Blockbuster Total Access (movie reviews)

First, read yesterday's post for my comments on the SuperBowl.

Ok, now I mentioned previously that I signed up for Blockbuster Total Access (their online rental program). I'm now a 1 1/2 weeks into my 2 week trial and I must admit that I really love it so far. I think it is going to be well worth the $10/month. It appears that at a minimum I will get 2 movies per week and last week ended up watching 4 movies.

Here's how it works. You sign up and make a list of movies on their website. They mail you one the next business day. Then after you watch it, you go to a local store, pick out a rental, turn in your internet movie and go home. They mail your internet rental back. Then in a couple of days you recieve your the next movie from you online list. Return your store rental and then internet rental...and pick out another store rental. Simple, huh?

Here are my reviews for the 4 movies I got last week (and the days I got it/returned it).

Flyboys - (recieved in the mail on Tues., in store drop off Wed.) In general, this wasn't a terrible movie, but it wasn't great either. The dogfight battle scenes were visually pleasing and fairly exciting, but they are too short and don't occur often enough. Then, like other war movies, there is a forced un-needed love story. I think it was something thrown in for the chicks. Again, ok, but not great. Grade: C +, 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Saw III - (in store on Wed.) I had high expectations for this movie and was disappointed. It felt less story driven than the first two and was more confusing as to why things were happening. Again, the ending returned to previous comments/scenes in the movie and explained it. A bit of a twist, but not the oh-my-gosh shock that the first two contained. The "games" are very violent, but still interesting in their own way. Not bad, but the worst of the Saw movies. Grade: C, 2 out of 4 stars.

Snakes on a Plane - (rcvd mail on Fri., in store drop off Sat.) Corny, dumb, ridiculous, and entertaining. Four very apt descriptions of this movie. If you like to think....at all...during movies, this is NOT for you. The plot is stupid, the snakes look fake, and there are huge holes in the film. However, it is still a fun film to watch. Samuel L. Jackson does save the movie ("I'm sick and tired of MFing snakes on this MFing plane"). Entertainment grade: B. Movie grade: C-, 1 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Facing the Giants - (in store on Sat.) A so-so movie. The story is a feel-good sports story (think Hoosiers) with a major Christian focus. By major, I mean occassionally in your face preachy. There were times that I got a bit annoyed by the attitude of the film, but in general was ok with it. The acting however was not good...at all. Many scenes reminded me of church skits (from personal experience....and I am NO actor). Bad acting aside, it isn't an awful film. I think the biggest take home message is the power of an encouraging word. Probably a good youth group/retreat film, but not one that I would use as my primary evangelical tool...it's a little too campy and things fit together into too nice of a package for real life. Grade: C+, 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.

As you can see, that none of those DVDs were great, but had I rented them all, it would've costs about $16. Instead, I got them free during my trial. The program is going to be nice, and give me plenty of material to post on here. I should have the Protector to watch tonight. Anyway, that's all for now. Stay tuned.