The Netflix Instant Watch recommendation thread

[rickfc]

BTW, the girlfriend wants me to sit down with her and watch Grave of the Fireflies.  I looked it up and it sounds very depressing- anyone else see it?

Woah, woah, woah. Hold on a second here. Girlfriend? Ceekay has a girlfriend? Now I know that the apocalypse is truly upon is.

I personally think it's cute that he's decided to go steady with one of his hands. 

 

left hand wears your before insanity picture and the right wears your after insanity picture.  three way baby!

  

[kronovan]

Grave of the Fireflies is extremely well made and effective storytelling yet I still can't recommend it.  When I finished watching it I felt like I was in a stupor for quite a while afterwards.

Same here.  A friend strongly recommended it, and one evening over the Christmas holiday he popped it in and was adamant we watch it.  While the animation and storytelling was stellar, the story itself was terribly depressing, especially for an animated feature, and at the end I too felt like I was in a solemn stupor.  A great film I don't think I'll ever watch again.

While I share both of your sentiments on the mood of it, I do think this film is a must see by anyone who is, or who's ever been, a fan of feature-length animes. The quality of it is just that good. I also think its one of the most realistic portrayals of the tragedy or war ever done in any film media. From my discussion with friends who've seen it, the impressions and impact of it varies from person to person. Some people seem to get caught up with that it doesn't clearly depicting Japan's involvement/guilt in WWII and consequently dismiss it outright. That's a shame IMO as its not really the films purpose; it depicts a war time tragedy that could occur anywhere the world, and it does with a quality that's pure art. Personally I think it's an anime masterpiece, but at the same time a stern reality check.

[WorkingMike]

"I Like Killing Flies" was entertaining. It's a documentary about a greasy spoon in NYC. Apparently the guy who runs it was the inspiration for the Soup Nazi

[Sparhawk]

Grave of the Fireflies is extremely well made and effective storytelling yet I still can't recommend it.  When I finished watching it I felt like I was in a stupor for quite a while afterwards.

Same here.  A friend strongly recommended it, and one evening over the Christmas holiday he popped it in and was adamant we watch it.  While the animation and storytelling was stellar, the story itself was terribly depressing, especially for an animated feature, and at the end I too felt like I was in a solemn stupor.  A great film I don't think I'll ever watch again.

While I share both of your sentiments on the mood of it, I do think this film is a must see by anyone who is, or who's ever been, a fan of feature-length animes. The quality of it is just that good. I also think its one of the most realistic portrayals of the tragedy or war ever done in any film media. From my discussion with friends who've seen it, the impressions and impact of it varies from person to person. Some people seem to get caught up with that it doesn't clearly depicting Japan's involvement/guilt in WWII and consequently dismiss it outright. That's a shame IMO as its not really the films purpose; it depicts a war time tragedy that could occur anywhere the world, and it does with a quality that's pure art. Personally I think it's an anime masterpiece, but at the same time a stern reality check.

In short it is a classic film and worth watching. It's certainly not for children so don't expect your 5 year old to enjoy it because it is animated.

[kronovan]

I just streamed a very good film last night - Carlos. It's a French language film and I watched it via Netflix Canada,  so again I'm not sure if it'll be available on the US Netflix service. The film is about a Venezuelan named Carlos who became a terrorist for a Palestinian organization in the 1970's. He was nicknamed the Jackal by the press, but he's not the assasin depitcted in Forsythe's novel 'The Day of the Jackal.' It's brutal and realistic in it's portrayal, and presents a good look at young European leftist intellectuals that got caught up in Arab world terrorist organizations in the 60's - 80's. I guarantee that anyone who doesn't know the background history as to why every government in the world no longer negotiates with terrorists, will no after watching this.

[CeeKay]

I have that in my Netflix queue, not sure if I'll ever get to it though since subtitled movies tend to get overlooked in favor of those done with proper English 

[hepcat]

I just streamed a very good film last night - Carlos.

are you talking about the mini-series?  If so, I've started to watch it a couple of times, but never could get myself to sit still long enough.  It's 3 whole movies.  I need to just force myself to sit down and watch them sometime though.  it's supposedly very good.

"I Like Killing Flies" was entertaining. It's a documentary about a greasy spoon in NYC. Apparently the guy who runs it was the inspiration for the Soup Nazi

that is a very good documentary, but it's not the guy they based the Soup Nazi on (although a lot of people who watched that movie mistakenly think so).  Here's the real soup nazi inspiration in all his incredibly hostile glory.

[kronovan]

I just streamed a very good film last night - Carlos.

are you talking about the mini-series?  If so, I've started to watch it a couple of times, but never could get myself to sit still long enough.  It's 3 whole movies.  I need to just force myself to sit down and watch them sometime though.  it's supposedly very good.

Yup, that's the series - except on Netflix Canada the 3 movies were edited and joined sequentially into a single 3 hour long movie. I'm not sure if anything was lost in that process, but it seemed cohesive and the proper length. There also didn't appear to be any plot holes.

[CeeKay]

The first of the Star Trek TV shows and a few of the movies are available tomorrow.

Looks like all of the tv series (with the exception of DS9) are on instant watch.

Here's hoping it shows up soon; it's the one I want to see the most. 

well DS9 isn't on Netflix Instant yet, but Amazon Prime Instant Video has them now.

[PeteRock]

As I go through the application process, study for the PCAT exam, and continue to volunteer at the in-patient pharmacy at St. Joe's hospital, I've developed a recent interest in the series Scrubs and have already watched all of Season 1 and am about halfway into Season 2.  My wife is now also hooked.  Having finished Firefly we were trying to decide what to watch next.  Guess that has already been decided for us. 

[Gratch]

As I go through the application process, study for the PCAT exam, and continue to volunteer at the in-patient pharmacy at St. Joe's hospital, I've developed a recent interest in the series Scrubs and have already watched all of Season 1 and am about halfway into Season 2.  My wife is now also hooked.  Having finished Firefly we were trying to decide what to watch next.  Guess that has already been decided for us. 

I typically steer clear of sitcoms, but absolutely adored Scrubs.  I even like the last season, which everybody else seemed to hate.  Dr. Cox is my idol, and having this as eye candy is never a bad thing:



 

[CeeKay]

yep, Gratch loves Cox.


(jeebus, took someone lonjg enough to set up that one)

[Crawley]

13 Assassins is an action packed film that was pretty decent. Its in the vien of "7 Samurai" where a bunch of samurai with big personalities take on a much larger force. There's a few spots where it went slightly too far taking liberties with reality but other than that it's a fun and bloody action picture.

[ydejin]

13 Assassins is an action packed film that was pretty decent. Its in the vien of "7 Samurai" where a bunch of samurai with big personalities take on a much larger force. There's a few spots where it went slightly too far taking liberties with reality but other than that it's a fun and bloody action picture.

Agreed.  If you like Samurai movies this one is pretty decent.

I do think the director or writer has perhaps played a bit too much Samurai Warriors or Dynasty Warriors though.

[EngineNo9]

I just watched 13 Assassins on Blu-ray and enjoyed it as well.  I didn't realize it had gone to Instant Watch, but I vote it worthwhile.

[Crawley]

Watched a couple more good ones recently.

"The Reef", is an Aussie shark attack film. Its somewhat by the books as far as those films go but it looks great and gets the tension right.

The other two were mentioned here before. The Korean films "I Saw the Devil", which is bloody violent but compelling to watch, and "The Man From Nowhere" which has a bit of a "The Professional" feel to it.

[hepcat]

I just watched 13 Assassins on Blu-ray and enjoyed it as well.  I didn't realize it had gone to Instant Watch, but I vote it worthwhile.

It's one of the few Miike films I've watched that didn't make me doubt there was any goodness left in the universe after 12 minutes.  But yeah, VERY good film!

[kronovan]

13 Assassins is an action packed film that was pretty decent. Its in the vien of "7 Samurai" where a bunch of samurai with big personalities take on a much larger force. There's a few spots where it went slightly too far taking liberties with reality but other than that it's a fun and bloody action picture.

The Korean films "I Saw the Devil", which is bloody violent but compelling to watch

2 thumbs up for both of those. I just wish Netflix Canada offered them - you guys living state-side are so spoiled.  

[hepcat]

It's goofy, childish in a lot of places and not very well written, but I in spite of all its flaws, I actually enjoyed Kung Fu Dunk.   It reminded me a bit of Kung Fu Hustle.

[Gratch]

I just watched 13 Assassins on Blu-ray and enjoyed it as well.  I didn't realize it had gone to Instant Watch, but I vote it worthwhile.

Finished this last night, and mostly enjoyed it.  My only gripe was that the large battle ended up feeling somewhat repetitive by the end.  Started to feel like I was watching the same 5 minute loop of fighting over and over again.

On the anime front, Samurai Champloo is now available, which is one I'd always wanted to see (done by the same guy as Cowboy Bebop).  Watched the first couple episodes, and really like it so far.

[EngineNo9]

I saw that The Expendables is on Instant Watch now, as well as something called Inferno: The Making Of The Expendables.  I watched the movie and it was pretty decent, for a mindless action movie. 

I haven't watched the Making Of thing yet, but the summary sounds interesting:

Oscar-winning actor, writer, director and producer Sylvester Stallone furnishes an unvarnished look at his career, producing and directing methods, and unprecedented access to the filmmaking process of his retro action extravaganza, The Expendables. Stallone's candid revelations about the price, both mental and physical of being a film action hero underscore the fragility of stardom, and the tenacity of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

[Crusis]

I saw that The Expendables is on Instant Watch now, as well as something called Inferno: The Making Of The Expendables.  I watched the movie and it was pretty decent, for a mindless action movie. 

I haven't watched the Making Of thing yet, but the summary sounds interesting:

Oscar-winning actor, writer, director and producer Sylvester Stallone furnishes an unvarnished look at his career, producing and directing methods, and unprecedented access to the filmmaking process of his retro action extravaganza, The Expendables. Stallone's candid revelations about the price, both mental and physical of being a film action hero underscore the fragility of stardom, and the tenacity of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

I just watched the documentary tonight and it was really good. I had no idea how intense Sly is. He really puts a lot of heart into his movies.

[PeteRock]

I saw that The Expendables is on Instant Watch now, as well as something called Inferno: The Making Of The Expendables.  I watched the movie and it was pretty decent, for a mindless action movie. 

I haven't watched the Making Of thing yet, but the summary sounds interesting:

Oscar-winning actor, writer, director and producer Sylvester Stallone furnishes an unvarnished look at his career, producing and directing methods, and unprecedented access to the filmmaking process of his retro action extravaganza, The Expendables. Stallone's candid revelations about the price, both mental and physical of being a film action hero underscore the fragility of stardom, and the tenacity of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

I just watched the documentary tonight and it was really good. I had no idea how intense Sly is. He really puts a lot of heart into his movies.

Is this the documentary that shows him getting a concussion during one of the fight scenes and then later having to see a doctor about an ankle injury?  I was amazed at just how dedicated he was to the project and how important he felt it was to keep everything on schedule, make sure that filming was done when all actors were available, and how important it was for him to do all of his stunts despite his injuries and older age.

[Gratch]

Just finished The Expendables.  For an utterly silly action film, it was actually pretty damn fun.  

[hepcat]

Just finished The Expendables.  For an utterly silly action film, it was actually pretty damn fun.  

Dolph Lundgren FTW

[MonkeyFinger]

Just finished The Expendables.  For an utterly silly action film, it was actually pretty damn fun.  

Dolph Lundgren FTW

Loved his stupid pirate joke. 

[hepcat]

Just finished The Expendables.  For an utterly silly action film, it was actually pretty damn fun.  

Dolph Lundgren FTW

Loved his stupid pirate joke. 

Every time I start to feel good about life, I just remember that Dolph has a master's degree in chemical engineering and was accepted to MIT on a Fullbright Scholarship and I feel like a loser again.

Back on topic:  Watched a fairly interesting documentary on Grindhouse films that had Joe Dante and John Landis as part of the commentary cast.  While not as in-depth as I'd liked (see Not Quite Hollywood for a great documentary on Australian exploitation cinema in the same vein), it's still a lot of fun.

[Gratch]

Just watched Aisha Tyler is Lit.

I think I'm in love.   

[EngineNo9]

Back on topic:  Watched a fairly interesting documentary on Grindhouse films that had Joe Dante and John Landis as part of the commentary cast.  While not as in-depth as I'd liked (see Not Quite Hollywood for a great documentary on Australian exploitation cinema in the same vein), it's still a lot of fun.

 I did enjoy Not Quite Hollywood as well.

[Isgrimnur]

Just watched Aisha Tyler is Lit.

I think I'm in love.   

That ... was not quite what I had expected.  I like her, especially in Archer, and there was some enjoyable stuff.  But I wouldn't say she's made my list of top comedians.

[Jumangi]

Found this Showtime series from several years ago I never heard of called Sleeper Cell. Its been pretty good so far. Something different from the usual stuff that gets put on TV.

[CeeKay]

Found this Showtime series from several years ago I never heard of called Sleeper Cell. Its been pretty good so far. Something different from the usual stuff that gets put on TV.

Plus it has Oded Fehr, who rocks.

[kronovan]

I streamed Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie this weekend. I don't know how I missed it all these years, but It's got to be about the only Hitchcock film from the 50-60's that I'd never watched. It subject is more subdued than many of his films from that era, but it was very good none the less. And if you're a fan of vintage Sean Connery, this is 1 of his best performances IMO. I'm viewing via Netflix Canada so I'm not sure if this is available on the US service, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

[kratz]

Weird Science is back on streaming... yay.  Watched last night.

[CeeKay]

just noticed they have Breaking Bad up now, perhaps I'll check it out.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

just noticed they have Breaking Bad up now, perhaps I'll check it out.

Hell yeah. That show is awesome!

[Crusis]

I have never seen Breaking Bad before. I watched the first three episodes of season one and I am hooked.

I wish they would get Fringe and Warehouse 13 up on Netflix.

[Crawley]

Sweet about Breaking Bad. Was one of those shows that I always meant to watch but just kept on missing it when they replayed it.

[hepcat]

Keep with it if you start watching Breaking Bad.  Otherwise you'll miss the later season greatness that is Gus.

[kronovan]

Netflix Canada just got a handful of some really nice 60's gems in the past month - many of them Hitchcock films. So far I've watched Topaz, Charade and Torn Curtain, and all have been great. I recommend them all, especially Charade.