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 wanted to add the trailer like normal, but it kind of gives away the entire story. So if you like knowing anything, i.e. my wikipedia friends out there, then you can watch the trailer and feel totally informed before watching this film. Otherwise, just give it a try.

“The Double” fits my generic movie profile, and by generic I mean blockbuster / high budget / contains actors you’ve heard of with a story that makes sense to the average consumer. I like watching movies like this on occasion because they’re usually decent at best and worst case scenario they’re just a tad predictable.

The Double was cool. I was mostly drawn to the idea of Topher Grace and Richard Gere in an action movie together. Didn’t make sense on paper and it didn’t make too much sense in practice either, but it’s enjoyable at the least. It’s one of those murder mystery chase down the serial killer but there’s a twist kind of films. So if you like things like that, Borne Identity… I don’t know what else. It’s like that though.

[STATUS REPORT]

BROAD vs. NICHE - A broad audience movie! Hurray! Anybody can watch this film and the violence isn’t overbearing. Even the throat slit kills lack gore or any obvious blood. The action is simple and relies more on riddles and conspiracy to draw you in opposed to anxiety and tension.

WATCHABILITY - Fairly watchable. This film was slow at first, but once I understood the direction they were taking this I became quickly involved and then once again hit a brief lull as the story begins to resolve and the pieces align.

WHEN TO WATCH - This is definitely a weekend nighttime film. I don’t think anyone will hate you for putting this movie on. They might not be impressed, but it’s a good film to say the least.

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.