Cleaning out the queue: Stasi edition

Haven't gone through the Netflix history in a while, so why not today? As always, these are actual DVDs that were sent to me through the mail. Not mentioned: This American Life, which I have been watching through the "watch it right on your computer" option. The Wiener Circle piece is a classic. Chocolate Shake! Terrible.


The Lives of Others
East Germany! Voyeurism! Two great tastes that go great together. But seriously, this movie is really, really good. It is subtle, and has subtitles, and gains momentum throughout, building to an outstanding payoff ending. You should probably watch it at your first opportunity. The best film on this list in my opinion.

Drag Me To Hell
Tightly-plotted horror story which doesn't need much explanation, as it's all right there in the title. I watched Sam Raimi's un-rated directors cut, for bonus grossness. Absurdly gross, really, is a old gypsy "gumming" attack on the protagonist necessary? Two times.

The Magic Christian
Dear God, Ringo Starr is a terrible actor. I assume this is what passed for "edgy" in the sixties. Pretty fucking stupid, the only thing that saves it is Peter Sellers. And John Cleese.

State of Play
This is basically newspaper journalism porn. Oh, Russell Crowe, look at you protecting your Capitol Hill sources from the evil young blogger, played by Rachel McAdams. But maybe she could teach you a few things you didn't know about the changing world of news! Not so fast there missy, this old dog might still have a few new tricks up his sleeve. Or in his notebook, as it were. Together, they might just make the perfect reporting team! Still -- there are good performances, which combined with a twisty plot makes for an enjoyable, if disposable viewing experience. Also: Ben Affleck for Congress?

Duplicity
Clive Owen and Julia Roberts as pathologically lying corporate spies. With a romantic past!

Thirst
This DVD was all scratched up, so I only watched the first 45 minutes or so. Unfortunately this happens on occasion with the Netflix. I can only assume in this case that the damage resulted from someone biting the disc, because they thought they had Korean vampire disease.

In the Company of Men
One thing for sure: Aaron Eckhart plays slimeball well. It's pretty obvious the casting director for Thank You For Smoking had seen this. But yeah, this movie hurts one's soul -- two businessmen romancing a deaf woman with the idea of dumping her simultaneously. At first it seems like misogyny, but it kind of turns out to be misanthropy. Big words!

Raising Arizona
Best. Comedic Chase Scene. Ever.

Haha. Dogs.

Wild at Heart
More Nicolas Cage acting crazy! This must have been right after I saw BLPOCNO. The opening scene could be one of the greatest beating deaths in the history of cinema. Not sure if "greatest" is the right word. Moving on ...

Cloverfield
I think a better title for this would have been "Real World: Godzilla." Still, it held my interest for its full running length.

Anvil: The Story of Anvil
A surprising amount of heart in this, a movie about a washed up Canadian metal band. Think Spinal Tap plus earnestness.

Twin Peaks
WTF, David Lynch.

Adventureland
Feh. A coming of age tale, solid fun if not spectacular. From the director of Superbad, says wikipedia. That makes sense. The one guy, the nerdy sidekick/sage observer type, kind of steals the movie.

Observe and Report
Ah yes, now we are really getting into hazy memory territory. It was super dark, I do recall that. Seth Rogen beating the shit out of drug dealers, and a date rape scene. Kind of similar in tone to Foot Fist Way, which makes sense as they have the same director.

Dirty Pretty Things
Illegal immigrants sure do have it rough. Methinks this did a good job of portraying the hopelessness one might feel, living in the margins of society. Also it has organ harvesting, always suspenseful.

Being There
This was in another post here. Peter Sellers is hilarious as an imbecile obsessed with TV who rises to political glory through an increasingly improbable set of circumstances. Also, the grizzled dad from Dirty Work plays the president.

After Hours
Wait, a comedy directed by Martin Scorsese? What the hell? This movie is fucking weird.

Schindler's List
Just brutal, but with an uplifting finish. Which is kind of strange to say about a holocaust movie. This is something one has to watch to get a "cinephile" card. If such a thing existed.

Night on Earth
Separate stories of cabbies and their fares on one night in cities across the globe. Jim Jarmusch films are usually too slow for me, but the switching of locales (LA, New York, Rome, Paris, and Helsinki) kept me interested. Watching this builds indie rep, or so I'm told.

The Fall
Something about a paralyzed stuntman telling a little girl stories so she'll steal morphine for him. The visuals are amazing.


Well that's it. Putting this together took up a good part of the day. I think this is the first time I would heartily recommend any one of the films listed. Well, except for The Magic Christian, which managed to make me hate it even though I agree with its message.