Netflix New Releases 3/6/11-3/13/11

I’m taking a tip from a friend to put my 2 cents into some of these movies, since I haven’t seen all of them, or even heard of some of them.

Anime & Animation

Tales from Earthsea (2006) PG-13
“Based on Ursula K. Le Guin’s best-selling Earthsea novels and produced by the studio responsible for Spirited Away, this animated adventure tells the magical tale of Arren (Matt Levin), a teenage prince who must solve the riddle of his realm’s decay. Arren runs away from home after killing his father, and during his journey, meets powerful wizard Sparrowhawk (Timothy Dalton), young sorceress Therru and deadly warlock Lord Cob (Willem Dafoe).”

I’ve seen the books out there, and thought there was a movie from Sci-Fi, or something like that. This should be interesting for the fans of the series. Besides, how can you go wrong with Spirited Away?

Children & Family

The Chaperone (2011) PG-13
“After serving time in the slammer for driving the getaway car in an attempted bank robbery, Ray Bradstone (professional wrestling star Paul Levesque — better known as Triple H) is a reformed family man who wants to chaperone his daughter’s class trip. But some bad guys (Kevin Corrigan and Kevin Rankin) from his past have other plans. Can Ray outwit these nitwits while keeping himself and his daughter (Ariel Winter) safe from harm?”

Comedy

Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts (2010) NR
“German-born, Florida-raised laugh master Daniel Tosh takes his act to San Francisco for his first-ever stand-up special for Comedy Central — also home to his hit show “Tosh.0,” which spotlights hilarious Internet video clips. Tosh’s “happy thoughts” may not jive with your own, but what does it matter when they make you laugh until it hurts in this torturously funny show from the comic who’s compared life on tour to the film Groundhog Day?”

Every Day (2010) R
“Ned (Liev Schreiber) is fed up with his unfulfilling work as a writer on a flawed television show and his stagnant marriage to wife Jeannie (Helen Hunt). Just when he thinks life can’t get worse, his teenage son announces he’s gay and his ailing father-in-law (Brian Dennehy) moves in. Ned’s relationship with an amorous co-worker (Carla Gugino) adds even more tension, but despite the setbacks, the rewards of everyday family life overcome.”

Four Lions (2010) R
“Comedy writer Christopher Morris makes his feature directorial debut with this outrageous comedy about a group of young Islamic Brits who fancy themselves bloodthirsty jihadis of the first order. The film showcases Morris’s satirical talents at their vicious best in a scathingly hilarious indictment of true believers and the social systems that create them. Viewers took note and bestowed it the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the L.A. Film Festival.”

Jackass 3 (2010) UR
“Johnny Knoxville — the original Jackass himself — returns after a long hiatus and subjects himself to all-new stunts involving wild animals, dangerous heights and other perils guaranteed to do him bodily harm. “Jackass” regulars Bam Margera and Steve-O also endure their share of punishment in this collection of stomach-churning, don’t-ever-try-these-at-home acrobatics that time and again blur the line between hilarious and tasteless.”

I am NOT a Jackass fan, so this won’t be in my queue, but I’m sure other people love the antics. I’m wondering how someone can make a living being stupid? Wish I thought of that!

Life as We Know It (2010) PG-13
“Caterer Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and network sports director Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) discover a reciprocal hatred during an ill-fated first date — but are forced to put their feelings aside when their mutual friends die and they become the guardians for orphaned Sophie. Now, Holly and Eric must learn to live with each other and juggle their promising careers while taking care of the little girl in this romantic comedy.”

Morning Glory (2010) PG-13
“Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.”

Wild Target (2010) PG-13
“When veteran hit man Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) finds himself unable to kill his latest target, Rose (Emily Blunt), he winds up with an unexpected sidekick, Tony (Rupert Grint), who thinks Victor is a detective in this action-packed comedy from Britain. Now, with Rose and Tony tagging along, Victor tries to deal with the dual forces of his overbearing mother (Eileen Atkins) and a very angry client (Rupert Everett) who wants Rose dead.”

I didn’t know anything about this movie when I saw the info on it, but then I read that Bill Nighy was in it, and now I want to see it! I’m also curious to see if Rupert Grint can be anyone other than George Weasley.

Documentary

Inside Job (2010) PG-13
“From filmmaker Charles Ferguson comes this sobering, Oscar-winning documentary that presents in comprehensive yet cogent detail the pervasive and deep-rooted corruption that led to the global economic meltdown of 2008. Through unflinching interviews with key financial insiders, politicos, journalists and academics, Ferguson paints a galling portrait of an unfettered financial system run amok — without accountability. Actor Matt Damon narrates.”

Watched one of the Best Documentary Nominees for Oscar last night. It was interesting, but forgettable. The winners usually are much more interesting, thought I can’t bring myself to watch The Cove just yet.

Drama

Helena from the Wedding (2010) NR
“In this coming-of-middle-age chamber story, disappointed playwright Alex Javal (Lee Tergesen) puts on a jolly mask to host — with new wife Alice (Melanie Lynskey) — a New Year’s Eve gathering in the woods, but he can’t hide his starry eyes when the alluring Helena (Gillian Jacobs) joins the scene. Confined to a cabin’s close quarters, Helena barely notices Alex while Alex ignores Alice, and the tension ratchets up as the minutes wind down.”

For me, the most interesting part of this description is the “coming of middle age story.”

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) PG-13
“Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.”

The words “drama” and “Zach Galifianakis” don’t seem to go together, so I may just have to check this one out!

Pure Country 2: The Gift (2010) PG
“From the director of the 1992 hit Pure Country comes this heartwarming story of three angels who bestow the gift of song upon a young girl named Bobbie (Katrina Elam), who must learn to follow their rules if she wants to keep her extraordinary talent. As she grows up, Bobbie’s voice brings her fame in the world of country music, but will she be able to regain her talent after her misbehavior causes the angels to take back their gift?”

At least George Strait has a cameo, so they can call it True Country. Not sure if it’s a true sequel.

Foreign

A Film Unfinished (2010) R
“This potent documentary uses a long-lost film reel to illustrate how the Nazis controlled images of Jewish life during World War II. Though the Nazis made a propaganda movie of contented Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, the missing spool exposes the truth. Director Yael Hersonski shows how the imagery was staged to distort historical knowledge and, with the aid of Jewish survivors’ testimony, chronicles the horrifying reality of ghetto life.”

Around a Small Mountain (2009) NR
“Kate (Jane Birkin) moved on from her life as the daughter of a small circus owner many years ago, but when her father dies the day before the troupe’s tour opens, Kate agrees to abandon her current life and re-embrace the show for what may be its final season. Sergio Castellitto (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) stars as Vittorio, who is strongly attracted to Kate and is the one person willing to probe into her decision to return.”

Letters to Father Jacob (2009) NR
“With nowhere else to turn to after her unexpected release from prison, cold-blooded murderer Leila (Kaarina Hazard) reluctantly accepts a job composing letters for blind pastor Jacob (Heikki Nousiainen), whom she deeply resents at first but gradually grows to admire. A heartwarming tale of personal redemption, Finnish director and writer Klaus Härö’s subtle drama also features Jukka Keinonen and Esko Roine.”

No One Killed Jessica (2011) NR

“This political thriller tells the true story of model Jessica Lall — who was shot dead while tending bar in a New Delhi restaurant — and the lengthy campaign waged by her sister (Vidya Balan) and a news reporter (Rani Mukherjee) to deliver Jessica’s killer to justice. Although a trial is conducted and dozens of witnesses testify, the suspected gunman is acquitted, but media outcry and petitions to the president lead to a reopening of the case.”

Gay & Lesbian

Vampire Boys (2010) NR
“In this gay-themed horror flick, Jason Lockhart heads the cast as Jasin, a century-old vampire who — in an effort to save his band of bloodsuckers — goes on the prowl in Los Angeles looking for an eternal mate. But after settling on a flaxen-haired college beauty who’s willing to fill the bill, Jasin finds his plan disrupted when he meets a fresh-faced young student named Caleb (Christian Ferrer).”

I like that writers are expanding the gay/lesbian “genre” into main stream. I wish it wasn’t really a genre itself, but part of all genres.

Horror

My Soul to Take (2010) R
“Some 15 years after the presumed death of a vicious serial killer, children whose birthdays match his supposed “deathday” start to disappear. But whether the killer — or his tortured soul — is responsible remains to be seen. One boy (Max Thieriot) knows for sure, but his own connection to the horrific crimes is far too terrible to imagine. Denzel Whitaker (The Great Debaters) co-stars in this horror tale from writer-director Wes Craven.”

Television

The Walking Dead: Season 1 (2010) NR
“After awakening from a coma, police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) learns that a plague has transformed most of mankind into ravenous zombies. Against all odds, he desperately searches for his family and sets out to deliver them and other survivors to safety. Based on the comic books by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, the series co-stars Steven Yeun as an expert scavenger and Sarah Wayne Callies as Rick’s wife.”

If you are a fan of the zombie genre and thrillers, this is an amazing series. Think zombies with a plot. I could not tear myself away from watching it week after week! It won’t be on my queue, because I’ve seen it, but I will guarantee I’ll be watching season 2 every week!

Thrillers

The Next Three Days (2010) PG-13
“When his wife (Elizabeth Banks) is sent to jail on murder charges she fervidly denies, college professor John Brennan (Russell Crowe) comes up with a plan to break her out by meticulously plotting the ultimate escape — despite the fact that he’s never committed a crime in his life. Writer-producer Paul Haggis (Crash) also directs this remake of the French film Pour Elle by Fred Cavayé. Liam Neeson and Brian Dennehy co-star.”

*KARI’S THOUGHTS*
I’ve already got Inside Job & No One Killed Jessica in my queue. I thought about watching No One Killed Jessica last night, since it is on Instant Queue, but I refrained. I was brain dead, and watching foreign films makes me think, and well, I didn’t want to. I’m allowed. It would have been a perfect night for Life as We Know It, as I enjoy Kathrine Heigl, and her movies usually don’t require much thought. I am also looking forward to Morning Glory, as I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. As a true horror buff, I may just have to watch My Soul to Take, simply because it’s Wes Craven and I think he’s one of the masters.

More on the reviews in my Wait for DVD Feature.

Thanks to Netflix New Releases for making this easier than it would have been in the past!

Enjoy