What To Watch On Netflix Instant – Edition #22

[amazon_link id=”B00IIUATDM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]- The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Based (loosely, I assume) on Wall Street conman Jordan Belfort, this is a 3 hour long ride, featuring lots of over-the-top sexual situations and Leonardo DiCaprio in his most in-your-face role ever, in that order. This is a highly dramatized version of events, and I imagine director Scorsese threw in the uncalled for graphic nudity gratis.

Even with all the “diversions”, and the length of the film, this is a fast-paced, witty entertainer; I did not notice the hours go by. Leo DiCaprio is magnificent. As is the rest of the cast.
 

[amazon_link id=”B00005NTN4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]- With a Friend Like Harry (“Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien”, France, 2000)

Michel and Harry apparently went to school together, although Michel doesn’t remember Harry quite as well as Harry does him. When they meet quite by accident, Harry wangles an invitation to family-man Michel’s home.

When there, Harry encourages Michel to take up his school-time hobby of writing, assuring him that he had real talent. Then Harry proceeds to be the best friend he possibly can.

This was creepy, suspenseful and unpredictable.

[amazon_link id=”B000NVIM4M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]- Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (India, 2007)

Six newly married couple do the touristy thing, choosing to be cooped up in a bus en route to lovely Goa. On the journey they get to know each other, and we get to know them. They are a quirky lot, each with a different backstory, all quite interestingly told and richly detailed. I loved the subtle humor and the quirk.

Reema Kagti, who also directed the recent Talaash, guides the talented star cast with a firm hand. Full review here.
 

[amazon_link id=”B007RFDPIU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]- A Simple Plan (USA, 1999)

Brothers Hank and Jacob, and Jacob’s friend Lou come across a crashed plane in the snowy wilderness. The plane contains about 4 million in cash.

The strait-laced Hank wants to turn in the money to the authorities, but greed sways them soon enough. As they strategize and plan on how to keep the money and the plane a secret, they involve Hank’s pregnant wife Sarah. Things start to go haywire pretty soon, as the not-too-bright Jacob, and loudmouth Lou can’t keep it together.

This was a superb, suspenseful watch.

[amazon_link id=”B00GD5405C” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]- It’s a girl (Documentary, USA, 2012)

This hour long documentary focusses on gendercide, specifically the killing of baby girls and fetuses in India and China, due to the culture of son preference. The film looks at the causes of this socially sanctioned practice, and there are many – dowry, financial drain, laxly enforced laws and “traditional” culture.

Millions of girls are now “missing” because they were simply aborted, were killed after birth, or just died due to neglect and poor care. This is a hard to watch film at times, but an important one, because it tells of the problem. And that is a first, important step.