Netflix Roundup

With a lull in the box office for the next week or two, I can finally catch up on some Netflix movies. Here’s some lightning reviews for the 3 most recent.

300

I’m no Frank Millerite.  I’ve never read any of his comics.  I didn’t watch Sin City, but I decided to give this one a spin due to mostly positive word of mouth.  Overall, I’d say it’s overhyped but many of the visuals are exciting and worth watching.

Verdict: B Tilt: C+

Alvin and the Chipmunks

I loved these little rodents growing up (are chipmunks rodents?) and I also love Jason Lee.  Put the two together and what do you get?  A surprisingly entertaining movie with far more laugh-out-loud moments than it probably deserved.  It’s sort of the origin story of the brothers, starting from them living in the forest.  I really enjoyed some of the chipmunk humor.

Verdict: B Tilt: B+

Old School

This movie had intriguing written all over it.  Putting Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and  Luke Wilson together should result in comic nirvana.  Unfortunately, three such varying arrays of comic style make for a particularly unpalatable stew.  It had it’s moments, but the comedy was uneven and the message was lost.

Verdict: B- Tilt: C

I think these three movies really highlight how important expectations can be when going into a movie.  I expected Old School and 300 to be good, and was disappointed.

I didn’t expect much out of talking CG chipmunks and was pleasantly surprised.  I’d say all three are worth watching, but none of them are worth rushing out to rent.