Tuesday 5 March 2013

New to Netflix UK - 04/03/13

By the power of Grayskull...it seems Netflix has finally heard our cries for more choice. Behold, the mighty hoard of movies now available.


Ghostbusters - A trio of friends start up a 'Pest Control' agency for paranormal entities only to find themselves the only defence against the end of the world. Aside from my shockingly bad synopsis, it still remains one of the greatest fantasy-comedies of all times and if you haven't seen it yet, go and see it; if you have, why not watch it again?

Snatch - The story of a stolen diamond and the various criminals and low-life's who enter its' possession. Debate still rages as to whether or not this is better than Lock Stock (or just a more expensive remake) however there's still plenty of charm and humour to be found from the well-written dialogue and cleverly devised plot twists.

Pitch Black - The survivors from a crashed spaceship place their trust in a notorious criminal to get them to safety before the planet's carnivorous creatures get them. While a few people have complained that the plot is too generic, there's no denying that there is still a lot of thrills to be had and Vin Diesel steals the show as the anti-hero Riddick.

Weird Science - A group of teens create the perfect woman to help them climb the school social ladder. Classic John Hughes comedy that, despite it's odd premise, still manages to sustain the warmth and heart associated with his movies.

Me, Myself and Irene - A police office fights for his sanity as his alter-ego threatens to destroy his life. Typical Farrelly Brother comedy which has a few laughs but overall doesn't amount to much else than watching Jim Carrey scream for 90 minutes.

Forrest Gump - A mentally challenged man recounts his extra-ordinary life-story as he waits for the bus. This is one of the best fictional biographies ever committed to film, combining both humour and heart-felt drama, and Tom Hanks gives one of his best performances of his already amazing career.

The Tudors (TV) - Racy retelling of regal life during Henry VIII. While the strength and pacing of episodes vary it's still a worthwhile watch with the acting excellent all round.

Heathers - A girl trying to become part of the popular crew at school befriends a rebel who has a much more sinister way to make her popular. A brilliant pitch-black satire of high school politics with great writing and a devious plot.

Ali G InDaHouse - Big screen adaptation of Baron Cohen's infamous Staines 'gangsta' who finds himself elected as an MP to save a leisure centre. It's no way near as good as the TV series but there's still amusement to be had in watching Ali ruin the government.

Barton Fink - A novelist finds himself dragged into the hell that is Hollywood after he's hired to write a screenplay. A Cohen Brother cult classic, John Tuturro shines as the tortured Barton who finds himself in increasingly odd and sinister situations.

Rain Main - Arguably one of the Cruisters best roles, the dynamic between him and the equally brilliant Dustin Hoffman help to shape this unusual road-trip movie.

Bad Boys - Two detectives with questionable methods find themselves bodyguards to a girl who witnessed the actions of a dangerous criminal. It's a love-it-or-hate-it film, as per Mr Bay's normal standards, but the banter between Smith and Lawrence is always very funny and it is enough to fulfil your weekly quota of explosions and mayhem.

Six Degrees of Separation - A young man lets himself into the lives of a wealthy couple, but is he who he says he is? A big-screen transfer from the play, the film still manages to provide enough laughs and intrigue to keep you watching until the end.

Punch-Drunk Love - A troubled man juggles his problems as he starts a new relationship and is extorted by a mattress salesman. Evidence that Sandler can indeed act, this offbeat rom-com from Paul Anderson is a joy to watch.

Do The Right Thing - Racial tensions run high in a Brooklyn neighbourhood during a heatwave as everyone's deep-seated problems finally surface. Spike Lee, never afraid to stir up controversy, presents a shockingly brutal look at racism in America.

Seven Years in Tibet - A hitch-hiker befriends the Dalai Lama during the Chinese takeover of Tibet. The story isn't as grandiose as when it was presented in the book but it's still a well made adaptation that's also a wonderful visual treat.

The Patriot - A farmer turns military leader following the death of his son at the hands of the British in colonial America. It may be slightly over long but the action is well shot and Mel plays the part well enough to make it a good movie for a Saturday night.

Serpico - An honest cop goes undercover to expose the corruption in his police department. The combination of Lumet and Pacino results in this riveting and powerful crime drama that still holds up even today.

Balto - A half-dog/half-wolf goes against all odds to save Alaska from a large environmental threat. It's one for the kids.

Jarhead - A sniper finds himself in Iraq during the first Gulf War but it's not what he expected. Largely overlooked when it was released, Sam Mendes' contribution to war films is one of the best in recent memory mostly thanks to a great cast but also due to it's depiction of what modern warfare is really about.

4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days - A woman, with the help of her best friend, seeks out an abortion in 1980's Romania despite them being highly illegal. This dark and disturbing movie, while not an easy watch, presents a highly critical look at the Socialist government that ruled with an iron fist in Romania.

The French Lieutenant's Woman - A man engaged to be married dives into an affair with another woman; meanwhile the actors playing the roles find themselves in a similar situation. The film-within-a-film technique may prove to be too much for some however it's still a decent attempt to adapt the book for a modern audience.

A Passage to India - A study of the racial tensions in colonial India when a woman accuses an Indian doctor of rape. David Lean's final film is a magnificent spectacle to behold with stunning cinematography and a fantastic cast, all while offering a critical view of life in India under the British Empire.

Friday the 13th (parts V to VIII) - There are people who like these movies...apparently...

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