As with any new routine, a strong start, and then a few hurdles after the initial burst of enthusiasm. Includes ‘Hancock’, ‘Reprise’, ‘Perfect Blue’, ‘Manhattan’, and ‘Laura’.

Two weeks ago, I decided to start a little experiment: a simple regimen to combat the twin menaces of backlog and beer gut. Hop on the treadmill for at least 20 minutes every single day, and watch a movie every single night (see first post here for further explanation).

The first week went swimmingly. I saw several great movies and was feeling energized physically. But of course, as with any attempt at a new routine, things get off to a strong start, and then you run into hurdles after the initial burst of enthusiasm. It’s easy to fit in a movie every night when you’re having a slow week. You’re certainly more in the mood to sit down for a movie when you haven’t been watching many lately. Just like it’s easy to motivate yourself to head to the gym when you’re well rested and itching for some activity.

But week two required a bit more will power. As an on-again, off-again gym-goer my form is far from perfect, my stretching probably inadequate, and so my legs began feeling the effects in terms of soreness and fatigue. At the same time, a delay in disc turnaround blocked me from seeing the films I wanted, possibly thanks to the infamous account throttling due to my rapid increase in Netflix activity, and I was forced to make due with the reduced choices on their Watch Instantly list.

Not to mention that after seeing a movie every single day, you just don’t look forward to the prospect of kicking back on the couch in the same way. After all, there are books and video games and bars full of friends crying out for some time too. Going out for drinks and then trying to squeeze in a quick movie afterward sort of changes the entire prospect. Soon it’s less about picking the best movie available and more about running time or relative effort required. What are the odds you’ll pick a subtitled film or even a serious drama when coming home at midnight after a few beers with your buddies? Very slim, I assure you. When Friday night rolls around, it’s almost decided in advance what date night will consist of, and that can start to feel restrictive very quickly.

Nonetheless, the experiment marches on with a few hits and a few misses.

[Note: "WI" indicates ability to Watch Instantly via Netflix.]

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Hancock [WI]

In theory, the idea of Hancock — a misanthropic superhero who flies around in a tattered hoodie lugging a handle of whiskey — is an interesting twist on the genre. But in execution, the comedy’s not that funny (though Jason Bateman makes a bad role watchable) and the action’s not that exciting. There’s really no reason to watch this movie. The strange thing is that, after watching a ton of movies, you occasionally do get the urge to watch something shitty. Or at least something that requires very little involvement. So if the mood strikes and you need something bland but palatable to just wash over your eyeballs, Hancock is the film for you.

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Reprise [WI]

Every once in a while I get roped in by those ‘If you liked this, you’ll enjoy that!’ suggestion bubbles while navigating my Netflix account, which must be the reason this was in my Watch Instantly queue. I’m not sure how an independent Norwegian drama/romance/comedy about struggling young writers would have made it onto this list otherwise. Though a bit cold and stiff (maybe that’s just a Norwegian thing), it did make me think about the values, as well as dangers, of having a best friend who is also your creative competition. The way it drives both of them to be better but also drives a wedge between them makes me wonder: would my work be better with a fellow-writer frenemy to push my talent and intermittently go a little crazy?

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Outrage

Possibly the most apt title of the year, other than maybe Anvil: The Story of Anvil, this editorialized documentary (more on that topic once I catch Capitalism: A Love Story) explores the world of closeted politicians who then turn around and vote against equal rights for the gay community. If you’re on the equality side, it’ll drive you crazy that they’re able to get away with this hypocrisy, and if you’re on the so-called ‘values’ side, you’ll be furious that people are sticking their noses into the private sexual lives of politicians. Everybody gets their chance to be being pissed off! It’s a pretty straightforward exposé, but some of the best moments are when they go deeper into the personal side with politicians that have already come out publicly, like former NJ governor Jim McGreevy, Rep Barney Frank, etc.

[Note: Outrage is airing throughout the next few weeks on HBO and worth tagging on the DVR if you can.]

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The Informant!

This movie was absurdly funny on top of being a fascinating true story. Unfortunately, if you listened to the recent rerun of the This American Life episode that covered the same story long before it was a movie, well, the twists and turns aren’t much of a surprise. If you didn’t, see the movie first and then listen for the first-hand account. Either way, you have to give Damon credit for his performance. He plays an overweight, nerdy guy in the process of losing it, and with skill you wouldn’t expect from someone whose recent star turn included beating a guy to death with a book and a bath towel. In fact, Damon should play more roles like this (more on that after I revisit the Bourne series next week); he’s much funnier and more capable as an actor than he gets credit for.

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Perfect Blue [WI]

When you say anime, a few things come to mind immediately: gruesome ninja battles, giant fighting robots, maybe Pokemon, possibly tentacles in places they don’t belong. What makes movies by director Satoshi Kon so wonderful are that they use the artistic style and range of anime to convey psychological states of normal people instead of fantasy characters engaged in battle. Perfect Blue tells the story of a pop star trying to make it as a serious actress and running up against emotional challenges, fan backlash and exploitative execs. It has none of the trite anime elements that turn a lot of people off, but uses animation in service of a mature story. Sadly, America has yet to catch on to this idea other than the occasional import like Triplets of Belleville or Persepolis, and even those are fairly dull compared to a Hitchcockian thriller like this one.

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Manhattan

It’s hard to believe that with all the neurotic stammering of any Woody Allen character, he’d be okay with seeing a woman his friend just finished sleeping with. Or that his verbal skills alone would allow him to overcome his dweeby exterior and land a beautiful college student. Or that he would play basketball with a son he had with a now-lesbian ex-wife played by Meryl Streep. In fact, I don’t buy most of the situations he writes himself into in this or any film of his. All the same, this movie makes New York look beautiful and cosmopolitan and romantic and at the end of the day he’s still a witty, charming guy no matter how maddening his eccentricities can be. Essentially, Allen’s movies are what a lot of us Californians say about New York; a great place to visit but I couldn’t stand it all the time.

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Laura [WI]

Like 12 Angry Men, this film has little action and relies almost entirely on character interaction. Also like that film, it opens after a murder and unfolds as we put the pieces together. Of course, Laura isn’t confined to a one-room set: it follows the detective main character as he visits and interrogates all the involved parties, playing out more like a film-noir game of Clue. Everyone has something to hide, as both accuser and suspect at once. Made even better by an excellent performance by Vincent Price, as a pretentious writer whose biting condescension provides some of the film’s best, most Oscar Wilde-esque lines.

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