This riveting Oscar-nominated documentary offers an unfiltered look at a revivalist subculture in which devout Christian youngsters are being primed to deliver the fundamentalist community’s religious and political messages. Building an evangelical army of tomorrow, the Kids on Fire summer camp in Devil’s Lake, N.D., is dedicated to deepening the preteens’ spirituality and sowing the seeds of political activism.

Let me start by saying Netflix recommended this documentary based on how I have rated other movies. I like this one. There is no narration and it is up to the viewer to make up his/her own conclusion. I like how the young girl denounced Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. I wish our society would just say no to Jersey Shore as it is becoming a situation. However I do not see how believing in evolution, global warming and liking the Harry Potter films as being evil. I think this film will encourage healthy debate. I am giving it four stars.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

Ravenous piranhas with razor-sharp teeth terrorize Lake Havasu vacationers in director Alexandre Aja’s remake of Joe Dante’s campy 1978 horror film, itself a satire of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. When an earthquake tears open the bottom of Lake Havasu, schools of carnivorous piranhas are released from their underwater lair, and the lake turns into a bloody, frenzied death trap for unwitting water-goers.

I know this movie wanted to be campy and be a guilty pleasure but it lacked in the humor department. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Snakes on a Plane and Lake Placid are much better movies in this genre.

I think my problem is with actor Jerry O’Connell. He plays a sleazy Joe Francis (Girls Gone Wild) character and it is just not believable. Jennifer Aniston has the same problem, not believable as a villain. I have to say to both Jerry and Jennifer that not everyone can be a John Lithgow.

Jerry O’Connell is a fan of this blog and I just want him to know my comments are not meant to be spiteful. I liked him in both Stand by Me and Sliders. I think Sliders deserves a remake.

I thought the Piranha was pretty cool and I am a huge fan of gratuitous nudity but that was not enough for me to like this. I think the scene that really bothers me is the severed penis being ripped apart by the Piranha. I only giving this one 2 stars.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

When he visited family in Mississippi in 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till never imagined he wouldn’t be coming home. But that was before he met Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, who savagely beat and killed the boy for allegedly whistling at a white woman. This absorbing documentary from director Keith Beauchamp ultimately moved the U.S. Department of Justice to reopen the case in 2005, 50 years after the crime.

This was a very upsetting but necessary documentary to watch. I am ashamed to say this but I put off watching this in favor of watching the 20/20 special on Charlie Sheen. I confess this as I know more people out there don’t want to be bothered with the unpleasant stuff and be entertained. There is nothing entertaining about this movie.

I say this documentary is necessary as I think of the phrase “those who fail to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors are destined to repeat them.” I also think of “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”

This movie is a little over an hour. My recommendation is you watch this one twice. The second time you should watch it with director Keith Beauchamp’s commentary. He explains many of his shots and you can tell he is really passionate about this cause. He explains some things that may have been missed the first time.

I am giving this one 3.8 stars. I thought the commentary was really well done. It is not pleasant to watch. This case sparked the Civil Rights Movement. This is the reason why Rosa Parks did not give up her seat on the bus.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

Miles Kendig (Walter Matthau) knows too much. One of the CIA’s top international operatives, he’s suddenly relegated to a desk job in an agency power play. Unwilling to go quietly, Kendig, aided by a Viennese widow (Glenda Jackson), begins writing a memoir that exposes the darkest secrets of every major intelligence agency in the world. The CIA wants Kendig dead, but he refuses to cooperate — he’s having too much fun.

Walter Matthau is not your James Bond suave and debonair type of spy. He relies on smarts and old man charms. This is a fun movie to watch as he gets revenge on his new boss. Ned Beatty is good here as the irritating boss who feels he knows more than Walter Matthau’s character.

I am giving this one 3.4 stars. It was fun to watch Walter Matthau outsmart everyone and sing The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini. We also heard some Mozart. I enjoyed it.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo, in an Oscar-nominated turn) teams with widowed tribe member Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham) to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Though the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in peril. Charlie McDermott and Michael O’Keefe also star in this riveting drama nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature.

The title of this movie is perfect. Desperate times call for desperate measures seems to be the theme in this dark and depressing film. One family has popcorn and tang for dinner. The cinematography caught the mood of this movie which was cold, bleak and grey. It is good to see a movie like this from time to time to appreciate all the things we have. I am giving this one 3.2 stars. The acting was great and if you are looking for total sadness, you may want to check this one out.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

After trading in his professional past as a black-ops CIA operative for a new identity, Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is basking in normality. But he’s forced to return to old habits when an assassin puts a target on his back and goes after the woman (Mary-Louise Parker) he loves. Helen Mirren and John Malkovich co-star as former members of Frank’s team who reluctantly reassemble to save his life in this Golden Globe-nominated action-comedy.

This all star cast features Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Cox, Karl Urban and James Remar.

I am giving this one 3.9 stars. It really is just 3.4 stars but I have a soft spot for Ernest Borgnine who had to be 93 while filming this. He was not a breakout character or anything but still to see someone his age still walking and remembering his lines was a pleasure. I hope I am as good if I reach 93. Mr. Borgnine is from Hamden, CT which is the next town over from where I grew up. He is a local and I am proud to say that.

You can shoot holes at this movie and say things like “that can’t happen” or “that’s not realistic.” We see movies to be entertained and this movie with all the turmoil in the world was a great escape. This movie is all about respect, friendship and just doing the right thing. It worked on so many different levels for me.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

Narrated by actor and pot activist Woody Harrelson, this slick and snappy documentary chronicles the history of marijuana use and prohibition from the early 1900s through modern day. Biased toward legalization in tone, the clever if subjective film reveals the absurdity of government anti-grass tactics. Comic Tommy Chong also lends his voice to this informative and amusing illustration of how one substance among many has created such a clamor.

I wasn’t too familiar with the history of marijuana so this was an interesting movie for me. These days I get really upset on the subject of wasteful spending. What is the big deal? I admit I was scared to ever try it growing up as I was afraid I would go paranoid and hurt people. As Pinto said to Professor Jennings in Animal House “I won’t go schizo, will I?” Jennings response “It’s a distinct possibility.”

I am going to give this one 3 stars. The one thing I would like to say as a responsible movie critic is too much of any one thing is never good. I am talking about things like too much chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, junk food, etc. I am a firm believer in moderation.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

When dreamy delivery girl Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) starts popping up in his life, slacker musician Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) takes notice. But to win the love of this rollerblading goddess, Scott must vanquish all seven of her evil exes in martial arts battles. Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, director Edgar Wright’s action-packed romcom also stars Anna Kendrick, Brandon Routh and Chris Evans.

I would say this movie is a mix of John Hughes “The Breakfast Club” meets “The Matrix.” It is Scott Pilgrim’s fantasy world as he deals with his real life insecurities by imagining Mortal Kombat/Guitar Hero video game competitions with his girlfriend’s exes. This is just such a wild idea and I think it plays out well. You can’t help yourself but to like Michael Cera as he was Paulie Bleeker in Juno.

I have to admit I thought about past relationships while watching this. To them I didn’t have a past and any mention of it would lead them to locking themselves in the bathroom. Further I too didn’t like hearing about past boyfriends or husbands so I understand the insecurity. Should people in serious relationships talk about past serious relationships to each other? It is an important question to ask.

I am giving this thought provoking movie 3.45 stars. I liked it.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

Based on actual events in 1971, this thriller tells the story of a car dealer (Jason Statham) who becomes involved in a London bank heist, only to find that the contents of the bank vault will draw him deeply and irrevocably into the city’s criminal underbelly. Murder and scandal abound in this tale of corruption populated with a surprising mix of offenders, from low-level thugs to government officials — all the way up to the royal family.

I believe after seeing this Jason Statham could be this era’s Steve McQueen. He doesn’t have to say anything and yet he is cool. I have talked to my critic friends about this and I am not the only one who feels this way. This is not your usual action Transporter type of movie. It is based on actual events. You will not see the actor do any fancy kicks or punches but you do get to see him slap a really bad guy around. It was satisfying to watch.

I found this to be a good suspenseful crime drama movie. You do see different characters and storylines but in the end you do see them all connected. I would like to see Jason Statham do more movies like this. I believe the action ones are the ones that pay the bills.

I am giving this one 3.4 stars. It is not the best bank heist movie I have ever seen but good enough to recommend.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com

In director Blake Edwards’s satire of the Hollywood film industry, squeaky-clean superstar Sally Miles (Julie Andrews) is the key to a fading director’s (Richard Mulligan) sudden plan to flip his flop into a smash: He wants Sally to appear topless in a reshot version of his film. This wickedly funny, ingeniously subversive comedy also stars Larry Hagman, William Holden, Robert Preston, Robert Vaughn, Loretta Swit and Rosanna Arquette.

This movie is famous for showing Julie Andrews topless. I had to admit it was weird for me to see. It is after all Mary Poppins.

This was actor William Holden’s last movie. It is ironic how his character talks about consuming way too much alcohol in his life. The actor died hitting his head after a serious binge drinking shortly after. I hope you are reading this Charlie Sheen.

This satire is based loosely on events in Blake Edward’s life and also Hollywood. John Barrymore’s (Drew Barrymore’s grandfather) corpse was actually borrowed. I am reminded of the phrase “life is stranger than fiction.” There is sex and drug use in this movie. This movie is definitely not for everyone.

I think the underlying message here is how little Hollywood cares for one another. You are only as good as your last film. If you are a success everyone wants to be your friend but the minute you fail no one wants any part of you. It is a sad comment. I think for this reason alone I am rating this one 2.8 stars. It could be my mood. People more familiar with the Hollywood scene have rated this higher.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: al@alzibluk.com