Ive gotten lazy with my reviews despite checking this thread out all the time, so digging back into some of the better stuff Ive found on instant watch over the past 6 months on Netflix that hasnt really be reviewed here (for the most part)..
Heartless...Stylistically quite an unique film. Although based in horror, it has plenty of drama - family and otherwise - with some interesting sci-fi/futuristic aspects and a touch of romance. I saw a review call it a dark urban fairytale and I think thats an apt description. Jim Sturgess stars as a guy with a startling birthmark on his face/neck who wishes for a life where he looked normal. As an underground group of demon-like creatures begins to terrorize his neighborhood, he begins to break from his norm and fight back. During this time, he gets an offer he cant refuse to finally have the chance to live the normal life he's always wanted, but with consequences. Really cool cinematography and direction. I haven't seen much of Sturgess, but I thought he was excellent here and arguably the biggest reason to see this. He really carries a film that has a lot going for it in its own right...
4.5/5
I Melt With You....A unique sort of bittersweet if not depressing buddy comedy where a group of friends reunite at a beach house for a few days of fun. Stars Jeremy Piven, Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe, and some other guy. While the drama was a bit overplayed in the 2nd half, I thought enough connection was made with the characters that it still resonated. Its also a little hard to believe such a downward spiral so quickly in this film, but it didnt really bother me. Good acting, good dialogue, good cinematography. I saw this awhile ago but its stuck with me, sort of want to watch it again to really decide how well done compared to overdone it was, but its worth a watch I think..
3.8/5
Roadie....Ron Eldard stars as a recently fired Blue Oyster Cult roadie who has to go back and live with his mom, where he then sort of re-evaluates what he's doing with his life and reconnects with his old GF played by Jill Hennessy. Nice little movie, good soundtrack. Ive always liked Eldard in his smaller roles, and I thought he was great here...
3.2/5
The Man From Earth...watched this because of the overwhelming praise here and loved it. Definitely has a TV movie feel thanks to the cheap production, and the acting and even dialogue early on is sometimes cheesy, but I thought the lead guy did very good with it and this movie really drew me in. Felt like I was in the room, in disbelief at first but quickly convinced and engaged with the story..Running at just under 90 minutes certainly helps it as well, but I was really hoping for more as it neared the end. I'd easily add this to my list of a favorite genre I call "dialogue-centric movies that take place in 1, or only a few, locations". I'd give it better rating if not for such poor production quality and some weak links in the supporting actors..
4.2/5
Welcome To Collinwood...Fun, dry comedy of sorts about a bunch of broke, petty crooks planning to pull of a big job thats bound to go wrong. Fantastic ensemble cast - Sam Rockwell, William H Macy, Luis Guzman, Isaiah Washington, George Clooney, Patricia Clarkson, Michael Jeter - that really elevate it. Sort of felt like a poor man's Ocean's 11 but with guys who have no clue what theyre doing. Id definitely watch this again, surprised its not a cult classic...
4/5
Finder's Fee...Another movie like Man From Earth, that essentially takes place in just an apartment. Guy who plays the lottery daily finds a wallet with a winning ticket and contemplates what to do. Not great, and the dialogue isnt either, but the cast keeps it entertaining - James Earl Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Matthew Lillard, Dash Mihok. Surprisingly this was written and directed by the guy from Survivor, Jeff Probst...
3.4/5
Wrecked...Psychological thriller starring Adrien Brody as a guy who wakes up in a car that crashed in a ravine. Has pretty much total amnesia and tries to put together who he is, who the passengers are, and how he got there. Would probably bore some people due to the lack of dialogue, probably why it wasnt a theatrical release, but I thought the storyline - how his memories returned, and what was accurate vs muddied - kept it quite entertaining. One of Brody's best performances in years...
3.6/5
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy...Im surprised this one hasnt gotten more word of mouth since its DVD release. I thought this was one of the best comedies from 2011. Not quite as good as Horrible Bosses, but arguably my 2nd favorite comedy over Bad Teacher and The Change-Up (which Im also surprised hasnt got more word of mouth). If you dont like Sudeikis, you probably wont like it but I think he is getting better almost by the movie. Nick Kroll (The League) and Tyler Labine (Tucker & Dale) were also funny and really helped it....
4/5
Sheitan...Part of it probably has to do with the fact that this is a French horror film, but it was a real WTF is going on, which is nothing for the most part, but as I was watching it is was so different yet surprisingly humorous that I ended up enjoying it. Dialogue is pretty good and really is what keeps Sheitan entertaining, and there's a whiteboy gangsta who is sort of unintentionally funny for a surprising change. The real reason to watch it though is Vincent Cassel who gives one of the best demented psycho performances Ive seen, with minimal lines to boot. It doesnt have any surprises really, the scares are minimal, but its fantastically creepy in a these city kids are about to get butt####ed by these French inbreds kind of way, and theyre totally oblivious to it because theyre just trying to get laid. I think some will think this is awful, but I liked it enough and Cassel was awesome...
3.3/5
Monument Ave...Man, what a underrated and forgotten irish mob crime drama. Awesome script with plenty of memorable scenes thanks to extended dialogue, nice direction from Ted Demme with a gritty feel that separates it from a lot of the mob movies from the last couple decades. Denis Leary is very good, as is the entire cast - Noah Emmerich, Colm Meaney, Famke Janssen, Martin Sheen, Billy Crudup, and some other recognizable faces.
This guy actually, who I finally realized looked familiar from HBO's short lived show Luck, was great and stole a ton of scenes. Nothing groundbreaking and no really great performances, but a surprisingly overlooked crime drama considering the cast and director...
4/5
Middle Men...considering the cast and this was about the rise of internet pron and some guys getting filthy rich, Im not surprised I really enjoyed it but its surprisingly well done and a lot of fun. I think Luke Wilson pulled off his role as the lead well enough and didnt detract from the movie, but if they picked someone a little better - I think Edward Norton or Joaquin Phoenix wouldve been perfect - they couldve knocked it out of the park. Ribisi was awesome. A surprisingly good cast for likely a low budget movie though...I know I'll be watching this again at least a few times...
4/5
The Perfect Host...Guy robs a bank, stashes the money, but needs a place to hide as he is identified and all over the news. He ends up finding a place to stay, but it ends up being a deranged killer's (David Hyde Pierce) house. DHPierce has always bothered me and weirded me out, but he was really good and this was a perfect role for him as he brought plenty of teh weird. The other guy was solid as well, and this was another one of those acting and dialogue reliant movies set in primarily one setting that I think succeeded as well. Some nice twists as it nears the end...
3.6/5
Most of these still appear to be available on instant watch. Looking thru my watched list I also cant believe how many terrible horror movies I watched