IMJ NATION™, I have a request.
I want you to tell me what you have been streaming lately. What titles have been burning up your monitors? Let me know what shows and movies you have been checking out online and I’d love to watch and review it for an upcoming Streaming with Stamps™ column.
One of the things that is so great about sites like Hulu and Netflix: These services make it easier for people to pass along great suggestions. If someone recommends a movie, you can watch it instantly. You can then tell your friend what you thought of their recommendation the very next day.
Since I know that the people reading Inveterate Media Junkies already have good taste (you are reading my column after all), I’d love to view some of your favorites.
In the meantime, let’s get to some reviews:
Sherlock / Netflix
Sherlock comes from the brilliant mind of Steven Moffat— the show runner and main writer of the current Doctor Who TV series. I use the term “TV series” because that’s what this program technically is. However, this categorization also unfortunately lumps Sherlock in with every unfunny sitcom or poorly written drama spit out every 10 minutes… When, in reality, Sherlock is an extremely well done movie quality series.
A shaken and scared war veteran named Watson becomes the reluctant roommate of the eccentric Sherlock. Together they prove to be an extremely effective team of detectives. The lurking fear of finding out what’s just around the corner in this show is quite enthralling. I can’t stress enough just how well written this series is. Moffat translates Sherlock Holmes into modern times– without betraying the core of the original characters or the stories. With twists at every turn, Sherlock takes you on an astounding, unpredictable ride.
The Killing of a Chinese Cookie
Netflix / Youtube / Amazon – $2.99
This is a shit cookie. Really. By far one of the most useless documentaries I have ever watched. If you haven’t noticed from my previous columns, I try to highlight positive title options in the streaming media world– instead of focusing on the negatives. I would rather talk about good selections and why people should make them their next watch rather than go on about the truckload of bad movies I’ve unfortunately endured. So why is this title mentioned here? Because it’s deceptive. The poster and movie summary would have you believe that this is a good, nerdy little doc. But that’s wrong. It’s just plain bad. The boring talking heads and unimaginative cut scenes damn near put me to sleep. A college TV station wouldn’t play this shit. I was expecting to pick up a few facts to later impress my friends over Chinese food and instead I lost over an hour of my life that I am never going to get back. PLEASE DON’T WATCH THIS! Save yourself.
America’s Sweethearts / Netflix / Amazon – $2.99
When two of the biggest actors in the world break up before their last movie together can premiere, it’s up to Billy Crystal’s exasperated character Lee to save the day. He’s tasked with convincing the media that not only are his stars madly in love again (they aren’t) but that they are about to premiere the greatest of their movies. (When they don’t even have the film; it’s being held hostage by Christopher Walken’s character in Ted Kaczynski’s former cabin.) It’s light, it’s funny and it’s well made. Can’t ask for more.
Blitz / Netflix / Amazon – $3.99
There’s a reason I make a point of watching all Jason Statham’s movies. He makes action fun and enjoyable pieces of escapism– exactly what they should be. In Blitz, he delivers again. Statham plays a cop who believes in, shall we say, instant justice… Via his fist… And legs… And the occasional piece of sporting equipment. When a maniac starts killing cops in London and no one can catch him through conventional means, Statham’s character is the only man for the job. This action flick delivers more than just roundhouse kicks and upper cuts; it has emotion and nail-biting drama thanks to a very talented supporting cast (including a wonderfully dark villain). Blitz is good because it gives Statham a chance to run through his usual wide range of emotions: Rage and apathy. Frankly, this film is just a cornucopia of kick ass… Making Blitz the IMJ Stream of the Week™.
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