First off, I was skimming over my Mortdecai review when I noticed a disparaging comment, followed by the greatest comeback our young nation has ever seen. Here’s how it all went down:
That made me laugh and laugh. And so Hyrax, wherever you are, you beautiful herbivorous mammal, may your nights be filled with the bosoms of whatever persons you seek bosoms from; may your days be filled with a thousand sunflowers.
Moving on, we took last week off the Streaming Column. You guys didn’t know it at the time, but it was a silent protest against those weeks where they don’t even bother. There are so many movies, and so many Netflix reps, they should be signing deals left and right, and then left again. Thankfully, this week is better, and not a moment too soon, as we don’t have Mortdecai to fall back on. Here’s all the action for your Super Bowl weekend!
Top Netflix Film of the Week (streaming on February 1)
The Brothers Bloom
I legit love this film. It has everything I desire – bipolar ingenue dream ladies, shysters, guys who are shy, disparaging remarks about other countries, inscrutable Asian bomb makers, and the term “freaky scary”. This was Rian Johnson before Looper, but after Brick, and you can just see his little director head peeking out a bit more each time. When movies mix sentimentality with cleverness they’ve found the road to my heart. And the path to my pants. Here’s the opening scene.
Top Netflix Circle of the Week (streaming on February 1)
Now: In the Wings on a World Stage
Speaking of pants, this looks like a BUNCH of actors just jerking themselves off. I’m not saying they didn’t do a good job. But I am saying the marketing left a lotta bit to be desired. I mean, I really like Kevin Spacey, or rather I really like “House of Cards”, but I’m not even sure what the point was here. Shakespeare? That guy hasn’t been relevant in 400 years. Heeeeeyooooo, hot take! In all seriousness, I think I’m a fan of the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet if such a thing is even possible, oh, and of course the Baz Luhrman one. But I can’t see guzzling this down.
Top Netflix Curio of the Week (streaming on February 1)
King Arthur
I don’t remember hating this. Did I hate this? This is why I need a producer. You know, a detail guy. Someone to handle the rigamarole, the day to day, while I fatten myself on lasagna and biddies. This one features your girl Keira Knightley, and Clive Owen too. Didn’t Owen used to be a bigger deal? I feel like he may have Clived his last Clive if you catch my drift. I can’t imagine why anyone would watch this given the hundreds of thousands of alternatives that exist. Not that it’s bad, per se, but more that it’s crushingly average. In many ways, it’s a metaphor for the current state of the European Union’s economy. #MoreHOTTakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y-fbpg9Uq4
Top Netflix Franco of the Week
The Interview
Hmm, when is someone finally gonna talk about this film? And now it’s on Netflix! It made a boatload on-demand, likely more than it would in theaters as the studios don’t have to split that revenue, and then they cut deals with every streaming service. They made lemon chiffon out of a lemonhead they found on the road. Let me know how this is, I’m not in the business of supporting marketing pivots, except for GoDaddy getting rid of that puppy commercial. That was a bunch of horrible.
Top Netflix Documentary of the Week
Money for Nothing: Inside the Federal Reserve
And after we get done with this movie, we’re taking Ershon, and we’re locking him up in the Federal Reserve! I’ve actually written a fair amount (for a movie blogger) about the financial crisis, so I’m not going to re-hash it here. But believe you me, it was some damned brilliant stuff. Not sure why I was never appointed to anything. Consumer protection is my maiden name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIPiA2QHmI
Top Netflix Memory of the Week
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
People always ask me if I prefer the Swedish version to the English version. I tell them you can’t compare, one was in 2009, while the other came out in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KBPru-Pu5Q
Top Netflix Fiasco of the Week
Proof (streaming on February 1)
I reviewed this ten years ago, like a boss. Take it away, 2005 Laremy:
Proof is so quiet on the big screen you sometimes forget it is on.
Oh shiz, you gotta let ’em know! All kidding aside, I gave the film a C and remember next to nothing about it. Not helpful, I now realize, but I’ve already googled my own review and headed down this path. The trailer has that ridiculous voiceover that went out of style about the same time as those little troll dolls.
Top Netflix Known Unknown of the Week
Chef (Amazon, $4.99)
I didn’t see it, but I heard through the vineyard that it was solid. Scarlett Johansson should probably be more highly rated, you guys. She’s not all T and A. [Vince’s Note: I reviewed it. Long story short, when it isn’t a book report about social media or an ad for Franklin’s BBQ, it’s pretty damned solid. That Favreau is a lovable son of a bitch. Maybe not “love-triangle-between-Sofia-Vergera-and-Scarlett-Johansson” lovable, but lovable.]
Top Paid Title of the Week
Fury (Amazon, $3.99)
One of my favorite films of 2014, I’m probably overrating it because I’m in the bag for one Bradley Pitt. The ending here is pretty pat, but I think it captures the existential dread of the tail end of a war pretty well. Sure, that’s been done, but would you rather watch Kung Fu Panda 6: Let The Lights Dim Sum?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu6_k176rU
That’s all for now. Love you guys!
Laremy is on Twitter and just wants a ton of followers to listen to his thoughts.