Netflix Friday - Volume 69

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.
 

Action: Black Hawk Down (2001)
160 elite U.S. soldiers drop into Somalia to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord and find themselves in a desperate battle with a large force of heavily-armed Somalis.
 

Drama: Django Unchained (2012)
With the help of a German bounty-hunter (Christoph Waltz), a freed slave (Jamie Foxx) sets out to rescue his wife (Kerry Washington) from a brutal plantation-owner (Leonardo DiCaprio) in Mississippi.
 

Comedy: Forrest Gump (1994)
The presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and oter historical events unfold from the perspective of an Alabama man (Tom Hanks) with an IQ of 75, whose only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart (Robin Wright)
 

Animation: Ponyo (2008)
A five-year-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become human after falling in love with him.
 

Romance: The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships, both old and new, begins to resemble 21^st century versions of her novels.
 

Horror: The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
A lawyer (Laura Linney) takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest (Tom Wilkinson) who preformed an exorcism on a young girl (Jennifer Carpenter)
 

Science Fiction: Children of Men (2006)
In 2027, in a chaotic world in which woman have become somehow infertile, a former activist (Clive Owen) agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.
 

Crime: Scarface (1983)
In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant (Al Pacino) takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.
 

Thriller: Blood Diamond (2006)
A fisherman (Djimon Hounsou), a smuggler (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.
 

Documentary: Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed (2021)
Bob Ross brought joy to millions as the world’s most famous art instructor. But a battle for his business empire cast a shadow over his happy trees.
 

Family: Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Three musical chipmunks are discovered by an aspiring songwriter (Jason Lee) who wants to use their amazing  singing abilities to become famous.

Netflix Friday - Volume 10

Some Netflix film tips for the weekend! And there is something for everyone, since I picked a movie for all the different genres.

Action: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

Drama: Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Four African American Vietnam veterans battle forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.

Comedy: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Animation: Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Dracula (Adam Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy (Andy Samberg) discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teenage daughter (Selena Gomez).

Romance: The Half of It (2020)
When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) agrees to write a love letter for a jock (Daniel Diemer), she doesn’t expect to become his friend or fall for his crush (Alexxis Lemire).

Horror: Red Dragon (2002)
A retired FBI agent (Edward Norton) with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down ‘The Tooth Fairy’, a mysterious serial killer. Aiding him is imprisoned forensic psychiatrist Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).

Science Fiction: Back to the Future (1985)
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Crime: Scarface (1983)
In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant (Al Pacino) takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.

Thriller: Donnie Brasco (1997)
An FBI undercover agent (Johnny Depp) infiltrates the mob an finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.

Documentary: Dancing with the Birds (2019)
From ruffling their majestic feathers to nailing im-peck-able courtship routines, birds in paradise flaunt their best moves in hopes of landing a mate.

Family: Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
A college professor (Richard Gere) bonds with an abandoned dog he takes into his home.

Movie Remakes That Were Better Than the Original

Remakes or reboots, not everyone is a fan of it. Neither am I, especially when it comes to the horror genre. I think it’s just a lack of inspiration and originality in Hollywood. But ever so often there is a remake that actually exceeds it predecessor. Only a short list, but here are the movie remakes that are (without a doubt) better than the original.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - Original from 1960
The film is considered a cult classic today. The original is from 1960 and was a low-budget film. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman turned it into a musical and that’s where the 1986 movie version is based on. It’s a dark comedy with catchy songs and fun performances by Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. There is another remake planned for “Little Shop of Horrors”.

The Thing (1982) – Original from 1951
“The Thing From Another World” was one of the best science fiction film of the 50s. But it was Jon Carpenter’s 1982 version that brought us the most scares and it grew out to be one of the most beloved horror classics.

The Fly (1986) – Original from 1958
The first “The Fly” was a science fiction horror film, about a scientist that accidentally turns into a fly. For the time, the late 50s, it was a pretty shocking film. But the remake from 1986, by director David Cronenberg, is so much better. And shocked even more. Jeff Goldblum, who plays the leading role, is transformed into a fly bringing it to us in a pretty graphic an gruesome way.

Scarface (1983) – Original from 1932
I think many people don’t even know that this is a remake, because Al Pacino is the only Tony Montana we can think of. And there is a reason for that, since the 1983 version is the one that impressed us and is a favorite for many movie fans.

Cape Fear (1991) – Original from 1962
One way to get on this list, is to remake a film that wasn’t that great to begin with. The original “Cape Fear” was a pretty bland thriller. Director J. Lee Thompson was replaced by Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro took over the role that Gregory Peck played. There is a constant threat present and De Niro is fantastic in his role as the psychopath Max Cady.

Casino Royale (2006) - Original from 1967
James Bond is a franchise that reinvents itself each time. Since the Pierce Brosnan Bond movies weren’t all well-received, they decided to give 007’s image a boost. And that happened with “Casino Royale”, which is in my opinion even the best Bond movie ever made.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – Original from 1979
Although the original is already pretty great, George Miller remade his own film and topped himself. Everything in this movie works, from the performances by Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy to the extreme action and stunt work. I think this is the most well-received remake ever.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) – Original from 1956
It’s an intriguing remake of the Sci-fi classic from 1956. Alien plant lifeform takes over the body and personalities of people. How this works stays unclear until the end, but the genius of this film is that everyone is suspicious and you don’t know who is human and who’s been taken over. The way the camera moves and sudden close-ups build up the tension. And then there is that shriek….

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 6

Round 6: Logan/ Wolverine (“X-Men”), William Wallace (“Braveheart”) and Tony Montana (“Scarface”)

Marry: William Wallace fights for his country, family and friends. That’s a man you should hold on to. We would have to discuss the use of blue facial paint though…

Kiss: I guess you would have wild dates with Wolverine. I don’t mind a smooch from this bearded man. I love men with beards

Cliff: A guy who’s in drugs isn’t the best catch. I will push Tony Montana off a cliff. Before he shows me his little friend off course.