Monday, February 18, 2008

Something for Your Netflix Queue

I’m feeling very political this evening. Everyday I get a wakeup call as to how bad things are and they will only get worse if we don’t do something about it. My last post inspired this post for a movie that you NEED to watch this election year. The final clip from that last video is taken from this movie. Great cinema doesn’t get old.

The Network

Rating: YYYY.5

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/gQUBbpvXk2A&rel=1

Past its hackneyed’s and choppy love conflict, Paddy Chayefsky’s The Network is a cult classic that will change the way you see television and the world around you. The Network is centered around Howard Beale, a bordeline lunatic and washed up newcaster who’s on-air declaration of suicide causes the nation to tune-in to UBS, a network that was almost forgotten. Initially Howard’s erratic behavior almost cost him his job, however as his rants become more prophetic and apocalyptic they lead to a number one news spot and, eventually, his own television show. UBS is thrilled over the ratings that his rants draw in and his words strike a cord with the American people and cause them to react in ways they had never before. Eventually, all that uninhibited honesty comes back to haunt UBS and Howard Beale. This movie takes you on a mental and emotional ride. Even though its more than 30 years old, its message and call to action is even more relevant today. You would be doing youself a great DISSERVICE if you didn’t RUN to rent this movie. You won’t regret it. Take my word for it.

P.S. This MIGHT be *but probbaly isn’t* a  spoiler…but I had to share my favorite scene. You can’t tell me this isn’t relevant today!

Posted by Leather at 08:13:59 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Something for Your Netflix Queue

Blame it on Fidel

Blame it on Fidel circulates around Anna, a pretentious and precocious young girl whose life is turned upside down when her parents decide to reject their life of affluence to become political activists. Anna, who is 1/2 Chilean and 1/2 French, must find a balance between her former charmed life and the grassroots environment that she has been thrust into. Overwhelmed by the sudden 360 in her life, she blames Fidel Castro (under the suggestion of adults) for turning her parents into Communists.  Anna’s childlike inquisitiveness and obstinancy lead her to discover more about herself than she ever would have imagined.

See the trailer below

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/RFq46Y5GVtM&rel=1


Posted by Leather at 08:36:50 | Permalink | No Comments »

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Something for Your Netflix Queue

Quinceañera

Its all in there: Laughter, Tears, Romance, Heartbreak, Action and more. There’s saints and sinners; science and miracles; and poverty and priveledge. Quinceañera is an urban drama about Magdalena, a 14 year old girl who mysteriously becomes pregnant after she insists she’s “never been with a boy,” and her pariah cousin, Carlos. Cast out by their families, Magdalena and Carlos are taken in by their Tio (Uncle) Tomas who teaches them the importance of tradition, love, family, and tolerance.
This movie takes place in Echo Park, a subsection of Los Angeles. For all you Angelenos. This movie’s setting is very true to life. The residents seem like they were snatched right off of Sunset and Alvarado. The clash between the affluent White inhabitants and the traditional Latino residents in the area is one of the many complex conflicts of that surround this film. This film moved me on so many levels. I cried at the end when Carlos gave his speech. If your 1/2 as soft as me, you will probably cry too. This film delivers a unique perspective to the tradition of the Quinceañera and its role in turning a girl into a woman. If you won’t take my word for it, see the trailer for yourself:

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/Ap8tidZLWgw&rel=1
Posted by Leather at 08:59:43 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Something for Your Netflix Queue


The Boys and Girls Guide To
 Getting Down

The Boys and Girls Guide To Getting Down is a documentary style parody on survinging the Los Angeles nightlife. Don’t be fooled. This guide deals only with the science of GETTING DOWN. If your looking to fraternize, mingle or gadabout this isn’t for you.  Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down is a 92 minute handbook dedicated to helping you avoid the pitfalls that party goers usually experience; especially in L.A. I love how deliciously raunchy and raw this movie is. The
“scholarly” narrators somehow add to its abrasiveness. You may find yourself clutching your pearls every now and then, but you’ll be alright. There is a great deal of drug, sex, and rock-n-roll in this movie. Check out the opening credits/first scene and you’ll see what I mean:


alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/PKVXctjADFs&rel=1

This movie is chock-a-bock full of marijuana, alcohol, and fukery. It even features an appearance by Mr. Belding. Each hilarious lession bring you closer to the mastery of “Getting Down.” Topics like “Pussy Power,” “Carnal Knowledge” and “Merits of Marijuana” will shock, entertain or maybe inform you. This movie is also a prime choice for all you burners out there. If your looking for comedy without the National Lampoon theatrics, check out this movie.

Trailer:


alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/6fGk62wrTEY&rel=1

Posted by Leather at 09:15:47 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, October 8, 2007

Something for Your Netflix Queue

 

 

Truth be told, I hadn’t even heard of Idiocracy before yesterday. I caught it while chilling at a friend’s house this weekend and it had me in stitches! Brought to you by the same minds who gave you Office Space and King of the Hill, Idiocracy is a comedy which follows two guinea pigs: Joe (Luke Wilson), an Army Librarian and Rita (Maya Rudolph), a prositute who agree to participate in a top secret Army experiement to put human beings into hibernation for a year. The experiment goes awry and they wake up 500 years in the future to find that the wold has gone completely stupid. I wont say much more because I dont want to ruin the plot or take away any severly funny jokes from you. Check out snippets from the movie below. There are some spoilers, but it doesn’t take away from the movie too much. Enjoy and try not too laugh too loud.

*Note: This is definitely for you if you burn!

 

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/uYvSaLoMZHE

Posted by Leather at 18:51:33 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

))<>((

How cute is this little boy!? Check out this clip from Miranda July’s Me You and Everyone We Know. It’s a great indie flick to add to your Netflix queque.

 

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/5D6nETEEg0A

Another movie to check out is Todd Solondz’s Palindromes. I love this movie because the main character switches character several times in the movie. Its a story about a young girl who is desparate to have a baby. She goes to great lengths to try and make her dream a reality. One of my favorite elements of the the movie is the ethereal song that comes on during scene transitions. Listen:

 

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/DrINdBRbqCY

I especially love this scene. In this part of the movie. The main character is now an older black woman. She gets taken in by this religious family that takes care of “special” children. From the look of this clip, they are special in more ways than one. The black chick has chops!

 

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/G9nkl8wgrLQ

Posted by Leather at 22:41:57 | Permalink | Comments (2)