Netflix is keeping me up!

I happily joined Netflix roughly a month ago and now have a plethora of mind numbing action, horror, drama, comedy and dare I say just a smidget of romance available to me. (I'll not dare offer that last one up as a review often). My list consists of a minimum of 75 films I've noted due to either positive reviews or some interesting context. Here are some of what have I seen so far....

25th Hour



The star is a solid actor having played in Fight Club, The Italian Job, The Illusionist, American History X (in the queue!!) and Red Dragon. Montgomery (Ed Norton) has 24 hours until he is due to serve a seven year prison term. Relayed is the turmoil he goes through in facing what is to happen to him once he's incarcerated and the road to arriving at that grim reality. His childhood buddies, Jacob (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Frank (Barry Pepper) are part of this countdown along with his girlfriend Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson). The unique relationship between friends creates anticipation as to what he has planned when they gather for their last evening out together. Montgomery's disturbingly calm reserve is not unlike him but the circumstance dares you to wonder how he plans on leaving the world as he knows it. A deceivingly exciting film. Gets a four out of five frames.



Trainspotting



Saw this on a list of films that were cult classics and decided to give it a shot.

Mark (Ewan McGregor) and all his friends have a common vice: heroin. Each with all their own passions and oddities, they go about with their theories on how typical society are as drones in their 9-to-5, two-parent, three and a half kids families, not really living a life, jut following the trend of what's expected, lifestyle. A false sense of immortality must exist as they are reckless and irresponsible. There are some amusing (and terrifying) "highs" and also an ending to entertain. Nothing is glorified and it is most definitely not a sight for everyone. Yet I found it not as depressing, thank goodness, as Requiem for a Dream. This gets a three out of five frames.



(500) days of Summer



I told you I would save you from romance cutesy mess but this is different. Anyone that knows me knows I am not your average girl. If a romantic comedy has been seen by me it must've either been highly recommended or I was drugged. This isn't a romance story (although it contains romance) nor a comedy (and yes, has some funny scenes) but it is a story about what so many relationships go through; one wants one thing out of the exchange and the other desires something quite different. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays Tom and Zooey Deschanel who plays Summer Finn, the roles played are not what's expected. Can't give too much away as you need to see to appreciate. The joy and frustrations are what we can all relate to in some way. The composition of scenes and artistry of every transition is laudable. Highly recommend and I give this a four out of five frames.




Any film recomendations??? Let me know via email or on the blog.

Danae signing off!