I know I’m a little outside of the loop here in suggesting a Red Box film on a Friday, but unfortunately my timing is completely off. I also didn’t suggest any films on any of the other days this week so I’m just going to count it as a restocking week and start suggesting films that are actually good instead of just reviewing every damn thing I see.

“Apollo 18” started out as a joke in my house. We set up the podcast gear, popped in the film, and immediately ran the banter. It’s a documentary style sci-fi thriller that uses “real” footage (questionable?) to tell the true story of what happened on Apollo 18. Let me just say… it was a little terrifying. The closest frame of reference is that it’s like “Paranormal Activity” meets “The Blair Witch Project” at Space Camp.

I think the “real” element to the film helped define a strong concern or emotional investment in the safety of these astronauts because they felt like more than characters in a movie. The hazard itself was a little less believable in my opinion, but the suspense of the film helped evoke a strong response. It’s hard to say too much about this movie though without giving too much away. To put in plainly, it’s a great sci-fi thriller movie and one that I feel comfortable suggesting.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - I think this is a great across the board movie. I would even let some younger kids see this film if you trust them around scary stuff and monsters and all that jazz. It’s not a typical “Alien” thriller so it shouldn’t have the same long lasting effect as something like “Signs”. But seeing as how this isn’t a gore-fest or soft core porn disguised as a horror film, I feel great suggesting this movie to anyone.

WATCHABILITY - It’s a suspense movie. So the beginning was slow and then about 20 minutes in you’re hooked. The pacing and development is timed out well enough that you should remain pretty interested even in some of the duller moments of the film.

WHEN TO WATCH - Any day of the week after 9:00 pm. It’s a nighttime film. I would definitely suggest a group of friends isnce it’s a fun movie, but watching this by yourself may create the same rush or element of fear so don’t be afraid to pick this up on your own… or maybe, do be afraid because it’s scary… but rent it anyway.

Don’t let the cover scare you into thinking this is another Hamlet 2, which is on its way to my mailbox today via Netflix. “Nativity!” is an easy to digest Christmas comedy starring the ever so popular Martin Freeman (i.e. Sherlock, Hitchhiker’s Guide, The Office) and supported by a room full of amazing children and the lovely Ashley Jensen.

In my opinion, a good comedy is hard to find. Too often independent films err on the side of dramatic and typical comedies err on the side of “Jack and Jill” or “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”. It was so refreshing, and unfortunately just a couple of weeks behind, to watch a delightful British comedy that offered both a creative story in which entertainment is fueled by believable conflicts caused by an elementary school teacher who’s just a bit over his head during the Holiday season.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - I definitely thought this was a wonderful broad audience comedy. I think indie kids and soccer moms alike can take something away from this story. Whether you need a good laugh or a hearty cry, “Nativity!” has it all.

WATCHABILITY - “Nativity!” offers a pretty nice pace with an assortment of storyline arcs with nothing too outside of the ordinary. The less traditional teacher’s aid helps ensure that plans are never as they seem guaranteeing  a good time.

WHEN TO WATCH - Obviously, watch this during Christmas… but since that time has passed, give it a gander when you’d like a good laugh and then store this away in your Christmas Movie Vault for XMAS 2012.

This movie was, as you can see, was fantastic. I caught this in my recent craze of collecting Kung Fu movies on instant queue. If you read a quick description, this movie is about a girl with autism that absorbs unique powers and abilities by watching kung fu movie. I thought this was going to be one of those, “Good to be bad” kind of movies. I was pleasantly surprised.

“Chocolate” gets its title from the young girl’s obsession with chocolate and follows the story of an autistic girl and her chubby friend trying to collect money from the old gangsters that her mother was involved with hoping to pay the medical bills for her mother’s cancer treatment.

The Kung Fu in this film reminded me of a Jackie Chan in training and seemed to pull a lot of its stunts from Legend of the Drunken Master and a little bit of Kill Bill Volume 1. The fact that it’s performed by a 14 year old girl with autism makes it so much better. The story line is completely serious and so well written. There’s nothing comedic about this film but the kung fu is so fascinating that it lightens the load and makes for a high intensity action packed film.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - I think this could easily be a broad audience movie, but I don’t think that everyone loves kung fu as much as I might. However, the concepts, story, and action are easy to digest and I would recommend this film to anyone above the age of 15.

WATCHABILITY - I watched this in a room full of people slowly passing out as it was past ther bedtime, but despite the tired room, everyone looked hopeful for a second wind to finish this film. Unfortunately sleep got the best of us but I could not wait to finish it the next day and I was more than satisfied.

WHEN TO WATCH - This is an awesome movie. Be ready and awake when you sit down to watch this film because it is captivating and you will have a blast with it. Feel free to grab a beer, but you won’t need one to enhance this experience. This movie should be a hit. It’s worth a place on your book shelf.