Netflix Pix

My picks for this week are in both instant watch and DVD. I decided to try going by a theme to compliment movies that are in theaters or that are on their way to theaters.


Curse of the Golden Flower

(Man Cheng Jin Dai Huang Jin Jia)

2007 R 114 minutes

This lavish film from landmark director Yimou Zhang follows the romantic intrigue and political machinations in the house of the Emperor Ping (Yun-Fat Chow) and his ailing wife (Li Gong), a pair whose secret passions and schemes ultimately affect the lives of their children. Will their reign end in a bloody coup for all? Sumptuous costumes and dazzling martial arts form the backdrop for this complex tale of loyalty, deception, love and betrayal.

Catch Jay Chou as Kato in the remake of The Green Hornet.

The Fabulous Baker Boys

1989 R 114 minutes

Sibling jazz musicians Frank (Beau Bridges) and Jack Baker (Jeff Bridges) decide they need a chanteuse to spice up their piano act and take them beyond seedy nightclubs. They choose beautiful and sexy songbird Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer), and the trio becomes a huge success. But when a relationship develops between Susie and Jack, the brothers are forced to think about where they're headed -- and how honest they've been with each other.

Catch Jeff Bridges in Tron Legacy and True Grit.



X-Men

2000 PG-13 104 minutes

Amid increasing fear and bigotry, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) provides a safe haven for powerful outcasts like Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Storm (Halle Berry), who are genetically gifted mutants -- and the world's newest, most persecuted minority group. In an explosive battle for freedom and honor, the X-Men take on Magneto (Ian McKellen) and his band of evil mutants, who relish the public's paranoia.

Catch Halle in her limited release movie Frankie & Alice

The Transporter

2002 PG-13 92 minutes

Former Special Forces officer Frank Martin (Jason Statham) will deliver anything to anyone for the right price, and his no-questions-asked policy puts him in high demand. But when he realizes his latest cargo is alive, it sets in motion a dangerous chain of events. The bound and gagged Lai (Shu Qi) is being smuggled to France by a shady American businessman, and Frank works to save her as his own illegal activities are uncovered by a French detective.

Catch Jason Statham in The Mechanic coming soon to theaters.

The Iron Giant

1999 PG 86 minutes

In rustic 1957 Maine, 9-year-old Hogarth finds a colossal but disoriented robot (of unknown origin), and the two form a strong bond of friendship. Before long, however, a government agent is on their trail -- and he's intent on destroying the automaton. This beautifully rendered parable based on British poet Ted Hughes' feted short story features the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick Jr. and Cloris Leachman.

Catch Vin Diesel in Fast Five: The Fast & The Furious 5.