TV on DVD: Stella Season 1.

My Rating

(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 105 minutes

Genre: TV, Comedy

Number of Discs: 2

Unfortunately I never saw this show while it was on Comedy Central – good thing Netflix exists! One of my friends had introduced me to the show when we watched a couple episodes together, and I was hooked.

Stella is a television show about three guys who share an apartment, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain. They go on crazy adventures like starting their own coffee shop, trying to become the president of the residents’ board, and making their apartment floor into a field for crops.

Now this premise may not sound funny, but this show is hilarious. If you’ve seen these guys on the VH1 “I Love the __s” shows, and you think they're funny on that, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this show. The humor on this show arises from the goofy and just plain ridiculous things that they do. I would say the comedy is kind of dumb humor that has intelligence behind it. Don’t fully expect to understand a reason for every scene is in the show. The randomness is part of why the show is so funny.

I laugh my ass off when I watch this show. One of my favorite episodes is number 3: Office Party. This show has some great guest stars in it. This one features Paul Rudd, Sam Rockwell, and Joe Lo Truglio(the guy in Superbad who hits Seth with his car). In this episode Michael, Michael, and David attend an office party when they sucker one of the girls from across the hall into taking them. While there, they are humiliated by the office jerks(Rudd and Truglio). In order to get back at him, the guys develop a plan using fake mustaches and kicking ass at the company picnic. Make sure you don’t watch this in public because you will laugh out loud…a lot. You’ll wish your company picnics were this exciting…on second thought, maybe not.

The DVD has special features including The History of Stella, A 40-minute Comedy Central Special, commentary, deleted scenes, and bloopers.

Sadly this show was cancelled after the first due to lack of viewers (as some of the best shows are). Before this show, there was Stella Shorts. The DVDs aren’t available for purchase anymore(to my knowledge), but you can find a ton of videos on YouTube if you search "Stella Shorts".

Netflix Page for Stella:Season 1.

The Orpanage

My Rating

(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 105 minutes

Genre: Foreign, Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Suspense

Now I’m not the biggest fan of scary movies. I usually like something with a little more substance to it. The Orphanage, however, has both a good plot and the ability to freak you out.

Laura purchases the old orphanage where she spent the early years of her childhood in hope to make it into a home for disabled children. Shortly after they move into their new home, Laura’s son Simón begins to playing with his new imaginary friends. At a welcoming party, Simón suddenly vanishes. As Laura tries to get her son back, a whole new mystery about her new home unravels. Produced by Guillermo del Toro (producer, writer, and director of Pan’s Labyrinth).

This movie will leave you on the edge of your seat, it will creep you out, it will give you chills. This movie wasn’t so much scary as it is creepy for me (although there where some parts where I couldn’t look because I was too terrified to see what was going to happen). This movie uses some great techniques to evoke a response from the audience. There were parts of the film where I was cringing because I was terrified to see what was coming next.

One of the reasons for that was the suspenseful music. I think music is key in thrillers and this one definitely nailed it. The acting in this film was great; Belén Rueda (who plays Laura) was perfect for the role. The cinematography also played a huge role in the creep out factor. Even just the way the light falls into the room added to the overall eerie feeling.

The best thing about this movie was plot! It’s great to see a suspense movie made these days that had a real plot and wasn’t all about gore and unrealistic special effects. You should definitely add this to your queue if you’re looking to be creeped out but still want to enjoy a good story or if you’re a fan of old suspense films.

Neflix Page for The Orphange
This movie is also available on Watch Instantly.

The Bank Job.

My Rating

(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 110 minutes

Genre: Crime, Thriller

When it comes to films with Jason Statham as the lead, I think of pure action and very little plot. So when I went to watch this film I though that’s what this film would be like. However, this film succeeds with a clever plot and enough excitement to satisfy.

This film is based on the true story of Baker Street bank robbery that occurred in London in 1971. Other than the basic story line, the rest is fictionalized. Terry Leather(Jason Statham), a common criminal, is recruited by his old friend Martine. Terry recruits some old friends to help and they plan to dig a tunnel into the vault of a bank and rob the safe deposit boxes. Unbeknownst to Terry, Martine has been recruited by the government(who does not want any record of being involved in the robbery) in secret in order to recover some pictures of the royals in compromising positions taken by black power activist Michael X. Can they pull off the robbery without being caught?

I wasn’t sure what to expect since it hadn’t been too hyped. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The plot takes unexpected twists and turns which will keep your attention. Make sure you pay attention the entire time or you’ll miss details that will come up later in the film. There are some scenes that exhibit some extreme um, badassery? I don’t want to give anything away, but in one scene that sticks out in my mind there’s beating that takes place; that was definitely one of my favourite scene. On a different note, the 70s setting seemed really realistic and I have to say, I loved some of the clothing in the film.

One negative about this movie was the amount of characters in the film. In one of the special features, they mentioned there were over 70 speaking roles. It’s easy to forget who the characters are if you aren’t paying attention through the entire film.

I’d say if you want to see a good crime thriller, this movie is a good choice to add to your queue. However, if you’re looking for straight up action through the entire movie, you might want to pass on this one.

Netflix Page for The Bank Job

Actor in Focus: Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman is definitely one of my favorite actors. Why you ask? Over the years, I've seen him play a variety of characters, and with each new role, he seems to transform into that character; this is what makes him an incredible actor. His taste in choosing the right roles is impeccable, as well. He has won one Academy Award and been nominated for another.

Movie Reel: A quick synopsis and review of the films I've seen in which he's had a leading role. Click on the title for a link to the Netflix Page.

Happiness:

This film is about a bunch of intertwined weirdoes trying to find happiness in their lives. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a man who likes to phone random people and tricking them into phone sex. This movie was a little too creepy for me. The plotlines themselves weren't bad; I liked the plotline about Joy and found the others pretty interesting. However, there was just too much child molestation and masturbation for me to find this movie enjoyable.

Punch-Drunk Love:

Barry Egan, a loner with an anxiety disorder, meets a woman and they feel a connection between each other. But Barry has to deal with the troubles in his life including his anxiety problem, harassment from his sisters, and his credit card number being used by a phone sex number he called. This movie is strange, but that’s what I like about it. There’s a lot of symbolism, so be sure to look for it. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character, the man behind the phone sex scandal, definitely delivered my favorite line, “Shut the f - - - up!” Paul Thomas Anderson directs.

Capote:

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the title character of Truman Capote. The plot follows
Capote as he writes his book In Cold Blood, a book about the gruesome murder of a family in Kansas. This movie comes together as a fascinating look at his interaction with the criminals who committed the crime. This movie will easily captivate your attention and keep it until the end. Catherine Keener co-stars as Lee Harper. Hoffman won an Academy Award for Best Actor, Catherine Keener was nominated for Best Supporting Actress; other Academy Award nominations for the film include Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Savages:

This is another slice of life film. Hoffman stars alongside Laura Linney as a brother and sister who have to deal with putting their father with increasingly worsening dementia in a nursing home while simultaneously dealing with the issues in their own lives and reconnecting with one another. This film is incredibly realistic. Not only are the characters relatable, but the plot is, too. Laura Linney received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and the film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead:

Hoffman and Ethan Hawk play brothers Andy and Hank Hanson. They are both so desperate for money that they decide to rob their parents' jewelry store. However, their plan goes horribly wrong. The premise to this movie seemed a lot more interesting to me than what it turned out to be. It wasn't a bad film, just a bit of a letdown for me.

Charlie Wilson's War:

This movie is based on the true story of Congressman Charlie Wilson(Tom Hanks). Wilson uses his efforts as a Congressman to help supply weapons to the Mujadein of Afghanistan so the people can protect themselves against the Soviet invasion, the largest covert operation in history. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Gust, a worker at the CIA who partners with Wilson. I enjoyed this movie because I can't say I knew much (ok, anything) about this subject. Hoffman was hilarious in his role and worked nicely with Hanks. My only complaint is that it seemed to end abruptly, which left me kind of unsatisfied.


Upcoming Movies: The previews for these movies have been released and these films look like they’re going to be good. So hit save on the Netflix page or check them out in the theater. (Warning: You may not want to read the reviews on the Netflix page since sometime reviews give away important parts in the plot. I’ve had movies spoiled for me that way so be careful!)

Synecdoche, New York
Theatrical release date: October 24, 2008(limited)
IMDB Page
Netflix Page
After his wife (Catherine Keener) leaves him, theater director Caden Cotard(Hoffman) decides to build life-size replica of Manhattan inside a warehouse for his new autobiographical play. As time goes on, new struggles arise in his life and the line between reality and his play blur.

Doubt
Theatrical release date: December 12, 2008 (limited)
IMDB Page
Netflix Page
Meryl Streep plays a strict nun who wants to rid the church of the new friendly priest(Hoffman). She uses his closeness to a boy to try to incriminate him and get him kicked out of the school. Amy Adams also stars. My brief synopsis doesn’t sound nearly as exciting and intense as the trailer looks, so be sure to check it out.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

My Rating

(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 112 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Romantic Comedy

I wasn’t quite sure when I saw this movie. This movie hadn’t been quite as hyped as every other Judd Apatow film I’ve seen. But don’t let that fool you; this movie is as hilarious as every other Apatow film.

This film is about Peter(Jason Segel) and his breakup with his TV star girlfriend Sarah Marshall(Kristen Bell). After they break up, Peter decides he needs to get away and decides to travel to Hawaii. Low and behold, who is staying at the same resort? Sarah Marshall and her new boyfriend Aldous Snow(Russell Brand), lead singer of the popular band Infant Sorrow. Now Peter must find a way to get over the breakup with Sarah Marshall .

There are so many hilarious scenes in this movie, it’s hard to pick out a favorite. One of my favorite scenes about 5 seconds of a flashback –the “you shall not pass!” moment(you’ll know when you see it)...I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. The music in the film is also funny, but actually quite catchy at the same time. I’m not going to like, Inside You was stuck in my head after I saw this movie.

Everyone in this movie was hilarious. I never expected Kristen Bell to be as funny as she was in this movie. I thought Jason Segel was absolutely perfect in the part of Peter; he definitely knows how to pull off the sad guy thing without it being too depressing(it is a comedy after all). I had never heard of Russell Brand before this movie, but wow, casting could not have chosen someone better. He’s outrageous in real life so he fit really well with the character. Some of the best laughs came from the ridiculous things he said. Other members of the Apatow crew(Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd) are also in the film.

I would highly recommend this film if you’re looking for a good laugh. Sure, it’s a predictable romantic comedy, but even if you don’t like them, you’ll be laughing too hard to notice.

Netflix Page for Forgetting Sarah Marshall.