I have to admit, there are some weeks when six movies are hard to come by to recommend. New movies are put up online all the time, but that doesn't mean you should watch them (even if they are for free). Over the last few weeks though, trying to narrow down the list to six movies has become difficult. In fact, there are a few movies I wanted to recommend this week, but I didn't get the time to watch them myself! This is a good problem to have though, because it's all killer, no filler on Flicks to Stream.
As you may have noticed, I like themes. Each week there is some kind of theme, with some weeks being more noticeable than others. This week has no direct theme as usual. Nope, I didn't choose these based on current events, nor about a general topic such as love or kicking ass. Nope. This week it's all about the fact that each of these movies are great to watch. From the forgotten journey of Topper Harley in Hot Shots!, to the unforgettable Christian Bale performance in The Machinist, I can whole-heartedly hope you watch each and every single one of this week's picks.
Popcorn Movie of the Week
Right now you are thinking two things: 1) What is Hot Shots!? or 2) Hell yea! I nearly forgot about this movie! For those of you in camp #2, I salute you. For those of you who haven't seen it, the time has come. Topper Harley is a broken man, a mysterious man, he's a man… played by Charlie Sheen. No, really. Oh, and did I mention he gets to fly planes, kick some bad guy ass, and get the girl at the same time? What else would expect from a Charlie Sheen acting performance? There are a few notable Charlie Sheen-esque absences though: hookers, bad dirty jokes, a generally sarcastic demeanor, annoy CBS commercials, and did I mention hookers? Sadly, they don't make an appearance anywhere (on-screen that is). What does appear on-screen is a fast paced slap stick comedy with a few explosions thrown in for good measure. It's hard to imagine anything better, though I bet Charlie could come up with a few ideas.
No, Kate Beckinsale is not in this movie. And yes, it's not a smart idea to lead with that statement; however, it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Let's think about it. Every time you hear Kate's name your heart begins to beat fast and sweat pours off your brow right? But then a shock of frustration washes over you. You slowly realize you will never "meet" Kate. You won't even see her from across the street. Nope, it's hopeless. Now you are left heartbroken, dejected even. Thankfully, the bipolar ride of emotions that Kate Beckinsale creates is not a concern. Kate is replaced by someone else who looks a lot like Kate, (Rhona Mitra). The real story though, is that halfway through the movie, you won't care that Kate isn't in it, because the movie is pretty damn good. The script works, minus a few minor plot holes, and the new members of the cast do quite well. Also, everyone's favorite undead daddy, Bill Nighy, returns to reprise his role as Sonja's father. As well, this being a prequel, we are provided with the background story of Sonja, which plays a central role as to why Nighy and Beckinsale have such a close relationship at the start of Underworld.
The One That Got Away
Robert Redford and Brad Pitt did a movie together. Yea, feels like that should have been a bigger event right? Spy Game somehow slipped under the radar (maybe on purpose) of movie-goers and has now landed on Netflix Watch Instantly for your viewing pleasure. It's lack of bravado at the box office has nothing to do with it's bravado as a movie. In fact, Spy Game is an extremely solid movie. Building on a fast moving and intriguing plot involving double crossings, secret agents, and exotic locations, Spy Game builds the house and lets Pitt and Redford run wild. Essentially creating a storm of good-looking charm and testosterone, Pitt and Redford work well on-screen. They are friends, but not. They are competitive, but in a brotherly way. You can tell they hate each other but are good enough actors to hide it on-screen. A.K.A good times.
Stop. Right now, you need to stop, because from this point forward every movie needs to be seen. Fans of the The Dark Knight? Honestly, who isn't? Then you need to see the movie that made Christopher Nolan sure of Christian Bale's ability to be Batman. The Machinist is a dark and moody movie. This isn't a pick-me-up romantic comedy. This is a solemn and lonely tale of a man who has fallen into a bitter rut. His life is lonely, save for his prostitute friend (Elizabeth Shue), and he is haunted by his past. Drop in a few hints at insanity, and you've got The Machinist in a nutshell. It's Bale that makes this movie worth watching. Seeing him as an emaciated man, lost in his own world of darkness, actually rivals (but doesn't top) his performance in American Psycho. Also, the pay off of finding out Bale's secret in the closing scenes of the movie is a shock that still gives me goosebumps. Watch it, but don't suggest it at a dinner party, or for a date night (unless she's seriously Emo).
For the Movie Buff
I hate to think that there is anyone who considers themselves a serious movie, or excuse me — "film – lover", who hasn't seen Being John Malkovich. Do you ever wonder why Spike Jonze got to direct Where The Wild Things Are? Well, it's because of this movie (and Adaptation). Standing alone as Jonze's crowning jewel, Malkovich is the strangest, and most delightful movie ever. There are a few things that you get with Malkovich that no other movie can touch. 1) Cameron Diaz looking amazingly unattractive with frizzy hair and in serious need of a shower. 2) John Cusack with a beard, long-hair, and playing with puppets. 3) You get to be inside John Malkovich's head, which is quite crazy. 4) You discover why there are so many people on the side of the road of the New Jersey Turnpike. Are you adding it to your instant queue yet? Please do.
Since I didn't include a Kate Beckinsale movie this week, it seems only fitting that I make up for that with an Anne Hathaway movie. Hathaway, who usually plays a "diamond in the rough" character, took major risks with Rachel Getting Married. Well, they paid off. Hathaways creates a character of un-nerving realism. She became someone who must emotionally deal with her past errors on an incessant basis. As a drug-addict, Hathaway was able to completely remove her "Hollywood glow", as well as damn near all of her like-ability and charisma. Stripping herself down to play a beaten women who gets a weekend away from rehab to see her sister get married. And yes, it goes about as bad as you can expect it to. Rachel Getting Married will allow you to get as much out of it as you want. Casually putting this movie on in the background without paying much attention to it will leave you wondering what is going on. But, if you immerse yourself in the characters and follow the dialogue closely, Rachel Getting Married will slowly open up it's soul to you, allowing you stare right back at your own.
Sweet Streams. See You Next Week!
All movies this week are available on Netflix.
Past Weeks of Flicks to Steam
Week 10 – Wall-E, Doubt, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
Week 9 – A Nightmare on Elm Street, Beavis and Butthead Do America, Demolition Man
Week 8 – Dead Snow, Cliffhanger, Ong-Bak
Week 7 – Pineapple Express, Reign of Fire, The Saint
Week 6 – Julie and Julia, The Proposal, The Rookie, The Usual Suspects.
Week 5 – The Ugly Truth, Out Cold, Food, Inc.
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