Machete (2010) R • C+

Machete (2010) R

C+

At least this is a *good* example of a cheezy 1970's action flick.

Hired to assassinate a politician, vigilante and ex-Federale Machete (Danny Trejo) nearly dies when a sniper shoots him during the job. Out for revenge, he's joined by a reluctant old buddy (Cheech Marin) who's become a pacifist priest. Written and co-directed by Robert Rodriguez, this homage to exploitation films based on his fake trailer in Grindhouse co-stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba and Steven Seagal. 105 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

Drive (2011) R • C

Drive (2011) R

C

I think most people would either love or hate this movie, but I find myself ambivalent: I can appreciate what they tried to do with the artsy photography and the Pinteresque dialog, but compared to the wallpaper in Lucky Number Slevin and the LA photography in Collateral, this falls short.

A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison. 100 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

The Hangover: Part II (2011) R • B-

The Hangover: Part II (2011) R

B-

Considering that you would expect most sequels like this to be awful, this one is not so bad. If Die Hard got away with sequels that were essentially remakes of the original, then why not these guys? I liked the touristy information/shots of Bangkok -- they probably got paid for that.

In this booze- and laugh-soaked sequel to The Hangover, the buddies from the earlier film's bachelor party reunite for a wedding trip to Thailand where one of them, Stu Price (Ed Helms), is planning to tie the knot. Stu is determined that his own pre-wedding party should be a restrained and dignified affair, but between the habits of his friends and the multiple distractions of Bangkok, fate has other plans in store for him. Todd Phillips directs. 102 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) PG-13 • B

Cowboys & Aliens (2011) PG-13

B

Maybe the worst *Western* ever, but not bad as an action sci-fi.

Scott Mitchell Rosenberg's graphic novel series leaps to the screen as amnesiac gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) stumbles into the Wild West town of Absolution, where he's confronted by potent enemy Col. Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) and a terrifying problem: invading aliens. Aided by the lovely Ella (Olivia Wilde), Jake rallies a posse of the townspeople, Dolarhyde's minions and local Apache warriors to fight off the extraterrestrial threat. 119 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

Covert Affairs: Season 2 (2011) TV-PG • A-

Covert Affairs: Season 2 (2011) TV-PG

A-

This show must have the best language consultant ever!

New jobs are tough -- especially when your new employer is the CIA. Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is fluent in six languages, has traveled the world and is besting her fellow CIA trainees in every test. But that doesn't explain why she's suddenly summoned by CIA headquarters to report for active duty as a field operative one month before her training is over. She doesn't know there may be something -- or someone -- from her past that her CIA bosses are really after. 16 episodes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) PG-13 • B

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) PG-13

B

No surprises really. The digital simians are great but you can tell they are CGI.

This reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise is a prequel set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats. 105 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.

Win Win (2011) R • A

Win Win (2011) R

A

A feel-good indie with lots of visual/situational metaphors for life as a wrestling match… and it works!

When down-on-his-luck part-time high school wrestling coach Mike agrees to become legal guardian to an elderly man, his ward's troubled grandson turns out to be a star grappler, sparking dreams of a big win -- until the boy's mother retrieves him. 106 minutes
(c) 1997-2012 Netflix, Inc.