A History of Violence

A History of Violence (2005)

Operating a diner in a small-town community, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife (Maria Bello) are the picture of normalcy. But when Tom prevents a robbery and enjoys hero status in the local media, he attracts the wrong kind of attention from mobsters (Ed Harris and William Hurt) who think he's someone else. David Cronenberg (The Fly) directs this taut suspense-thriller based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke.

My Two Cents: There's just not much here to like; Ed Harris' glorified cameo can't carry all the dead wood. Viggo's not a leading man.

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

A Sound of Thunder

A Sound of Thunder (2004)

Gamer Travis Ryer (Ed Burns) chases the ultimate thrill -- hunting dinosaurs -- by turning back the clock with the help of a time-travel outfitter run by Charles Hatton (Ben Kingsley). But after unwittingly destroying a butterfly-like creature, Ryer finds his game going horribly awry, leaving him stranded in a prehistoric past that promises to erase all hopes of a future. Can he undo the damage he's unleashed? Or is the world doomed to end? based on a short story by Ray Bradbury.

My Two Cents: Given a real budget/better cast, this could have been fascinating in more than just concept.

Alternate My Two Cents: Combines the worst elements of The Time Machine, Jurassic Park II and Ed Burns' smarm.

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

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: I'm not sure if it was too bad or not bad enough to stay in the "so bad its good" category, but some time is spent there.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It

Hotel

Hotel (2003)

Like the movie Time Code, this experimental ensemble piece splits the screen into four simultaneous story lines: the filming of a "period movie," a documentary about the making of that movie, a murder plot and a bizarre maid service. The four disjointed tales ultimately converge during festivities of the Venice Carnival. Mike Figgis directs a stellar cast that includes Max Beesley, Saffron Burrows, Salma Hayek, Rhys Ifans and Jason Isaacs.

My Two Cents: Take a bunch of actors, give them drugs, pick up a camcorder, film random improvised scenes, and you'd duplicate Hotel.

Alternate My Two Cents: Joins Crystal Pepsi and Communism in the "horribly failed experiments" department. Maybe the worst movie ever made.

NetFlix Rank: Hated It
IMDB Rank: 1/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Matt's Two Cents: Tries to be 'different' and 'unique' but is 'crappy' and 'stupid'

NetFlix Rank: Hated It

Thank You For Smoking

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

After he's forced to use nicotine patches, a Big Tobacco lobbyist (Aaron Eckhart) has a remarkable change of heart, speaking out against the evils of smoking. But while Hollywood accepts him without question, the FBI is convinced he's a fraud. Director Jason Reitman also adapted the script for this razor-sharp satire (co-starring Maria Bello, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, Robert Duvall and William H. Macy), based on the novel by Christopher Buckley.

My Two Cents: There's no agenda or social commentary to be found here; instead expect smart satire and laugh-out-loud comedy. Bravo!

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

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: I saw unfocused satire that sold steak but served stale popcorn while completely butchering a promising concept.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It

(note: the above synopsis, which I got from NetFlix, does not accurately describe the film. There's no change of heart and the main character never rails against the dangers of smoking).