where I'm calling from

Recent days have involved a great deal of Netflix viewing. I thought I might list out a few of the things I've taken in as I have tried to rest and heal. And, as is usual form, I will pass judgement on them all.

Heroes, Season 1
Frankly, this is a well-devised, more accessible, made-for-TV X Men. Sadly, Hugh Jackman was not cast to play anyone at all. But do not get me wrong, I was compelled to devour it quickly and fully. I was absolutely entranced with all the sub plots. I loved Hiro and his sidekick, Ando, traveling through space and time. Claire was the most interesting blonde teenager I have seen on TV since Twin Peaks. I raced through all 20+ episodes like a thirsty desert wanderer freshly led to the well. So from there, of course I went to...

Heroes, Season 2
Shortened by the writer's strike, Season 2 still kept me rapt. However, the whole plot line of "We must save the world..." had grown predictable and slightly twee. Monica proved an interesting character with her ability to imitate any action she saw. I hoped to see more of her in...

Heroes, Season 3
... but they dropped her. At least, she had not resurfaced by Episode 5 when I abandoned the whole serial. Guess what, Heroes? In this season, you're gonna have to "save. the. world." Whee. The plot lines become so convoluted, I needed to make a timeline. Of course Evil Future Peter has a scar. I was just waiting for him to grow an Evil Goatee to match. And if any one else claims they can paint the future, I swear I will punch my TV.

Vantage Point
This interesting movie recounts a presidential assassination and terrorist bombing in Spain from about eight different points of view. And I loved it. Not only did it have one of the most realistic and gripping Euro car chases since Ronin, the film was extremely well cast. All over the place. A little violent for me in parts, but I could not stop watching until it was over. It was the most thrilling 90 minutes I've spent balled up on my couch in weeks!

Alice
This creepy stop-action adaption of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland" was so fucking weird, I actually turned it off until I could give it my full attention. If little girls climbing inside bureau drawers and chasing decomposing taxidermy bunnies is your cup of tea, please enjoy. I tried it on one of the nights when I was NOT taking Vicodin and decided I should revisit it when I am well and enjoying a good bottle of claret. Bizarre.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan
The only good thing about this film, aside from thoroughly distracting me from my physical discomfort, was that Adam Sandler was RIPPED in this film. I mean, he was seriously fit. Other than that, a waste of 90 minutes I could have devoted to napping.

Blazing Saddles
Aside from being unabashedly heavy on the "N" word (it was the 1970s), this was a fair, fun film. I have always been entranced with Gene Wilder ever since I watched Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory over and over again in my grammar school cafeteria when it rained outside.

Birth
This strangely-paced, lovely and unsettling film is about Nicole Kidman losing her husband suddenly, then being approached 10 years later by a small boy claiming to be her reincarnated husband. It's a chilling movie with many disquieting scenes. For instance, when Nicole and the boy are discussing how he will satisfy her sexual needs. I squirmed, but I LOVED that the director did not back down from these scenes. Without them, the movie would have seemed  too fantastical. Also, Danny Huston's temper tantrum scene with the quartet was cinematically excellent.

Step-Brothers
I have to admit, this movie was pretty funny. The greatest collection of male t-shirts ever sported on screen. Just silly, irreverent totally great t-shirts. What grown man wears a jersey shirt sporting images of The Judds? I'd re-watch the film just for the shirts.

The New World
I was VERY pleased by this film, despite the casting of Colin Farrell. It was shot in such a quiet, subdued manner that you can't help but listen to the nature teeming on the soundtrack. Crickets, waterfowl, snakes on water. It's mostly the tale of Pocahontas as told through internal dialog and thought. A very thoughtful biopic that, aside from the invented love tryst with Captain Smith, did her history justice. A restful, sad film.

The Duchess
Guilty pleasures of mine: corsets, English accents and Ralph Fiennes. However, you love to hate Ralph in this piece. A complicated "true" story about the upper echelon during the late 1700s. I really liked the sub-text dealing with what men were permitted and women denied, regardless of rank. I am not a huge Kiera Knightly fan, and despite her character being pregnant through most of the film and never LOOKING pregnant, her portrayal was very entertaining. Sad though. I always say, "A good divorce is better than a bad marriage. " I guess not in the 1800s. I loved all the large hair and feathers.

I am still not well, have a Netflix account and extra time on my hands, so if you folks out there have some "Must See" suggestions, please send them to me. I'd love to know what I am missing.