Ian got himself a month's free trial on Netflix, and hasn't been impressed. However, I have been, after downloading the app for my iPad and watching stuff in bed and whilst waiting for stuff out and about.
You've probably seen your friends on facebook who have a Netflix account, as Netflix have an annoying habit of publishing anything you watch on your wall, unless you specifically tell it not to. Ian's main complaint is that there aren't many new films, and my major issue before browsing thoroughly was that everything seemed to be about marijuana.
It took me a while to work out that this is because it shows you what is popular on facebook to start with, but as Netflix gets to know you it starts suggesting stuff you'll actually want to watch. Plus, if you have a good look instead of just seeing the films sorted by popularity, it's worth the extra time.
They've recently added all the series of classic British comedies, such as Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, and A Bit Of Fry And Laurie, as well as Pulp Fiction, Fargo, The Sixth Sense and other films which are obviously brilliant, and you just want to watch again.
HOWEVER, there are also some absolute CORKERS you might just be ignoring, because you don't know what it is, think it looks rubbish, or is just really old. Here's my pick of what's currently looking good on there, and what you should probably avoid.
Films
King of Kong
Really fascinating documentary about two men locked in a btter conflict over who can get the highest score on Donkey Kong. Yes, it sounds rubbish, but it's gripping.
Man on Wire
Another documentary, this one about a man who walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers in New York.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
George Clooney directs Sam Rockwell in 'apparently based on truth' biopic of the game show host who killed people under instruction from the CIA. It's got some beautifully filming in it, and Drew Barrymore being good.
There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano hamming it up tremendously in this film about oil. That's all I can remember about it, but it was amazing, and I want to watch it again now it's on here.
The Princess Bride
Classic 1980s comedy which everyone, everywhere, should watch.
So I Married an Axe Murderer
As above, but if you like Mike Myers and/or the 1990s.
Inside I'm Dancing
James McAvoy as a youngster, playing a quadriplegic man. I don't remember what happens, but he was brilliant, and I cried.
United States of Leland
Ryan Gosling is in it - do I need to say anything else?
Swingers
One of the best films ever made - fact. That bloke who directed Iron Man, being very sweet, and ultimately swing dancing with Heather Graham.
The Castle
Surprisingly heart warming Australian film about a man trying to save the land his house is built on from being turned into an airport.
Planet Terror
Stupidly brilliant Robert Rodriguez directed Grindhouse film, where Rose *thingy* has a shotgun for a leg.
Mystery Men
Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria and William H Macy lead a gang of rubbish superheroes against Geoffrey Rush. Eddie Izzard and Greg Kinnear make appearrances. I like this film so much I've had 3 copies as I keep giving it to people to convince them to watch it.
Grosse Point Blank / High Fidelity
The only two good John Cusack films you'll ever find. Ian says Grosse.. is the most underrated film of all time, but I just like it because Dan Aykroyd is in it.
Belleville Rendezvous (The Triplets of Belleville)
French animation about a cyclist who gets kidnapped, a fat dog, and a set of singing triplets. It's awesome, I wish I could remember more about it.
City of God
Same with this - Brazillian slum children get involved in gang related activities. It's beautifully filmed though.
Equilibrium
Enjoyable action romp with Sean Bean and Christian Bale, where everyone lives without emotions. There's no better gun fight that the end of this IMHO.
Chocolat
Johnny Depp romantic comedy, which is actually pretty good, no doubt because Alfred Molina ends up covered in chocolate.
TV
Nighty Nighty - season 1
Really weird comedy with Julia Davis and Kevin Eldon. It's very dark, but Angus Deayton is pretty good.
Derren Brown: Trick of the Mind - seasons 1 and 2
I was surprised when we told people we were seeing him live that some people didn't know who he was. This is where he started, and there's still astonishing feats on this show, including Simon Pegg getting excited about a BMX.
Dexter - seasons 1 and 2
If you haven't seen this, then you really should. It's the best thing on television now, and possibly ever. Seriously.
Breaking Bad - season 1 and 2
Very enjoyable series abouta chemistry teacher who has cancer and starts cooking crystal meth. Again, very dark, but really funny.
The Office (US) - seasons 1-5
Some people haven't watched the US office because they think it's just the English one refilmed. It isn't. There are loads more characters, storylines, and episodes. It's funny, touching and very quotable.
Todd Margarett
An interesting little series about an American who has increasingly bad luck week after week. Also had the tall one from Inbetweeners in it.
Saxondale - season 1 and 2
Again, some people avoided this because they thought Steve Coogan had lost it after Tony Ferrino. This is a return to form, with Ruth Jones (again).
Things to avoid like the plague
Midnight Meat Train
Vinnie Jones kills people on a subway train. Really stupid for 90 minutes, last ten minutes absurd.
Scary Movie 2-4
First Scary Movie isn't bad - the sequels are atrocious.
Deathproof
The Quentin Tarantino grindhouse film, the lesser of the two.
Nude Nuns with Big Guns / Hobo with a Shotgun
Ian started watching both of these, and stopped after ten minutes, so I'm assuming they're pants.
Lost in Translation / Broken Flowers
Two Bill Murray films where he slouches around looking miserable, and nothing happens.
Made
Follow-up to Swingers. It's awful
Nighty Night season 2
Ruth Jones more prominent, but it's not her fault this series isn't a patch on the first.
Things I'd like to point out
15 films with a gay character in them does not constitute a Gay/Lesbian section on your website. Especially when it includes The Hours and yet doesn't include Queer as Folk.
NB This is absolutely NOT an advertising feature, as I'm not being paid to write it. This is purely because I keep telling everyone about the free trial with Netflix, and how it's better than you might think it is. I'm also writing it purely on memory, as I think it's a more honest opinion, so these reviews might be sparse on actual facts.
You've probably seen your friends on facebook who have a Netflix account, as Netflix have an annoying habit of publishing anything you watch on your wall, unless you specifically tell it not to. Ian's main complaint is that there aren't many new films, and my major issue before browsing thoroughly was that everything seemed to be about marijuana.
It took me a while to work out that this is because it shows you what is popular on facebook to start with, but as Netflix gets to know you it starts suggesting stuff you'll actually want to watch. Plus, if you have a good look instead of just seeing the films sorted by popularity, it's worth the extra time.
They've recently added all the series of classic British comedies, such as Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, and A Bit Of Fry And Laurie, as well as Pulp Fiction, Fargo, The Sixth Sense and other films which are obviously brilliant, and you just want to watch again.
HOWEVER, there are also some absolute CORKERS you might just be ignoring, because you don't know what it is, think it looks rubbish, or is just really old. Here's my pick of what's currently looking good on there, and what you should probably avoid.
Films
King of Kong
Really fascinating documentary about two men locked in a btter conflict over who can get the highest score on Donkey Kong. Yes, it sounds rubbish, but it's gripping.
Man on Wire
Another documentary, this one about a man who walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers in New York.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
George Clooney directs Sam Rockwell in 'apparently based on truth' biopic of the game show host who killed people under instruction from the CIA. It's got some beautifully filming in it, and Drew Barrymore being good.
There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano hamming it up tremendously in this film about oil. That's all I can remember about it, but it was amazing, and I want to watch it again now it's on here.
The Princess Bride
Classic 1980s comedy which everyone, everywhere, should watch.
So I Married an Axe Murderer
As above, but if you like Mike Myers and/or the 1990s.
Inside I'm Dancing
James McAvoy as a youngster, playing a quadriplegic man. I don't remember what happens, but he was brilliant, and I cried.
United States of Leland
Ryan Gosling is in it - do I need to say anything else?
Swingers
One of the best films ever made - fact. That bloke who directed Iron Man, being very sweet, and ultimately swing dancing with Heather Graham.
The Castle
Surprisingly heart warming Australian film about a man trying to save the land his house is built on from being turned into an airport.
Planet Terror
Stupidly brilliant Robert Rodriguez directed Grindhouse film, where Rose *thingy* has a shotgun for a leg.
Mystery Men
Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria and William H Macy lead a gang of rubbish superheroes against Geoffrey Rush. Eddie Izzard and Greg Kinnear make appearrances. I like this film so much I've had 3 copies as I keep giving it to people to convince them to watch it.
Grosse Point Blank / High Fidelity
The only two good John Cusack films you'll ever find. Ian says Grosse.. is the most underrated film of all time, but I just like it because Dan Aykroyd is in it.
Belleville Rendezvous (The Triplets of Belleville)
French animation about a cyclist who gets kidnapped, a fat dog, and a set of singing triplets. It's awesome, I wish I could remember more about it.
City of God
Same with this - Brazillian slum children get involved in gang related activities. It's beautifully filmed though.
Equilibrium
Enjoyable action romp with Sean Bean and Christian Bale, where everyone lives without emotions. There's no better gun fight that the end of this IMHO.
Chocolat
Johnny Depp romantic comedy, which is actually pretty good, no doubt because Alfred Molina ends up covered in chocolate.
TV
Nighty Nighty - season 1
Really weird comedy with Julia Davis and Kevin Eldon. It's very dark, but Angus Deayton is pretty good.
Derren Brown: Trick of the Mind - seasons 1 and 2
I was surprised when we told people we were seeing him live that some people didn't know who he was. This is where he started, and there's still astonishing feats on this show, including Simon Pegg getting excited about a BMX.
Dexter - seasons 1 and 2
If you haven't seen this, then you really should. It's the best thing on television now, and possibly ever. Seriously.
Breaking Bad - season 1 and 2
Very enjoyable series abouta chemistry teacher who has cancer and starts cooking crystal meth. Again, very dark, but really funny.
The Office (US) - seasons 1-5
Some people haven't watched the US office because they think it's just the English one refilmed. It isn't. There are loads more characters, storylines, and episodes. It's funny, touching and very quotable.
Todd Margarett
An interesting little series about an American who has increasingly bad luck week after week. Also had the tall one from Inbetweeners in it.
Saxondale - season 1 and 2
Again, some people avoided this because they thought Steve Coogan had lost it after Tony Ferrino. This is a return to form, with Ruth Jones (again).
Things to avoid like the plague
Midnight Meat Train
Vinnie Jones kills people on a subway train. Really stupid for 90 minutes, last ten minutes absurd.
Scary Movie 2-4
First Scary Movie isn't bad - the sequels are atrocious.
Deathproof
The Quentin Tarantino grindhouse film, the lesser of the two.
Nude Nuns with Big Guns / Hobo with a Shotgun
Ian started watching both of these, and stopped after ten minutes, so I'm assuming they're pants.
Lost in Translation / Broken Flowers
Two Bill Murray films where he slouches around looking miserable, and nothing happens.
Made
Follow-up to Swingers. It's awful
Nighty Night season 2
Ruth Jones more prominent, but it's not her fault this series isn't a patch on the first.
Things I'd like to point out
15 films with a gay character in them does not constitute a Gay/Lesbian section on your website. Especially when it includes The Hours and yet doesn't include Queer as Folk.
NB This is absolutely NOT an advertising feature, as I'm not being paid to write it. This is purely because I keep telling everyone about the free trial with Netflix, and how it's better than you might think it is. I'm also writing it purely on memory, as I think it's a more honest opinion, so these reviews might be sparse on actual facts.
