Monday, December 22, 2008

If You Rent Just ONE Romanian Abortion Flick...


















You should rent this one: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Now that Netflix offers instant viewing of select films, I find myself checking out movies I might otherwise not rent. I remembered reading about "4 Months, 3 Weeks and Two Days" when it came out and assumed it would probably be good, but for some reason never found myself in the mood for an abortion flick, even though it fell in the "buddy abortion" genre. And yet I had some time to, uh, kill this weekend and started to watch it. It's really good! It might not be the most uplifting film around, but it's not the most depressing. And I see it as a cautionary tale for those who would move to ban Roe v. Wade and usher in the type of legislation popular in Communist Romania. Then again, for many Americans, oppression is the new freedom. To them, this might actually be a feel-good film.

13 comments:

Butternut said...

From Netflix reviewers:
"We are fans of this genre, however the film is grim, dreary ..."

I feel Scrubs jumped the shark when they could have become an Abortion Buddy show but went the safe route and kept the kid. Lame.

I'd recommend the Instant Play film "Bigger, Stronger, Faster". It is even in HD. It's more like Supersize Me than a straight documentary.

"Z" said...

haven't seen it but always up for a challenge, i've been considering netflix online, is it really worth it tho? I don't like 2 waste my $ so I try 2 get a good dvd collection going.

Laura Swisher said...

I have "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" in my queue but took it off once I realized I could watch it instantly.

Z, I enjoy wasting my money. Netflix is great. I like holding onto movies as long as I need to, and now that it has instant viewing, you can always find something quality.

Butternut said...

I had "Vertigo" at my house for 6 months before I watched it. I try to cycle through my movies quicker now.

Laura Swisher said...

Wire Disc 1 Season 1 is currently collecting dust at my house. I'm afraid to start it because I don't have time to watch back to back shows of anything.

ballgame said...

Wise decision. I started watching The Wire a few weeks ago. Ep 1 Season 1 was good but not mind blowing or anything. But by the time I watched Ep 3 I was totally hooked. I'm now nearing the end of Season 2.

I recommend returning the disc immediately.

Tim said...

Romanian abortion flick hmm? Is that like all the early reviews of Pans Labrynth which acclaimed it as a breathtaking wonder? I remember at the twelve minute mark or w/e when the dude gets his face bashed into a cavity by the butt end of a pistol thinking um, where is the fucking wonder? Pans Labrynth was a nightmare in case you haven't been fooled. But I didn't grow up in Romania. See what I did there?

Watch Thelma & Louise because everyone has heard of it and nobody ever saw it and Ridley Scott was pure awesome once. Buddy flick with dust and a low abortion rate. Dvd seasonwise the only show I ever endured in that way was Firefly which Laura has never seen. I'll bet.

"Z" said...

thanks Butternut I just might need 2 give Netflix a try. I have seen any of the Wire. one of my younger brothers swears by it, says it's a must see. I think I was hooked on Sopranos @ the time. now that's a great series 2 watch. I watched em when they came on HBO then watched it again on DVD back to back. Took me a week I think to get thru em all but really worth the wasted time.

I've seen Thelma & Louise Tim years ago on VHS & yea it was really good. I think at the time I wasn't into Brad Pitt at all & brushed it off as a chic flick. Then I caught Fight Club at the theatre & just went crazy! That movie is a must have for any DVD collection. I also have Snatch, Mr & Mrs. Smith. I considered getting Burn Before Reading. I'd like to check out the curious case of Benjamin Button. the reviews sound pretty awesome.

tankboy2902 said...

This doesn't have anything to do with your current subject, but when are you going to kill the girl on Fringe* and surreptiously take her place? Or do you want to be able to use your real name? Or is there some sort of Hollywood protocol (or California penal code) against doing things like that? I'm tired of Lalaland sloughing off these ersatz Swishers on me. And if you do make it on the show, put one of those holographic stickers in an inconspicuous place so we know you're Genuine Swisher®. Butternut would probably suggest using a pair as pasties but I would consider that rude and now I'm sorry I put the idea in his head.

Thanks for the movie suggestion. I'm in Netflix for two reasons: concerts (mostly jazz) and eclectic movies. I spend far too much time searching their site for whatever's different. If Owen Wilson is ever found dead with a broken Shanghai Knights dvd lodged in his forehead I will voluntarily turn myself into the police.

*If you're worried about getting your hands dirty just drop me a line. I know a guy who knows a guy.

tankboy2902 said...

I'm sitting here thinking about the ultra-competitive world of show business when it strikes me that for people trying to succeed in it it is 1) irritating to lose a role to someone who looks like you and 2) doubly irritating for outsiders to point this out. I knew I was very happy to not be in show business when I heard George Lopez say it only took him 18 years to be an overnight success. I'm lucky in that I'm only judged on how competent I am on a keyboard and not factors I can't control. Like that I'm not as good looking as Owen Wilson. People even put up with me when I act like a complete asshole. Or smell like one. (Going green, trying to save water.)

Sorry about that last post, Laura.

Break a leg.

Butternut said...

"...but when are you going to kill the girl on Fringe..."

Did I miss something? Should I be watching this? Who doesn't like pastries?

Tim said...

Z Benjamin Button looks AWESOME or at least the original trailers with the Aquarium music playing did. Thats also David Fincher you know, director o' Fight Club.

Tankboy I think I missed something but just for the record as a complete outsider I often think Owen Wilson has got to be slightly obsessed with the shape of his nose. That being said -

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!

Laura Swisher said...

I think I could actually handle the role on Fringe. My almost-doppelganger doesn't ever really do that much.

I still haven't gotten into Fringe, but I tape it and occasionally try and catch up.