Movie Review Monday #18: Instant Gratification Version 2.0

Okay, Zoe...my turn! Netflix Instant Recommendations (Does it super annoy anyone else that there's not a place on Netflix Instant where you can simply browse all the titles? I just know there are some hidden amazing shows that I haven't thought to search for but would love nonetheless. Grrr. I guess I can't complain too much for $8 a month.):


Series


1. 3rd Rock from the Sun. This show used to annoy me when I was younger for some reason. Now I think it's hilarious. I wonder what's up with that.
2. Parks and Rec. Seriously. Watch it now.
3. Life Unexpected. Occasionally cheesy. Often melodramatic. Always entertaining. Plus it stars Shiri Appleby from Roswell and Kerr Smith from Dawson's Creek and Britt Robertson from Dan in Real Life. That's a lot of awesome. Also, I'm developing a mild crush on the other male lead. He might replace whoever I had as my number 5 celebrity I'm allowed to kiss. I'll keep you posted, Jeff.
4. Switched at Birth. Also cheesy, melodramatic, and entertaining. But also gives some realistic insight into deaf culture, which I find fascinating.
5. 30 Rock. Tina Fey. Obvs.


Documentaries


Honestly, I've only watched two docs on Netflix so far, but I really enjoyed both. Of course, both were Disney related. Check out The Pixar Story and The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story. It's inspirational and interesting stuff, especially if you love Disney films.


Movies


1. Winter's Bone. See my recommendation here.
2. Ballet Shoes. This was a surprisingly touching, well made film based on a book by Noel Streatfeild. I watched it because Meg Ryan mentions the book series in You've Got Mail and because the film stars Emma Watson, which are terrible reasons to randomly watch a film, so I was pleased to truly enjoy it. It reminded me of The Little Princess, in that the little girls in the film are essentially orphaned and rise above poverty in a fairy tale kind of story.
3. My Future Boyfriend. If you like bad movies, this one's for you. Thanks, ABC Family Original Movies. (I was also hoping to recommend Sunday School Musical for the same reason, but it ended up just being plain old terrible. My sister and I could barely mock it properly.) 


Seriously, Lobsters. Give us more suggestions. Ready? Go! 

Movie Review Monday #15: Camp Rocks 1 & 2

I am not ashamed to say it: I enjoyed the Camp Rock movies. I stumbled across them on Netflix Instant, and I watched them both. Observations:

1. Disney is brilliant. I honestly don't understand why I can enjoy these films but not all cheesy tween musicals. For example, I tried to watch Standing Ovation, and I couldn't make it past the opening credits, it was that bad. Maybe growing up near Disneyland brainwashed me or something.
2. Demi Lovato is actually talented. I mean, who knows what she could do in a live performance, but the stuff she recorded for the film was surprisingly impressive.
3. I now understand the appeal of 2 out of 3 of the Jonas Brothers. By the end of Camp Rock 2, I was, like, totally crushing.
4. The third Jonas brother is, hands down, the worst actor in the history of acting. I do not exaggerate. Also he's weird looking. Also, he happens to be the one who's married in real life.
5. The music was catchy, the costumes were bright and cheery, the dancing was high energy fun. What more could I ask for?
6. Why is it that many Disney films are based on "misunderstandings," which are actually just children straight up lying to each other? In this film, Demi Lovato claims that her mom is a rich music producer. When the truth is revealed in the end, she is embarrassed, but suffers very few consequences. I'm not sure it's sending the best message, but it's still so freaking happy.
7. I can't believe I just admitted any of this. Next week's review will be of a very deep, important movie. I don't know which one yet, but it's going to help me start to get your respect back, Lobsters. I promise.

One claw up!