Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

This week, I'm recommending the bizarrely entertaining 1990 film "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," written and directed by Tom Stoppard. Starring Gary Oldman and Tim Roth as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, respectively, the film tells the tale of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, "Hamlet," but from the perspective of those two minor characters.

The real star of the show, however, is the script by Tom Stoppard. Originally a play, Stoppard's take on the material is a fiendishly clever existentialist back and forth between the two title characters as they meander their way through the saga of Shakespeare's doomed Danish prince. It's full of tremendous dialog scenes that are masterfully played my Oldman and Roth, as well as a bombastically theatrical performance from Richard Dreyfuss as the manic leader of a roaming theater company.

The costuming and art direction are all appropriately Shakespearean, and it is rather obvious that the script originated as a play. The direction by Stoppard (who is primarily a man of the theater), is rather pedestrian, and the film does come across as a bit dated (especially when it comes to the score), but given the script's focus on dialog and performance, these are minor issues overall.

Both Roth and Oldman are delightful, and there is one particularly clever scene where they are engaged in a sort of verbal tennis match, rallying witty conversation back and forth over a literal net and court. I've never seen Gary Oldman give a performance quite as lovable as his portrayal "gentle Rosencrantz," and it's fantastic to see further proof of his seemingly limitless range as an actor.

In the end, I can't help but feel like the best way to see this story would be on the stage, as the electricity of a live performance would lend itself quite well to the long and witty verbal sparring of the two leads. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find a good theater performance, and especially difficult to find one headlined by actors as engaging as Tim Roth and Gary Oldman. Therefore, in the absence of a good live performance, Stoppard's film is an excellent substitute, and an easy recommendation for Shakespeare fans and non-fans alike.

Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Anvil! The Story of Anvil

This week, I'm very happy to be recommending the heartwarming critical darling, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil." Directed by Sacha Gervasi, this 2008 documentary explores the story of Canadian metal band Anvil, led by Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner.

The film follows Kudlow and Reiner as they continue to seek success in the world of metal 30 years after their creation of the band as adolescents. Anvil, despite having had an influence on some of the most popular metal musicians in history (Metallica, Anthrax, Slash), had never really managed to find any resounding success among the heyday of 80's metal. When the film begins to follow Kudlow and Reiner, they are working low-paying menial jobs in order to make money to support their continued musical performance.

Despite this, the two men (along with current bassist Glenn Five) are still playing just as enthusiastically as ever. Their very close friendship comes across brilliantly in the film, and even if you aren't a huge fan of their genre of music, it is extremely easy to root for their success as the film progresses. They are clearly talented musicians, and it is obvious how much they love playing metal for a crowd, no matter how small the crowd may be. In addition, both Kudlow and Reiner are perfect examples of stereotypical Canadian politeness.

If this is sounding a lot like "This is Spinal Tap," that's because it sort of is. Unlike that Rob Reiner (just a hilarious coincidence, as it happens) film, though, "Anvil!" is not really meant to make you laugh. You likely will, as there are plenty of funny moments throughout, but it is by no means Gervasi's intent. Like any great story of friendship, there are a few points in the film where those friendships are tested, and those moments are appropriately tense and dramatic, with plenty of pathos earned for these men over the course of the documentary.

Overall, it's an easy recommendation to anyone, but especially fans of 80's metal. You'll meet a band you likely had no idea existed, let alone was so respected by their fans and peers. The personalities of the band members are engaging personalities, and rooting for them as they struggle to find success is quite a satisfying journey. Even if you're not a fan of metal, it's a pretty easy recommendation, as it presents a wonderfully honest tale of friendship that succeeds at tugging gingerly at your heartstrings.

Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Leaves of Grass

Sorry for the late post, but I have been woefully overwhelmed with finals work for school... BUT I SHALL BE OVERWHELMED NO LONGER!!! 'Cause, you know... I finished this afternoon. That is not important, however. What IS important is that it's time for another movie recommendation, and I am quite happy this week to be recommending the 2009 dark comedy-drama "Leaves of Grass," written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson.

You may recognize Tim Blake Nelson as an actor (O Brother Where Art Thou, The Incredible Hulk), and he does make an appearance in this film, but he also the mind behind this quirky crime dramedy. Starring in the film (and co-starring, as the case may be) is the reliably fantastic Edward Norton, playing Ivy League philosophy professor Bill Kincaid and his identical twin pot-growing brother, Brady. The film also features Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, and Keri Russell in supporting roles.

The plot of the film surrounds Bill Kincaid, as he is tricked into leaving his posh university surroundings to visit his cleverly criminal twin brother in a small, Southern town outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Predictably, he ends up getting caught up in a variety of shady dealings as a result of looking exactly like the notorious Brady, and hijinks inevitably ensue. While the plot of the film is relatively standard, it's the execution here that is especially memorable.

The script by Tim Blake Nelson has a great deal of fun with the fact that Bill is a philosophy professor. It opens on a wonderfully written monologue, performed with teacherly subtlety by Norton, where Kincaid is discussing the merits of classical philosophy with his class. Throughout the film, both Bill and Brady have moments of ponderous philosophical conversation, and it's a wonderful examination of the similarities and contrasts between academic philosophy and down-home folksy wisdom. It is said by their mother that Brady has the higher IQ, and he certainly is brilliant in his own quirkily delinquent manner.

Eventually, as tends to be the case in dark crime dramedies, the plot takes a turn for the violent. There are only a few scenes of violence, but they all play out quickly and brutally. While the film is very much engaging from start to finish, I do have a small gripe about the film's violent third act. The film gets much more dramatic, and the pacing ramps up rather rapidly. A lot happens in the final portion of the movie, and it happens a bit too quickly for my tastes. I think the film could have benefited from an extra fifteen minutes or so, but it is quite entertaining throughout. The only downside is that the weight that many of the films climactic moments should have is subverted by the suddenness and brevity with which they happen. It's unfortunate, but by no means a deal breaker.

An easy recommendation, despite its flaws. It's a smartly written film full of enjoyable performances by talented actors. Give it a watch if you like dark, indie dramedies, or if you just like Edward Norton (and really, who doesn't like Edward Norton?).

Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Assassination of a High School President

This week, I'm recommending the film "Assassination of a High School President," which is directed by Brett Simon and stars Reece Daniel Thompson, Mischa Barton, and Bruce Willis. The film aspires to join the illustrious "high school-set noir" genre that includes such great films as "Brick" and... well, pretty much just "Brick." That was, at least, until the release of this film in 2008.

While they are both noir tales told in a high school setting, "Assassination of a High School President" tells its tale of mystery and femme fatales with a great deal more John Hughes-y high schoolery. What I mean by this is that where "Brick" is a no-nonsense, dark and brooding noir mystery, "Assassination" doesn't shy away from the lovable, coming-of-age character work that we usually get in stories set in high school. It's a tricky line to walk, but the film does so with an easily likable sense of humor and a few very enjoyable performances.

Chief among the commendable performances is that of protagonist Bobby Funke, as played by Reece Daniel Thompson. I first saw Thompson in a similar role in a similarly likable high school film called "Rocket Science" (sneaky, sub-recommendation!), and he gives just as honest and relatable a performance here as a sophomore investigative reporter who gets caught up in some pretty shady business at St. Donovan's Catholic high school. He is essentially forced to carry the film, and manages to apply the fun, noir veneer to the adolescent academic proceedings quite convincingly. Also worth noting is a small supporting role by Bruce Willis, who plays the school's militaristic principal with plenty of his characteristic badassery. Less impressive is the performance of Mischa Barton, though she does a competent job as the archetypal femme fatale.

The script by Tim Calpin and Kevin Jakubowski has some fun moments, and the direction by Brett Simon is fluid and engaging without any gratuitous slickness. The world of St. Donovan's is populated by charismatic side characters, and there's often something mischievous happening in the background of shots. The soundtrack is also quite good at melding the mystery with the setting, and there are a few fun montages squeezed out of the musical choices. The overall look of the film has a very appropriate noir-darkness, but it never goes so far as to compromise the tongue-in-cheek tone of the script.

Overall, the pieces here come together to make an enjoyable whole. It's a fun watch if you like your coming-of-age stories with a little twist to make things a bit more exciting, but if you're looking for a high school noir with a little more dramatic bite, definitely check out Rian Johnson's "Brick." This, on the other hand, is a very likable little comedy with a few lovely performances.

Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Marwencol

This week, I'm recommending the 2010 documentary "Marwencol," which is directed by Jeff Malmberg. If your interest was piqued by our discussion of "Harlan Ellison: Dreams With Sharp Teeth," and you're looking for another great documentary to watch, or you feel like watching a documentary but the Harlan Ellison doc doesn't appeal to you, then I strongly recommend you check out "Marwencol."

The film surrounds the fascinating personality that is Mark Hogancamp. In 2000, Hogancamp was the victim of a vicious beating at the hands of five men outside a bar in Kingston, New York. He suffered severe brain damage, and was hospitalized for physical and cognitive therapies for about 40 days. Due to the fact that he could not afford to stay in the hospital any longer, he was forced to leave medical care and take his recovery into his own hands. How does he cope with this trauma? Read on!

As a method of therapy, Hogancamp created his own fictional town, all of which is 1/6th scale to the real world. The town is called Marwencol, and is populated by dolls, most of which are analogous to people Mark knows from the outside world (coworkers, neighbors, his mother, etc.). In Marwencol, a Belgian town circa World War II, a story is unfolding every day, and Hogancamp uses this story to work out all of his frustrations and desires. In Marwencol, Mark's alter ego is married to a beautiful woman. In Marwencol, the townspeople regularly rise up and defeat the monstrous forces of the SS. In Marwencol, everybody gets along, and anyone can be a hero.

I first heard about Mark Hogancamp and Marwencol on a short segment on the short-lived (but quite fantastic in its own right) showtime series, "This American Life." It is, by itself, a powerful and intriguing story, but what Malmberg has done with this feature-length documentary is manage to get even deeper into who Hogancamp is and what exactly Marwencol is able to do for him. It is an incredibly well-structured documentary, and even manages to pack in a few surprise reveals of information that color everything you've seen before and everything you will see in a beautifully subtle and fascinating way.

Stylistically, the film remains engaging throughout, combining new footage filmed by Malmberg and his crew with the story-driven photographs that Hogancamp takes of his fictional town. World War II era music is used to great effect all the way through the film, and the stories Hogancamp tells about the adventures of his townsfolk are full of excitement and flights of fancy, and his photography is gorgeous.

Despite the wondrous quality of Mark's photos and storytelling, he never had any intention of sharing Marwencol with the rest of the world. It was always just meant to be therapeutic, but when he invites a neighbor to see the town, and begins sending him boxes of photographs, the artistic merit of Mark's project is finally revealed to someone outside his closest friends and family. The film does a wonderful job chronicling Hogancamp's struggle with revealing something so personal without ever feeling exploitative. He is a very lovable personality, and you can't help but be drawn into his incredible fantasy world and admire the attention to detail present in what he's doing.

"Marwencol" is a truly delightful documentary that I would have no reservations recommending to anyone. It is engaging throughout its 83 minute runtime, and tells a story both heartbreaking and inspiring. Hogancamp is a fascinating figure, and Malmberg does a great job telling his story with as much respect to the man's disability and artwork as is possible. It is an absolute must-watch for documentary fans.

Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Four Lions

This week, I'm recommending the British comedy "Four Lions," from first-time director Chris Morris. Given the massive international news that broke over the weekend, I thought this film would be a darkly apropos choice. In all honesty, I actually planned on watching and reviewing this film anyway BEFORE the news broke, so it's really just an especially eerie coincidence.

Why is that, you may or may not be asking yourself? Well, "Four Lions" is a dark comedy about a group of hilariously inept jihadists trying to pull off a suicide bombing in the city of London. A controversial premise, yes; but one rife for all sorts of madcap stooge-esque comedy, as well. Despite its often hilarious dialog and occasional moments of explosive slapstick, there is an almost defiant undercurrent of heart running throughout this tale of determined imbeciles. Morris seems to be challenging the audience to root for the actions of these lovable morons, if only because they are just trying SO DAMN HARD to get everything right.

Now, when you take a step back from the action, most of us will likely find the ultimate goal of these aspiring martyrs reprehensible. The performances, however, are just so very enjoyable that it's a little difficult not to care about their fates by the end of the film. The leader of the group, Omar (played with charming determination by Riz Ahmed), serves as the story's heart and soul, as he takes the responsibility of organizing this ragtag group of extremists. This is much to the dismay of fellow jihadist Barry (played with hilariously bull-headed righteousness by Nigel Lindsay), the token white Muslim of the group. The scenes Omar has with his family are especially charming (in a darkly amusing sort of way), such as a scene where Omar is relaying one of his massive fumbles to his young son via the characters from Disney's "The Lion King" in the form of a bedtime story.

Where the film really feels unique, though, is in its final act, where it attempts to balance its dark sense of humor with what can be described as "shit getting real." It does so with moderate success, and while it's not nearly as hilarious as the earlier portions of the film, it certainly has a memorable conclusion.

While its controversial subject matter may be a bit too much for some, those with a taste for dark, wittily written comedy about utter morons should definitely give this film a chance. I've been wanting to see it ever since it's well-received limited release in 2010, and now that it's on Netlix Instant Watch, it is much more easily available. I'd heartily recommend a watch.