):

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Ah, Flubber. I was just tiny when this movie was released on VHS! It has always been one of those films that is difficult to find and ridiculously satisfying to watch. I was insanely happy when I saw that it had been added to Netflix Instant Play. If you're looking for a film with a good moral lesson that will satisfy your inner science geek, choose Flubber. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987): 

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I watched this movie specifically for this project. Never had I seen it before. And let me tell you, it was a marvelous experience. As a history buff, I loved the attention to details in this movie. It spouted a bit of political commentary about American foreign policy and overseas involvement. And even though this movie was made twenty-seven years ago about a war that ended forty years ago...it's still very much relevant today. Rating: 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

The Birdcage (1996):

 

YouTube credit: Bob Keefe

It felt weird watching this movie again... I was watching The Birdcage with my family the night Robin Williams died. When we found out the next morning, it was shocking. Someone with so much light and laughter still had his demons to face. The Birdcage is hilarious. The film features Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as partners who own and live above a nightclub. We laughed the whole way through. So if you're looking for a film that will make your heart happy, I think you'll find that The Birdcage will suit your fancy. Rating 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Aladdin (1992): 

Image credit: disney.wikia.com

Right in the feels. How could one have a Robin Williams movie night without including Aladdin? The beloved Genie sings some of the most recognizable Disney songs in this fantastic film. And who says it's just for children? Aladdin sits in a category that anyone at any age can appreciate with just a little heart. Rating: 5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Happy marathoning!