Another Five Movies to Add to Your Netflix List

You know the drill...

1. Poolhall Junkies (dir. Mars Callahan) A really great character piece and one of the few movies that gets how characters on the fringes of society get down. Lots of great scenes and two great monologues for Rod Steiger and Chris Walken. About 4 people saw it. Let's try to get that number up to ten.
2. Get Over It (dir. Tommy O'Haver) A funny and exceptionally campy film about teen love. The teen love part is predictable. But, the background stories, Marc Shaiman's score, and Martin Short's amazing performance as Dr. Desmond Forrest Oates. Hilarious!
3. Wild Things (dir. John McNaughton) Forget about the threesome which is what the guys remember. The noir is nice and twisty and the acting is good. It's one of the few films to feature Florida well and play up the "Redneck Riviera" vibe. There is some great self-aware performances from Theresa Russell, Robert Wagner, and the immortal Robert Wagner.
4. Playing By Heart (dir. Willard Carroll) A romantic and funny Altmanesque look at three sisters and their romances. There are other characters involved and much of the story rings true. Angelina Jolie and Ryan Phillipe steal the movie with a tender story with Gena Rowlands and Sean Connery. Every Valentine's Day my husband and I watch it.
5. Blow (dir. Ted Demme) The true story of drug dealer George Jung that will bring a tear to your eye. The acting is first rate and the soundtrack rocks. The movie soft peddles Jung, but makes the point that like Rick James said, "cocaine is a hell of a drug."