Random Flicks Worth Checking Out This Week

Random Flicks Worth Checking Out This Week
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What we've got here is a list of good and bad blockbusters, MOWs, B-movies, and everything in between. And they're decidedly, unabashedly random. Why not plop down on the couch and roll the dice?

The Matrix Reloaded
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
The cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
The synopsis: "Neo and the rebel leaders estimate they have 72 hours until 250,000 probes discover Zion and destroy it and its inhabitants."

That's right: It's Neo and the gang vs. probes! And those probes better watch their probe backs, 'cause you-know-what's about to get real. Also, this movie's got a sweaty rave scene that's pretty much the length of an actual rave. Plus, there's like a jillion Agent Smiths at one point. Whaaaa?!

Bonus: This is the Matrix flick with the flying twin rasta ghost fellows. Dreads usually look pretty dumb on white guys, but against all odds these bodacious brothers manage to pull it off quite swimmingly, thank you very much. The sunglasses certainly help. As do the matching ties. I guess it's all about swagger, you know? Anyhow, watch this movie -- critics agree it's the second best in the trilogy.

2016-12-09-1481301247-8220743-Matrix.jpg Hardest spare to make in bowling: the Morpheus / Agent Smith split.

Terminator Salvation
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
The cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington
The synopsis: "After Skynet has destroyed much of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, a group of survivors led by John Connor struggles to keep the machines from finishing the job."

Given the opportunity, I'd still invest in Skynet. I know the project eventually leads to nuclear annihilation and a robot-fueled post-apocalyptic dystopia. But you gotta live a little, you know? Hot stock tips ain't easy to come by in this economy.
2016-12-09-1481301412-8418306-Terminator.Salvation.jpg "S'up, fellas? Annihilating hard or hardly annihilating?"

Dinner for Schmucks
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
The cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis
The synopsis: "When he finds out his work superiors host a dinner celebrating the idiocy of their guests, a rising executive befriends a man who would be a perfect fit."

Like most foodies, I love finding new restaurants. But sometimes, in addition to a great meal, I'm on the hunt for quirky conversation, sexy puppets, and highly-imaginative facial hair configurations. As such, Dinner for Schmucks is most definitely for me, and therefore by extension, you. Paul Rudd and Steve Carell worked some real magic in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, so it was pretty much a no-brainer to bring 'em back together for another kick at the can. That's how Hollywood works, baby, and personally, I'm 100% on board. Schmuck it up, boys! Schmuck yeah!
2016-12-09-1481301822-9157775-Dinner.For.Schmucks.000.jpg Above: the schmucks are taken aback by something slightly out of frame.
2012
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
The cast: John Cusack, Thandie Newton
The synopsis: "An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors."

Remember when our planet got destroyed four years ago? Man, that really sucked.

I love when time catches up to dystopian movies about the future, eventually relegating them to the past. So yeah, although some of you have seen 2012 before, you've likely never seen it from the oh-so-safely-smug perspective of 2016. Try it on for size -- it feels pretty good!

Spoiler: John Cusack's attempt to melt the disaster's heart by hoisting a boom box over his head and cranking some Peter Gabriel? Not very successful.
2016-12-09-1481304548-7896315-2012.jpg
Warning: those seated in the first 85 blocks may get wet.

Cancel Christmas
Where to find it: Television. Check your local listings.
The cast: Judd Nelson, Connor Price, Natalie Brown
The synopsis: "Telling Santa that children have become too selfish and greedy, the board of directors gives him a month to teach two boys the meaning of giving or else the holiday will be canceled."

Why would anyone want to cancel Christmas? Short answer: metrics. The Yuletide season is way down in the key 18-34 demo. Plus, it's testing poorly with millennials, who'd much rather watch skateboarders get thwacked in the junk on YouTube. Fortunately, we've got a secret weapon: Judd Nelson as Santa. That's right: Judd freakin' Nelson. The world wanted to see it, and I'm here to deliver, baby. If anyone knows about holiday hardship, it's this guy.
2016-12-09-1481304800-4063233-Cancel.Christmas.jpg"Know what I got for Christmas? Oh, it was a banner year at the ol' Kringle family."

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