I've been holding off on writing anything about this since it launched back in September. Figured I should give it lots of time to get launched, and flesh itself out before passing any kind of 'Judgement' over it.
At this point I have been a member since September of last year. And some of the items I have watched aren't even available on the service any longer.
But for the last two weeks I have been mainly watching DVDs and running Netflix and decided to keep more of my money in my pocket, instead of paying the Satellite companies for crappy choices and poor programming. But most of this is a topic of it's own.
So, in regards to Netflix, I have had discussions with friends south of the border about it. And apparently they aren't too fond of Netflix down there. If that is the case, they certainly wouldn't like what passes for Netflix Canada.
But if your looking for a service to replace Blockbuster or your local neighborhood video store than you will have to keep looking. Because this isn't it.
I can agree with the statements that some of the Cable company execs. have apparently been quoted as saying they didn't fear Netflix, it would be an additional service that people would run alongside their current cable subscriptions.
Programming is updated semi-regularly. For instance, this week something like 50 items were added. And of those I found about 10 that I flagged to watch.
The catalog mostly consists of older titles, Indy, Documentaries, Television Shows, BBC, some recent titles and a lot of kids and Anime. Which suits me just fine at this point.
I have been able to now for almost a year watch things I would never have discovered or seen otherwise. And some Television programming I didn't get, but was available such as Damages, Justified and Leverage. And some great BBC titles like Outlaw, The State Within and Survivors.
Once I cut back in the TV programming I find that I never really watched it anyway. During the regular season what I mainly watched is on the networks anyway. So, I was paying double to have channels that I didn't usually watch. They were just noise in the background.
So in the fall I will still have my NCIS, Supernatural, NCIS Los Angeles, Bones, House and whatnot.. And as long as 'flix keeps updating I'm sure there will be something on that's interesting.
After all I just watched the doc on Harlan Ellison recently, and it was fantastic. Not too mention an Indy flick YPF which in ways was funnier than Hangover 2 and a hell of a lot more controversial.
So I know there are a lot of whiners and complainers since 'Flix launched up here. And the problem would seem to be that they are expecting the wrong thing from the service. Right now at least, and what my American friends have said it will never replace the local video store anyway.
Reminds of when reviewers go to see a Michael Bay movie expecting Shakespeare and complain when they don't get it. Right over their heads.
Netflix is what it is, and it's doing an ok job of being a supplemental service for video entertainment. You never know what interesting little movies, docs, anime or shows you'll find. But the latest and greatest won't be it.
I will say if your watching a series work through it. Because titles seem to vanish with no notice at all.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Ruins
Is a horror novel written by Scott Smith. I would call it more of thriller or survival horror novel myself, now that I've managed to finish it.
A typical setup, kids on vacation in a foreign land end up going into the jungle, and become trapped and slowly killed / picked off by some terrible presence in the jungle. They can't leave, and can't contact help. Their only hope is to try and conserve their resources until help can come to them. Hopefully before it's too late.
The bulk of the novel deals with the stress and condition of the people stuck together, as the try and cope with the hardships of their predicament and running out of supplies. Not too mention the thing that creeps around the edges.
I didn't have much trouble figuring out what the evil thing was, and I would give credit for being different about it. Rather than going with something more 'normal' so to speak.
I would think this would make a fantastic movie, and it would follow the usual tropes quite well. If they wouldn't muck with it too much. But, it would probably be better suited as a mini series for cable. Maybe one of the things they did twenty years ago.. Make it five parts, Monday to Friday and run an hour a day.
But I can't think of anything right now since V first aired in the early 1980s for that.
Anyway, it was a good book. And the fact that I picked it up blind on a used book shelf for like $3 was even better.
4 out of 5 stars
A typical setup, kids on vacation in a foreign land end up going into the jungle, and become trapped and slowly killed / picked off by some terrible presence in the jungle. They can't leave, and can't contact help. Their only hope is to try and conserve their resources until help can come to them. Hopefully before it's too late.
The bulk of the novel deals with the stress and condition of the people stuck together, as the try and cope with the hardships of their predicament and running out of supplies. Not too mention the thing that creeps around the edges.
I didn't have much trouble figuring out what the evil thing was, and I would give credit for being different about it. Rather than going with something more 'normal' so to speak.
I would think this would make a fantastic movie, and it would follow the usual tropes quite well. If they wouldn't muck with it too much. But, it would probably be better suited as a mini series for cable. Maybe one of the things they did twenty years ago.. Make it five parts, Monday to Friday and run an hour a day.
But I can't think of anything right now since V first aired in the early 1980s for that.
Anyway, it was a good book. And the fact that I picked it up blind on a used book shelf for like $3 was even better.
4 out of 5 stars
The State Within
Is a BBC Miniseries from several years ago. Starring Jason Issacs of most recently Harry Potter fame as the UK Ambassador to the United States.
The series mostly revolves around a terrorist plot that takes down an airliner, and the twists and turns involving said operation. Terrorism, Paranoia, Epsionage. I would class the series as a Political / Drama I guess.
I found it to be much more enjoyable than the last few seasons of 24. The action is low, but the series is deeper in plot, and slower unfolding.
The cast was fairly decent, and the whole thing lasts around seven episodes.
Had never heard of it before, decided to watch it since it was BBC and Issacs was in it. And it turned out well.
3 stars out of 5
The series mostly revolves around a terrorist plot that takes down an airliner, and the twists and turns involving said operation. Terrorism, Paranoia, Epsionage. I would class the series as a Political / Drama I guess.
I found it to be much more enjoyable than the last few seasons of 24. The action is low, but the series is deeper in plot, and slower unfolding.
The cast was fairly decent, and the whole thing lasts around seven episodes.
Had never heard of it before, decided to watch it since it was BBC and Issacs was in it. And it turned out well.
3 stars out of 5
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Green Lantern Emerald Knights
DC continues it's line of usually great quality animated features with Green Lantern Emerald Knights.
A series of connected stories of the corp told to one of the newest members as they struggle with an emerging threat.
Animation is good, voice acting is good. And the stories weren't bad. I kind of wish we had more detail to the main plot, of the creature or beast coming through the star to threaten the corp. But the individual stories were interesting enough to make up for it.
I have this strange feeling, that this could easily be the better of the two Lantern movies coming out this month. But, I'm hoping the live action one this weekend holds up.
I'm sure I missed a few of DCs animated features, the last Superman one comes to mind. And I didn't find the Wonder Woman one all that great. And the majority of the Batman ones, well.. are just brilliant. At least as long as Kevin Conroy was involved.
This was a great feature.
3.5 stars out of 5
A series of connected stories of the corp told to one of the newest members as they struggle with an emerging threat.
Animation is good, voice acting is good. And the stories weren't bad. I kind of wish we had more detail to the main plot, of the creature or beast coming through the star to threaten the corp. But the individual stories were interesting enough to make up for it.
I have this strange feeling, that this could easily be the better of the two Lantern movies coming out this month. But, I'm hoping the live action one this weekend holds up.
I'm sure I missed a few of DCs animated features, the last Superman one comes to mind. And I didn't find the Wonder Woman one all that great. And the majority of the Batman ones, well.. are just brilliant. At least as long as Kevin Conroy was involved.
This was a great feature.
3.5 stars out of 5
Friday, June 10, 2011
Bridesmaids
This movie struck me as the other side of the coin from The Hangover Part II.
The same type of movie, but the female version. And this one was much better. I found the movie to be a lot more even, and the characters and situations a lot more believable.
The movie has its moments, and the laughs were more frequent. The characters themselves are a lot more likable, and easier to relate to.
Not much else to say about it, I felt my money was better spent going to this movie than the Hangover Part II.
3 out of 5 stars
The same type of movie, but the female version. And this one was much better. I found the movie to be a lot more even, and the characters and situations a lot more believable.
The movie has its moments, and the laughs were more frequent. The characters themselves are a lot more likable, and easier to relate to.
Not much else to say about it, I felt my money was better spent going to this movie than the Hangover Part II.
3 out of 5 stars
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wii U
I will go out on a limb here and declare that I may be in the minority, but who really cares at this point??
I realize that Nintendo has about as a rabid fanbase as Sony, Microsoft and dare I say Apple. But the unveiling of the successor to the Wii just doesn't seem to interest me much at all.
Granted Nintendo is in possession of some of the most beloved of all of videogames franchises. And now they will apparently be coming to us in glorious HD.
But, I now, though I didn't intend this starting out, own all three current generation consoles. And I find I get the most use out of my PS3. That is in my case, mostly because of it multimedia capability.
But Nintendo seems like this new console, will be an upgraded Wii, with a modified iPad made into a controller. The preview I watched showed off a bunch of tricks, and stuff that you can use it for. In interaction with the main unit working with the TV. This would seem to make the controller something you'd want to be very careful with. Seeing as to how it apparently now has a touch sensitive screen on it. Are extra controllers now going to be like $200, as much as the Wii itself. Better not be too many four player games. And how awkward and heavy is that thing going to be to play with after a few hours anyway. And you better hope the kids don't drop or toss it, when they play or put it away for the night..
They just seem to be too late to the party at this point. And I agree with old opinions about the Wii when it came out. It was an electronic board game. Got taken out when people came over, or when there were parties. And put away the rest of the time. A novelty. For me, it's become a cheap Netflix box I can use on any TV in the house. But, I did only pay about $100 for it when I got it with extra accessories and Zelda. When I traded in my Gamecube for it.
Just seems like a new gimmick, and I know with the Wii after awhile it gets old. Maybe when we get real Star Trek Holodecks. And I don't know how much people are taking too the PS Move or Microsoft Kinect, but with who I know. You just want to sit and play a game and relax. Not be jumping and waving and flying all around everywhere.
Years ago it was mentioned that Nintendo may go the way of Sega. And close up on hardware, and just stick to what they do best. Software, with their real asset. Their IP. Maybe they should?? But then they did sell a lot of electronic board games. And still have the highest installed user base.
But then, at my age now. I don't seem to be Nintendos current demographic. And I'm sure there will be lots of people picking up the Wii U when it comes out, and will eagerly away the next Zelda, Metroid, Smash Brothers and Pokemon Stadium in HD.
I think I will just get an iPad whenever the price finally comes down.
I realize that Nintendo has about as a rabid fanbase as Sony, Microsoft and dare I say Apple. But the unveiling of the successor to the Wii just doesn't seem to interest me much at all.
Granted Nintendo is in possession of some of the most beloved of all of videogames franchises. And now they will apparently be coming to us in glorious HD.
But, I now, though I didn't intend this starting out, own all three current generation consoles. And I find I get the most use out of my PS3. That is in my case, mostly because of it multimedia capability.
But Nintendo seems like this new console, will be an upgraded Wii, with a modified iPad made into a controller. The preview I watched showed off a bunch of tricks, and stuff that you can use it for. In interaction with the main unit working with the TV. This would seem to make the controller something you'd want to be very careful with. Seeing as to how it apparently now has a touch sensitive screen on it. Are extra controllers now going to be like $200, as much as the Wii itself. Better not be too many four player games. And how awkward and heavy is that thing going to be to play with after a few hours anyway. And you better hope the kids don't drop or toss it, when they play or put it away for the night..
They just seem to be too late to the party at this point. And I agree with old opinions about the Wii when it came out. It was an electronic board game. Got taken out when people came over, or when there were parties. And put away the rest of the time. A novelty. For me, it's become a cheap Netflix box I can use on any TV in the house. But, I did only pay about $100 for it when I got it with extra accessories and Zelda. When I traded in my Gamecube for it.
Just seems like a new gimmick, and I know with the Wii after awhile it gets old. Maybe when we get real Star Trek Holodecks. And I don't know how much people are taking too the PS Move or Microsoft Kinect, but with who I know. You just want to sit and play a game and relax. Not be jumping and waving and flying all around everywhere.
Years ago it was mentioned that Nintendo may go the way of Sega. And close up on hardware, and just stick to what they do best. Software, with their real asset. Their IP. Maybe they should?? But then they did sell a lot of electronic board games. And still have the highest installed user base.
But then, at my age now. I don't seem to be Nintendos current demographic. And I'm sure there will be lots of people picking up the Wii U when it comes out, and will eagerly away the next Zelda, Metroid, Smash Brothers and Pokemon Stadium in HD.
I think I will just get an iPad whenever the price finally comes down.
The Hangover Part II
The Hangover Part II. The continuing adventures of the Wolf pack.
I'm not quite sure if remaking the original movie this soon, in a different location was a masterstroke, or just lazy rehash of the original.. You could kind of look at it, as a mystery.. Every installment places the same comic people in a new location, where they need to locate the missing member..
Anyway, it's not a bad movie by any stretch I don't think. Just like most comedies I seem to go to, it has it funny moments. Just not enough of them.
And this movie they seemed to have honed in the fact that Allan was apparently the comedic genius of the first film. And decided to ratchet him up to 11 in this one. The problem is that he isn't all that funny. Not in large doses anyway. If you've seen the trailers, than you have seen all the best Allan - isms. And I was pretty tired of them by the time I got to 'Due Date' now that I look back on them. Or maybe I should say Zackisms..
This is apparently the second of a trilogy, and supposedly the third installment will be different. And I hope it is. Because as negative as this may come off, I wouldn't mind having another go with the franchise.
Overall, not a bad movie. Not real good. Some laughs, but not enough of them. The monkey was good though.
2.5 stars out of 5
I'm not quite sure if remaking the original movie this soon, in a different location was a masterstroke, or just lazy rehash of the original.. You could kind of look at it, as a mystery.. Every installment places the same comic people in a new location, where they need to locate the missing member..
Anyway, it's not a bad movie by any stretch I don't think. Just like most comedies I seem to go to, it has it funny moments. Just not enough of them.
And this movie they seemed to have honed in the fact that Allan was apparently the comedic genius of the first film. And decided to ratchet him up to 11 in this one. The problem is that he isn't all that funny. Not in large doses anyway. If you've seen the trailers, than you have seen all the best Allan - isms. And I was pretty tired of them by the time I got to 'Due Date' now that I look back on them. Or maybe I should say Zackisms..
This is apparently the second of a trilogy, and supposedly the third installment will be different. And I hope it is. Because as negative as this may come off, I wouldn't mind having another go with the franchise.
Overall, not a bad movie. Not real good. Some laughs, but not enough of them. The monkey was good though.
2.5 stars out of 5
Sunday, June 5, 2011
X-Men First Class
I will state straight off the top, that this was one of the best comic book movies I have seen, ranking up there with Spiderman 1 and Iron Man 1.
And the cast was fantastic. The new actors in the roles of Prof. X and Magneto totally outshine the casting of the original X-Men movies. I was much happier with these two. And I hope they continue the roles. No slight against Patrick Stewart or Ian McKellen but as far as I'm concerned they were blown away.
From the young actors cast as Banshee, down to Beast or Havok. It seems that they did a great job on casting. Only a couple I wasn't as impressed with.
I found the movie to be well written, everything moved right along. And the powers and special effects were secondary to the story and the characters. As it should be. That would seem to be where other movies tend to fall down. The script always seems to take a back seat to effects. And the whole house of cards suffers because of it.
This is supposedly the first of a new trilogy, and I say bring it on. I can't wait for the next two. Assuming they can keep the original crew together.
Now, as much as I used to read X-Men when I was a kid. I don't remember it in any great detail, and theres many things about this movie that didn't make sense when you look at it with a comic light. But then, I wasn't really. And as a movie, it turned out much better than expected. And this probably goes for the original film trilogy as well. Forget about it in light of seeing the start of this new series. Even with a few nods it gives and one special appearance.
4 out of 5 stars
And the cast was fantastic. The new actors in the roles of Prof. X and Magneto totally outshine the casting of the original X-Men movies. I was much happier with these two. And I hope they continue the roles. No slight against Patrick Stewart or Ian McKellen but as far as I'm concerned they were blown away.
From the young actors cast as Banshee, down to Beast or Havok. It seems that they did a great job on casting. Only a couple I wasn't as impressed with.
I found the movie to be well written, everything moved right along. And the powers and special effects were secondary to the story and the characters. As it should be. That would seem to be where other movies tend to fall down. The script always seems to take a back seat to effects. And the whole house of cards suffers because of it.
This is supposedly the first of a new trilogy, and I say bring it on. I can't wait for the next two. Assuming they can keep the original crew together.
Now, as much as I used to read X-Men when I was a kid. I don't remember it in any great detail, and theres many things about this movie that didn't make sense when you look at it with a comic light. But then, I wasn't really. And as a movie, it turned out much better than expected. And this probably goes for the original film trilogy as well. Forget about it in light of seeing the start of this new series. Even with a few nods it gives and one special appearance.
4 out of 5 stars
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes
Just finished watching the first season a few days ago. It was a little slow going in the first few episodes. But the series really grew on me, and came into it's own.
I was never much of an Avengers fan. I was more into Spiderman and X-Men when I was younger. But I am passingly familiar with the characters and the villains.
The animation style is a little different, but nice. And I found the stories too be well written and varied.
Very much looking forward to seeing a second season. I was also watching GI Joe Renegades, and I find that Avengers is the much stronger of the two.
I was never much of an Avengers fan. I was more into Spiderman and X-Men when I was younger. But I am passingly familiar with the characters and the villains.
The animation style is a little different, but nice. And I found the stories too be well written and varied.
Very much looking forward to seeing a second season. I was also watching GI Joe Renegades, and I find that Avengers is the much stronger of the two.
Smackdown! 06 / 03 / 11
Well, just to be quick. This was a better week for wrestling than usual, even though the big company is no longer a wrestling company..
Anyway, Smackdown! last night looks like they are turning Christian heel. Well, I guess it's about time. And for me, it all seemed to work out pretty good. I'm liking it, and hopefully things will heat up between him and Orton. And we can have a good match or series of matches in this feud. About the only thing I would like to have seen added as Smackdown! went off the air, would have been for Christian to have flicked the nameplate off of the belt and then put it back around his waist as it fades to black.
And again, I am liking R - Truths work as a heel as well, and his wandering to the crowd and getting into it with the fans (Yes, that specific one was a planted actor) was at the least somewhat entertaining. And I actually hope he keeps the little 'Jimmy' thing going for awhile. I would like to see a slightly more darker bent to him though, hopefully as it goes along.
And finally, what's with the bodyslam coming back anyway?? And where did it ever go?!? Just a reminder to me that wrestling seems to brawl a lot more these days than actual wrestling y'know with moves and holds.
I guess this is where Impact! is headed with wrestling matters supposedly. And I'm told that Ring of Honor is totally slanted to 'Sport' over entertainment. And maybe that's where I can find more of the athletic aspect of the sports entertainment.
Anyway, Smackdown! last night looks like they are turning Christian heel. Well, I guess it's about time. And for me, it all seemed to work out pretty good. I'm liking it, and hopefully things will heat up between him and Orton. And we can have a good match or series of matches in this feud. About the only thing I would like to have seen added as Smackdown! went off the air, would have been for Christian to have flicked the nameplate off of the belt and then put it back around his waist as it fades to black.
And again, I am liking R - Truths work as a heel as well, and his wandering to the crowd and getting into it with the fans (Yes, that specific one was a planted actor) was at the least somewhat entertaining. And I actually hope he keeps the little 'Jimmy' thing going for awhile. I would like to see a slightly more darker bent to him though, hopefully as it goes along.
And finally, what's with the bodyslam coming back anyway?? And where did it ever go?!? Just a reminder to me that wrestling seems to brawl a lot more these days than actual wrestling y'know with moves and holds.
I guess this is where Impact! is headed with wrestling matters supposedly. And I'm told that Ring of Honor is totally slanted to 'Sport' over entertainment. And maybe that's where I can find more of the athletic aspect of the sports entertainment.
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