Scoop

Scoop (2006)

A young American journalist hits the jackpot when she chances upon a major scoop and falls for an upper-crust Brit in this Woody Allen comedy. While visiting friends in London, college journalism student Jade Spence (Scarlett Johansson) beats out Britain's reporters by exposing a story involving murder and magic, and just as the story heats up, so do things between Jade and a hunky aristocrat (Hugh Jackman). Allen and Ian McShane co-star.

My Two Cents: Tolerable, if only for Scarlett's bodacious ta-ta's... In all seriousness, has Allen ever made a really good movie?

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

Note: You never actually see her ta-ta's, but her wardrobe accentuates their niceness.

Network

Network (1976)

Paddy Chayefsky predicted today's rash of trash television and shock-laden news broadcasts. The writer of Marty created network news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch), who loses his mind on the air. Unfortunately, his outrageous rants boost the ratings and intrigue cutthroat network executives Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall. William Holden contrasts their avarice as an old-school TV journalist hopelessly out of step.

My Two Cents: It's an engaging "dramedy" with first-rate acting, but 30 years later it can't escape feeling dated, despite its almost uncanny presience.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: Deservedly in the AFI 100, a wildly unique and entertaining classic 70's film that was way ahead of it's time.

NetFlix Rank: Loved It

The Science of Sleep

The Science of Sleep (2006)

A timid young man can't control the fantastical plots and images of his dream world from intruding into his waking hours in Michel Gondry's science-fiction romance. After a promising new job sours, Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) finds new inspiration in his neighbor Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). To connect with her, shy Stephane releases the bolder personality of his dreams, but his waking insecurities threaten to destroy the relationship.

My Two Cents: The confluence of fantasy with reality makes it easy to overlook that these eccentic characters lead profoundly normal lives, and that I found endearing. This is a film that's instantly re-watchable.

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

Further thoughts:

I give up. I liked this a lot, but I can't even begin to explain why. No adjective fits. "Surreal" is too cliched, and "quirky" is too pedestrian. I suppose I'll just have to watch it again. And maybe again after that. It'll come to me eventually. Until then I'll settle for its endearing outlandishness, and Gainsbourg, who I found oddly charming.

Sherrybaby

Sherrybaby (2006)

Golden Globe-nominated Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in director Laurie Collyer's feature film debut about a young woman's struggle for normalcy. After being released from prison, Sherry Swanson (Gyllenhaal) returns to the realities of life, visiting with her parole officer, finding a job and being a mother to her 5-year-old daughter. But complications arise when Swanson learns that in her absence her brother and his wife have become surrogate parents.

My Two Cents: Gyllenhaal sells it, but is it worth buying? I need to care before I can sympathize, and this just didn't make me care. Tales of redemption should try to redeem their characters along the way.

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

The Black Dahlia

The Black Dahlia (2006)

In this thriller based on James Ellroy's novel, Los Angeles cops Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) uncover corruption and conspiracy within the force while searching for the killer of Tinseltown hopeful Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner). The film follows Bleichert and Blanchard as they venture into Hollywood's darker side to piece together Short's secret life in an effort to crack the 1947 high-profile case.

My Two Cents: It still had 10 minutes left when I couldn't take anymore. What does that tell you? It told me that 35% on the Tomatometer may have been too high. Splat.

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

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Billy Wilder's noir classic about Hollywood decadence remains as
razor-sharp as ever. Norma (Gloria Swanson), a faded silent film star plotting
her return, employs Joe (William Holden), a struggling screenwriter, to help
edit a script that she has penned. As the work progresses, Norma draws closer to
Joe, engulfing him in her fiery throes, but Joe wants out.

My Two Cents: Critics often favor the acting in classics compared to today's fare, yet this struggles with over-acting from both leads. I really liked Nancy Olsen's supporting role as the charming Ms. Schaefer.

NetFlix Rank: Liked It
IMDB Rank: 8/10

BONUS BLOGGING

Robert's Two Cents: A Good Movie, Strange. Dated if not pointless, void of substance. A movie about Hollywood you say ?? Please spare me.

NetFlix Rank: Didn't Like It