Netflixed: Reviews of 3:10 to Yuma, Gone Baby Gone, The Nines, Shortbus
To queue or not to queue, that is always the question.
Here are a few quick rental reviews.
3:10 TO YUMA
Ben Foster is the king of creepy and a fantastic actor (look for very subtle homoerotic overtones in his performance); he stole every scene. Christian Bale’s intensity permeated through the screen, and Russell Crowe was tolerable. I enjoy most contemporary Westerns, but I was bored through most of this one. 6 out of 10.
GONE BABY GONE
Very disappointing. Decent direction by Ben Affleck, but the story was not woven/edited well. I much preferred Mystic River, the last movie adapted from a Dennis Lehane novel. 5 out of 10.
THE NINES
What a fascinating and quirky little indie from the mind of John August, who wrote one of my favorite films (Go). I liked it far more than I’d anticipated, but you have to prepare yourself for the trip…it is an existential journey. Stellar acting by Ryan Reynolds (a pleasant surprise from the pretty boy), Melissa McCarthy (from Gilmore Girls and now Samantha Who) and Hope Davis (the indie queen who is fantastic in just about every movie). 7 out of 10.
SHORTBUS
The tagline says it all: “voyeurism is participation.” I’m kind of a prude for a liberal, but I guarantee that the explicit sexual nature of this film will make you blush. Written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch). Watch this one AFTER the kids have gone to bed. Trust me. 6 out of 10.
In my queue:
Southland Tales (Richard Kelly’s follow-up to Donnie Darko)
Rendition
Sweeney Todd
The Kingdom
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Margot at the Wedding
I Am Legend
August Rush
Have any other recommendations?