Sorry to give a full poster opposed to the normal trailer. I just feel like A.) This movei might be a hard sell because it appears very generic at first glance. and B.) The trailer is way too long and tells too much of the story.  All that to say, I really loved City Island and am proud to add it to my highly recommended films on my Netflix Instant Queue.

The premise behind “City Island” is that your main character, played by Andy Garcia, is a prison guard who recognizes one of the inmates’ names and realizes that it is his son from a relationship 24 years past. Knowing that the inmate could be released on parole if there was any remaining family, Garcia’s character takes this as an opportunity to make up for his early absence as well as break the news to his wife at home.

I didn’t classify this as an independent film at first glance, but after viewing, this definitely fits in with the Little Miss Sunshine genre of dysfunctional families with a feel good ending. I laughed, cried, and left with a warm heart. Strongly recommend this film.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - This movie isn’t really either. It’s not a family move per se, and it’s not some gritty difficult indy film. It falls somewhere in between little miss sunshine and World’s Greatest Dad, only because there are a few strange sexual situations that take place in the film. I think this is a great college level film seeing as how college folk are not too mature to feel uncomfortable while mature enough to understand the emotion of the film.

WATCHABILITY - Hooked for the full length of this film. I kept hoping it would be longer and that rarely happens with a movie. I wish this was a television series. I could have watched this family perform all day.

WHEN TO WATCH - I think this is a superb college dorm film. Put it on on a Friday night right after all your shenanigans and just before the fourth meal taco bell run.

I really liked The Guard. I knew very little about it, and police comedies somehow never amuse me on paper, but about 10 minutes in, I’m glued. After checking its rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its easy to see why nearly everyone I’ve talked to knows about this movie. First of all, I LOVE Brendan Glesson, for his roles in both the Harry Potter series and In Bruges. The man is strikingly comedic and has excellent line delivery in everything I’ve seen.

The film, which also stars Don Cheadle as an FBI agent on investigation in rural Ireland, is a touch slow at times, but I wouldn’t say that it became bothersome. The plot won’t amaze you, but the antics of Gleeson’s eccentric character, “Gerry Boyle” will definitely entertain. Watch it with subtitles, maybe, it’s common knowledge that rural Irish accents are tough to wade through. 

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE- I’d say it’s a bit of both! I feel like a large portion of the humor is a little off, maybe culturally specific and doesn’t appeal to all audiences. At the same time, the plot isn’t anything new, save a few funny happenings.

WATCHABILITY- I can’t say I was 100% focused on it, drinking coffee and chatting a touch, but I think that was the beauty of the movie. It allowed me to do that without feeling left out.

WHEN TO WATCH- Go ahead and watch this on a weeknight after you’ve made some sort of easy meal, or gotten take-away with your significant other. 

“Everything Must Go” must go nowhere. I loved this movie. I can always tell a good film when listening to the trailer gets me excited all over again. “Everything Must Go” feels like a low budget film with a new side of Ferrel that stumps “Stranger Than Fiction”, which I know is saying a lot.

The trailer doesn’t allude much to the fact that Ferrel’s character is an alcoholic. I am assuming that this would have pushed a lot of folks away from the film. We like our heroes to be likable, not self-destructive. But the alcoholism doesn’t take away from the character or become too much of the focus in this film. It just offers a well rounded, honest character.

The color and look of this film are great, as you can see a preview of that in the cover art. The set is small which keeps the film interesting and the talent is so high that it captivates you. It’s funny to see a film where a garage sale is the climax, but similar to the film “In Good Company”, you don’t need a happy ending to walk away from this one feeling great. The character development and new perspective does that for you.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - I don’t think this is a hard movie to grasp, so I would suggest it to anyone. I put it in the broad category, but also understand that this is a bit of a drama and the topic of alcohol can feel a little overbearing or uncomfortable for some people.

WATCHABILITY - Very high. Interested in this film from start to finish.

WHEN TO WATCH - I watched this at 7:00 am on a Saturday morning and it felt great. I would definitely suggest a weekend morning to take this one in. It’s an interesting film that I really enjoyed, but the subject matter and characters were a little depressing so I’m not sure it really livens up a Friday night and might be too weighty for a weekday evening.

I’m not sure why the trailer makes this sound like an intense action drama… it’s an emotional uplifting family friendly movie about why Scotland is awesome. This is a feel good, “way to go kid!” kind of film that leaves you feeling smiling and satisfied.

A week or so ago, I made the point that people don’t think there’s anything good on Netflix, and since then I’ve made a conscious effort to broaden my horizons and tune in for a few high budget films and stray from the indy foreign section unless I absolutely have to. It gets tiresome when people ask me if I’ve seen anything good lately and I have to recommend Autistic kung-fu, troll hunting, or rubber tires that have psycho-kinetic powers. 

The Stone of Destiny is a basic premise… there is a stone that belongs to Scotland, but England has it in the Westminister Abbey. I believe this is based on a true story or at least a book, but they do the recap at the end to tell you how everything ended up which leads me to believe it probably happened.

The cast is fun. You’ll recognize one of our hobbit friends from the shire as well as a lovely appearance of Miss Kate Mara from HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE. And at the end of the day, who doesn’t like scottish people? I mean… the Doctor was Scottish at one point and he is brilliant.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - I watched a broad movie! Hurrah. I think this is a great feel good film. The story was compelling and the characters are all friendly and enjoyable. The premise is easy to grasp and if you have any connection to Britain or especially Scotland than this movie is for you.

WATCHABILITY - The film has a good pacing without too much tension. There’s a handful of research and trial and error moments in the film that continue to present new developments in the story. on top of that, the cast really is enjoyable. 

WHEN TO WATCH - I have no idea. It’s just a good enjoyable movie. Watch it during the week when you want something to relax to. It’s an easy film and it’s a feel good film so you’re going to walk away with an emotional high. Whenever you feel like having that, just press play.

Watch “The Stone of Destiny” On Instant Queue Now