Before I get started with this week’s reviews, I’d like to take a moment and review what this column was initially intended for. My hope is that you, the reader, will share with me, the writer, your streaming Netflix suggestions.
Before I get started with this week’s reviews, I’d like to take a moment and review what this column was initially intended for. My hope is that you, the reader, will share with me, the writer, your streaming Netflix suggestions.
The premise is, you send me a suggestion, I’ll watch it, give you my two cents and give you credit for bringing it to me. All columns are posted online at thegardenisland.com and each article gives you a chance to post a comment or movie suggestion.
If you are like me, you don’t have lots of time — my streaming queue is packed with films (270+) — so this column will continue without your participation. But if together we can save each other time and cut through the garbage, we’ll both enjoy our streaming Netflix experiences.
I start this week with Kevin Spacey in “The Usual Suspects.” Now, I generally like Kevin Spacey; I wouldn’t place him on my top 10 actors list, but he does play a variety of characters and often does them quite well. His list of credits is quite extensive.
Some of my favorite movies are full of twists and turns. I’ll even overlook poor acting if the story is engaging and offers a surprise ending. In “The Usual Suspects,” both the characters and the viewers are subjected to twists, turns and surprise endings, making for a very enjoyable movie.
A group of hoodlums, appearing in a police line-up, joins forces for a heist that appears to be a sure thing. Or is it? I can’t really tell you more without giving away secrets that are worth finding out yourself.
The only drawback is Stephen Baldwin. I don’t much like him, as his acting is as horrid as his hair. He’s nothing like his brother Alec; that Jack Donaghy is a scene-stealer.
I struggled with the next two films.
“I Love You Phillip Morris” was suggested by Lifestyle writer Andrea Frainier.
The story follows a gay ex-cop into a life of crime where he meets his true love in prison. The actors are amazing in their own right. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor perform their roles very well and are quite believable. But the subject matter will make sensitive viewers cringe.
The cons described are fascinating, and since they are based on a true story, you will wonder, “Did people really fall for those tricks?”
“Syriana” lost me from the get-go. Featuring two very good actors in George Clooney and Matt Damon, I settled in for some Jason Bourne-like action or Danny Ocean-like plot twists.
But alas, “Syriana” is not “The Bourne Supremacy” nor “Ocean’s 11.” And, like “I Love You Phillip Morris,” the actors are working very hard (Clooney won Best Supporting Actor for his efforts), but the story is very complicated and it expects a lot from its audience.
Perhaps after spending some time studying American-Middle East relations as well as the corporate oil business, viewers will find themselves thoroughly engaged in this story, but I have a 19-month-old and I can’t even explain why local gas prices haven’t dropped in conjunction with falling oil prices. Thanks to Bob Hickling, you can see it for yourself. (thegardenisland.com/app/gasprices/) Can anyone say price gouging?
“The Usual Suspects”
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne
This show is: Cerebral, Dark, Mind-bending, Suspenseful
Rated: R
Common Sense rating: Adult themes, language, violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse, and Turkish criminal masterminds. Iffy for 17+.
When five unacquainted scalawags are hauled into a police station to appear in a criminal lineup, they decide to pull off a heist together. The plan gets complicated, however, when they intermix with an underworld kingpin named Keyser Söze. 4 of 5 Netflix stars.
“I Love You Phillip Morris”
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
This show is: Steamy, Quirky, Feel-good
Rated: R
Common Sense rating: Sexual content, strong language, dramatic prison scenes (if you know what I mean). Iffy for 16+.
Gay ex-cop, Steven Russell (Carrey), turns into a con-man, lands in jail, meets his one true love, Phillip Morris (McGregor). Russell will do anything to remain with Morris, even return to a life of crime. Based on a true story. 3 of 5 Netflix stars.
“Syriana”
Cast: Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright
This show is: Cerebral, Controversial, Dark, Suspenseful
Rated: R
Common Sense rating: Violence, language, corporate greed and political maneuvering. Iffy for 16+.
When it comes to oil, America is at the Middle East’s beck and call. This political thriller tries to explain what happens when Washington, D.C., sheiks, oil companies and field workers bump into each other. 2 of 5 Netflix stars.
Five movies from the queue
1. Mary and Max
2. Outsources
3. Shutter Island
4. Everlasting Moments
5. Brothers
• Richard Stein, IT/Website Manager, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 254) or rstein@thegardenisland.com.
