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Top 5 Netflix (Jan-Jun 06)

Fri, 07/21/2006 - 20:33 in

It's a rare movie we actually see in the theater. Mostly, it's that wonder of the modern world, Netflix. In posts previous I've listed what we've seen and included a pithy comment on each. Not only is that a lot of pithy writing, I don't think slogging through an unordered list o' crap makes for particularly compelling reading.

So here's the new format, just the top 5.

  1. The Devil's Backbone - From Guillermo del Toro, the director of Hellboy, this very satisfying film has a ghost, but it's not a ghost story. It's set in the Spanish civil war, but it's not a war movie. The unique setting and beautiful cimematography complement the memorable story.
  2. Bleak House - I never made it through this Dickens novel, but the BBC production is top notch. Well cast, well acted, well adapted. I'd've read the novel if it moved along as swiftly as this DVD.
  3. Shaun of the Dead - The name says it all, and it lives up to it. Zombies and funny. Much better film than I'd expected.
  4. Grizzly Man - Werner Hertzog's documentary of Timothy Treadwell who lived with, and got killed by, bears in Alaska. Even though Herzog's attitude towards nature in general and bears in particular stands antithetical to Treadwell's, the film shows a balance in it's depiction. As compelling as a train wreck.
  5. The Abominable Snowman - I love me some B movies. This is an old black-and-white Hammer film starring Peter Cushing (who is remarkably & comsistently good). Better production & direction than you'd think.

Other cinema goodness (in no particular order):

Full listing below the fold.

Full Netflix Rentals: Jan-Jul 06