Netflix and Beyond

There are a plethora of apocalyptic, epidemic films  ( “Andromeda Strain”, “Outbreak”, “White Blindness”);  “Contagion” garnishes the prize for the most terrifying;  it shrieks with viability and realism. Thomas Friedman expounds on the flatness of the globe; information spreads in a nanosecond; no filters, time to intellectualize events, robbed by electronics; like lemmings we devour the pulp that is ceaselessly …

Venice September, 2011, the 54TH International Art Exhibition. To be alive and showered in the garden of artistic delights; Biennale, Arsenal, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Pinault Foundation, Prada Foundation, surrounded by the canals and operatic voices of the gondoliers; paradise at its pinnacle; electrifying stimulation, nerves and senses paralyzed with wonderment. This was not my first foray into the palatial magnificence …

“Peneflix” will be on vacation for two weeks. Please give me your suggestions of films to review upon my return. I appreciate your readership and comments. Thank you and continue to go the the movies. Peneflix

This sensationalized, quasi-fictional, pseudo-documentary account of the 2008 brutal and unnecessary invasion of Georgia by Russia’s Vladimir Putin; claiming Georgian atrocities perpetrated against minority separatists. “5 Days of War” strives  and accomplishes in presenting  Georgia’s rendition and sentiments regarding the devastation and destruction it suffered in this minimal but horrific five days. The film commences with a gory ambush in …

Based on Carolyn Briggs’ 2002 nonfictional book,  “This Dark World: A Memoir of Salvation Found and Lost”. This is a story of religious indoctrination so intransigent so indivisible that individuality is squelched in the name of God. Vera Farmiga (also directs) is the adult “Corinne” who as a teenage ( Taissa Farmiga) wife and mother suffers a religious epiphany when …

Loosely based on the 2007 Israeli film with the same title.(“Ha,Hov”)   This wonderfully cast film might not rank as the best movie of the summer but is terrifically entertaining; a unique story spanning over thirty years, (1966-1997) three people constituting a ménage a trois; members of Israel’s Mossad, searching for a diabolical physician who experimented on concentration camp inmates. …

At first I felt the “idiot” for chancing this film but due to the remarkable performance by Paul Rudd “Our Idiot Brother”  won my affection and admiration. Coming from a family of four sisters and one brother (who was not an idiot, but the baby of five) I could relate to the dynamics of three females dominating one male.  But …

Why? My other unseen choices were “The Smurfs” or “Spy Kids”; hence a desire to fulfill my  weekly quota;  desperation led me into the world man and mammals. Actually they are one and the same and the film leaves the unanswered question of how much they differ. The 1968 version starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter, was a …

Dear SUBSCRIBERS after two years ‘PENEFLIX’ is going viral!!!!!!! It is because of you that my site is going through a complete make over; or to the more youth conscious a “face lift”! Please be patient and by Friday you should be able to access my reviews. In the meantime, my latest post “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” …