[Number of movies rated as of 10/3/2014 is 1444]

 

Russia’s Toughest Prisons

Netflix Summary: Three Russian prisons unlock their doors to an international film crew and reveal what life inside is like for the nation’s most brutal criminals.

★★★ Holy Christ Russians are super intense in their prisons. For example, they have bred their own breed of gigantic, violent dogs to bark in the prisoners’ faces nonstop. And yet once you hear what the prisoners did to get in there…you question your initial reaction.

 

National Geographic: Inside Guantanamo

Netflix Summary: This documentary chronicles the daily routines of captives and guards at Guantanamo Bay detention center, showcasing its briefings and operations.

★★★ I watched this immediately following Russia’s Toughest Prisons, and I have to say, I am no longer concerned about the prisoners in Guantanamo. They should be glad they aren’t in a Russian prison.

 

Bermuda Triangle Exposed

Netflix Summary: This exposé dives deep to explore the 440,000 square miles of ocean below the deadly marine graveyard known as the Bermuda Triangle.

★★ I was hoping this would be cooler than it turned out to be. But it was an interesting look at the theories of why so many people have died or disappeared in this area of the ocean.

 

World War Z

Netflix Summary: A U.N. employee races against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop the spread of a deadly zombie pandemic.

★★★★ I do love me some zombie flicks. This one does draw a lot on other films but then offers up its own twist on what I like to call “zombie theory.” A worthy watch.

 

Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden

Netflix Summary: In this dramatic recreation, U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 trains for a critical mission, then executes a tough nighttime raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound.

★★★ I think I was drunk when I watched this. An interesting watch if you’ve seen Zero Dark Thirty.

 

Inside: Lego

Netflix Summary: Travel to Lego’s Denmark headquarters to learn about the toy manufacturer’s history and production, as well as the CEO who helped revive the brand.

★★★ Legos were probably my favorite toys growing up so I was immediately interested when I saw this documentary on Netflix. It’s pretty fascinating to see the machines that make legos and interviews of the people who work there. Although I think more women should be featured–girls love legos too!

 

Mama

Netflix Summary: Two girls left to fend for themselves in the forest for five lonely years after the death of their mother find refuge in the home of their uncle. But it soon becomes clear that the girls have not arrived alone in this woodsy supernatural chiller.

★★ I remember seeing the preview for this movie back when it first came out and thinking to myself, “No way in hell am I going to watch that.” It looked way too scary for my overly imaginative mind. However, having recently procured a 55″ 1080p television, and free HBO, I’ve been doing a bit of movie-watching, as you can imagine. Nothing is sweeter than commercial-free HBO bliss. And one Saturday, trapped in a languorous fit on the couch, the movie Mama started post-Goonies. Unwilling to change the channel to one that would have commercials, and almost immediately captivated by the opening scene, I resumed my supine position. The movie does start out pretty freaky. Near the end it tumbles when they show the monster too much. Horror movies need to keep in mind that it is the unknown that is the most terrifying. And the end? What the hell? How was anyone okay with that ending?

 

Lone Survivor

Netflix Summary: Mark Wahlberg stars as Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell in this action-drama based on an ill-fated real-life mission to bring down a Taliban boss. The stakes get even higher when Luttrell and his unit are ambushed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

★★★★ The fight scenes seem very realistic–I kept feeling like I was trapped and being shot at. Mark Wahlberg does a great job. I would definitely recommend this movie if you’re into this genre.

 

The Monuments Men

Netflix Summary: In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renowned works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them. Written, directed and starring George Clooney.

★★★ In the middle of this movie, after noting the terrible writing, I asked aloud “I know George Clooney directed in it and is starring it it…did he write this?” Two seconds later, Netflix DVD envelope clasped in my fist, I confirmed my suspicions. There are a lot of long, significant pauses, concluding with anticlimactic statements that fall flat. But I’m glad I watched it and there were some funny lines here and there, along with a great cast. This movie made me want to read the book of the same title.

 

The Walking Dead

Netflix Summary: In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, survivors hold on to the hope of humanity by banding together to wage a fight for their own survival.

★★★★★ I just love this show and have been re-watching it to prepare for its season 5 premiere on October 12, 2014.