Movie Recs

[ozmissage]

I watched a couple of movies this weekend (In Bruges and The Princess and the Warrior, both pretty awesome by the way) that ended up being kind of similar thematically speaking. I’m sure Netflix will create a “Movies About Misunderstood, Suicidal Criminals and the People Who Love Them” category for me now.

Speaking of Netflix, do you ever feel like they’re passive aggressively judging your viewing habits. For instance, they recently claimed that my taste preferences had created a “Critically-Acclaimed Foreign Documentaries categories” when I have no recollection of ever asking them for any documentaries, let alone critically-acclaimed foreign documentaries. If Netflix were a person I have feeling we would be having the following conversation:

Netflix: “Excuse me, Ma’am, but would you like to take a break from your Canadian sitcoms and crappy Sci-Fi movies to try this documentary about the trials of prostitutes in India?”

Me: “That sounds kind of sad. Could you just send me National Treasure 2? I want to see that cute, little guy with the glasses again.”

Netflix: “Sad yes, but also educational and enlightening. Are you sure you won’t give it a try?”

Me: “Are there any cute animals? Oh, or dudes playing video games?”

Netflix: “No…there are prostitutes. In India. Struggling to maintain their dignity and provide food for their families.”

Me: “Huh.” *stares blankly at Netflix* “Is there a spelling bee? I like spelling bees.”

Netflix: “No there’s not…Oh, just forget it, here take your National Treasure sequel. Enjoy your cute guy with glasses it’s not like there are any movies with important social value being made or anything. By all means, just go enjoy your mass-market, cookie cutter blockbuster. See if I care.”

Me: “Thanks, Netflix! You’re the best! Hey, could you go ahead and queue up that new Bradley Cooper movie. He’s got such lovely eyes…”

*Netflix quietly begins to weep.*

On to the movie recs:

This movie should just be subtitled, “The Movie That Will Finally Convince You That Colin Farrell Can Act.”

It’s about two hit men cooling their heals in Bruges while waiting for orders about their next hit. They sight see, hang out with Peter Dinklage, and have a little existential crisis in the process. Ralph Fiennes co-stars as the big bad, who’s kind of noble in a completely psychotic way.

The movie has an amazing story structure. When it all came together in the end, I just sat there in awe for a moment at the sheer beauty of the payoff. This is how you do it Hollywood, take note. The atmosphere of the movie is strange and dreamlike. It’s dark, bloody, and the acting is solid from all parties, but I was particularly impressed with Farrell. I didn’t know he had it in him. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.

This stars the girl from Run, Lola Run and this guy-go look I’ll wait. And it’s directed by Tom Tykwer. Why yes, it was kind of awesome. I might be a little biased because I absolutely love Tykwer’s directing style. That man does things with cameras and color that just makes me drool. His movies are always gorgeous and visually interesting even when the plot is…well not (I’m looking at you The International).

Luckily this movie did not have that problem. It’s a bit like a fairytale, a twisted, melancholy modern fairy tale. It also has the most bizarrely romantic, yet disgusting, emergency tracheotomy scene I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. It’s a movie about survivor’s guilt and loneliness and loss. It’s about a boy and girl who are deeply broken. It’s about how they put each other back together again. My favorite thing about the movie? You think he’s the warrior and she’s the princess in need of rescuing, which would be fitting in with the fairy tale motif, but by the end of the movie the complete opposite is true.

It’s a gorgeous, surprising movie. Seriously, check it out I was pleasantly surprised.

Comments

[joyyjpg.livejournal.com]

Could you just send me National Treasure 2? I want to see that cute, little guy with the glasses again.
RILEY! *pets* ♥
I love the National Treasure movies, I don't care what Netflix says. ;D

Yeah, sometimes their recommendations are a bit out there. They'll show me things they think I should like (based on my rentals, supposedly) and I just think "What the hell makes them think I want to watch that?"

I've honestly never even heard of The Princess and the Warrior, but now I really want to see it! Sounds awesome.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

The National Treasure movies are a lot of fun, and Riley fills me with glee. He's such a cutie!

It was really good. It's a German movie, and if I didn't fangirl Tykwer I wouldn't have known about it either. His movies are just so pretty! "Run Lola,Run" and "Heaven" are both really good as well.

[valhalla37.livejournal.com]

The Princess and The Warrior is fantastic; it's been years since I've seen it, though. Think I need a rewatch. And OMFG, he did The International? That movie was epically lame. *is disappointed in the waste of Naomi Watts and Clive Owen*

And thanks for the push towards In Bruges; I've been meaning to see it for ages.

Out of curiousity, what Canadian sitcoms are you watching? Just 'cause, I love my homegrown TV, but I didn't realize there were into plurals? ;P Like, I'm trying to think of any, and I'm stuck on Corner Gas and Due South, lol.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how a movie starring Owen and Watts, and directed by Tykwer was that lame. It just doesn't make any kind of sense. I will give them this: that shoot-out in the museum almost made the mind-numbing boredom worth it. Almost.

I may have exaggerated the 's'. ;) I fell in love with "Corner Gas" last year when WGN started airing it here in the states. It's like the TV equivalent of mac and cheese for me. It's fun and comforting, and it always makes me smile. But then the WGN took it away, so I had to turn to Netflix in my hour of need.

I also love "Slings and Arrows". God, Paul Gross just kills me. And back in the day I was obsessed with "Our Hero". It was about this girl who produced her own zine, and it's one of my favorite teen shows ever. I haven't seen it in years though.

[valhalla37.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! I didn't even realize it got broadcast anywhere other than Canada! I *heart* Corner Gas -- it's so wholesome and quirky (the comfort food analogy is definitely a good one! ;D).

YES. PAUL GROSS. I still can't believe dude is 50, and he's so fantastic in everything -- I've only seen Slings and Arrows a handful of times (my friend's boyfriend's sister was in five or six episodes, randomly enough) but I loved what I saw. Ever watched Men With Brooms? (It's Paul Gross' curling comedy movie -- it's awesomely Canadian.)

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen that, but I'm definitely going to have to check it out now. Paul Gross is amazing. The other day I was scoffing at ABC when I heard they had picked up the "Eastwick" pilot based on that 80s movie about the witches until I found out Paul Gross was starring in it.

I don't care if it ends up being ridiculous, I'll probably watch every episode just to see Gross saunter around and make out with Rebecca Romijn.

[angela-weber.livejournal.com]

Wheee, recs! I am seriously in need of viewing material, and so this is all very helpful. :)

Haha, Riley is my favorite part of the National Treasure movies for me as well. They're ridiculous . . . but I must admit I enjoy them anyway.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Riley is adorable. I love his glasses!

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

ooh, I am now very excited for In Bruges as it has been collecting dust in my Netflix queue for months now. Shall also add The Princess and the Warrior. I like the idea of darkly lit and sweeping "this is how Hollywood is done" movies. :)

Netflix is totally judgmental! They kept trying to recommend the movie about the prostitutes to me too (it's the one about the kid who's born in a harem, right?) and I kept having to say "Not interested, not interested, DO NOT WANT."

I have somehow generated the genres of "Inspiring Movies based on real life from the 1980s" and "Critically-acclaimed Witty British Movies". These because I'm interested in Glory and Hoosiers, and Sense and Sensibility, respectively. *tilts head* Whaa...?

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Maybe Netflix is getting some sort of commission for suggesting that movie. ;)

In Bruges was very good. Not at all what I was expecting.

I love how specific some of the genres Netflix suggests are. They always make me giggle. Oh, Netflix...you try hard.