London

London (2005)

After jilted Syd (Chris Evans) learns that his ex-girlfriend, London (Jessica Biel), is moving away from New York City without telling him, he can't resist the urge to crash her farewell party looking for one last chance to talk. But instead of confronting her, Syd spends most of his time in the upstairs bathroom with an enigmatic Brit he barely knows (Jason Statham) -- snorting lines of cocaine and debating the meaning of life.

My Two Cents: Similar to Before Sunrise, but much more vulgar, w/ darker content, lots of drugs, and an even whinier leading man.

Alternate My Two Cents: [Director] Hunter Richards may very well be an alias for Richard Linklater, after Linklater's snorted an eight ball or six.

Bonus Alternate Rick James-esque My Two Cents: Cocaine's a helluva drug!

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 6/10

The Ice Harvest

The Ice Harvest (2005)

At the top of Santa's "naughty" list, unethical dim-bulb attorney Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) and his shifty associate (Billy Bob Thornton) embezzle $2 million from a local mobster. Not content with the cash, the sleazy lawyer dreams of skipping the icebound town with club owner Renata (Connie Nielsen), but the cops and townsfolk grow increasingly suspicious. Randy Quaid and Oliver Platt co-star in Harold Ramis's outlandish holiday thriller.

My Two Cents: Does a lot of little things well, and doesn't take itself too seriously, which is refreshing in these types of movies.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

Everything Is Illuminated

Everything Is Illuminated (2005)

A young American Jewish man begins an exhausting quest -- aided by a naïve Ukranian translator -- to find the righteous gentile woman who saved his grandfather when his small Ukranian village (along with most of the populace) was obliterated during the Nazi invasion of Russia in 1941. Stars Elijah Wood, Eugene Hutz and Boris Leskin. Liev Schreiber directs. Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer.

My Two Cents: A quirky comedy that changes course midway thorugh, personalizing the tragedy of the Holocaust.

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

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Based on Dan Brown's best-seller of the same name, Ron Howard's gripping film stars Tom Hanks as Harvard professor Robert Langdon and Audrey Tatou as cryptographer Sophie Neve, who must untangle a web of deceit when the curator of the Louvre, a member of a secret society and a relative of Neve's, is found murdered in the famed museum's hallowed halls. To crack the case and arrive at the truth, they must look to the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

My Two Cents: Reins in its wonderful cast and despite a "means well" approach, it comes across as dull more often than not.

Alternate My Two Cents: Ron Howard seems as if he may be hedging bets with the controversial subject matter.

Bonus Alternate Aaron Sorkin-esque My Two Cents: Let Hanks be Hanks!

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

House of 9

House of 9 (2005)

Borrowing from Agatha Christie and the plots of Saw and Saw II, director Steven R. Monroe's twisted tale takes nine unsuspecting victims (including Dennis Hopper, who portrays an Irish priest), traps them in a mansion and films their every move. Promising $5 million to the player who emerges victorious, their unseen captor uses them as pawns in a demented, live-action "game," concocting horrible scenarios that force his captives to participate.

My Two Cents: Dry and often hard to understand, but worth sticking around for all 86 minutes, if only to see the twist at the end.

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

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)

In director Jim Sheridan's gritty urban drama, a dope-peddling street punk sets out to turn his life around through music. Determined to leave his criminal days behind, inner-city drug dealer Marcus (50 Cent, aka Curtis Jackson) pursues the one thing that inspires him -- rap music -- and on his life-altering journey, the aspiring artist runs into tough times. The film's supporting players include Viola Davis and Terrence Dashon Howard.

My Two Cents: It's a movie you've seen before, and one that you watch for the music and its star, not the cinema.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: Fitty is one gangsta-ass mofo.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It

Final Fantasy: Advent Children

Final Fantasy: Advent Children (2005)

A deadly disease and a band of brothers threaten to destroy the planet in this thrilling computer-animated sequel based on the popular video game. Now a recluse, ex-soldier Cloud Strife runs a delivery service from Tifa's bar, which also doubles as a safe-haven for children stricken with the lethal affliction. But Cloud and his friends are called back into action when the mysterious Kadaj and his brothers show up on the scene.

My Two Cents: Fans of the best-ever video game can appreciate the nostalgia, while everyone can appreciate the remarkabke animation.

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

Brick

Brick (2005)

This unconventional film noir -- set in the halls of a modern-day high school -- marks a promising debut for writer-director Rian Johnson. Teenage loner Brendan Fry is forced to navigate his school's social network when a secret crush turns up dead and the murderer is anyone's guess. Through intense interactions with thespians, band geeks and druggies (including a grown-up Lucas Haas), Brendan works to crack the cliques -- and the case.

My Two Cents: Anachronistic whodunit that needs about 30 min for the offbeat lingo and style to settle in, but it's worth it.

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

United 93

United 93 (2005)

Re-creating the harrowing events aboard United Airlines Flight 93 in actual time, documentary filmmaker Paul Greengrass presents the unforgettable drama of Sept. 11, 2001, as experienced by those on board and by those watching in horror on the ground. Told in the span of just 90 minutes, this compact yet powerful story follows a disparate group of strangers that bands together for a common purpose, risking their lives so that others might live.

My Two Cents: Not a film to be enjoyed, but one that every American should see at least once, and never forget.

NetFlix Rank: Loved It
IMDB Rank: 10/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: A creatively well-crafted uber-intense educational thriller of superconsequence.

NetFlix Rank: Loved It

(note: I should offer a disclaimer regarding the NetFlix ranks. Like The Passion of the Christ or Schindler's List, this is not a film that you "love." But as I felt United 93 was impactful, respectful, and handled appropriately in every way necessary, given the delicate subject matter, the director and cast deserved the same treatment I would treatment that I would give a "regular" film).

The Warrior

The Warrior (2001)

After venturing into China on a diplomatic mission, a group of Korean envoys is captured, accused of espionage and sent to a remote desert to die. Refusing to accept their fate, they make their way back to Korea, a journey that leads to the rescue of a beautiful Ming princess (Ziyi Zhang) and a fierce battle with bloodthirsty Mongol warriors. Sung-su Kim directs this lavish production, one of the most expensive in the history of Korean film.

My Two Cents: Lavish? I got through about 45 min before saying "Annyeonghi kyeseyo" to this dull, choppy, amateurish mess

NetFlix Rank: Hated It
IMDB Rank: 2/10