So here's what I've been watching over my vacation...

So as many of you know, we do not have anything besides basic cable; well that except Netflix and now On Demand, which is more than enough for us.

Here's what we've been streaming...

*More of The League...so hilarious I can't even stand it.
*Hubby has finally come around to Parks and Recreation
*And the stand by for a while now, 30 Rock
       
As for On Demand, I've been watching a lot of the following...

*American Pickers...I've gotten past how annoying the guys are just love watching what they find.
*Cash & Cari...Love the estate sales and especially love the refurbishing.
*Hairy Bikers...I kinda want to love this show more than I do. I love the travel part for sure.
*American Restoration...with the restoration team from Pawn Stars

So that's it. But I'm looking for other recommendations too. We're done with the available League, Parks and Recreation, American Pickers, Cash & Cari, and American Restoration. I noticed Mad Men is on Netflix Instant now, anyone like that one?

What I've Been Watching on Netflix Instant Lately

1) The League...oh my goodness so hilarious! Only the first season is up right now, but it has me hooked. I nearly peed my pants watching this show before.

2) American Pickers...the guys are a little annoying but I love the junk they find.

3) Cash in the Attic...similar to Pickers, but British and kinda slow moving. I still like it though.

4) Clean House...watching a show about cleaning and organizing is so much more fun than doing it ;)

If you have some spare time and Netflix Instant...

Two movies we've watched recently on Netflix Instant are Hot Tub Time Machine and North.

The former was completely stupid, yet oddly entertaining. But isn't that the best part of streaming Netflix, who cares if it's a stellar movie or just a guilty pleasure! It's really easy and if you really can't stand what you're watching, just stop and pick another movie. To me, Craig Robinson's character, Nick Webber, was hilarious. The movie isn't overly clever or original, but had a few laughs. And I loved the nods to the 80's movies throughout. (Oh, and John Cusack's love interest, April, is Lizzy Caplan, who played Janis Ian in "Mean Girls"...I had had trouble placing her while watching, so just helping you out in case you have a similar problem.)

The latter movie, North, is a movie from my childhood and I loved rewatching it! If you remember it, definitely watch it. If you never heard of it I would say that it would be a great family movie. The movie has a huge cast with lots of stars, and the plot is lots of fun.

The Hudsucker Proxy

 

So hubby and I watched the Coen Brothers "The Hudsucker Proxy" on Friday night. It was such a fun movie!  The movie came out in 1994, so I can't believe that I hadn't seen the movie yet. The dialog and setting is highly stylized to fit the late 1950's era, which I loved because of all of the vintage clothes and decor. The dialog is also very fast pace. I wouldn't say there are many laugh out loud one liners, but the movie over all is very funny. Since it is now an instant watch on Netflix, I don't see any reason to not give it a watch. 

Also, there are a few connections to "Mr. Deeds" that are kinda fun to watch for: 

1) Source material. According to Wikipedia, the Coen bothers got there idea for the plot from such movies as "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" which is the same movie the ulta-stupid 2002 Adam Sandler movie. 

2) The Plot. Once you've seen both, the similarities in plot are very apparent....really too many to enumerate here. 

3) Cast. Both movies share Peter Gallagher and Steve Buscemi. Both have much smaller roles in the "Hudsucker Proxy" but both are there for sure! (And let me tell you, Peter Gallagher is looking quite young and sexy!) Also, I can't find out for sure but there is a Texas shareholder in both movies, and I think it may be the same guy. But I luckily haven't seen "Mr. Deeds" lately, so I can't tell for sure. 

Up

The other night we watched the movie Up on Netflix instant watch.. Okay so I might have been having an emotional day, but watching this movie while snuggled up with my husband and dog made me tear up numerous times throughout. The movie is about Carl, who is trying to fulfill a promise to his wife, Ellie. What happens along the way is an adventure shared by Russell (a young wilderness guide), Kevin (a rare bird trying to get home to her chicks) and Dug (a dog able to talk with his techie dog collar). It was a super adorable movie and I'd recommend it to anyone kids, adults and families...with exception maybe of someone who has recently experienced the loss of a loved one. 

Lie to Me*

Okay, so you want to watch a good show through Netflix Instant watch (on Roku Box, PS3, XBox360 Wii or just your computer)...I suggest "Lie to Me*". Now this show currently airs on Fox but if you are like me, watching on a scheduled night is too hard.

The show follows the Lightman Group, a group of human lie detectors, who investigate crimes and other mysteries. Its more upbeat that the CSIs and Law & Orders. But who doesn't love figuring out crimes, right? Tim Roth plays Cal Lightman, the head lie detector; he plays the character a bit like Jack Sparrow from the Pirate movies--kinda drunk and swaying--but very likable and unpredictable male lead. The rest of the cast rocks the house too.

Check it out, if you get some time.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

So here I go...gonna let my nerd flag fly. This show, though geared towards kids and tweens, is exceptional. I truly believe it would be a great show to watch as a family, and though animated be more than captivating to watch as an adult. I mean, I know it certainly captivated my hubby and me. The story line is thought out, the mythology is in-depth, and characters are well developed. It really seems like the creators showed up to create a great story not a kids cartoon.

I highly recommend it. But not the movie, skip it and watch the TV show.

Movie Switch: City of Angels

KW's movie pick: City of Angels. Here's the real problem with this movie: Nicholas Cage. I don't buy this guy as a love interest, as an action hero, as a leading man, in general. The soundtrack is good though. I used to have the CD and listen to it all the time, it's now on my IPod, but after listening to the music a lot, this was the first time watching the movie. And I may have even enjoyed it, minus Mr. Cage.

My Pick: Raising Arizona. A movie I actually liked Nicholas Cage in. I think he should stick to being weird, cause he is. Plus, I heart the Cohen brothers!

Parenthood: Worth Rewatching

Do you remember the Ron Howard movie "Parenthood"?

The movie came out in 1989 and starred Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Weist, Rick Moranis, and many more (including a young Keanu Reeves and very young Joaquin Phoenix). I know that I watched this movie when it came out, but at that age probably most identified with the scene where Gil Buckman's (Steve Martin's) son didn't catch the ball at little league or wished that "Cowboy Gil" would come to my birthday party. In the 20 years this movie has been out, I've probably watched it a handful of times. At different times getting more and more out of it. I re-watched it last night using our Roku box, and really, really enjoyed it. The part that I found most poignant on this re-watch was the allegorical reminiscing of the great-grandmother about the roller coaster and merry-go-round:

"You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it."

I can't wait to watch it again after my husband and I have children, I am sure there will be another layer of the movie that will make me fall in love with the film all over again.