New Rentals from Netflix

It’s almost Tuesday, which means it’s time for more new rentals from Netflix. The online movie service has 38 selections to choose from this week, and I’ve simplified things by combing through and picking out 10 that you may enjoy. From anime and Australian films to Oscar-winning dramas, there’s plenty of variety to be had.

Of course, you’ve got to be a member to enjoy these new rentals from Netflix. You can either try their free trial to see what you think, or you can just take the plunge and sign up. There’s a large red Netflix logo to the right of this post, and clicking on that will get you on your way to becoming a full-fledged subscriber.

• Crazy Heart - Jeff Bridges finally won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bad Blake, an aging country singer who’s seen better days. But his life begins a slow turnaround when he meets Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young reporter who interviews and then sleeps with him. Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall co-star in this bittersweet tale of love and regret, and, yes, Farrell does his own singing.

• The Messenger – Woody Harrelson received critical praise (and an Oscar nomination) for his role as Tony Stone, a member of the Army’s casualty notification service. Teamed with Iraq veteran Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), the two men deliver bad news to the families of soldiers. Fans of Harrelson have long known he’s capable of more than playing rednecks and dimwits, but it’s always nice to get a little critical validation. Samantha Morton and Jena Malone co-star.
• Avatar – While it’s hardly the greatest film ever made, it is the most profitable. For that reason alone, this special-effects extravaganza from James Cameron is worth a look. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. Sadly, Billy Zane doesn’t appear as someone’s weasely fiancee.
• Once More with Feeling – Chazz Palminteri stars as Frank Gregorio, a psychiatrist who dreamed of being a singer as a young man. But when Frank discovers karaoke, those long-dormant passion comes rising back to the surface. Drea de Matteo co-stars as Frank’s daughter, and Linda Fiorentino also puts in an appearance. Oddly, this is the second film in the last few months to feature Palminteri singing.
• Walkabout - When they find themselves stranded in the Australian outback, a young brother and sister must rely on the kindness of a young aboriginal boy to survive. But will the roles be reversed once they reach civilization? With striking visuals and minimal dialogue, this 1971 film depicts the beauty and harshness of nature.
• The World Unseen – Two Indian women begin a love affair in the apartheid South Africa of the 1950s. One is a free-spirited taxi driver, while the other is a wife and mother. Dealing with racism and sexism, the film also serves as a reminder of the enduring spirit of love, regardless of skin color or gender. Uplifting and visually stunning.

• Queen’s Blade: Wandering Warrior: Vol. 1: A Single Step – Based on a popular series of combat books in Japan, this 12-episode anime series focuses on Reina, a young woman who enters a tournament held every four years to determine the queen of the land. With the help of a veteran fighter, she advances in bloody fashion against lethal creatures and fierce females. If you like your anime packed with nudity and violence, then give this one a look.
• The New Daughter – After his daughter comes into contact with an otherworldly mound, John James (Kevin Costner) begins to notice her odd behavior. As she gets increasingly worse, he must try to unravel a supernatural mystery to save her life…and her soul. While it never got a major release and ended up being dumped onto DVD, hardcore Costner fans will want to give it a peek (I suppose the same can be said about Harrison Ford and Extraordinary Measures, another disappointing film hitting shelves this week.)
• Sunrise/Sunset – If you’d like to know more about the Dalai Lama, this is a good place to start. For example, he rises each morning at 3am and retires at sunset. In between, he discusses the nature of religion and its proper place in the universe. It’ll also help you feel closer to Richard Gere.
• American Radical – Often labeled as anti-Semitic by his own people, Norman Finkelstein is a passionate thinker on the topics of Israel and the Holocaust (both his parents having survived concentration camps during WWII). Due to his views, he’s been denied tenure at DePaul University and later refused entry into the nation of Israel. This documentary takes a look at his controversial life, talking to both supporters and opponents.

If you’d rather buy your new release films, you can also visit Amazon. They carry thousands of DVD and Blu-ray discs, and their prices are the best around. Yes, we do get a commission if you subscribe to Netflix or buy from Amazon via our site, but that money goes right back into Only Good Movies.

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