Flixd: five

This post is co-sponsored by the letters “M” and “S” (or should that be “S&M”)? Apparently I was subconsciously only watching movies that started with those two letters last month. There is also a secondary sponsorship by Danny Boyle since I watched three of his flicks, which accounted for half of my intake this month. That’s down to six compared to the let’s-call-it-a-dozen from the previous post.

You’d think that now that the “regular” television season is over that the Netflix viewing would increase, but that clearly wasn’t the case. Part of that had to do with what I was left with sitting at home towards the end of the month, which is to say nothing compelling me to fire up the PS3.

In fact, the PS3 is the other reason (along with its Xbox 360 cousin). Over the Memorial Day weekend I decided to finally fire them back up to play a couple games I borrowed from Mookie and I have been back in that habit ever since. That’s not really something for this post though, so on to the flix!

Remember, just thoughts and heads here. This is not a review post per se.

Mystic River
This one finally bubbled to the top of the queue and it is unfortunate that I took in Gone Baby Gone prior to this Dennis Lehane port because I almost chose to skip it and all that critical acclaim be damned! This story was far superior and had just that bit more star power associated with it. I think Ben Affleck did a great job with GBG, but he’s no Clint Eastwood and Casey Affleck ain’t no Kevin Bacon (but I bet there is only one degree of seperation there). Of course, it was Sean Penn that put in the best performance here and I thought Tim Robbins phoned this one in. I’m sure you’ve all seen it, but if not, check it out.
[ob1 4]

Marley & Me
After a long wait at the top of the queue, it finally arrived. Cried my freakin eyes out even though I knew what was coming. Still did it anyway. The dogs were awesome. So awesome in fact that I watched the extras to see more about it and I never do that. Jennifer Aniston put in a good turn and I actually enjoyed Owen Wilson, which happens rarely. You go watch, just be prepared to cry. You won’t be able to help it.
[ob1 4]

Millions
On Ed’s recommendation, I checked this one out and wanted to do so prior to seeing Slumdog Millionaire. I found it enjoyable and I’m a sucker for Brit flicks anyway, but there was something very cool about the way Boyle filmed this one. The story was interesting and the two boys did a good job. So good in fact that I wanted someone to smack the younger one into reality, but then, that is kinda counter to the story. Still, why his brother did give him a lesson in the reality of the situation, well, that’s why we suspend disbelief for film, right? Definitely check it out if you have liked anything else by Boyle.
[ob1 4]

Slumdog Millionaire
People, there is a reason for the hype. You might not get the title and at face value this might not seem like your type of film, but believe me, this is everyone’s type of film. It is that good. The story, the direction, the acting, all of it was top-notch. I’d give it six heads if I could, which I can, but I won’t. I was already familiar with Dev Patel from having watched the first two seasons of Skins on BBC America. He’s just funny in that series, but he proves capable of more than just a comedic sidekick here. Freida Pinto is just stunningly beautiful and she did well in what turns out to be a really huge, but small role. All that said, it is the kids in the other two age brackets that steal the show, particularly the youngest. You go watch this now. Top of your queue!
[ob1 5]

Munich
Go from feel good to feel terrible over the course of a weekend. Yes, I watched this one the night after Slumdog and the two couldn’t have left me with a more different feeling when each was done. Munich proved to be tough to watch in some spots and it wasn’t just because it was just so damn agonizingly too, too long. No, that discomfort about certain situations and events. What it means to see thru the eyes of one of these men having to do what they do. One of Steven Spielberg’s finer films because you know this one is not your typical Hollywood fair.
[ob1 4]

Sunshine
Having previously watch Slumdog and Millions earlier in the week slash weekend, this one couldn’t be a more different Boyle movie, and that is a good thing. He has range that guy. You forget that he gave us Trainspotting so long ago and look how different that was than any of these? Anyway, Ed turned me on to this one too from his post and I have to agree with him that this was well done. I did find that it ended quickly and there were some bits that seemed unrealized fully and some that shouldn’t have been there at all. I’m trying to avoid spoilers here people, but even with those bits, it is still a fine film.
[ob1 3]

So, no stinkers in this group and it feels weird to have so many fours, but I’m not handing out heads on a scale here kids. I guess that’s what happens when you eliminate watching “just anything” for a stretch in your queue too. One thing about having less films this month is I felt I could write a little more about each. Or, maybe that was just because they were all so good. I will say that I am looking forward to the next Danny Boyle project.