Director Series - Steven Spielberg

STEVEN SPIELBERG
Birth Name: Steven Allan Spielberg
Birth Date: Dec. 18, 1946
Birth Place: Cincinnati, Ohio
Features Directed: 28 and counting
Features I've Seen: 23 (82%)


Steven Spielberg is probably the most successful movie-maker ever, if measured as box office clout.  He began his love of making movies as early as 12 years old, making short, 8mm adventure films, often involving wrecks on his toy train set.  In 1963, at the age of 16, he wrote and directed his first independent film titled "Firelight" which would serve as an inspiration for "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind".  When his parents got divorced, Steven moved to California with his father.  While out there he attended Universal Studios as an unpaid intern.  He would sit in on editing and got to meeting some of the right people.  Spielberg wrote and directed a short film at Universal titled "Amblin" (what would later become the name of his own production company).  After the vice president of Universal's TV Department saw the short film, he signed Spielberg to a long term deal, becoming the youngest contract director for the studio.  He helmed episodes for such TV shows as "Marcus Welby, MD", "Rod Serling's Night Gallery" and "Columbo".  He was asked to direct a TV film titled "Duel" (which was released theatrically after some of Spielberg's success).  From there he never looked back.  He always seems to have a strong moral stand in his films, some people feel a little shoved down our throats, but I always loved his style.  Mixing heartfelt sentiment with high humour and usually having characters overcome some obstacle, you know you're in for a good time watching a Spielberg film.  He has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards, 6 as Best Director, winning 3 in total.  What follows is a list of Steven Spielberg's movies I've seen, listed in three different categories, chronologically (imdb.com score in brackets):


MUST SEE
Jaws - 1975 (8.2): The first Summer blockbuster is as good today as it was ground-breaking then!
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - 1977 (7.8): Spielberg's first big sci-fi extravaganza.  Fantastic!
Raiders Of The Lost Ark - 1981 (8.7):  Probably my favourite film EVER!  Perfect, non-stop thrills and action!
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - 1982 (7.9):  Saw it 5 times in the theatre.  Great for kids and adults alike.
Jurassic Park - 1993 (7.9):  Scared the crap out of me when I saw it...and I was 21!!!
Schindler's List - 1993 (8.9):  Absolutely beautiful and evil at the same time.  A near-perfect film.
Minority Report - 2002 (7.7):  Much better than most reviews I've seen.  Interesting with good action.
Catch Me If You Can - 2002 (7.8): A lot of fun.  A good chase movie with two very able actors.
Munich - 2005 (7.7):  A very good thriller with, what I think, is a great performance from Eric Bana.


NICE TO SEE
Duel - 1971 (7.7): Great tension filled scenes with only two vehicles on the road.
Indy & The Temple Of Doom - 1984 (7.5):  Not as bad as everyone makes it out to be...but not great.
Empire Of The Sun - 1987 (7.7):  Great performances and cinematography.
Indy & The Last Crusade - 1989 (8.3):  Very good recovery from the second, but the first is still the best!
Always - 1989 (6.2):  Sweet, touching, well-acted.  Audrey Hepburn's last film.
Saving Private Ryan - 1998 (8.5):  The first 30 minutes are UNBELIEVABLE, but becomes only ok afterwards.
The Terminal - 2004 (7.2):  Tom Hanks is good, but you may lose interest too quickly.
Indy & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull - 2008 (6.4):  Worked occasionally, but missed the mark too often.


NO NEED TO SEE
1941 - 1979 (5.7):  Easily Spielberg's worst film.  An un-funny comedy that misses on so many levels.
Twilight Zone The Movie (Segment 2) - 1983 (6.3):  Disappointing on all fronts. 
Hook - 1991 (6.3):  Kids might enjoy it, but I didn't.  Only Dustin Hoffman scored marks.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 1997 (6.1):  A very un-needed money-grabber.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence - 2001 (7.0):  Quite frankly bored me.
War Of The Worlds - 2005 (6.5):  I wanted to like it...I really did...but I didn't.

Director Series - Martin Scorsese

MARTIN SCORSESE
Birth Name: Martin Charles Scorsese
Birth Date: Nov. 17, 1942
Birth Place: Queens, New York
Features Directed: 29 and counting
Features I've Seen: 21 (72%)


Martin Scorsese developed a passion for film at a very young age.  He grew up with asthma, which kept him from playing sports with other kids.  To keep him busy, his parents would send him to the movie theatres.  He was raised in a devoutly Catholic environment which led him to wanting to be a priest.  But his passion for the cinema grew and he decided to attend NYU's College Of Arts And Science.  He earned a Masters Of Fine Arts at NYU's Tisch School Of The Arts in 1966.  His first feature starred a fellow student named Harvey Keitel and was titled "Who's That Knocking On My Door".  Scorsese used quick editing, an ever-flowing camera, loud music and a strong conflict between religion and violence, something that he would expand on and perfect in the years to come.  In the early 1970's, director Brian DePalma introduced Scorsese to an actor he had been working with, one Robert DeNiro.  DeNiro would go on to star in no less than eight of Scorsese's films, one of the greatest partnerships in cinema.  Scorsese's love for music has led him to direct some documentaries on the subject including ones focussing on The Band, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and George Harrison.  He has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning his first for directing "The Departed".  Four of his movies have been nominated for Best Picture at the Cannes Film Festival, winning once for "Taxi Driver".  What follows is a list of Martin Scorsese's movies I've seen, listed in three different categories, chronologically (imdb.com score in brackets):


MUST SEE
Mean Streets - 1973 (7.5):  DeNiro is fantastic, as well as Keitel.  Really great camera movement.
Taxi Driver - 1976 (8.5): It may look dated now, but what an impact!!
The Last Waltz - 1978 (8.0): One of the best music docs ever.  Great performances, great insight.
Raging Bull - 1980 (8.4): My fave!  Still can't believe Scorsese didn't win Best Director.  A masterpiece!
The King Of Comedy - 1983 (7.7):  Jerry Lewis was never better.  Great social satire ala "Network".
Goodfellas - 1990 (8.8): An incredibly well-crafted film.  Brutally violent, but not gratuitous.
Casino - 1995 (8.2): Very similar to "Goodfellas" in structure, so it has to be good.  Sharon Stone was great.
The Aviator - 2004 (7.5): Very long, but held my interest throughout.  Realized how good Leo is!
Shutter Island - 2010 (8.0): I didn't think I'd like this movie nearly as much as I did.  Loved it, in fact.


NICE TO SEE
Who's That Knocking At My Door? - 1967 (6.8): The first is interesting, but unpolished.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore - 1974 (7.4): Got away from violence, great performance from Ellen Burstyn.
After Hours - 1985 (7.6): Really showed off camerawork here.  Underrated, fun film.
The Last Temptation Of Christ - 1988 (7.6): Nobody else could have made this movie.
New York Stories ("Life Lessons") - 1989 (6.2)
Gangs Of New York - 2002 (7.4): Went on waaaay too long, but some hugely powerful scenes.
The Departed - 2006 (8.5):  I liked it, but it was hyped so much.  And Mark Wahlberg was AWFUL!
Shine A Light - 2008 (7.2): Doc on The Rolling Stones felt like it should have been more in depth.


NO NEED TO SEE
The Color Of Money - 1986 (6.9): I was never a fan...thought Tom Cruise was AWFUL!
Cape Fear - 1991 (7.3): I became tired of DeNiro's act quite quickly.  Rousing finale, though.
The Age Of Innocence - 1993 (7.2): Some great performances, but boring.
Bringing Out The Dead - 1999 (6.8):  Still bored by this movie.  Seems as though Scorsese had little to work with.


That's Marty...who will be next???

Director Series - Woody Allen

So I decided to take the whole movie list thing a little further.  I've made a list of directors in which I've seen a vast majority of their movies.  As a service to y'all, and as another reason to compile a list of something, I will feature one or two directors every few days and supply a tally of the movies of theirs that I've seen, and a little bit of what I think of them.  I've left off many, what most people would claim to be, premiere directors...those that may have revolutionized film in one way or another.  I've done this for a simple reason; I haven't seen many of their films.  Directors like Akira Kurowsawa, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Luis Bunuel, Francois Truffaut and so on.  I've seen a few of their films, but the majority of the movies I watch are mainstream, American-made, stretching mostly from the 1970's to today.  So have a look, agree or disagree, and enjoy...

WOODY ALLEN
Birth Name: Allen Stewart Konigsberg
Birth Date: Dec. 1, 1935
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York
Features Directed: 43 and counting
Features I've Seen: 38 (88%)

Woody Allen got his start as a comedy writer for the likes of The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show and Sid Caesar Specials.  This was in the mid-1950's, at the beginnings of television.  In 1961 he turned his attention to stand-up comedy where he invented his neurotic, nervous but intellectual persona that has served him so well through the years.  He soon began writing plays, his first success being Don't Drink The Water which ran on Broadway in 1966.  From this came the opportunity to write movie scripts - and the rest is history.  Allen has been nominated for a total of 21 Academy Awards throughout his illustrious career; 14 for screenwriting, 6 for directing and 1 for acting.  He has won 3 times.  As far as I can tell, his movies have garnered a total of 46 Academy Award nominations.  His style has changed through the years, starting off more slapstick comedy, turning to more intellectual comedies, reaching out to some high drama and back again.  But one thing that remains constant in his films is the feeling of the viewer eavesdropping on a character's life.  It's as if we are the proverbial fly-on-the-wall, listening in on big secrets and feelings.  Somehow, Allen has consistently gotten the best out of his actors, showing some on a level that may have not been noticed before.  He is easily the most prolific filmmaker of our time, rarely missing a year without releasing a new film.  What follows is a list of Woody Allen's movies I've seen, listed in three different categories, chronologically (imdb.com score in brackets):

MUST SEE
Bananas - 1971 (7.1): Woody's talent of slapstick scenes begins with this film.
Sleeper - 1973 (7.3):  Hilarious futuristic comedy
Love And Death - 1975 (7.7):  Rarely seen or talked about, but one of my faves!
Annie Hall - 1977 (8.2): What many consider to be Allen's masterpiece, originally written as a drama!
Manhattan - 1979 (8.1):  What I consider to be Allen's masterpiece...can watch it over and over again.
Zelig - 1983 (7.7): Brilliant idea, great photography, and funny.
The Purple Rose Of Cairo - 1985 (7.7): Another great idea, beautifully played by Mia Farrow.
Hannah And Her Sisters - 1986 (7.9): Phenomenal ensemble acting
Crimes And Misdemeanors - 1989 (8.0): Brilliant mix of comedy and drama.
Husbands And Wives - 1992 (7.4): Some more phenomenal ensemble acting.
Bullets Over Broadway - 1994 (7.5)
Match Point - 2005 (7.8):  Woody goes to London, and scores big!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - 2008 (7.3):  Definitely all about Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.


NICE TO SEE
Take The Money And Run - 1969 (7.2): The first intro to Woody's neurotic, nebbish.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex - 1972 (6.8)
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy - 1982 (6.6)
Broadway Danny Rose - 1984 (7.4)
Radio Days - 1987 (7.5): A great love story to the past.
Another Woman - 1988 (7.3):  Gena Rowlands is AMAZING!
New York Stories (Oedipus Wrecks) - 1989 (6.2)
Alice - 1990 (6.5):  Woody's take on Alice In Wonderland
Manhattan Murder Mystery - 1993 (7.3): A lot of fun.
Mighty Aphrodite - 1995 (7.0):  The Greek chorus makes this film worth watching.
Deconstructing Harry - 1997 (7.3):  Robin Williams was great.
The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion - 2001 (6.7)
Melinda And Melinda - 2004 (6.5): Will Ferrell does alright, but its all about Chiwetel Ejiofor!
Scoop - 2006 (6.7)
Cassandra's Dream - 2007 (6.8):  Better than it looks, and great performances.
Whatever Works - 2009 (7.2):  Larry David does a great impression of Woody.
You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger - 2010 (6.4)


NO NEED TO SEE
What's Up, Tiger Lily? - 1966 (6.1): An over-dub of a Japanese film, the joke went on too long.
Stardust Memories - 1980 (7.2): Allen's nod to Fellini's 8 1/2...I didn't like it.
September - 1987 (6.5):  A Bergman-esque tale that I found waaaaaay too slow
Everyone Says I Love You - 1996 (6.8):  A Woody Allen musical...I didn't enjoy.
Celebrity - 1998 (6.2):  Seemed to go nowhere.
Small Time Crooks - 2000 (6.5):  Probably my least favourite Woody Allen film.
Hollywood Ending - 2002 (6.4)
Anything Else - 2003 (6.3): Another one I never need to see again!

Ok, so that's it for Woody.  More directors to follow...stay tuned...

Hooray For Netflix, Part IV

Well, here it is, the last of the list...from S to Z.  Turns out I've seen 685 movies that are currently on Netflix Canada, as of November 23rd.  I actually use another website that gives me daily updates as to what is added to Netflix, so between November 24th and today I could add another 15 titles including the first three Star Trek movies, Clerks, Pulp Fiction, The Mist and Chasing Amy.  My point to all this?  I have no idea.  I guess I just wanted to validate to myself that Netflix Canada is worth the $8 a month and it can be for others.  Of the 685 movies, I've recommended about 175 and there are plenty more that are good enough.  I haven't even mentioned the TV shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Weeds, Huff, and tons more.  I hope this exercise has proved useful to some of you.  Up next will be some of my favourite directors and the movies of theirs I've seen.  Here are the two links I use almost everyday that keep me up on what Netflix Canada has to offer:
http://netflixcanadacompletelist.blogspot.com/2011/11/complete-list-alphabetical-wed-nov-23.html
 http://can.whatsnewonnetflix.com/

...and the rest of my list:

1. S.W.A.T. - 2003
2. Sahara - 2005
3. Saved! - 2004
4. Saw - 2004
5. Saw II - 2005
6. School Daze - 1988
7. School Ties - 1992
8. Scoop - 2006
9. Sea Of Love - 1989
10. Secret Of My Success, The - 1987
11. Secret Window - 2004
12. Secretary - 2002
13. Secrets & Lies - 1996
14. Sense And Sensibility - 1995
15. Serenity - 2005
16. Seventh Sign, The - 1988
17. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1978
18. Shaft - 2000
19. Shakes The Clown - 1992
20. Shape Of Things, The - 2003
21. Shaun Of The Dead - 2004
22. SherryBaby - 2006
23. Shine - 1996
24. Short Circuit - 1986
25. Short Cuts - 1993
26. Six Degrees Of Separation - 1993
27. Sixteen Candles - 1984
28. Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow - 2004
29. Slap Shot - 1977
30. Sleuth - 2007
31. Slumdog Millionaire - 2008
32. Smokey And The Bandit - 1977
33. Snatch - 2000
34. Sneakers - 1992
35. So I Married An Axe Murderer - 1993
36. Soul Plane - 2004
37. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut - 1999
38. Spanglish - 2004
39. Spirit, The - 2008
40. Spun - 2002
41. Spy Game - 2001
42. St. Elmo's Fire - 1985
43. Stagecoach - 1939
44. Stand By Me - 1986
45. Standard Operating Procedure - 2008
46. Star Trek - 2009
47. Starman - 1984
48. Steel Magnolias - 1989
49. Stigmata - 1999
50. Streets Of Fire - 1984
51. Stripes - 1981
52. Sugar - 2008
53. Summer School - 1987
54. Sunshine Cleaning - 2008
55. Super Size Me - 2004
56. Super Troopers - 2002
57. Superbad - 2007
58. Superman: The Movie - 1978
59. Sweetest Thing, The - 2002
60. Swimming With Sharks - 1995
61. Tailor Of Panama, The - 2001
62. Taken - 2008
63. Taking Of Pelham One, Two Three, The - 1974
64. Talk To Me - 2007
65. Tape - 2001
66. Taxi Driver - 1976
67. Teen Wolf - 1985
68. Teeth - 2006
69. Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny - 2006
70. Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 1991
71. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The - 2003
72. They Live - 1988
73. Thin Blue Line, The - 1988
74. Thin Red Line, The - 1998
75. Thing, The - 1982
76. This Film Is Not Yet Rated - 2006
77. This Is England - 2006
78. Three O'Clock High - 1987
79. Thumbsucker - 2005
80. To Die For - 1995
81. To Sir, With Love - 1966
82. Tommy - 1975
83. Tommy Boy - 1995
84. Tootsie - 1982
85. Toy, The - 1982
86. Toys - 1992
87. Traffic - 2000
88. Traitor - 2008
89. Trapped - 2002
90. Tremors - 1990
91. Trouble With Harry, The - 1955
92. True Believer - 1989
93. Two Lovers - 2008
94. UHF - 1989
95. Ultraviolet - 2006
96. Uncle Buck - 1989
97. Undercover Brother - 2002
98. Underworld - 2003
99. United 93 - 2006
100. Vacancy - 2007
101. Vampire In Brooklyn - 1995
102. Van Helsing - 2004
103. Vanishing, The - 1993
104. Velocity Of Gary, The - 1999
105. Vertigo - 1958
106. Very Bad Things - 1998
107. Vice Versa - 1988
108. Videodrome - 1983
109. Visitor, The - 2007
110. Wag The Dog - 1997
111. Waiting… - 2005
112. Walk All Over Me - 2007
113. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - 2007
114. WarGames - 1983
115. Waterworld - 1995
116. We Own The Night - 2007
117. We're No Angels - 1989
118. Weird Science - 1985
119. Welcome To The Dollhouse - 1995
120. What Doesn't Kill You - 2008
121. What Happens In Vegas - 2008
122. What's Up, Tiger Lily? - 1966
123. Whatever Works - 2009
124. When You're Strange - 2009
125. Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? - 2008
126. Whip It - 2009
127. White Chicks - 2004
128. White Men Can't Jump - 1992
129. White Nights - 1985
130. Wild One, The - 1953
131. Willard - 2003
132. Winter Passing - 2005
133. Without A Paddle - 2004
134. Witness For The Prosecution - 1957
135. Wiz, The - 1978
136. Wolf - 1994
137. Wonderland - 2003
138. Wordplay - 2006
139. Wrestler, The - 2008
140. Wristcutters: A Love Story - 2006
141. Xanadu - 1980
142. Yes Men, The - 2003
143. Young Frankenstein - 1974
144. Young Sherlock Holmes - 1985
145. Zack & Miri Make A Porno - 2008
146. Zoolander - 2001

Hooray For Netflix, Part III

Here's the next list for those keeping track, letters M to R.  I'm at 539 movies in total so far.  I hope there are some recommendations that you're all interested in.  Remember, bolded items are recommended and items in red should probably not be seen....

1. Mad Max - 1979
2. Made - 2001
3. Madness Of King George, The - 1994
4. Magnificent Seven, The - 1960
5. Mallrats - 1995
6. Man For All Seasons, A - 1966
7. Man On The Moon - 1999
8. Man With The Golden Arm, The - 1955
9. Man, The - 2005
10. Manhattan Murder Mystery - 1993
11. Marie Antoinette - 2006
12. Marley & Me - 2008
13. Marnie - 1964
14. Marty - 1955
15. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - 1994
16. Meet The Parents - 2000
17. Memento - 2000
18. Middle Men - 2009
19. Midnight Cowboy - 1969
20. Midnight Run - 1988
21. Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, A - 1982
22. Milk - 2008
23. Miller's Crossing - 1990
24. Miracle Worker, The - 1962
25. Missing - 1982
26. Mixed Nuts - 1994
27. Mobsters - 1991
28. Monster - 2003
29. Monster's Ball - 2001
30. Monty Python's: The Meaning Of Life - 1983
31. Mr. Baseball - 1992
32. Mr. Mom - 1983
33. Mrs. Henderson Presents - 2005
34. Much Ado About Nothing - 1993
35. Multiplicity - 1996
36. Munich - 2005
37. Muppets Take Manhattan, The - 1984
38. Muse, The - 1999
39. My Bodyguard - 1980
40. My Girl - 1991
41. My Life - 1993
42. My Name Is Bruce - 2006
43. Mystery Men - 1999
44. National Lampoon's Van Wilder - 2002
45. Neighbors - 1981
46. Net, The - 1995
47. Next - 2007
48. Niagara Motel - 2006
49. Night Of The Hunter, The - 1955
50. Nine Months - 1995
51. Nine Queens - 2000
52. Nine To Five - 1980
53. Ninth Gate, The - 1999
54. No Strings Attached - 2011
55. No Way Out - 1987
56. Noise - 2007
57. Not Another Teen Movie - 2001
58. Notebook, The - 2004
59. Nothing But The Truth - 2008
60. Notorious Bettie Page, The - 2005
61. Notting Hill - 1999
62. Number 23, The - 2007
63. Obsession - 1976
64. Of Mice And Men - 1992
65. Office Space - 1999
66. On The Waterfront - 1954
67. One False Move - 1991
68. One Night At McCool's - 2001
69. One Week - 2008
70. Only You - 1994
71. Open Water - 2004
72. Open Your Eyes - 1997
73. Out Of Sight - 1998
74. Owning Mahowny - 2003
75. Panic Room - 2002
76. Paper Chase, The - 1973
77. Paper, The - 1994
78. Paranormal Activity - 2007
79. Paranormal Activity 2 - 2010
80. Parenthood - 1989
81. Party, The - 1968
82. Paths Of Glory - 1957
83. Patton - 1970
84. Peggy Sue Got Married - 1986
85. People Vs. Larry Flynt, The - 1996
86. Percy Jackson And The Olympians: The Lightning Thief - 2010
87. Permanent Midnight - 1998
88. Philadelphia - 1993
89. Pi - 1998
90. Pitch Black - 2000
91. Places In The Heart - 1984
92. Planes, Trains And Automobiles - 1987
93. Planet B-Boy - 2007
94. Play It Again, Sam - 1972
95. Play Misty For Me - 1971
96. Player, The - 1992
97. Pleasantville - 1998
98. Poetic Justice - 1993
99. Popeye - 1980
100. Prairie Home Companion, A - 2006
101. Predator - 1987
102. Predators - 2010
103. Premonition - 2007
104. Primary Colors - 1998
105. Princess Bride, The - 1987
106. Principal, The - 1987
107. Private School - 1983
108. Producers, The - 2005
109. Prom Night - 1980
110. Proposition, The - 2005
111. Psycho - 1960
112. Punch-Drunk Love - 2002
113. Pursuit Of Happyness, The - 2006
114. Quick And The Dead, The - 1995
115. Quigley Down Under - 1990
116. Rachel Getting Married - 2008
117. Radio - 2003
118. Raising Arizona - 1987
119. Raw - 1987
120. Reader, The - 2008
121. Real Genius - 1985
122. Reality Bites - 1994
123. Red Dragon - 2002
124. Red River - 1948
125. Redbelt - 2008
126. Remains Of The Day, The - 1993
127. Repulsion - 1965
128. Requiem For A Dream - 2000
129. Reservoir Dogs - 1992
130. Resident Evil - 2002
131. Return Of The Seacaucus 7 - 1980
132. Return To Me - 2000
133. Return To Paradise - 1998
134. Revenge Of The Nerds - 1984
135. Righteous Kill - 2008
136. Ringmaster - 1998
137. River Runs Through It, A - 1992
138. River Wild, The - 1994
139. Road Trip - 2000
140. Rob Roy - 1995
141. RoboCop - 1987
142. Rules Of Attraction, The - 2002
143. Rumble Fish - 1983
144. Runaway - 1984
145. Running Scared - 2006
146. Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, The - 1966
147. RV - 2006

Hooray For Netflix, Part II

Just a quick update on the movies I've seen that are available on Netflix Canada.  These will be grouped from E to L.  To remind you, for those making their own lists out there, titles in bold are ones I recommend and titles written in red are ones to stay away from if at all possible.  I'll post the link to the complete list again (as of Nov. 23) in case you're interested:
http://netflixcanadacompletelist.blogspot.com/2011/11/complete-list-alphabetical-wed-nov-23.html
More to come in a few days....

1. Earth Girls Are Easy - 1989
2. Easy Rider - 1969
3. Eight Men Out - 1988
4. El Mariachi - 1992
5. Elephant Man, The - 1980
6. Employee Of The Month - 2004
7. Eric Bogosian: Wake Up And Smell The Coffee - 2001
8. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind - 2004
9. Ex, The - 2006
10. Exit Through The Gift Shop - 2010
11. Exorcism Of Emily Rose, The - 2005
12. Extract - 2009
13. Fabulous Baker Boys, The - 1989
14. Factory Girl - 2006
15. Family Business - 1989
16. Fan, The - 1996
17. Fantastic Mr. Fox - 2009
18. Fargo - 1996
19. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas - 1998
20. Fierce Creatures - 1997
21. Firestarter - 1984
22. First Knight - 1995
23. Fisher King, The - 1991
24. Five Easy Pieces - 1970
25. Five Fingers - 2006
26. Flatliners - 1990
27. Flawless - 1999
28. Fletch - 1985
29. Fly, The - 1986
30. Flyboys - 2006
31. Following - 1998
32. Foolproof - 2003
33. Forgotten, The - 2004
34. Formula 51 - 2001
35. Foxy Brown - 1974
36. Freddy Vs. Jason - 2003
37. Freedomland - 2005
38. French Connection, The - 1971
39. Frenzy - 1972
40. Freshman, The - 1990
41. Friday The 13th - 1980
42. Friday The 13th: Part 2 - 1981
43. Friday The 13th: Part 3 - 1982
44. Friday The 13th: Part 4 - The Final Chapter - 1984
45. Friday The 13th: Part 6 - Jason Lives - 1986
46. Friday The 13th: Part 7 - The New Blood - 1988
47. Friday The 13th: Part 8 - Jason Takes Manhattan - 1989
48. Fried Green Tomatoes - 1991
49. Fright Night - 1985
50. Front, The - 1976
51. Frozen River - 2008
52. Full Monty, The - 1997
53. Fun With Dick And Jane - 2005
54. Funny Girl - 1968
55. Game, The - 1997
56. Gardens Of Stone - 1987
57. Gattaca - 1997
58. Gentlemen Broncos - 2009
59. Girl, Interrupted - 1999
60. Glengarry Glen Ross - 1992
61. Glory - 1989
62. Go - 1999
63. Gods And Monsters - 1998
64. Good Luck Chuck - 2007
65. Good Thief, The - 2002
66. Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, The - 2009
67. Gosford Park - 2001
68. Grapes Of Wrath, The - 1940
69. Great Outdoors, The - 1988
70. Great Train Robbery, The - 1978
71. Gridiron Gang - 2006
72. Grifters, The - 1990
73. Groundhog Day - 1993
74. Grudge, The - 2004
75. Guarding Tess - 1994
76. Guess Who - 2005
77. Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, A - 2006
78. Gung Ho - 1986
79. Hackers - 1995
80. Half Baked - 1998
81. Halloween II - 1981
82. Hannibal Rising - 2007
83. Happening, The - 2008
84. Happy Endings - 2005
85. Hard Candy - 2005
86. Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay - 2008
87. Harry Brown - 2009
88. Harsh Times - 2005
89. Heart And Souls - 1993
90. Hebrew Hammer, The - 2003
91. Heights - 2005
92. Hellboy - 2004
93. High Art - 1998
94. High School High - 1996
95. High Tension - 2003
96. Higher Learning - 1995
97. Highlander - 1992
98. Hollow Man - 2000
99. Hollywood Homicide - 2003
100. Hollywoodland - 2006
101. Hoodwinked - 2004
102. Hoop Dreams - 1994
103. Host, The - 2006
104. Hot Fuzz - 2007
105. House Of 1000 Corpses - 2003
106. House Of Flying Daggers - 2004
107. Howard The Duck - 1986
108. Hudson Hawk - 1991
109. Hunger - 2008
110. Hurt Locker, The - 2008
111. Husbands And Wives - 1992
112. Hustle & Flow - 2005
113. Hustler, The - 1961
114. I Am Love - 2009
115. I Know What You Did Last Summer - 1997
116. I Spy - 2002
117. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer - 1998
118. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead - 2003
119. I'm Gonna Git You Sucka - 1988
120. I've Loved You So Long - 2008
121. Ice Storm, The - 1997
122. Ichi The Killer - 2001
123. Identity - 2003
124. Idle Hands - 1999
125. Igby Goes Down - 2002
126. Illusionist, The - 2006
127. Immortal Beloved - 1994
128. In Bruges - 2008
129. In Cold Blood - 1967
130. In The Cut - 2003
131. Informers, The - 2008
132. Inside Man - 2006
133. Intermission - 2003
134. Into The Night - 1985
135. It Could Happen To You - 1994
136. It Might Get Loud - 2008
137. It's All Gone Pete Tong - 2004
138. Jade - 1995
139. Jarhead - 2005
140. Johnny Dangerously - 1984
141. Junebug - 2005
142. Juror, The - 1996
143. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - 2011
144. K-9 - 1989
145. Kickin' It Old School - 2007
146. Kid Stays In The Picture, The - 2002
147. Killing Me Softly - 2002
148. Killing Zoe - 1994
149. Killing, The - 1956
150. Kindergarten Cop - 1990
151. King Of California - 2007
152. King Of Kong, The - 2007
153. King Of New York - 1990
154. Kiss The Girls - 1997
155. Knight And Day - 2010
156. Kung Fu Hustle - 2004
157. La Bamba - 1987
158. La Femme Nikita - 1990
159. Ladies Man, The - 1990
160. Lady Vanishes, The - 1938
161. Lantana - 2001
162. Last Action Hero - 1993
163. Last Detail, The - 1973
164. Last Of The Mohicans, The - 1992
165. Last Picture Show, The - 1991
166. Last Tango In Paris - 1972
167. Last Temptation Of Christ, The - 1988
168. Laurel Canyon - 2003
169. Layer Cake - 2004
170. League Of Their Own, A - 1992
171. Liar Liar - 1997
172. Liberty Stands Still - 2002
173. Licence To Drive - 1988
174. Life - 1999
175. Life and Times Of Hank Greenberg, The - 1998
176. Life Of David Gale, The - 2003
177. Little Children - 2006
178. Little Man - 2006
179. Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels - 1998
180. Lord Of War - 2005
181. Loser - 2000
182. Lost In Translation - 2003
183. Love Actually - 2003
184. Love And Other Drugs - 2010
185. Love Liza - 2002
186. Love Song For Bobby Long, A - 2004
187. Lover, The - 1992
188. Loverboy - 1989
189. Lucky Number Slevin - 2006

Hooray For Netflix! Part I

So I thought I'd provide a bit of a service to any of my followers.  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you have probably noticed I like to create lists.  I've been doing this for as long as I remember.  When I was 12 or 13 years old I begged, begged my mom for a book that was over $100.  It was The Baseball Encyclopedia.  I took the thousands of pages of stats in this book and re-wrote many of them in my own way.  I filled up notebook after notebook of lists based on the statistics of over one-hundred years of baseball.  Crazy, I know, but this obsessive compulsive behaviour has stuck with me.  Now I make lists of everything: the movies I own, the movies I've seen, the movies I'd like to see, baseball and hockey stats, etc., etc..  Hopefully, reading these lists on my blog has been interesting or helpful to some of you.  Well, now I get most of my movie and TV show entertainment off of Netflix, and I've heard a lot of grumbling about how Netflix Canada sucks because of their shoddy selection.  (By the way, I'm writing this as a commercial with Russell Peters came on the TV and it reminds me of how un-funny he is!  We can discuss this at another time).  (Shit, now it's Russell Oliver...all Russells suck).  Where was I?  Oh yeah, Netflix Canada doesn't have nearly as many options as it's U.S. counterpart, granted, but there is still plenty to see.  I've made a list of over 100 movies that I would like to see that I haven't seen before.  That would take up about a year of my life.  (I don't watch as many movies as I used to.  There were years I watched over 300...I know this because I have a list!).  There is no doubt that as I'm watching these 100 or so movies there would be more coming on to Netflix.   Their catalog grows, literally, daily.  I have found a website that tries to update the complete list of Netflix movies and TV shows as often as possible...let me see if I can link it here:http://netflixcanadacompletelist.blogspot.com/2011/11/complete-list-alphabetical-wed-nov-23.html
...hey, it worked...I'm usually really bad at this...
Anyway, I found another opportunity to make a list, but it's taking me longer than I thought it would, which is a good thing in this case.  What follows, if you'd like to read on, is the first part of my list of films I've seen that are currently available on Netflix Canada.  The list is only from #'s to D, and it's already over 200.  As my service to you, I have bolded movies that I think should definitely be viewed and wrote in red those that should be avoided.  I hope this list helps someone to find some great viewing, but, really, I don't care...it's just another excuse to write a list!  More to follow as I keep listing...enjoy.

1. (500) Days Of Summer - 2009
2. …And Justice For All - 1979
3. 12 Monkeys - 1995
4. 127 Hours - 2010
5. 13 Going On 30 - 2004
6. 1941 - 1979
7. 21 Grams - 2003
8. 28 Days - 2000
9. 39 Steps, The - 1935
10. A-Team, The - 2010
11. About A Boy - 2002
12. About Last Night… - 1986
13. Accepted - 2006
14. Across The Universe - 2007
15. Adaptation - 2002
16. Adventureland - 2008
17. Adventures Of Baron Munchausen, The - 1989
18. African Queen, The - 1951
19. Against All Odds - 1984
20. Age Of Innocence, The - 1993
21. Aileen: Life And Death Of A Serial Killer - 2003
22. Air America - 1990
23. Air Force One - 1997
24. Airheads - 1994
25. Aliens - 1986
26. All About Eve - 1950
27. All About Steve - 2009
28. All I Want - 2002
29. All The Real Girls - 2003
30. Along Came Polly - 2004
31. Always - 1985
32. America's Sweethearts - 2001
33. American Dreamz - 2006
34. American Gangster - 2006
35. American History X - 1998
36. American Me - 1992
37. American Movie - 1999
38. American Psycho - 2000
39. An Affair To Remember - 1957
40. An Education - 2008
41. An Evening With Kevin Smith - 2002
42. Anatomy Of A Murder - 1959
43. Angela's Ashes - 2000
44. Animal, The - 2001
45. Annie - 1982
46. Apartment, The - 1960
47. Apollo 13 - 1995
48. Appaloosa - 2008
49. Are We There Yet? - 2005
50. Arlington Road - 1999
51. Art School Confidential - 2006
52. Assassin Next Door, The - 2009
53. Assassination Of A High School President - 2008
54. Assault On Precinct 13 - 1976
55. Astronaut's Wife, The - 1999
56. Awakenings - 1990
57. Away We Go - 2009
58. Babe - 1995
59. Babe: Pig In The City - 1998
60. Backdraft - 1991
61. Bad Boys - 1995
62. Bad Lieutenant - 1992
63. Bananas - 1971
64. Barbarella - 1968
65. Barton Fink - 1991
66. BASEketball - 1998
67. Basic - 2003
68. Basic Instinct - 1992
69. Batman: The Movie - 1966
70. Be Cool - 2005
71. Be Kind Rewind - 2008
72. Beat Street - 1984
73. Beavis And Butthead Do America - 1996
74. Beethoven - 1992
75. Being John Malkovich - 1999
76. Benchwarmers, The - 2006
77. Benny And Joon - 1993
78. Bewitched - 2005
79. Big Chill, The - 1983
80. Big Hit, The - 1998
81. Billy Madison - 1995
82. Biloxi Blues - 1988
83. Birds, The - 1963
84. Birdy - 1984
85. Birth - 2004
86. Black Snake Moan - 2007
87. Black Swan - 2010
88. Blade - 1998
89. Blade: Trinity - 2004
90. Blair Witch Project, The - 1999
91. Blame It On Rio - 1984
92. Blue Lagoon, The - 1980
93. Blue Streak - 1999
94. Blue Thunder - 1983
95. Blues Brothers, The - 1980
96. Blues Brothers 2000, The - 1998
97. Boat Trip - 2000
98. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice - 1969
99. Bobby - 2006
100. Body Double - 1984
102. Boogie Nights - 1997
103. Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 - 2000
104. Boomerang - 1992
105. Border, The - 1982
106. Bottle Rocket - 1996
107. Bottle Shock - 2008
108. Bounty, The - 1984
109. Bowling For Columbine - 2002
110. Boys Don't Cry - 1999
111. Boyz N The Hood - 1991
112. Bram Stoker's Dracula - 1992
113. Breaker Morant - 1980
114. Breakfast Club, The - 1985
115. Brewster's Millions - 1985
116. Brick - 2005
117. Bridge On The River Kwai, The - 1957
118. Brief Encounter - 1945
119. Broadway Danny Rose - 1984
120. Brokedown Palace - 1999
121. Brother's Keeper - 1992
122. Brown Bunny, The - 2004
123. Bruce Almighty - 2003
124. Bubba Ho-Tep - 2003
125. Buddy Holly Story, The - 1978
126. Bugsy - 1991
127. Burbs, The - 1989
128. Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid - 1969
129. Butterfly Effect, The - 2004
130. Cabin Fever - 2002
131. Cable Guy, The - 1996
132. Caine Mutiny, The - 1954
133. Capote - 2005
134. Capturing The Friedmans - 2003
135. Carlito's Way - 1993
136. Casino - 1995
137. Cassandra's Dream - 2007
138. Cat People - 1982
139. Catch Me If You Can - 2002
140. Catch-22 - 1970
141. Cellular - 2004
142. Centre Of The World, The - 2001
143. Chaplin - 1992
144. Charlie's Angels - 2000
145. Child's Play - 1988
146. China Syndrome, The - 1979
147. Choke - 2008
148. Christine - 1983
149. Cinderella Man - 2005
150. Class - 1983
151. Clerks 2 - 2006
152. Cliffhanger - 1993
153. Clockers - 1995
154. Closer - 2004
155. Clueless - 1995
156. Coffy - 1973
157. Coneheads - 1993
158. Confidence - 2003
159. Control - 2007
160. Cool World - 1992
161. Cooler, The - 2003
162. Counterfeiters, The - 2007
163. Crank 2: High Voltage - 2009
164. Crash - 1996
165. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - 2000
166. Cube - 1997
167. Daddy Day Care - 2003
168. Dark City - 1998
169. Date Night - 2010
170. Dawn Of The Dead - 2004
171. Day The Earth Stood Still, The - 2008
172. Dazed And Confused - 1993
173. Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid - 1982
174. Dear God - 1996
175. Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father - 2008
176. Death At A Funeral - 2007
177. Death Wish - 1974
178. Deep, The - 1977
179. Desperate Measures - 1998
180. Devil And Daniel Johnston, The - 2005
181. Devil In A Blue Dress - 1995
182. Devil's Own, The - 1997
183. Devil's Rejects, The - 2005
184. Dinner For Schmucks - 2010
185. Dirty Dancing - 1987
186. District B13 - 2004
187. Do The Right Thing - 1989
188. Dogtown And Z-Boys - 2001
189. Dogville - 2004
190. Don't Come Knocking - 2005
191. Don't You Forget About Me - 2009
192. Donnie Brasco - 1997
193. Donnie Darko - 2001
194. Doors, The - 1991
195. Dr. Strangelove - 1964
196. Dragnet - 1987
197. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - 1993
198. Dream Team, The - 1989
199. Dreamland - 2006
200. Drop Dead Gorgeous - 1999
201. Dude, Where's My Car? - 2000
202. Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd - 2003
203. Dutch - 1991