Netflix recently introduced its partnership with Xbox to bring the consumer their “play instantly” movies to their television set via Xbox. Before, the “play instantly” option was used for computers only (and I believe it was only available for PC users - although if you had a MAC I think you could install something to watch the movies) which is a nice feature but one that can only be enjoyed by few. Meaning, unless your computer screen is enormous, it was hard for more than one or two people to view.

With the recent partnership with Xbox, movies are now available instantly. There is only one catch to this… the selection is richly poor. I love oxymorons. Below is a look at my personal que as of 11/28/08, this que will show you exactly what I mean…

Fred Claus

Wanted

Kung Fu Panda

Hancock

Space Chimps

WALL-E

Mad Men: Season 1: Disc 1

Mad Men: Season 1: Disc 2

Mad Men: Season 1: Disc 3

Mad Men: Season 1: Disc 4

Wait Until Dark

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
(Play)

Roxanne
(Play)

The Business of Being Born
(Play)

Miss Potter

Better Off Dead

Blazing Saddles: Special Edition

Legend: The Director’s Cut
(Play)

Facing the Giants

The Man Who Knew Too Much
(Play)

Married Life

Man on Wire

The movies that say “play” underneath them are all movies that can be played on the Xbox. Until recently, Roxanne had a disclaimer that it could not be viewed on the Xbox but could be played on the computer. That disclaimer has since been lifted.

There are 22 movies on my dvd play list currently. Only five of those movies can be viewed via XBox. Once Netflix finds a way to put the majority of their films on XBox I think you will find a dramatic increase in the number of people who are interested in subscribing to Netflix as well as purchasing the XBox.

As a person who loves movies, this is the best gift I have received this year! Thanks Netflix and XBox! Now all I can ask is that you continue to get more movies on the “play instantly” list.

Coming Soon: Netflix compatibility with your TiVo (but only certain TiVo versions).

On our Wish List: Netflix compatibility with the Wii.

Miss - Starring Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez, Steve Harris

While shadowing firefighters on a spring evening in Los Angeles, small time television reporter Angela Vidal winds up in an apartment complex that ends up being sealed by the government. The residents have no idea why they are being quarantined and they don’t know if anyone is coming to rescue them.

Movies that are pornographic in their portrayal of horror are grotesque and shouldn’t be made. I don’t find gore scary, but I find it disturbing and uncomfortable. If that is what this movie wanted the audience to feel, then they certainly did their job. This was the grossest movie that I have seen in a long time and I find that an R rating was inappropriate - this film should have been NC-17. It was disgusting, and therefore, awful.

Bottom Line: Arg.

One highlight - at the end of the film Mr. Movies wanted me to stay with him through the credits because he thought there would be something at the end… during this waiting game some teenage hooligan (or as I call him - a hoolie) comes behind me, grabs my calf from under the seat, and yells “ha.” I think that he expected me to scream or do something, but I ended up doing nothing. I didn’t even look back. I think he was disappointed which made me happy.

Horror

Rated R for bloody violent and disturbing content, terror and language.

Running Time: 1 hour 29 minutes

Hit - Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, J.K. Simmons, David Rasche

Two gym employees try to capitalize on a disk they have found that seems to be filled with CIA information.

This movie is definitely not what it seems, it is a story of infidelity, and deceit. It also revolves around “nothing.” I say this because everything is set into motion because of the “CIA c.d.” which is actually just a memoir and some bank statements - it is hardly anything worth dying over. But, the Coen brothers like to make movies about nothing - so I guess this movie follows suit.

While this movie was interesting, I found that Frances McDormand’s performance was too over-the-top and I also felt that John Malkovich’s performance was not suited to the Coen Brothers style and therefore fell flat.

Bottom line: A movie worth seeing once.

Comedy

Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence.

Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

Hit - Starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candice Bergen, Eva Mendes, Bette Midler, Cloris Lechman, Debi Mazar

When a wealthy New Yorker finds out that her husband has been cheating on her, she turns to her friends for support.

This is a movie for women, by women, and includes a cast of all women (there is a cameo of one male in the entire film). It shows the interaction between women who rally around a friend who is going through a difficult time in her life. This story seems true to the actual relationships between women and the ways that they support and love each other.

Meg Ryan is a welcome star of the film. We have not seen her in a long time and it is great that she is back on the big screen. Unfortunately, I find that her recent plastic surgery left her with a permanent awkward wrinkle on her face. It is quite odd. Putting that aside, she is fabulous in this roll.

I only wish that this story was a little more focused on all of the characters rather than just a select few.

Bottom Line: A great movie for women - and Cloris Lechman is hilarious!

Comedy

Rated PG-13 for sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking.

Running Time: 1 hour 54 minutes.

Miss - Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry, Gerard Depardieu

Plot Synopsis from IMDB.com: Veteran-turned-mercenary Thoorop takes the high-risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to America. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah.

My husband really liked this film but it took him almost a day after seeing the movie to actually say it. I think it is because he was thinking about it so much after actually seeing it, which, in my mind would say that the film is a good one. Anytime you think about the movie later and continue to discuss it, that makes for a decent film. Unfortunately for me, I did not have the same experience with this film. I found myself talking about it with my husband because he was interested in doing so, and I didn’t mind discussing the plot or the overall effect of the film, but, I still did not think it was anything special.

I did, however, see the potential for the movie to have been better than it was. Supposedly the director was very disappointed with the outcome of the film and feels there are many missing sections of the movie. Others have said they will wait to see the film until the directors cut comes out on DVD. I would be interested to see this version but I have heard that it is 70 minutes longer, and that in itself is a second film.

The idea of the future of America, Russia, and humanity is very interesting and realistic. I can see our future looking similar to what this film portrays (more-so than say Back to the Future II). It shows our world as it could be and the scary effects of the evolution of religion. While the idea of the film is fascinating, the effect of the film overall was weak in terms of story.

Bottom Line: Interesting - it could be one to see on DVD but I am not so sure as to if it will be any better.

Science Fiction

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some sexuality.

Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Hit - Starring Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Katherine McPhee, Kat Dennings, Beverly D’Angelo, Rumer Willis, Hugh M. Heffner

Playboy bunny, Shelly (Faris), has been kicked out of the mansion and needs to find a job. While looking for work, she finds an outcast sorority house (Zeta Alpha Zeta) that needs her help. She decides to become their house mother and teaches them how to be socially acceptable. In return, the sorority girls teach her how to be academic. Eventually, the girls learn that it is better to be yourself rather than what other people want you to be.

Who doesn’t love Anna Faris and her deer in the headlights persona? This character is seemingly a perfect role for her. The film as a whole has a cute premise and wants to show girls that it is ok to be yourself. The overall effect of the film is a simple comedy with simple laughs and a lot of heart. Therefore, it may be best to conclude that this film is more of a rental rather than something to see at the movies.

This is the first Happy Madison production that I have felt was warm-hearted and female driven. It is a breath of fresh air compared to previous Happy Madison productions.

Bottom Line: Rent this Bunny.

Comedy

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language.

Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

Hit - Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, Brandon T. Jackson, Steve Coogan, Jay Baruchel, Matthew McConaughey

In order to create a more “real” war movie, director Damien Cockburn (Coogan) sends the actors into the jungle. Unfortunately the actors are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying when one of them is taken captive.

While I am not always a person who enjoys a Ben Stiller movie (especially The Heartbreak Kid which was the worst film I have ever seen - which says a lot), I found Tropic Thunder to be surprisingly hilarious. The ensemble cast made it hilarious by playing off of each others strengths.

A favorite part of the movie is when Stiller’s character becomes victim to the Stockholm syndrome and decides that he wants to stay with his captors. This is quickly reverted when he finds that his captors are not that enthralled with him.

The one questionable area of this film is the byline “get some.” Why in the world would someone chose a tag like that? It doesn’t do anything for the film.

This movie is also very gory in terms of over-the-top blood and guts so those who are sensitive to this, you have been warned.

Bottom Line: An entertaining summer comedy.

Comedy

Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.

Running Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

Top 5 CGI animated films: Film Synopsis courtesy of IMDB.com

Best Short Film: Presto

This latest comical short film from Pixar Animation Studios follows the escalating high jinx of the amazing Presto, his rabbit Alec, and what happens onstage when a star magician’s ego provokes some clever revenge from his neglected costar.

5. Wall*E

In the distant future, a small waste collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Starring Ben Burt, Alissa Knight, Jeff Garlin

4. Cars

A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family.

Starring Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman

3. Toy Story

A cowboy toy is profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman toy supplants him as top toy in a boy’s room.

Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Laurie Metcalf

2. The Incredibles

A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.

Starring Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson

1. Finding Nemo

A father-son underwater adventure featuring Nemo, a boy clownfish, stolen from his coral reef home. His timid father must then travel to Sydney, and search Sydney Harbour find Nemo.

Starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould

I believe I have found the next Audrey Hepburn. Any thoughts?
Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada