Friday Flix: What’s New, Three Good Rentals, and Sports Shorts

It’s early in March, and there still isn’t a movie that gets my blood pumping. Yeah, you could go see The Rock in “Snitch” as a father going undercover for the U.S. Attorney’s office to infiltrate a drug cartel to save his teenage son from a prison sentence. And there’s “Jack the Giant Slayer,” a take on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” with an all-out war between huge people and us regular folk. Both are getting mixed reviews, but again, I’m not excited about either one.

Three Movies YOU Should Rent Right Now

1. “Skyfall” recently became available in the rental world and for purchase. If you’re a Bond fan, buy the damn movie because it’s arguably the best Bond film in a long time and possibly the best one ever made.

2.  If hardcore police movies are your thing, look no further than “End of Watch.” Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star as two LAPD cops on their daily, but dangerous beat in a world of drug dealers and thugs. When one of the officers investigates a bit too much, both become targets of a drug cartel.

3.  How good is Denzel Washington? I’d watch that guy read a thesaurus on screen, but you won’t have to if you rent “Flight.” Washington stars as a pilot who miraculously landed a malfunctioning plane and saved the lives of nearly all his passengers. However, during the investigation of the crash, this drug and alcohol addicted pilot has to lock up his habit or there will be major repercussions.  

ESPN’s 30 for 30 Shorts

A while back I mentioned how much I like ESPN’s 30 for 30 films and hopefully you listened and at least watched one. There is an extension to these documentaries that focus on sports on a deeper level in a handful of short films.

Recently I viewed one on the Holy Grail of sports cards and collectibles, the T206 Honus Wagner card and the mystery surrounding it and its “perfect” condition. Perfect is in quotes because the most valuable card in the world may have also been altered to achieve this near perfection.

There are seven 30 for 30 shorts in all with topics ranging from the Wagner card to Arnold Schwarzenegger using the bodybuilding stage en route to superstardom, and even the history behind a delicious drink creation The Arnold Palmer. 

A great starting point to watch the 30 for 30 shorts is with "Holy Grail: The T206 Honus Wagner."