it's showtime

Charlie and I began a subscription to Netflix in mid-May and since that time, we have watched 14 movies. For the past six weeks, we've been averaging at least two movies a week. We haven't watched this many movies since before children ... and I've got to say ... it's been awesome.

My husband is currently watching our 15th movie. I'm not watching this particular movie with him, because I read the book that the movie is based upon a few years ago and the storyline is so disturbing I can't stand to watch the stupidity unfold.

So while Charlie watches this most recent movie - and keeps gasping at the idiocy - I'm going to review the movies that we've watched thus far and provide my opinion on each. Beginning with ...

Man on Wire

This is a documentary that Charlie rented, detailing the story of a man who walked across a high wire connecting the Twin Towers in New York City in 1974. We own the book, "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers" and when I first read this story, I thought for sure it was fiction. It isn't. Someone actually walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers. This was an interesting movie, even though I fell asleep midway through.

Taken

Sakes alive this is an awesome movie. The scene where Liam Neeson asks the guy to translate, "Good Luck" in Albanian?! I was on my feet CHEERING. Liam is the man. I didn't fall asleep once during this movie. If anything, I laid in bed awake - replaying scene after scene. This is a great movie. A fabulous movie. Although, I must admit, any desire I had to visit France has totally vanished.

Who Killed The Electric Car

This was another documentary that Charlie rented. Moderately interesting. But I fell asleep midway through. Charlie really liked it. He thinks it was fascinating. Charlie is a nut sometimes.

Sicko

Yet another documentary courtesy of my husband. This one was very good and in my opinion, might be one of Michael Moore's best films. I particularly enjoyed the scene when they rented a boat, loaded it up with various patients who are hitting roadblocks with medical treatment in the United States, and floated over to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. After watching this movie, Charlie wants to restore his Canadian citizenship and move our entire family north.

Death at a Funeral

This movie dabbled in a lot of taboo topics, but it was absolutely hysterical. I laughed so hard, my ab muscles were sore for two days. The scene with the uncle in the bathroom and the dwarf in the casket? I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

There Will Be Blood

I must admit, I actually got up and started to do some work during this movie. It just didn't capture my attention. Charlie liked it. But even he confessed that it realllly dragggged onnnn afffter a whiiiile. The storyline had to do with a greedy, ruthless man drilling an oil well. Since I caught the last bit of the movie, I'm fairly certain that greedy, ruthless man goes to hell after what he did to that nice minister.

Humboldt County

This was a good movie. Very thought provoking. It definitely dabbled in some taboo subjects, but it also made me feel like giving up everything we own and moving to Humboldt. The last scene in the movie had me laughing - but yet - made me feel quite bad for the father. I wonder how long he sat there ... just eating his sandwich?

Milk

This was a great movie. It certainly made me think about my own political views and well ... I sincerely hope that one day everyone will have equal rights. And that's all I have to say about that.

Talladega Nights

Goofy. Funny. Hillbilly humor. Stereotypical Will Ferrell at his finest. The scene with the cougar in the backseat was rip roaring. Although that might be a result of the bottle of wine Charlie and I were sharing.

The Visitor

This was an incredible movie. I absolutely did not want it to end ... or ... I wanted there to be a sequel. Charlie really enjoyed it, too. The title is perfect.

Trainspotting

Very disturbing movie. Some might disagree, but I think the parents in this movie were largely to blame. Talk about ENABLING. And the scene with the baby in the crib?! Unbelievable, although I absolutely saw that coming. Who shoots up heroine with an infant crawling around the house?! Days after I watched this movie, I read that every year, 320,000 babies are born in the United States to drug-addicted mothers. A baby on formula* is one thing.

But a baby on phenobarbital?!

(*Three of our children were supplemented with formula, which was a GOOD thing, lest you think I'm being judgmental.)

Seriously. I watched this movie and all I could think was that people should be screened before they are allowed to reproduce. And if they don't pass the test, they are spayed or neutered on the spot. Men and Women. Bada Bing Bada Boom. Next in line?

The Ultimate Gift

Great movie and the premise is beautiful. But in my opinion, the acting - particularly the role of the grandson (i.e. the main character) - was a little weak at times.

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

Yet another Charlie documentary. This was a very interesting movie. Although I did fall asleep midway through, I woke up in time to see the bull that had been genetically engineered. And well, I kind of wish I hadn't.

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Yes, I know this movie was released 27 years ago. But what a classic. I thought the kids might like it and for the first five minutes they really did. Then there was an alien. And men in space suits. And wow - who remembers that this movie is so corny? Ultimately, William and Carolyn were riveted and wanted to watch the entire show. Elizabeth buried her head in to my chest crying, "I don't love E.T.!! I want to watch Cinderella!!"

Which leads me to the 15th movie my husband is watching without me, tonight...

A Simple Plan

Who has read the book A Simple Plan? I read it a few years ago and I couldn't put it down. I was totally captivated by the stupidity. And greed. And stupidity. And greed.

But mostly, stupidity.

Tonight, I tried to watch this movie with my husband. I really did. But I just couldn't bear to watch the scenes unfold - that I knew would unfold - when they tried to cover up their dumb tracks. If Charlie ever came in to the house carrying a bag with $4.4 million dollars in cash that he found while he was out for a walk? I'd be moving so fast to get the police involved, I'd be breaking SOUND barriers. Not for a minute - in any shape or fashion - would I think about how we could keep it.

*******

Since our movie queue is getting dangerously low, now it's your turn.

What do you recommend?