Elektra

Elektra (2005)

In this spellbinding thriller, Jennifer Garner reprises the role of fearless warrior Elektra -- a character she originated in Daredevil. Now that she's back in the fold of the mysterious Order of the Hand, the group's leader, Kirigi (Will Yun Lee), tasks her with liquidating seemingly harmless widower Mark Miller (Goran Visnjic) and his teenage daughter. But all bets are off when Elektra falls for Miller and must battle her former allies.

My Two Cents: Like Daredevil, but no Affleck means more reason to watch, especially when Garner lightens up in the movie's second half.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 6/10

Alternate My Two Cents: Movies like this make HBO On Demand worthwhile; perfect way to kill 90 minutes and put you in the mood for 24.

Bonus Alternate My Two Cents: See "My Two Cents" for Fantastic Four; now substitute "Elektra" for "Fantastic Four."

BONUS BLOGGING

Porter's Two Cents: Better than Daredevil. But then again, that's not saying too much.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist (2005)

Acclaimed director Roman Polanski (Rosemary's Baby) takes a stab at retelling a classic Dickens tale, with Ben Kingsley co-starring as Fagin, the notorious underground gang leader. As the story goes, a doe-eyed runaway orphan named Oliver Twist (Barney Clark) flees the confines of the factory walls to live among pickpockets and thieves. And, for the most part, what he finds is a surrogate family of people who actually care.

My Two Cents: Well done, but is to Dickens' classic what condensed Campbells is to mom's homemade soup: satisfactory but lacking.

NetFlix rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

(Note: based on the movies I've seen this year Kingsley is my most notable Oscar snub).

Oscar Nominations

The 78th Annual Academy Awards take place on March 5, but nominations came out this morning. As I have not seen the majority of nominated films yet I have a limited opinion of the nominations.

Perhaps Robert, who's seen most of the major 2005 titles, can voice his initial thoughts for the time being. In the week prior to the Awards we'll all take a stab at predictions, along with who we feel should win, and who we think was snubbed from the process altogether.

Race to the Moon: American Experience

Race to the Moon: American Experience (2005)

With only four months to prepare for an orbit around the moon, the Apollo 8 astronauts were up against enormous odds. But their subsequent success -- a portion of which was broadcast live on television in 1968 -- earned them the respect of their NASA colleagues and the awe of the world. This episode of the "American Experience" series recounts a key historical moment by speaking to the men and women who helped make the mission a reality.

My Two Cents: Okay, but non-Apollo buffs should skip this in favor of HBO's "...Earth to the Moon" (esp. episodes 2-6)

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: n/a

11:14

11:14 (2005)

Five seemingly random story lines intersect at precisely 11:14 p.m. in this innovative drama-thriller written and directed by newbie filmmaker Greg Marcks. Even though they're strangers, Buzzy (Academy Award winner Hilary Swank), Mark (Colin Hanks), Cheri (Rachel Leigh Cook), Jack (Henry Thomas) and Eddie (Ben Foster) will become a part of one another's lives -- even if it kills them. Patrick Swayze and Barbara Hershey co-star

My Two Cents: Oscar winner + 80's re-tread + a few teenyboppers + some misdirection = a not-half-bad way to spend an hour-and-a-half

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

Ocean's Twelve

Ocean's Twelve (2004)

In this sequel to the 2001 hit Ocean's Eleven, Danny Ocean
(George Clooney) reunites with his old flame (Julia Roberts) and the rest of his
merry band of thieves and con men (Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Don
Cheadle, among others). This time, the caper concerns three huge heists in Rome,
Paris and Amsterdam. Catherine Zeta-Jones co-stars, and Andy Garcia returns as
casino owner Terry Benedict. Steven Soderbergh reprises as
director

My Two Cents: Europe just ain't as cool as Vegas, even if the characters are just as smooth.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Matt's Two Cents: Not as good as original, but makes you laugh and entertains even if it won't win any awards.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It

Porter's Two Cents: Never should have been made. There are millions of good books out there, why force this? Well the millions bucks. Still.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It

BONUS RETRO BLOGGING

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, wry, charismatic thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is already rolling out his next plan: In one night, Danny's hand-picked crew of specialists will attempt to steal over $150 million from three Las Vegas casinos. To score the cash, however, Danny will have to risk his life and his chances of reconciling with ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts). A remake of the 1960 Rat Pack heist flick.

My Two Cents: A cool cast in an even cooler town... Best movie ever about Vegas.

NetFlix Rank: Loved It
IMDB Rank: 9/10

Love Actually

Love Actually (2003)

An ensemble comedy that tells 10 separate (but intertwining) London love
stories, leading to a big climax on Christmas Eve. One of the threads
follows the brand-new, unmarried Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) of the United
Kingdom, who, on his first day in 10 Downing Street, falls in love with the girl
(Martine McCutcheon) who brings him his tea. Denise Richards, Alan Rickman,
Keira Knightley and Rowan Atkinson co-star.

My Two Cents: Embarrassing as it is I liked this film. It's the abundance of British ladies that I love, actually.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

Underworld: Evolution

Underworld: Evolution (2006)

Working together to expose the truth about their bloodlines,
vampire warrior Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and werewolf hybrid Michael (Scott
Speedman) learn the backstory to the ongoing conflict between the patrician
Death Dealers and the barbarous Lycans. Len Wiseman helmed this atmospheric
sequel to his 2003 debut film, Underworld, with Bill Nighy reprising his role as
the father of modern-day vampires

My Two Cents: More like "Underwhelming," but cements Kate's status as my favorite ass-kickingest chick in Hollywood.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

BONUS RETRO BLOGGING

Underworld (2003)

Vampires and werewolves have waged a nocturnal war against
each other for centuries. But all bets are off when a female vampire warrior
named Selene (Kate Beckinsale), who's famous for her strength and
werewolf-hunting prowess, becomes smitten with a peace-loving male werewolf,
Michael (Scott Speedman), who wants to end the war. Think Romeo and Juliet with
a big hickey!

My Two Cents: Romeo & Juliet in black trench coats and vinyl catsuits... with uzis; Kate kicks some serious ass.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

Melinda and Melinda

Melinda and Melinda (2004)

In Woody Allen's film, two writers see the story of a woman who comes undone at a dinner party in different ways -- one as a comedy, the other as a tragedy. Radha Mitchell stars as Melinda in both versions; in one, her problems hasten the breakup of her pal Laurel's (Chloe Sevigny and Jonny Lee Miller) marriage, while in the other, she throws another couple, Susan and Hobie (Amanda Peet and Will Ferrell), into a hilarious tizzy.

My Two Cents: A Tragedy/Comedy dichotomy that is neither tragic nor comedic.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It
IMDB Rank: 6/10

Broken Flowers

Broken Flowers (2005)

After being dumped by yet another girlfriend (Julie Delpy), Don Johnston (Bill Murray) vows he'll be alone forever. But when a mysterious unsigned letter arrives in the mail, he's surprised to learn he has a 19-year-old son. With no idea who the mother could be, Don sets out on a cross-country journey to confront his past, surprising a series of old flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone and Tilda Swinton) along the way.

My Two Cents: As detached and meandering as Lost in Translation, but more compelling; I feel it growing on me .

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

National Lampoon's Dorm Daze

National Lampoon Presents: Dorm Daze (2003)

This wacky comedy of errors takes place at a university co-ed dormitory just a few days before Christmas break, when one of the students hires a prostitute named Dominique so his younger brother can lose his virginity. Meanwhile, another student awaits the arrival of a foreign exchange student who speaks little English -- and is also named Dominique. Hilarity ensues as a series of mistaken identities and mishaps escalate to farcical proportions.

My Two Cents: More twists and turns than an Elmore Leonard movie, with lots of laughs and good-looking ladies... what's not to like?

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

Hustle & Flow

Hustle & Flow (2005)

With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to
become a successful rapper.

My Two Cents: This one completely blindsided me. Real, Stylish, Powerful, and on Purpose. Howard's performance is Off the Charts

Netflix Rank: Loved It
IMDB Rank: 9/10

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005)

To improve their relations with Muslim countries, The U.S. Government assigns
comedian Albert Brooks to find out what makes the Muslim people laugh.

My Two Cents: Amazing that this title could give us a safe and non-threatening bunch of nothingness

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It
IMDB Rank: 4/10

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

[allegedly]The story behind the infamous Enron scandal.[/allegedly]

My Two Cents: Shallow, way dishonest, misguided, Moore-ish black helicopter attack on free markets.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It
IMDB Rank: 3/10

The New World

The New World (2005)

A Terrence Malick-scripted drama about explorer John Smith and the clash between Native Americans and English settlers in the 17th century.

My Two Cents: Malick celebrates slowness again, but not nearly as impressive visually as TTRL. ..2 hours seemed like 6.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It
IMDB Rank: 4/10

Capote

Capote (2005)

In 1959, Truman Capote, a popular writer for The New Yorker, learns
about the horrific and senseless murder of a family of four in Halcomb, Kansas.
Inspired by the story material, Capote and his partner, Harper Lee, travel to
the town to research for an article. However, as Capote digs deeper into the
story, he is inspired to expand the project into what would be his greatest
work, In Cold Blood. To that end, he arranges extensive interviews with the
prisoners, especially with Perry Smith, a quiet and articulate man with a
troubled history. As he works on his book, Capote feels some compassion for
Perry which in part prompts him to help the prisoners to some degree. However,
that feeling deeply conflicts with his need for closure for his book which only
an execution can provide. That conflict and the mixed motives for both
interviewer and subject make for a troubling experience that would produce an
literary account that would redefine modern non-fiction.

My Two Cents: "Pointless, Irrelevant, & Unnecessary"... Void of purpose or meaning, there's no reason I should care...and I don't"

NetFlix Rank: Hated It
IMDB Rank: 2/10

Stealth

Stealth (2005)

After the U.S. Navy builds an elite computer-controlled fighter jet designed to study the habits of human pilots, the top secret machine begins to develop its own ideas, running dangerously amok through unfriendly skies. Now that the secret's out, it's up to three young pilots (Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx) and their captain (Sam Shepard) to ground the renegade plane before it ignites nuclear war.

My Two Cents: "Stealth"? That must refer to the expeditious way it got into and out of the theater while dropping a huge bomb.

NetFlix Rank: Hated It
IMDB Rank: 3/10

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Vol 2

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Vol. 2 (2004)

The Emmy Award-winning, animated adventure series picks up the
action with baddie Gen. Grievous threatening a group of Jedi. Meanwhile, the war
between the malevolent Separatists and the Republic continues as the Separatists
launch a devastating surprise assault on the galactic capital of Coruscant. Can
the Jedi repel the invaders? Extras include a featurette that takes viewers
behind the scenes of the creative process.

My Two Cents: Forget the superflous Vol 1, as Vol 2 fills in the gaps with a seemless transition from AOTC to ROTS.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Porter's Two Cents: Vol 1 was a bunch of dancing around looking pretty. This one actually has a lot of story to it! Good stuff.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It

The Silver Chair

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair (1990)

C.S. Lewis' magical series comes to life when, on the run from
bullies at school, Eustace and Jill find themselves in the enchanted land of
Narnia. Prince Rilian, son of the old and frail king, has disappeared and Aslan,
the great lion, sends the children through treacherous lands of witches and
giants to located the heir to the Narnia throne. But the witch who rules the
underworld will ensure that this is no easy feat.

My Two Cents: Slightly better than its predecessor, with superior acting; Still cannot escape the cheese of a school production.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 6/10

Prince Caspian/Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989)

C.S. Lewis' magical series comes to life when Prince Caspian calls
Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan back to the magical land of Narnia in his most
harrowing time of need. Led by Aslan, the children help Caspian to defeat the
corrupt king and restore Narnia to its glory. Years later, the children return
to Narnia for yet another perilous journey, battling dragons and sea serpents,
and sailing across a golden lake to reach the edge of the world.

My Two Cents: Mr. Rogers meets a HS Play; the 2007 release won't have to go far to pass this corny nonsense; the story was enjoyable.

Netflix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 5/10

The Dreamers

The Dreamers (2004)

In acclaimed director Bernardo Bertolucci's graphic erotic drama, Matthew (Michael Pitt) is an American college student studying abroad in politically turbulent 1960s Paris. There, he meets and befriends twins Theo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green), who share his affection for the cinema. The siblings invite their newfound friend to stay with them in their flat, where the trio indulges in decadent sex games and psychological manipulations.

My Two Cents: Dislike the French? This incestuous homage to old movies / celebration of radical liberalism will reinforce your disdain.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It
IMDB Rank: 5/10

Puddle Cruiser

Puddle Cruiser (1996)

Liberal arts college campus life gets a good-natured skewering in this romp about friendship, love and purloined food. Standing trial in a university court for lifting goods from the cafeteria, dim-bulb buddies Matt and Grogan (Paul Soter and Kevin Hefferman) are defended by winsome "lawyer" Suzanne (Kayren Butler), with whom their friend Felix (Steve Lemme) is obsessed. Can Felix get his moronic mates off the hook -- and get the girl?

My Two Cents: Despite the laughs you'd expect from the Broken Lizard gang it never really "went anywhere." Ho-Hum...

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 6/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Porter's Two Cents: No where near as good as SuperTroopers but with it's Clerksish rawness it easily beats Club Dread.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It