Watching It Now on Netflix

The War: A Film By Ken Burns

2017-11-30T11:44:00.003-08:00

The War: A Film By Ken Burns

Plot: This is not your average World War II documentary. Of the myriad of takes, The War is the one that brings it home for the average American. Told through the eyes of the residents of four American towns while they lived through World War II, this documentary shows the devastation that was wrought upon the homes of America during this horrific war. It highlights how, in many areas of the country, the majority of young men would sign up for a specific branch of service depending on where they lived. Therefore, when a particular battle happened, such as Iwo Jima, certain towns were hit by far more casualties than another town in a state somewhere else in the country.

My Take: In my opinion, the absolute best documentary that's been done on World War II. It's also one of the best, if not THE best, work of Ken Burns. Thankfully this documentary was done at a time where there were still plenty of WWII survivors (both military and civilian) still alive so it adds an extra layer of emotion and validity. The way The War transitions from the four different towns depending on the battles being fought is mesmerizing and riveting. I can't recommend this particular documentary high enough.

Buy it here on Amazon!!

Stranger Things: Season 2

2017-11-02T19:42:00.002-07:00

Stranger Things: Season 2 is a Netflix Original Show.

Plot: What happened to Elle? How are the rest of the kids? Who are these new characters? Hardly anything can be speculated on in this blog post without ruining some aspect of Season 1. Therefore, if you haven't watched Season 1, go do that first!

My Take: I can not stress this enough!!! If you've not seen Season 1, go watch it NOW! Season 2 is far stronger overall than its predecessor. Better writing, plot development, and character interaction are only a few of things that make Season 2 so good. I watched the final 7 episodes in one go and it was so well worth it!!! One of the most binge-able shows in all of Netflix, and one of the best seasons of any tv show I've ever seen. Highly recommended!!!

Check out Stranger Things Monopoly!!!

Stranger Things: Netflix Original Show Season 1

2017-09-14T19:30:00.001-07:00

Stranger Things Season 1 is a 2016 original tv show produced and aired on Netflix. The second season is due to come out in 2017.

Plot: It's the 1980's in a small Indiana town. A close group of four young boys, normally immersed in their Dungeons and Dragons obsession, get pulled into a mysterious conspiracy when a young girl shows up displaying some strange supernatural abilities.

My Take: To be perfectly honest, I was bored out of my mind for the first four episodes. There's one (of many) storylines that dominate the first few episodes that thankfully moves to the background later in the show. That's when the real drama starts. I loved the 80's nostalgia that permeates the show, and that's clearly one of the biggest attractions. David Harbour and Winona Ryder turn in some fantastic perfomances and all the child actors are fantastic!

Moana

2017-09-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Moana is a 2016 animated, musical children's film and was nominated for two Oscars.

Plot: Moana is a tropical princess with a desire to explore and travel off the little island she's lived on all her life. The problem? Her father, the King, forbids this. However, when a terrible curse afflicts her home, she makes a fateful decision to journey across the ocean to find the one who can save her people.

My Take: Another Disney animated gem. This movie is an instant children's classic beloved by just about every little kid that I know. I was enthralled with the music and the young female lead in the film. It stands up against every Disney animated movie that's been done since The Little Mermaid. It also breaks tradition in a few ways, but I will leave it up to you to figure out exactly what!!

Get your little girl (or boy) a Moana Doll!!!

Rogue One - A Star Wars Story

2017-09-14T18:42:00.001-07:00

Rogue One is a 2016 prequel to the legendary Star Wars: A New Hope

Plot: We finally learn the incredible story of how a band of rebel outcasts join forces to attempt to steal the Death Star schematics and save the galaxy from the clutches of the evil Darth Vader and the Empire itself.

My Take: I'm a huge Star Wars fan, so this movie faced an uphill battle with me liking it from the start. However, an engaging cast, riveting music, and outstanding storytelling made me believe that this was a fantastic addition to the Star Wars universe. It's not just a great Star Wars universe movie; it's a great movie in and of itself. Even if you don't care much for Star Wars, it's worth a watch. You won't regret it!!

Kubo And The Two Strings

2017-09-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

Kubo and the Two Strings is a 2016 animated children's movie that was nominated for two Oscars.

Plot: Kubo is a young boy who has the ability to control certain objects by simply playing his very special musical instrument. This is a story of a young man who searches for his father's most important lost possession in order to defeat a mystical evil entity.

My Take: Such a beautiful and well-made film! As a fan of Miyazaki-made films, I was so pleased to hear that the producers consider this a homage to that legendary film-maker. The music is fantastic, and the animation style is so distinct that this film stands out from so many others in the crowded animated market. Not just for kids!

Ken Burns' America: Empire Of The Air

2011-08-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

Empire Of The Air is a Ken Burns historical documentary made in 1991.

Plot: The history of radio is shown from the discovery of the inventions that made radio so innovative to the development of television. The major inventions, the men who invented them, and the importance of radio in American culture are profiled in this documentary.

My Take: I had never heard of Howard Armstrong, and that's a shame. There are other men profiled who had roles in the development of radio as an entertainment and communication medium. However, I had no idea that the the history of radio was such a soap opera. It's a compelling tale, and it's a part of American history that is highly representative of both the brilliance and greed of those that make history.

Tangled

2011-08-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tangled is a 2010 Animated Movie from Disney starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.

Plot: A re-telling of the story of Rapunzel, this story throws a musical twist into that classic fairy tale.

My Take: Disney gets back to its roots as great storytellers with this amazing animated movie. The story is timeless and well-known, but this version has added enough new twists to keep it fresh. The music is amazing, and the voice actors are perfect for their roles. This is not just a kids movie, either, although all the little kids I've watched the movie with love it and sing along. Funny, smart, and exciting, I'd say that this is destined to be yet another Disney classic.

The Fighter

2011-08-07T22:22:00.000-07:00

The Fighter is a 2010 Sports Drama starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Mark Wahlberg.

Plot: Based on a true story, The Fighter is about two brothers raised as fighters on the streets of Boston. Wahlberg plays Mickey, the younger brother trying to make something of himself in the boxing world and wants to rely on his older brother, Dickie, who is now a trainer (Bale). However, Dickie has his own demons to battle.

My Take: Bale turns in an excellent performance (especially if you watch the actual man who the movie is based on during the credits). Adams turns in as gritty of a role as I've ever seen her. The boxing scenes are about as realistic as it gets, and the film is well done in every possible way. This film garnered several Oscar nominations, and won for Best Actor (Bale) and for Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo; the mother of the fighters).

Can We Live Forever? Nova

2011-07-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Can We Live Forever is a PBS Nova documentary.

Plot: This is yet another excellent PBS Science documentary. There are a number of different avenues of research in this documentary that show various ways that humans might be able to further extend their lives, or possibly live forever.

My Take: Not as far-fetched as it sounds at first. The research presented seems extremely plausible, especially the biotechnological advances. Also, anything that brings in Star Trek as an example always makes me happy.

The Marines

2011-07-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Marines is a 2006 PBS Documentary.

Plot: This is a thorough look at the United States Marine Corps from its earliest history, evolution through the decades, and its current place in the armed conflicts across the globe. Boot camp, officer candidate school, women in the Corps, and specialized training prior to deployment are some of the topics covered.

My Take: This is the best all-around look at the Marine Corps that I've ever seen (and I've seen quite a few). While there is the expected look back at the battle history of the Marines, the documentary does not shirk from also talking to Marines wounded in battle, or to older Marine veterans who deplore the use of force and war. While it is at its very least a fantastic recruiting tool, this documentary also shows the average American citizen why they should be proud of the Marine Corps.

I Have Never Forgotten You

2011-07-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

I Have Never Forgotten You is a 2006 documentary.

Plot: Simon Wiesenthal was a Jew living in Nazi Germany before the Second World War. Imprisoned by the Nazis, Wiesenthal lost dozens of family members and friends in the Holocaust. After being liberated by the Americans, Wiesenthal volunteered to help them track down and charge Nazi leaders/officers with war crimes. Wiesenthal evntually was able to help in the apprehension of over 1,000 Nazi war criminals.

My take: This is basically a biography of the life and work of controversial Jewish Nazi Hunter, Simon Wiesenthal. A very powerful, moving documentary highlighting the cruelty of the Nazis and why many Jews fought for years to capture and imprison their former torturers.

400 Years of the Telescope

2011-07-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

400 Years of the Telescope is a 2009 PBS documentary.

Plot: Starting with the earliest spyglasses and ending with the future of telescope development, this documentary covers the past 400 years of the telescope and how it impacted the fields of astronomy, physics, and photography. Interviews with many of the world's top astronomers help to illuminate where we are, and where the telescope will take us in the future.

My Take: Another excellent PBS science documentary. Most of the topics covered revolve around how telescopes have enabled scientific discoveries and advances in what we believe about the universe. I found the discussion on the future of telescopes to be particularly interesting, with information about the plans for new gigantic telescopes such as the Giant Magellan Telescope yet to be built.

Dead Like Me: Tv Series

2011-07-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Dead Like Me is a 2003-2004 fantasy/sci-fi/comedy/drama television series starring Mandy Patinkin, Ellen Muth, and Jasmine Guy.

Plot: Grim Reapers walk the earth, harvesting souls when they die so that they can safely proceed to whatever comes next. Patinkin leads one very quirky group of Reapers that have their own set of issues: how to survive in a world where they are only semi-living.

My Take: Typical Showtime series. Exceedingly dark, quirky, and funny in every way. The acting is stellar, and the characters are all distinctly different and so very inappropriate in different ways. This series only went two seasons because creative differences between the writers of the show and Showtime that led to the cancelling of the well-received, and highly watched, series. Such a shame. Dead Like Me got ratings for original programming on Showtime that took seven years to match.

Searching For Bobby Fischer

2011-07-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Searching for Bobby Fischer is a 1993 Drama starring Jo Mategna, Lawrence Fishburne, and Ben Kingsley.

Plot: Based on a true story, a father (Mategna) discovers his young son is a chess prodigy. Seeking to help him reach his full potential, the Dad hires a crusty, stern chess instructor (Kingsley) and begins to enter him into various chess tournaments. The pressure soon gets to the young boy, who starts to feel chess isn't all that much fun anymore, and his Dad has to figure out what being a Father really means.

My Take: It had been many years since I last saw this movie, but it holds up surprisingly well over time. The acting is top-notch, and the writing produces a very engaging, thoughtful film. You don't have to be knowledgeable about chess to enjoy it, but you'll probably want to pick up the game afterwards. Ultimately, the core of this movie is a father-son relationship story that is beautifully written and well-executed.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

2011-06-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is a 2010 Fantasy Action movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ben Kingsley.

Plot: Gyllenhaal plays Dastan, an adopted Prince who is known more for his impetuous, fight-first nature than for being a thoughtful, intelligent son of the King. His father's army is tricked into invading a holy city whose secret, crown jewel is an item of unimaginable power. The one who possesses this item has the ability to control time, and soon a power struggle ensues as Dastan is caught in the center of a plot designed to bring down his father's kingdom and perhaps destroy the world.

My Take: I resisted seeing this in the theaters once the poor box office numbers started to emerge. As a fan of Gyllenhaal's, I relented to finally watching it one night at home on Netflix. I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun the movie was, with a good plot and lots of action. Gyllenhaal was his typical charming self, and the movie had enough fun and emotion to get me to watch it again the following week.

If you like movies like Sahara or even Raiders, take a look at Prince of Persia. It will surprise you, too.

Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of World War II

2011-06-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

Top Secret Rosies is a 2010 historical documentary.

Plot: Before the advent of computers, men were responsible for the tedious and time-consuming calculations that were needed for big mathematical practical problems. When the United States entered the war, these men left their math jobs and picked up arms to go fight overseas for their country, leaving these incredibly important jobs unfilled. That is, until the armed forces started recruiting their female mathematical genius counterparts. Whether it was calculating ballistics information, or programming the first military computers to help efficiency, these women became an essential component of the war effort.

My Take: I knew women played an important role in production assembly in various military factories, as I consider myself a military history buff. However, I had no idea that there were highly intelligent women in such highly specialized jobs in the military effort. Many of the women who were involved are interviewed for this documentary, describing life before and during the War. For many of these women, successful and lucrative careers that they never dreamed of followed their military jobs.

Highly recommended for any military history fan.

Fat Head

2011-06-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

Fat Head is a 2009 Documentary.

Plot: Created as a direct response to the documentary, Super Size Me, the subject in this documentary sets out to show you that you CAN lose weight on a diet of fast food alone. Interviews with nutritionists and doctors seek to explain the true nature of why Americans are so fat, and the results will probably surprise you.

My Take: This documentary was a total revelation to me. It basically refutes the idea of a low-fat diet as being healthy and instead presents evidence to show how and why low-carb diets work. The "special effects" are cheesy, and the whole documentary looks like an early 80's educational cartoon, but the message gets through. Fun and educational for anyone, but if you're looking to get healthier and lose weight, this documentary might give you clues as to how to do it successfully. I have tried to follow the diet principles presented here, and I am happy to say that they have totally worked.

The Wonder Of It All

2011-06-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Wonder Of It All is a 2007 Space Documentary.

Plot: This documentary uses interviews with astronauts of the Apollo Space Program to detail the missions to the moon in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Detailing the challenges and discoveries of each of these missions, using archived NASA footage, a comprehensive view of the moon missions is laid out for the viewer, as well as a case for going back.

My Take: I've seen a lot of documentaries about the space program, but there was a lot of new details brought to life in this documentary. The interviews are well done, and the astronauts interviewed share a sense of joy and wonder at what they were able to see and accomplish. If you're a space nut, you should watch this.

American Experience: Robert E. Lee

2011-06-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Robert E. Lee is a 2011 American Experience documentary.

Plot: Details the life of Confederate General/Hero, Robert E. Lee. From his early beginnings in Virginia, West Point (where he graduated 2nd in his class), his exploits in the army as an engineer, his difficult courtship of his wife, and his failures as a young commanding officer, Robert E. Lee endured much hardship in his life. None more than when he became Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia in the Civil War.

My Take: A very thorough account of Lee's life. Just an overall excellent documentary with some surprises within. A must-see for any military history buff. Very well done.

Sweet Land

2011-06-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sweet Land is a 2005 Independent Drama starring Elizabeth Reaser.

Plot: It's just after WWI and still at a time when arranged or bought marriages brought women over from Europe to marry American men. Olaf is a hard-working, quiet farmer who arranges to bring over outgoing, music-loving, Inge from Europe. When she arrives, he realizes that she is German, which doesn't go over well with the local Anti-German townsfolk She also can't speak English at all. Faced with intense prejudice, they nonetheless begin to build a relationship that lasts for a lifetime.

My Take: Another gem from Netflix! I absolutely loved this quiet, understated film. Depicting what life was like back in the early 1900's when there was little technology and knowledge of the outside world in small towns, this film is a love story set against the backdrop of prejudice. The acting is wonderful, and the chemistry between the main characters plausible and endearing.

Hubble's Amazing Rescue: Nova

2011-06-26T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hubble's Amazing Rescue is a 2009 PBS Nova space documentary.

Plot: This documentary details the space mission that repaired the Hubble Telescope in 1993. Several space walks from the Space Shuttle were needed in order to perform different repair/replace tasks on the telescope to get it operational again so that it could be used for research.

My Take: Great documentary for anyone who enjoys the space program. This particular mission was fraught with so many complications and possible disasters. The $2 billion dollar Hubble Telescope had been malfunctioning to the point where it could not adequately capture the research needed by the scientists on the ground. With this documentary, you get to see the training and hear from the astronauts themselves who were on that pressure-filled mission.

What If...

2011-06-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

What If is a 2010 romantic family movie starring Kevin Sorbo and Kristy Swanson.

Plot: Ben is a highly successful businessman who is visited by a mysterious tow truck driver when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. This "angelic" tow truck driver offers to show Ben what his life had been had he not left his long-term girlfriend and church to take that business internship years ago. In a situation similar to "It's A Wonderful Life," Ben gets to see how life would have turned out...marriage, kids, pastor of his own church. What does he really want out of life?

My Take: I don't normally watch spiritual films, but this one doesn't push religion at you as much. Definitely a "What If" movie...the road not taken. It's a sweet film that looks at the things that are most meaningful in life. It was nice to see Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie) again, and Sorbo does a nice job in this film. A movie you could watch with your mom.

Toy Story 3

2011-06-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

Toy Story 3 is a 2010 animated Pixar film starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

Plot: In the third and final installment in the Toy Story series, Andy is packing up his childhood room and getting ready to go to college. What will happen to all his toys, who are so devoted to him? A series of events occurs and suddenly the gang are thrust into a brand new world: daycare. Woody the cowboy (Hanks) and Buzz the astronaut (Allen) lead the group of ragtag toys in trying to figure out a way to get back to Andy before he leaves for school.

My take: It's really hard to believe that an animated story could have better writing, acting, and visual effects than 99.9% of the non-animated films out there, but it's true. Pixar does it again with a rare sequel that is even better than the original. Kids and parents alike will love this movie. If you're not the kind that likes animated movies, this is the one on which you should take a chance and watch. Emotional, funny, and heart-warming are just three of the 87 wonderful adjectives I could apply to this film. A definite must-see.

When In Rome

2011-06-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

When in Rome is a 2010 romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel.

Plot: In Italy for her sister's wedding, Beth (Bell) impulsively takes some wishing coins out of a fountain. Unbeknownst to her, this act causes a curse is placed upon her and she begins to be hounded by a variety of romantic admirers. At the same time, she meets a handsome, charming reporter (Duhamel) who seems to be falling for her. Is it real, or is it the curse?

My Take: This is a typical chick flick movie, with a predictable plot and ending. However, both Bell and Duhamel have the kind of charisma that just jumps off the screen and together they make the film worth watching. I especially miss the days when Duhamel would do romantic comedies. Watch out for Danny Devito who does a great job in this film!!!

Get When In Rome here!!