|
Title
|
Synopsis/Review
|
See
it/Skip it
|
| A
|
|
| Akeelah
and the Bee (2006) |
Yeah,
it's pretty Disney, but it's a positive story, heartwarming
and inspiring in every way. Keke Palmer is a girl in LA's Crenshaw
district overcomes insecurities on her way to the a slot in
the National Spelling Bee. Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett
star with a talented young cast. |
See
it
- Well scripted and acted. Good upbeat film.
DVD/Free |
| Amazing
Screw On Head (2006) - 11/07 |
Much
weirder than I was ready for. This was recommended for the voice-over
work of the characters. Paul Giamatti, David Hyde-Pierce and
others. It actually is a TV-length show and so moves along without
much regard for larger themes. Kind of had a bizarre flip-book
anime quality, but the voice work was pretty forgettable. Probably
a legion of comic book devotees think this is high art, and
maybe it didn't get translated too well to moving images. Which
don't move particularly well. And it's weird. |
See
it
- I wouldn't pay for it, but I didn't mind seeing it, as it
ends before it gets annoying.
DVD/Paid |
| American
Dreamz (2006) - 4/08 |
A
president wins a second term in office and then realizes he
knows nothing about the world which he is shaping. Starts reading.
Becomes a recluse. His cheif of staff and wife decide that being
on an American Idol-type show will put him back in the public
eye. Many, many specific images to current conditions keep this
from having a larger satirical theme, so it plays like an overlong
SNL skit with mimickry over insight. |
Skip
it
- Not funny enough, not incisive enough. More misses than hits
for me.
DVD/Paid |
| Ant
Bully (2006) |
Despite
my hesitation to see yet another sorta-kids-level-animated-film,
this was pretty cool. A couple of script-jumps; like how an
ant can concoct such a potion and the reason The Exterminator
shows up to buttonhole the kid (answered in deleted scenes,
actually). Otherwise, nicely rendered with cool wasps and a
decent message. |
See
it
-Why does it seem that they can get better scripts and performances
out of animation these days?
DVD/Paid |
| Art
School Confidential (2006) |
Darkly
comic and quirky tale of a talented young and niave artist who
comes from the suburbs into an inner-city art school, where
the universe includes frustrated and jaded teachers, insane
and stereotypical fellow students and a murderer who is offing
random folks on campus. Some of the jokes fall flat, but this
film is must if you ever sat through a student art critique.
Also, the "Home for the Holidays" scene is hilarious. |
See
it
-Guardedly optimistic on this somewhat quirky film.
DVD/Paid |
| Auntie
Mame (1958) - 6/08 |
Rosalind
Russell plays the force of nature known as Mame Dennis in this
50's screwball comedy. It's tough to judge films like these
too harshly, and Russell throws herself into the manic yet tender
roll with full force. An orphaned boy is sent to live with his
aunt Mame, while the executors of the estate attempt to keep
some semblance of balance in his life admist the social whirl
that makes up her world. |
See
it
- Interesting as a period piece and fun in a silly, campy way.
DVD/Paid |
| August
Rush (2007) - 3/08 |
An
orphan child holds the faith that his parents are out there
and that through music he will find them. Decent performances
inhabit a script that borrows heavily from "Oliver Twist"
and then creates - and I say this with love - a series utterly
unbelievable circumstances to triangulate the characters toward
one another. Ok, I get that it's a fairy tale, but man-o-man-o-man,
you find youself picking out all the inconsistencies, if not
chuckling at the "constructs" in the script. |
See
it
- Right on the edge of skip/see it. You need to suspend disbelief.
Otherwise, you will mock it.
DVD/Paid |
| |
|
| B
|
|
| Be
Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt (2005) -
3/08 |
A
pretty astonishing look at the live of an incredible songwriter
and singer. No one can accuse Townes of taking the easy path,
and the use of archival footage lets you see the roadmap of
his travels and pains slowly etching his face. Interviews with
freinds and fellow musicians are equally wrenching, as the love
and anger towards him are still so strongly felt. |
See
it
- One of my favorite lines in the movie is the last on the screen
- not voiced by Townes. A powerful film.
DVD/Paid |
| Bee
Movie (2007) - 6/08 |
Jerry
Seinfeld voices a bee and Rene Zellwiger is his human florist
buddy who saves him. Once the first bee jokes begin to run out,
this whole thing feels sputtery and kludged. Which is really
too bad. Some nice animation sequences, and there are some moments
of executions and ideas converging, but for the most part, this
one is a swing and a miss. I'll sidestep how a bee who is supposed
to live only a short period of time can manage to see the some
major environmental changes. I dunno, maybe things would happen
that fast. Anyway, just sort of a disappointment. |
Skip
it
- Maybe if it's on TV and there's not much else to watch. Even
though I was kinda sick when we watched this, it didn't make
me laugh much.
DVD/Paid |
| Bee
Season (2005) |
Richard
Gere plays a Hebrew scholar whose daughter's uncanny ability
to spell may be a key to understanding or enlightenment according
to a 16th Century Kabbalist. His sudden interest in her talent
shifts family dynamics and brings other issues to light. Taken
from Myla Goldberg's novel, which probably (nope - h'ain't read
it...) deals with the myriad of events better than the screenplay.
Some good acting. |
Skip
it
- Ultimately kind of a messy film. You end up having to make
a few leaps and suppositions to tie in all of the story lines
at the end, because it just wasn't on the screen.
DVD/Paid |
| Beijing
Bicycle (2001) - 10/07 |
A
stubborn young man from the country comes to Beijing for work.
As he works to fit and learn, forces begin working to separate
him from his bicycle and his pride. A gritty view into life
in the big city - sort of a Rebel Without a Cause vibe to it
as well. A young man pushed in ways he doesn't seek. Strong
stuff with some excellent acting. |
See
it
- A pretty tough and directly violent film.
DVD/Paid |
| Blades
of Glory (2007) - 10/07 |
This
is a silly, silly movie and it hit the spot just right. Yeah,
I'm sure most of it will be forgotten before too long, but the
spoofs seemed spot on and it was just clever enough to work.
Two banned men's figue skating medalists find they can compete
via a loophole - partnering as "pairs". A fair amount
of crotch impact humor ensues. Nice to see John Heder not escaping
the type casting as a nerd and really spreading his wings as
an effeminite, protected figure skater... |
See
it
- Nice if you are in the mood for light and silly/stupid/funny.
PPV/Paid |
| Blue
Crush (2002) |
Despite
a bit of amatuerish acting and scripting here and there, this
film is actually pretty good. A trio of Hawaiian girls who live
to surf, with one who has a shot at the big time. Crushes with
football stars, rough-ups at the "Local's Spot" and
big wave action. (And just for the record, my wife chose this
movie...) |
See
it
- It ain't high art, but it's a good story with some impressive
footage.
DVD/Paid |
| Big
White, The (2005) - 12/07 |
Just
one of those "not quite there" films. On paper, it
sounded good - Holly Hunter, Robin Williams, Giovanni Ribisi...
But, it plays a bit like a not-quite-proofread "Fargo".
Robin Williams plays a travel agent in Alaska who is at wit's
end, dealing with financial contraints and a wife who may (or
may not) be falling apart. The appearance of a dead body may
allow him to cash in on an insurance policy, which Ribisi is
driven to detect. Lots of snow. |
Skip
it
- Just pitched into the "skip it" as there weren't
enough laughs and it didn't seem to quite find its mood.
DVD/Paid |
| Boy
In The Striped Pajamas (2008) - 3/09 |
During
WW2, an 8 year old boy moves from Berlin to "the country",
where his father takes over command of a Death Camp. Cut off
from his playmates, starved for attention and approaching everything
through the innocence of his youth, he befriends a boy his age
on the other side of the fence. Around him the fates of countries,
peoples and relations are being played out, and the movie moves
towards a wrenching conclusion. |
See
it
- Tough film to watch, but good acting, pacing and everything.
DVD/Paid |
| Bread
& Tulips (2000) - 4/09 (Repeat viewing) |
A
40 year old Italian woman - wife and mother of two nearly grown
boys - gets left behind at a highway rest stop while on a boring
bus package tour. Rather than wait to be picked up by the gang,
she snags a couple rides and ends up in Venice, where she tries
to make some sense of her life admist the beauty and odd passions
of this city. A bit of humor, dark humor and odd slapstick moments,
it is an excellent film. |
See
it
- This is a quiet little film that still hits the right notes.
DVD/Paid |
| Breakup,
The (2006) |
Maybe
you need a laughing theatre full of people to get swept along,
but watching this was like one of the actual movie scenes -
you're stuck there watching two people bitterly argue over their
relationship, wishing you could be somewhere else. A mild snicker
or two here and there, but this was just mostly nasty. Vincent
d'Onofrio plays the really interestingly repressed and at times
barely coherent older brother, and turns in a good role. |
Skip
it
- Not the comedy that the preview trailer would have you believe.
DVD/Paid |
| Bridge
To Tarabithia (2007) |
A
downright misleading trailer, but a decent little film nevertheless.
More in common with "October Sky" than "Chronicles
of Narnia", it manages to create some non-annoying kid
characters who we end up caring about quite a bit. The other-world
stuff is less prevelant than the previews seem to show. |
See
it
- Not necessarily a kids film, as some tough things occur.
DVD/Paid |
| Brokeback
Mountain (2005) |
Unless
you are the POTUS, you've probably already seen this film. The
tone, the timing, the feel of the rattly trailer office out
in the middle of the west - it's all just right. Use this momentum
to go seek Ang Lee's other films. |
See
it
- An excellent film.
Theatre/Paid |
| Broken
Flowers (2005) |
Sort
of a forced construct. Bill Murray plays a vacuous lothario
who plans die alone, when the arrival of an unsigned letter
announces that he has a 19 year old son. This leads him to travel
to the homes of former lovers, to determine who the mother is.
Good characters and a pensive tone, Jarmuschian pacing and some
nice subtleties. But, ultimately a bit under-eventful. Great,
great music stitches the mood together throughout. |
See
it
- If nothing else, for the haunting music of ethiopiques.
DVD/Paid |
| Bucket
List (2007) - 7/08 |
It's
hard to be hard on this movie, even though it's tempting. But,
I don't think you can put Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson
in the same room and not end up with something eminantly watchable.
Two very different men find themselves roomates as they deal
with terminal cancer. A friendship grows from these differences
as Nicholson uses his nearly endless means to finance Freeman's
list of things to do before their time ends. Even when it's
at its silliest, the movie remains an uplifting buddy film.
|
See
it
- Two great actors. You know it's going to play you, but it's
worth the ride.
DVD/Paid |
| Burn
After Reading (2008) - 1/09 |
The
Coen bothers again manage to mix humor and violence, silliness
and brutality into a quirky little film. This one eases up the
intensity a bit and has fun with the series of mistakes and
assumptions, where everyone is being followed by someone and
the sheer lack of brainpower is simply hilariously baffling.
John Malkovich plays a senior CIA intellegence officer whose
day starts badly, then continues to get much, much worse. Frances
McDormand and Brad Pitt as intellectually challenged personal
trainers who think they are onto something. |
See
it
- Funny and dark, a bit lighter weight than Fargo. The obvious
stars have fun throughout, but I really liked J.K. Simmons as
the baffled Senior CIA Officer.
DVD/Paid |
| |
|
| C
|
|
| Cars
(2006) |
Rubbery
looking cars that talk and lament about how the modern highway
has caused their town and heydey to have been left behind. Owen
Wilson voices the self-absorbed race car that accidentally stumbles
upon them and ends up in minor indentured servitude. Becomes
a more touching film about loyalties and what is Important.
Plus, the cars are pretty cute. |
See
it
- No real suprises, but better done than most movies of its
type. I really liked Luigi and his Guido - reminded me of Dave
Stoller in Breaking Away.
DVD/Paid |
| Cashback
(2006) - 2/08 |
Following
the sudden and bitter end of a relationship, a young art-school
near-graduate finds himself unable to sleep. He fills his extra
hours by signing on at a 24 hour store, where he finds other
characters and realizes he can actually stop time. Moving around
in his dislocated frame of reference, he observes those in the
"regular" world. Not great but well-done characters. |
See
it
- A bit self-aware and film-school monology, but not a bad little
film. And there's more than a little nudity. Not complaining,
just observing.
DVD/Paid |
| Chaplin
(1992) |
Robert
Downey, Jr. inhabits Charlie Chaplin, hitting the high points
and major themes in his life from a flashback late in life.
Stunning to watch Downey's work, and this movie really worked
well. Great history and character piece from the dawn of movie-making. |
See
it
- Strong film and great acting all the way around.
Theatre/Paid |
| Charlie
Bartlett (2007) - 7/08 |
Another
good Robert Downey, Jr. role as reluctant principal of the school
which Charlie (Anton Yelchin) lands after being expelled from
another in a series of expensive private schools. As he navigates
the public school minefield, he sets up and begins dispensing
advice and "assistance". It's a quirky little film
set in an strangely timeless past/present world. Always enjoyable
Hope Davis plays Charlie's mother, though there's not quite
enough there for the secondary characters to chew on. |
See
it
- Fun and well handled, though the ending isn't quite there.
DVD/Paid |
| Charlotte's
Web (2006) |
Mixing
live action with trained animals and a minimum of computer trickery,
this brings the childrens' book to life with a cast of great
voices and good actors. From Wilbur to Charlotte (and Steve
Buscemi does a fantastic Templeton), the tone is great they
hit the major points of the book. |
See
it
- They don't damage this beautiful E. B. White tale.
DVD/Paid |
| Chicken
Little (2005) |
No
story. Not worth a lengthy explanation. If you've seen the preview
trailer, you've seen everything remotely worth viewing on this
film. Plays a bit like a proof-of-concept pitch, from which
a movie might be made... The setup? Oh, well, Chicken
Little, who of course cried that the "sky was falling"
again finds himself (herself?) mocked when the sky goes awry...
Bad. Very bad. |
Skip
it
- The video store guy warned us. We ignored him. We were wrong.
DVD/Paid |
| Chronicles
of Narnia (2005) |
Nicely
rendered version of the CS Lewis tale. Slightly after-school-special
acting quality here and there, but otherwise a stunningly rendered
landscape and tale. One of the great and chilling villians with
Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. |
See
it
- Powerful visuals and crisp storytelling of this tale.
Theatre/Paid |
| Click
(2006) |
Just
bad stuff. Adam Sandler meets up with "ultimate technology"
to help him skip the boring bits of life. Will he make the wrong
choices and find himself missing out on the important stuff?
Will there be fart jokes? If you don't know the answers to those
questions, maybe you should see this movie. |
Skip
it
- If I had one of those special remotes, I'd jump back to before
I'd seen this movie and do anything else.
Theatre/Paid |
| Coraline
(2009) - 2/09 |
Stop-motion/marionette
version of Neil Gaiman's book. The technique of which was apparent
here and there, but in an endearing rather than overwhelming
way. A young girl who pines for the love and attention of her
parents finds a parallel world where she is the center of attention.
However, things are not quite what they seem. Great moments
of wonder and fright. (There's also a 3-D versioni of this film
which we did not see.) |
See
it
- A slight pacing lull in the middle of the script, otherwise
a nicely rendered telling of the tale. Ramps up nicely towards
the end.
Theatre/Paid |
| Corpse
Bride (2005) |
Didn't
have the "complete" feel of The Nightmare Before Christmas
- it seems like this could have been edited down slightly, and
the characters seem to move a bit more like the marionettes
in "Rudolph". Perhaps we've been spoiled by Dreamworks...
But, some clever rendering and funny bits. |
See
it
- Sort of a middling positive here - had some good bits, but
seemed a bit "padded" to hit the length.
Theatre/Paid |
| |
|
| D
|
|
| Da
Vinci Code, The (2006) |
You,
me and everybody else read the book. This is not the book, so
if that's gonna bug you, skip it. However, this is a good movie.
Ron Howard, as is his gift, stays out of the way of a good story
and manages to skim the highlights of the book without destroying
the story. It's funny how many critics just savaged this movie...
|
See
it
- Dan Brown has mastered the "1-2-3-GO!" real-time
storyline. This movie keeps the same pace and doesn't drop anything
super-important.
Theatre/Paid |
| Dan
In Real Life (2007) - 4/08 |
A
widowed advice columnist with three growing-up daughters meets
an incredible woman - only problem is that she's dating his
brother. Frivolity attempts to ensue when they all end up at
the annual family retreat. Really was looking forward to this
one, based on the trailers. Just didn't deliver for me. A fair
number of constructs, which I was prepared to overlook, but
ultimately, it didn't seem to have enough "real" to
make it work. |
Skip
it
- Just falls below the line, but the few laughs just don't make
up for the rough spots..
DVD/Paid |
| Dark
Knight (2008) - 12/08 |
It
may have played differently on the big screen, but on the home
system Heath Ledger just cleaned everyone's clocks. I may be
judging him too harshly, but the weird voicey things that Christian
Bale was doing periodically just annoyed me at times. Ledger's
Joker was by far one of the most frighteningly compelling villians
I've ever watched. His lines, his tics, the oilyness of his
hair... all made the Joker's completely masterful plans that
much more jaw-dropping. |
See
it
- Yep, it's dark. It's a shame we lost Ledger. You don't really
feel too good when this movie ends, and that is the greatness
of the Batman story.
DVD/Paid |
| Dave
(1993) |
Due
to an uncanny resemblance to the commander in chief, honest
and honorable fellow Kevin Kline gets slotted into playing the
President after a scandalous episode leaves POTUS in a coma.
Sigourney Weaver can't quite figure out why her "husband"
suddenly grew ethics, and efficiency and hope take root in the
government branch. Clearly a modern fantasy piece, but a fun
film. Charles Grodin sneaks in as his accountant. |
See
it
- The staff meeting held to cut unnecessary budget expenses
is hilarious and inspiring. If only....
Video/Paid |
| Death
At a Funeral (2007) |
The
funeral for a father brings the "successful novelist"
son back home, where the kinda boring one has been keeping things
held together for what must have been clearly a bit too long.
Attending the funeral are a delightfully horrible group of people
and their issues with reality, one another and more. Now - why
the HELL do they have to GIVE AWAY some of the BEST JOKES in
the screenplay by putting them in the preview? Really! I could've
imagined two distinctly different, yet compelling trailers that
would've appealed to folks like me who like movies like this,
but wouldn't have telegraphed (1) a primary plot device which
should've played like a "Crying Game" punchline and
(2) several results which would've had more impact if they were
a suprise... Crikey! |
See
it
- A fine film that pulls its focus to a tight stage and nails
it. Other than my grips about the preview, this was a fine little
film.
Theatre/Paid |
| Deja
Vu (2007) |
Timeline
movies are tricky things, as you have to create a world which
has consistency. This one is on the edge of spoiling it, mostly
from the ending, which just plucks a bad note for me. Now (to
continue the stringed instrument metaphor), it sorta bends it
enough to keep it from destroying the rest of the film. Denzel
Washington is a New Orleans ATF agent dealing using powerful
tools to track down a terrorist. |
See
it
- Points for their casting of the terrorist, and it is a reasonably
taut tale. The end didn't quite jostle it, but it led to some
fair questions about "How could that've happened...?"
DVD/Paid |
| De-Lovely
(2004) |
Kevin
Kline renders a reminiscence of Cole Porter's life and work
in this dreamlike memory film. So many of these songs were playing
in the background as I grew up that it was interesting to realize
how many came from this one man. Enjoyed this film a great deal. |
See
it
- Worked well for me.
DVD/Paid |
| Desk
Set (1957) - 10/07 |
Part
of a netflix-inspired Spencer Tracy/Kathryn Hepburn trail we
were on. Witty script and fun setup, from the proto-computer-nerd
Tracy to the smarter-than-a-whip Hepburn. Good fun. Hilarious
computers. An "efficiency" expert wants to mechanize
the fact retrieval department at a TV network. |
See
it
- One of those "classics". Y'gotta give it some slack
for the time, of course.
DVD/Paid |
| Devil
Wears Prada, The (2006) |
I
guess this is the second in the devil title trilogy for Meryl
Streep (remember "She-Devil"?) who brings massive
depth to a very one-dimensional appearing woman. Anne Hathaway
plays a niave and job-needy graduate who must work for the ultimate
souless boss from hell. Stanley Tucci checks in with another
excellent role. |
See
it
- Even if you don't care about fashion, it's a well-rendered
and funny film. Only the boyfriend scenes were a little forced.
Theatre/Paid |
| Duck
Soup (1933) - 12/07 |
Didn't
do too much for me. Yeah, I know it's the Marx Brothers, and
I know it's supposed to be a comedy classic. Maybe I was too
tired and not in a silly enough mood. Whatever. Groucho plays
Rufus T. Firefly, who becomes the leader of Freedonia and declares
war over a woman (who is also the rich benefactor of his country).
Frivolity ensues. People break into song. |
See
it
- You probably need to see this, just to say you've seen it.
My only reason to recommend.
DVD/Paid |
| |
|
| E
|
|
| Enchanted
(2007) - 12/07 |
Animated
characters pop through a manhole cover in Times Square to find
that they've been banished to an odd place where they now are
flesh and blood. Susan Sarandon as the evil queen who makes
this all happen. It's a funny sendup of Disney-esque themes
and songs, all the while being a Disney-esque theme with songs.
Some good bits. |
See
it
- Silly and light, but pretty fun.
Theatre/Paid |
| Enemy
at the Gates (2001) |
During
the seige of Stalingrad during World War II, snipers on both
the German and Russian sides stalk one another admist the maze
of shattered buildings and loyalties. Ed Harris and Jude Law
are the almost samaurai-like warriors who must engage the final
clash. Somehow a love interest movie got grafted into the middle
of this film, starring Rachel Weisz and Joe Fiennes, which makes
for an uneven story. |
See
it
-Really only 2/3rds of a movie. Worth it to hear what the Russian
commander yells as they first hit the city.
Theatre/Paid |
| Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) |
Jim
Carrey plays a tortured spurned lover, who decides to undergo
a mental cleansing to remove all memories of his lost girlfriend.
His psyche fights back a bit in this richly visual film. Odd
characters and situations follow, and it's not clear that everyone
is who they seem. |
See
it
- A bit of a wacky, wild ride at times, with a wonderfully inventive
script.
VHS/Paid |
| |
|
| F
|
|
| Failure
to Launch (2006) |
Cathy
Bates and Terry Bradshaw try to chase their aging man-child
out of the house via the services of Sarah Jessica Parker. Some
major plot components get brushed off and glossed over, and
the nephew's teeth mysteriously grow back suddenly. However,
if this was shot in black and white, it could be passed off
as a decent, somewhat screwball comedy from the 50's. |
See
it
- Edges over to cutesy a few times, but still had some decent
bits.
DVD/Paid |
| Film
Geek (2006) |
Humorous
but quickly forgettable film about a film obsessed young man,
whose limpet-like attention and "Rain Man"-like knowledge
of films gets most folks a little edgy. Not the "Napoleon
Dynamite" that the box blurb would have you believe, and
the ending throws a scene in which sort of jumbles things. Yeah,
he's a geek. Yeah, he likes films. Ok, some things happen. That's
about it. |
See
it
- Why not?
DVD/Free |
| Find
Me Guilty (2006) |
Follows
the story of New Jersey mobster Jackie DiNorscio, a who defended
himself in the longest trial in US history, as part of a huge
RICO act case. Funny and oddly touching places, this film used
courtroom transcripts in what must've been a very interesting
trial. Vin Diesel shows he can act, pulling off the right tone
of street-educated thug with a caseload of charm. |
See
it
- Some funny bits and it's worth watching to see Vin Diesel
act against all expectations.
DVD/Free |
| Fish
Called Wanda, A (1988) |
Grand
heists, stuttering bank robbers, swashbuckling gang leaders,
John Cleese strutting around nude spouting Russian phrases -
what's not to like. The movie which sparked a host of inferior
madcap imitators, but this one got it right. |
See
it
-Well written and acted - great fun.
Theatre/Paid |
| Flushed
Away (2006) |
Aardman
Studios brings us a rubbery mouse who finds himself a long way
from home. A goodly number of densely-packed visual gags throughout,
as is the style of Nick Park's gang, but not quite the fully
integrated hilarity of Wallace and Grommit. Pretty good. |
See
it
- Despite stealing Wallace's toothy grin for Roddy, it's a fun
diversion.
DVD/Paid |
| Flying
Scotsman, The (2006) - 11/07 |
As
you may guess, most bike-geek movies will be both given a free
pass and judged harshly here. I mean, weren't we all secretly
thrilled by American Flyers even as we wanted to laugh
and vomit? OK, maybe you just had to realize what life was like
before OLN and live Tour feeds... Anyway. Graeme Obree seemed
to come out of nowhere and rock the bike world when he eclipsed
Moser's hour record in 1993. An interesting story about a supremely
driven athelete. By the same token, hard to follow the chronological
timeline, a few too-easy coincidences cheapen the storyline,
and just why the hell does the guy who has enough money to sponsor
Obree not have enough dough to buy more than one cycling jersey? |
See
it
- Bike geekery on the big screen. Would've liked more closeup
cycling stuff, but that's always the case...
DVD/Paid |
| For
Your Consideration (2006) |
This
time skewering Hollywood vanities and absurdities, Christopher
Guest focuses his eye on a small-time movie caught up in the
winds of rumors and maybe greatness. From the man who brought
you Spinal Tap, Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, another
of his "mockumentary" style films. |
See
it
- A little bit of the sameness to these, but has enough laughs
and wry insights to matter. A good one.
DVD/Paid |
| Fortunes
(2006) |
This
aimless and horrible film has nothing to recommend it. Unbelievably
poor acting, a script which makes no sense, forced situations
and reactions and reflective pauses by the actors which we're
maybe supposed to think are meaningful. Three buddies go to
a fortune-teller, where (thanks to a plot device of the worst
kind) only two get their fortunes told. The two react by over-acting
in a way which would piss off a high school drama teacher and
the third continues over-acting as the most annoying person
you never returned a phone call to. |
Skip
it
- Frickin' Dreadful. Feel free to snap the DVD in half before
you return it. It's that bad.
DVD/Paid |
| Freedom
Writers (2007) - 1/09 |
Pretty
amazing story of Erin Gruell and the students of Roosevelt High
in Long Beach. Hilary Swank plays the inspired and niave freshman
remedial English teacher who finds herself in deep water when
class begins. The students begin entrenched in racial and cultural
groups, but begin to find similarities as they learn of the
Holocaust and begin diaries of their own. |
See
it
- A little cute and pat here and there, but a good little film.
Hey, it's a movie, not a documentary. But, don't bother with
the "behind the story" stuff on the DVD - it plays
like a music video/trailer.
DVD/Paid |
| French
Kiss (1995) |
Kevin
Kline & Meg Ryan, so you gotta figure it's pretty cute.
One of those films that we end up watching if we chance upon
it on the upper channels. Jewel heist, plant smuggling, setting
things right, a good cheese scene and a cop that might have
the wisdom to let things go the correct way. |
See
it
- A gentle film that's easy to watch.
VHS/Paid |
| Friends
With Money (2006) |
Some
fine actors wasted as folks who may have sold their souls to
get where they are. Somehow these people stayed friends despite
really not caring about anyone but themselves. Odd interludes
and inexplicable actions, as though this was halfway through
the season on some unwatchable soap opera. |
Skip
it
-A dreadful work-in-progress feel to the script that misses
and goes nowhere.
DVD/Paid |
| Fungus
the Bogeyman (2004) |
Got
this one to check out the voice character work. It's actually
a BBC-TV production that got ported over to DVD. As such, it's
reasonably hard to hear, and the plot is methodically linear
and the pacing is just ungodly slow. We flipped it off after
a bit. Oh well. |
Skip
it
- Plodding and slow. Might work for small kids.
DVD/Paid |
| |
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| G
|
|
| Game
6 (2005) - 3/08 |
Michael
Keaton is a potentially successful playwright who must ultimately
choose between hope and cynicism on the night of Game 6 of the
1985 (?) World Series. It plays a bit like a play, and I enjoyed
that aspect of it - characters have an epic feel to them, hyper-real
rather than accurate. Keaton's character turns out to be less
despicable than he first appears, especially when confronted
by his possible future. |
See
it
- Kind of a tricky film, and perhaps a bit easy to dismiss,
but it distills the choices for a person hanging between good
and evil.
DVD/Paid |
| Garden
State (2004) |
A
quirky and at times slow-paced film, tracing the return of a
young man, almost a Dustin-Hoffman-as-the-Graduate character,
to his hometown in New Jersey. Weaning himself off of antidepressants,
prescribed by his father, mind you, he comes back to life, picking
up relationships and loose ends in his history. |
See
it
- A good little story, gentle and sad in spots, though overall
uplifting in my book.
DVD/Paid |
| Glory
Road (2006) - 08/07 |
Josh
Lucas stars as Don Haskins, the Texas Western basketball coach
who put together a powerhouse team and came out of nowhere to
take their shot at the 1966 NCAA championship, with the first
all-black starting lineup in that tournament. Along the way,
he deals with a school that doesn't consider basketball important,
a frightening level of animosity and downright overt racism
and forges a path for his vision of high intensity basketball.
Great performances throughout. |
See
it
- Really a nicely done film. I do like sports films that manage
to catch the tone right, and this one shows things very well.
DVD/Paid |
| Goal:
The Dream Begins (2005) - 08/07 |
This
is one of those sports films that gets the form without necessarily
understanding that there should be content. If you can take
this as an innocuous little time waster, it's probably enjoyable
enough. But, if you ask questions like, "don't you think
it's a little too silly to place a soccer-crazy group of Newcastle
(or whatever the name of the actual town was) ex-pats watching
the Big Game in a Central LA bar where both the father and the
grandmother can decide to wander in to" you might find
this movie hokey. Even if that doesn't bother you, it's extremely
light on actual thought/action processes. Most issues in the
plot are resolved offscreen. |
Skip
it
- It's only moderately a "Skip" as there's just not
that much "there" there. Very topical and telegraphing
and doesn't hold up to much questioning.
DVD/Paid |
| Golden
Compass, The (2007) - 12/07 |
Drawn
from the Philip Pullman book, from "His Dark Materials"
trilogy. This isn't a bad movie, but (obviousness warning) it
isn't up to the quality and depth of Pullman's writing. We both
thought that someone who hadn't read it might be a little more
adrift than in "Lord of the Rings", as an example.
Still, epic battles, excellent daemon characters and the panzerbjorne
are frighteningly real. Definite violence, so not a young kid's
movie. |
See
it
- Hopefully, this will continue to bloom into the second and
third installments.
Theatre/Paid |
| Good
Night and Good Luck (2005) |
Hats
off to George Clooney for getting this onto the screen. Luciously
shot black and white capturing the frenzy of the time, as David
Straithairn cracks off a great role as Edward R. Murrow, back
when journalists weren't just conduits for press releasees. |
See
it
- Think about it. See it again. A great film.
Theatre/Paid |
| Grand
Canyon (1991) |
Chance
and circumstance push a group of disparate individuals together
in LA and they sorta-kinda ponder aloud about what life is about.
It's possible that angels wear Boston Red Sox caps and keep
you from wandering in front of busses. The Grand Canyon is really
big and impressive. |
Skip
it
- Just never connected for me, though IIRC, it was critics darling.
Video/Paid |
| Gross
Pointe Blank (1997) - 3/09 |
John
Cusack plays a fellow dreading his 10 year high school reunion,
which just happens to be in the town his work just sent him
to, on the same weekend he has a job to do. His work just happens
to be a killer-for-hire. Minnie Driver is the woman he stood
up at the prom as he disappeared from sight. She seems to own
and run a radio station which curiously enough has prime retail
frontage in the main bit of town. Dan Ackroyd is another hitman
who is trying to set up a union of sorts for hitmen, and is
not afraid to use a little muscle to get folks to sign on. It
kinda starts spinning from there. |
Skip
it
- I laughed twice, despite myself. Otherwise, this was quite
an odd little film that pretty much missed the mark. Of course,
I did see it from the couch, when I was sick.
Cable/Free |
| |
|
| H
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| Happy
Feet (2006) |
"March
of the Penguins" gets the rendering treatment. Mumbles
the penguin is born without the ability to sing, making him
an outcast among his peers. Yet, he's got the whole Fred Astaire
thing going, so he just might have a way to save the day.... |
See
it
- Just barely a "See it" - it's better than a rerun,
and it's kinda fun here and there. Robin Williams cracks off
some great characters, of course.
DVD/Paid |
| Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) |
I
wouldn't want the pressure of trying to bring this one to the
screen, but the feel and style, as well as the fun from the
book make it through. They seem to focus a fair bit more than
necessary on back-story items - the stuff that most know from
the books. But, I guess that's needed as well. |
See
it
- Good effects and well cast.
Theatre/Paid |
| Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) |
If
you can put up with the wriggly and whining house elf, Dobby,
this will go OK for you. Slightly halting acting among the youngsters
here and there, but it doesn't get in the way of a darned decent
second tale from Ms. Rowling. |
See
it
- Well rendered. They keep things a bit more on-point than the
first installment.
Theatre/Paid |
| Harry
Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban (2004) |
This
time, perhaps to coincide with the growing intensity of the
story, the visuals are a bit more sinister and gothic. This
time (if you live under a rock), Harry's godfather Sirius Black
escapes from prison, pursued to Hogwarts by the Dementors. Nice
subtext with Professor Lupine's character. |
See
it
- It's finally starting to hit on all cylinders. Nice film with
a strong set of supporting actors.
Theatre/Paid |
| Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) |
Distilling
this longer, darker, and arguably adult-themed book into a single
movie must've been tricky. But, clearly, they had the pros work
on it, as they kept the key elements, maintained the horror
of Voldemort's return and continue to let the characters develop. |
See
it
- Dang, another nice job. Though, they better finish before
the stars hit their 20's...of course, someone's got to finish
the book series, too.
Theatre/Paid |
| Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) |
This
is probably the weakest of the stories - lots of internal dialogue
and sitting around wondering/whining why things aren't right.
The film does as good a job as it could with this -maybe even
a touch better than the book, but has difficulty getting over
that hurdle. The actual "action" is little and far
between. They better finish up soon, 'cuz the kids are getting
pretty big. |
See
it
- Heck, you're this far in, you might as well see it.
Theatre/Paid |
| Heart
of the Game, The (2005) - 1/08 |
If
you brought this script into a pitch meeting, you'd probably
get laughed right out - everything is too perfect; the coach,
the players, the situation, the finale... But, man, what a story!
The story of a Seattle high school women's basketball team as
they become a powerhouse under Bill Resler. But the amazingly
talented Darnellia Russell quickly begins to steal the show.
|
See
it
- An amazing piece of filmmaking. Excellent narration by Ludacris.
Not a short film, but what could you take out?
DVD/Paid |
| High
Fidelity (2000) |
This
is one of those late-night movie magnets which I always have
trouble breaking free of if found on the TV. John Cusack is
a monologuing record store owner, whose most recent breakup
has him tracking down old girlfriends to find his seemingly
fatal flaw in relatonships. Great bits in the record store,
with fun roles by Jack Black and Tim Robbins, just to pick two.
|
See
it
- Probably more of a guy film, but wonderfully quirky, funny
and true.
VHS/Paid |
| History
Boys, The (2006) |
Pretty
much wish I'd seen this as a play. As the film, it comes off
just a bit too pat and neat, with actors appearing to deliver
their wry or poignant line - too much of an "on the stage"
feel for me. I won't say "Skip it", but honestly,
I could easily go that way. Acting was pretty top-notch all
the way through, but there was a "skimming" quality
which crept into the repeated scenes of studying and class work.
|
See
it
- Had a bit of trouble connecting with the characters, and there's
UK-centric assumptions of what's important. Well-written &
acted but didn't resonate for me.
DVD/Paid |
| Hoax,
The (2006) - 1/08 |
Richard
Gere plays smooth-talking author Clifford Irving, who convinced
McGraw-Hill and Time Magazine that he had facilitated the Autobiography
of Howard Hughes. He hadn't, of course. Not a bad little film,
but towards the end, it makes some claims that I'm not sure
it can back up. An interesting portrait of a scheme that grows
and goes horribly wrong. |
See
it
- The only thing that really bugged me about this little film
was the tendancy of Mike Wallace and others in the featurettes
to make Irving into a hero of sorts.
DVD/Paid |
| Holiday,
The (2007) |
Not
the simple screwball comedy that the previews would have you
believe. There's a lot of interesting threads in this film,
but it seemed mildly overlong in places. Two women (Cameron
Diaz & Kate Winslett) swap houses in a spur of the moment
Christmas-season reaction to frustrating relationships. New
love interests arise miraculously, as do poignant moments. They
seem to play it a bit safe, though there are some nice bits. |
See
it
- It tries to pay homage to 50's films of Hollywood scriptwriting
heyday. It falls a bit short, but does an OK job.
DVD/Paid |
| Home
Movie (2001) - 7/08 |
Another
documentary, but this one proved to have no voiceover. The filmmakers
let five diverse homeowners speak about where they've chosen
to live and how it's a part of their life. A treehouse in Hawaii,
floating home in the Bayou, abandoned missle base in the midwest,
an inventor who may be either brilliant or seriously tetched
and a couple who have made quite possibly the ultimate cat house.
And through all the housing oddities, the people themselves
shine through beautifully. |
See
it
- Well rendered and interesting view into these folks' lives.
DVD/Paid |
| Hot
Fuzz (2007) |
An
overachieving London Special Forces/SWAT-type drives everyone
in his department nuts enough to get transferred well out of
cellphone range, where the largest police action seems to be
chasing down escaped swans. But, strange things are afoot in
this idyllic northern England village as curious accidents befall
folks at a steady clip. Starts a bit predictably and then ends
up rolling into mayhem. |
See
it
- Manages both to mock and become archetypes of buddy cop movies.
A few reasonably bloody/violent scenes...
DVD/Paid |
| How
to Cook Your Life (2007) - 8/08 |
This
film follows Edward Espe Brown, who became the cook at the Tassajarra
Mountain Center in his early 20's and has practiced baking and
Zen Buddhism for the last 40 years. Deeply human, unafraidedly
emotional and curiously exacting and forgiving, it is a compelling
story of a timeless journey. Cameo appearance by Jaquie
Phelan and others. |
See
it
- Not always an easy watch, but an excellent film.
DVD/Paid |
| |
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| I
|
|
| Ice
Age 2: The Meltdown (2006) |
This
one - and I feel odd typing this - lacks the complexity of "Ice
Age". Not necessarily a bad thing, but this has a much
simpler story and the dangers are sort of amorphous baddies
rather than a plotting group of vindictive tigers. Probably
makes it easier for the youngsters. Shorter story stitched intercut
with a funny Scrat/Acorn storyline, which doesn't quite come
across as two separate films. |
See
it
- Fun and easy. More evidence that I'm a pushover for animation.
DVD/Paid |
| Ice
Harvest, The (2005) - 12/07 |
John
Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton create a partnership of convenience
to swipe $2 million from the local Wichita, Kansas (?) mob.
Things begin to unravel and a series of missteps and events
skew things further. This is not to say that frivolity ensues.
In fact, this was a good deal more violent and unfunny than
we were ready for. Has a bit of the Fargo meets Blood Simple,
but doesn't manage to find the real humor. |
Skip
it
- Described as wickedly funny. Nope.
DVD/Paid |
| Idiocracy
(2006) |
An
ultimately flawed film which had a few good bits. Luke Wilson
does his level best to make people refer to Owen Wilson as "the
funny one", and with about 6 rewrites, the script could've
really completely bitingly satriical. As it stands, it hits
easy targets and loses its step several times. A military experiment
gone awry sends two very average folks into the future, where
generations of breeding have pushed the national intellect down
to low levels. |
See
it
- But be aware that it leaves a bit to be desired. Nevertheless,
some really on-target parody of pervasive cultural images when
it's "on".
DVD/Paid |
| Illusionist,
The (2006) |
Ed
Norton as an extremely talented and driven Illusionist in the
courts and streets of Austria. Paul Giamatti plays a police
commisioner who has his fingers in all things. Luciously shot
and compelling little drama with some pretty stunning (and supposedly
historically accurate) tricks. |
See
it
- I really liked this film, despite the specificity of the ending.
Theatre/Paid |
| I
Love You to Death (1990) |
Forgot
about this movie until I began working the Kevin Kline thread.
Tracy Ullman decides to off her philandering husband, but things
don't quite work out the right way. A mildly dark comedy with
great acting all around. |
See
it
- Funny stuff.
Video/Paid |
| In
and Out (1997) |
Kevin
Kline plays a teacher who gets publically outed by an ex-student-turned-star's
award acceptance speech - which kinda comes as big news to his
finance and their smallish town. Sort of a play off the acceptance
speech Tom Hanks gave after his "Philadelphia" Oscar,
IIRC. Tom Selleck shows up to follow through on his longtime
crush. |
See
it
- Pretty danged funny, actually, and it's hilarious to see Selleck
in the role.
VHS/Paid |
| In
the Heat of the Night (1967) - 1/08 |
A northern industrialist is found murdered in an alley of the
Mississippi town he can potentially save, and the local sheriff
must find the killer. Sidney Portier gets caught up in the investigation
and begrudgingly assists the case. Set decidedly in place and
time, the two try to overcome their preconceptions and seek
the truth. |
See
it
- One of those films you need to see - one of those films that
makes you want to not go to Mississippi. Intense and humorous.
A classic.
DVD/Paid |
| Insomnia
(2002) |
Some
high level and intense acting, but a slightly klunky plot. There's
a foreboding intensity throughout which plays in an interesting
manner against the constant daylight of its Alaska setting.
Interesting film, but not quite great as a sum of its parts. |
See
it
- Hard to tell anyone not to see Al Pacino or Robin Williams
on screen.
DVD/Paid |
| Intermission
(2003) |
This
one caught our attention because of Colm Meany, who usually
manages to articulate interesting characters. Not to say he
doesn't, but it doesn't save this film. Things start poorly
and get worse, with misunderstandings and coincidence which
seem all too set up and contrived. |
Skip
it
- Usually I like quirky films from across the pond, but not
this one. Sorry.
VHS/Paid |
| Iron
Jawed Angels (2004) - 11/08 |
This
was a TV movie originally, so there are some "commercial-break"
setups and pauses apparent, and the whole thing reads a little
smoothly - not really getting waylaid or slowed down by extra
emotion or facts. If you know that going in though, you can
enjoy this film about the Woman's Suffrage movement of the 20th
Century. Seems almost impossible from this day, but it's a reminder
of how much equality there is still left to spread around. Hilary
Swank as Alice Paul and Anjelica Huston as Carrie Chamber Catt
head the cast. |
See
it
- Clearly a time when most men had some serious women's equality
issues. Unlike now, of course, since we've all got over that,
right?
DVD/Paid |
| It's
In The Water (1997) - 11/07 |
A
couple of far-between laughs, but otherwise a reasonably amatuerish
film. Pretty wooden acting, setups you can see from waaay far
away, really bad protesters, supposedly in Texas, but no actual
sense of place. But, the thing that wins this a "Skip It"
has to be the "pitch" of the film - that the town
starts freaking out that there's something gay-in-izing about
the water - has a horribly bad introduction and then is never
followed through on. Could've been done well , but really wasn't.
|
Skip
it
- About half a script crammed into a full movie.
DVD/Paid |
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| J
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| Journey
to the Center of the Earth (2008) - 1/09 |
Brendan
Fraser leads this merry romp through inner earth. For some reason,
I thought this was geared for a more adult audience. That's
what I get for snagging a DVD to get the special "3 fer"
price... Anyway. This doesn't get down in anything that would
resemble a plot, and it was kind of fun to point out logical
errors. I guess this would be good for kids, with the requisite
roller coaster video game graphics and such. |
See
it
- Well, if you are babysitting and don't want to get something
completely inane.
DVD/Paid |
| Joyeux
Noel (2005) |
A
very poetical and ultimately tragic story of a glimmer of peace
which sparkled Christmas Eve, 1914. Caught in what would be
an all-too-often replayed scenario of grinding trench warfare,
front line troops find a common ground and take pause. Language
and circumstances reveal that the men have even more in common,
but must ultimately retreat to their own side (and face consequences.) |
See
it
- A beautiful and melancholy film. War scenes, but not at "Private
Ryan" levels. Uplifting, even at the end.
DVD/Paid |
| Juno
(2007) - 5/08 |
Ellen
Page plays the lead character, an unmarried high school student
who finds herself "in a family way". Well-drawn characters
with their own world of influences, needs and idiosyncracies
populate her world, which she negotiates with a strong intellect
and cynically optimistic viewpoint. It serves her well as she
learns more about the potential adoptive parents, balances the
needs of her nerdy par amour and the landmines of high school
in general. Good stuff. |
See
it
- I liked this, liked the script, liked the acting, liked the
actors.
DVD/Paid |
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|
| K
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|
| Kabluey
(2007) - 10/08 |
The
trailer of this movie fascinated me, with the imagery of the
lifesized odd corporate mascot artifact of the dot-com bust
era loping across the Texas plain. The film didn't quite deliver
that, but did a credible job of honoring the inept life flailings
of Salman (Scott Pendergrast). Lisa Kudrow cracks off a good
role as the beleaguered mother who must balance fears and needs
while her husband is fighting overseas and her sons give new
meaning to hyperactive. |
See
it
- Arcs above the "see it" line, but there are some
klinky moments in the story. Not as good as I wanted it to be.
DVD/Paid |
| Kiki's
Delivery Service (1989) |
We
started tracking down Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away"
and "Howl's Moving Castle"). This one's a bit earlier,
but the video store had it. It's pretty linear and doesn't reach
the depth of illustration that his later stuff does. The story
is geared towards a younger audience, but it held my attention
most of the time. |
See
it
- Good to see from a historical perspective.
DVD/Paid |
| King
of California (2007) - 3/09 |
Michael
Douglas comes out of a mental institution with a plan - finding
Spanish gold which he is convinced lies within his old neighborhood.
He enlists his disbelieving and suffering daughter, who has
been holding things together in his absence. He spins his own
web of suffering over them again, as she tries to believe in
him and maintain her own momentum. Hits some funny notes of
cultural commentary and ironic detachment as it moves along.
|
See
it
- Just barely on the good side - the script is a bit uneven
and Douglas' idiosyncrasies a little too consistently cute.
DVD/Paid |
| Kinky
Boots (2005) |
The
less-than-interested son takes over the 4th generation family
shoe manufacturing company, realizes that it has a less-than-rosy
future and ponders how to fix things. His efforts are focused
by a chance meeting with a drag queen, whose design abilities
rank with his penchant for drawing attention. Good acting throughout
and a fun ride. |
See
it
- Nice UK humor with just enough angst and sadness to keep things
in perspective.
DVD/Paid |
| Knocked
Up (2007) - 10/07 |
Silly
and over-the-top, yet spot-on and poignent at times. It's refreshing
to see an adult movie which is made for, y'know adults. Seth
Grogran plays a directionless semi-slacker, who suddenly decides
to "do the right thing" when confronted with the fact
that he's a father after a one-night stand. The supporting characters
are well-drawn, and the plot moves along with humor and insight.
|
See
it
- Good film. Isn't afraid to devolve into base humor. But a
good film.
DVD/Paid |
| Kung
Fu Panda (2008) - 12/08 |
Jack
Black voices Po the Panda who is obsessed with Kung Fu and the
"Furious Five" who live high above his village and
train under the watchful eye of Master Shifu. Evil escapes and
threatens the village while Po finds himself in the role of
ultimate guardian. Good fun and humor, nicely used voices. |
See
it
- Good tale, although it kinda stretches the Big Message at
the end. Reasonably dynamic visuals and a decent enough villian.
DVD/Paid |
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| Last
Mimzy, The (2007) |
Sort
of a weird little film. Aimed at a younger audience, it seemed,
but with reasonably complex plot twists that would appear to
be hard to follow. Some interesting ideas, but not particularly
well executed. Cute kids and it's fun to see Rainn Wilson as
the not-Dwight-Schrute hippie teacher. |
See
it
- Just barely a "see it". I think the kids that would
follow it might see it as too cute.
DVD/Paid |
| Little
Miss Sunshine (2006) |
Never
has dysfunctional been this much fun. A road trip to a Junior
Miss Beauty Pagent doesn't miss anywhere. Great acting all around,
a script that finds humor where it hurts and horrors where they
exist. One of my new favorite films. |
See
it
- Alan Arkin's first line is a classic moment. Just weird enough
and relentlessly goofy to cheer me up.
Theatre/Paid |
| Look
Both Ways (2006) |
Australian
film that mixes some animated inner visions with reality. Tragedies
both real and imagined wash over a group of loosely connected
folks in the city. Fighting isolation and fear, they misunderstand
themselves and one another as they react to dangers both real
and imagined. Quiet and reflective pacing. |
See
it
- A mildly quirky and darkly funny film which really stuck with
me. Nicely done.
DVD/Paid |
| Looking
for Comedy in the Muslim World (2006) |
Albert
Brooks plays Albert Brooks who gets hired by the State Department
to find out what makes Muslims laugh. Of course, they send him
to India to discover this, which is the first of the Brooksian
hijinks to ensue. Misunderstandings build tangentially on all
sides while Brooks proceeds blissfully unaware through them
all. |
See
it
- While not hilarious, there are some decent chuckles throughout
the film. Although, if that really was his standup bit, it didn't
do it for me, either.
DVD/Paid |
| Lost
In Translation (2003) |
Hmmm...
I must say that I wanted to like this movie lot more than I
did, and there's certainly memorable sections which burble back
up in my mind, but it just didn't really catch me the way it
seemed to most folks. Bill Murray is an international star who
may be waning and is certainly burning out - stuck in Japan
filming an ad. Lost and adrift, he comes across a lonely young
girl (Scarlett Johannsen) in whose company he begins to awaken
a bit. An essay on fame, isolation and the intensity of feelings
that seem to accompany travel and strange lands. |
See
it
- Marginal "See It", as I'd love to give this movie
another chance some day.
Theatre/Paid |
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| Mad
Hot Ballroom (2005) |
Traces
individuals through the New York Public School system as they
prepare for an annual dance competition. Enjoyable on many levels,
whether for the dancing, the differences in approach or just
watching kids find their own abilities. Uplifting and nail-biting. |
See
it
-Another excellent "gotta see it" documentary.
Theatre/Paid |
| Mad
Money (2008) - 12/08 |
This
film just had an odd tone and ultimately feeble story arc. Diane
Keaton plays a suburban housewife who sorta suddenly realizes
that she and her husband are broke. She takes the first job
which comes along, which turns out to be a cleaning person at
a high security federal bank in charge of destroying worn out
currency. She sees a flaw in the system and somehow manages
to find two accomplices to begin siphoning off this loot. But
why? |
Skip
it
- Does crime pay? I guess we don't really care because we have
a hard time caring about the characters.
DVD/Paid |
| Man
Named Pearl, A (2006) - 02/09 |
Documentary
on Pearl Fryar, who started nipping away at the stray bits of
trees some years ago and developed an incredible garden at his
home in South Carolina. Singlehandedly trimmed, shaped and created
a place of staggering peace and beauty from cast-offs at the
nursery. Though you might not appreciate him as a neighbor while
the gas-powered trimmer goes until the wee morning hours, you'd
wake up every morning and forgive him. |
See
it
- Inspiring and invigorating. A quiet and gentle story.
DVD/Paid |
| Man
of the Year (2006) |
A
computer glitch elects Robin Williams' John Stewart/Bill Maher
character as President of the US. Meanwhile, a soulless Silicon
Valley tries to put the kabosh on the woman who knows exactly
what went wrong. Some really great political humor and a couple
of pointed-if-buried barbs at our democratic process. |
See
it
-Not quite the movie I wanted it to be, and the cloak-n-dagger
stuff gets a bit distracting, but worth it to see Williams uncork
his bits.
Theatre/Paid |
|
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) |
Why,
Why, Why? Ok, there's a bit of sentimentality at the end which
caused a touching moment, but I think that was just contrast
against the rest of the movie which focused on the fumbles of
folks I didn't care about, stuck in cycles which were reasonably
depressing. Then there's the whole internet chat thing which
takes several steps past the boundries of reasonably creepy.
|
Skip
it
- Felt like I was on a cross-country drive in a car that had
no radio or CD/Tape player, with people it turned out I had
nothing in common with, and who had annoying personal habits.
Theatre/Paid |
| Meet
The Robinsons (2007) - 11/07 |
Not
Pixar-level, but good. Starts a little slowly, and there was
a point in the first 30 minutes where we lost interest. But,
then things get a bit wierd, which saves the movie. This is
not a complex script, and you'll probably figure things out
before too long, but it's a humorous ride. Solidly above average
tale about an orphaned boy whose inventions tend to go horribly
wrong. Time-travel, singing frogs and evil hats (that look a
little R2D2-ish, eh?) |
See
it
- Light animation fare. Watchable for adults and a decent younger-kid
story.
DVD/Paid |
| Michael
Clayton (2007) - 6/08 |
George
Clooney finds just the right pitch in the title role as a figure
that no one really wants around, but everybody needs. Tilda
Swinton is the frighteningly souless lawyer. Tom Wilkenson just
nails it as the attorney who may be crumbling before our very
eyes - his first monologue is off the charts. A taut suspenseful
film of a man trying to regain his soul. Some interesting threads
of mysticism manage to float through as well. Why does he stop
for the horses? |
See
it
- Yeah, you can tell that I really liked this film. Great script,
directing and acting. Pitch perfect.
DVD/Paid |
| Midsummer
Night's Dream (1999) |
Good
stars and nothing really bad about this film - it just never
really hit its stride for me. Maybe it is just that I've seen
this play so many times that the film was sort of anticlimatic.
Nothing will ever really surpass seeing this as a play under
the stars in Halifax Nova Scotia. But, I'm starting to sound
like some theatre purist... oh well. |
Skip
it
-Unless you've never seen the play, which I'd find reasonably
difficult to believe...
VHS/Paid |
| Milk
(2008) - 4/09 |
It's
kind of embarrassing, but we managed to miss this in the theatres
and only now just watched it. Sean Penn (as everyone has said)
embodies Harvey Milk and every moment is pitch perfect. (Yeah,
the end had a funny little skip-step, but hey...) I'd forgotten
the scope of the Briggs/Bryant bs. |
See
it
- Superb.
DVD/Paid |
| Miracle
Match (2005) - 2/08 |
Relating
the intriguing story of the 1950 US World Cup Soccer team -
dismissed and ignored, they pulled together in a ferociously
fought match against England - widely regarded as the best team
of the day. Fascinating pre-history of US soccer, though the
execution of the film leaves a lot to be desired - everything
gets sort of easily resolved and topically discussed. The entire
film seems to have been done at arm's length. |
Skp
it
- Would have played better as a documentary. The movie has an
after-school special feel to it. Too bad - this story deserved
a great movie.
DVD/Paid |
| Miss
Potter (2007) |
No
relation to the wizard-kid of the same name, this is the story
of Beatrix Potter, writer of the most popular childrens books
ever. A beautiful film with its own sense of pacing and the
world. Subtly shifting to viewing Mss Potter and Miss Potter
viewing the world, it is an enjoyably gentle little film that
restored my faith in Renee Zellweger. |
See
it
- Beautifully rendered and delicate tale of this author. Many
favorite scenes.
Theatre/Paid |
| Monster
House (2006) |
Animated
feature using an interesting computerized process similar to
rotoscoping, yet uniquely compelling - not to distract from
what was a fun, Halloween-oriented script and well-rendered
film. Everyone growing up had one creepy house near their neighborhood
that caused fear and prevented anyone from cutting across the
lawn. This time, it's for real, and only a trio of kids have
figured it out. |
See
it
-Yeah, it's probably more for kids, but there's good stuff in
there and it fit the bill on Halloween '06. Also worth poking
into the "making of" sections of the DVD.
DVD/Paid |
| Mrs.
Palfrey at the Claremont (2005) - 1/09 |
A
gorgeous and quiet little film, with Joan Plowright as a woman
trying to find connections and dignity as she moves into her
last years. A chance meeting with a young struggling writer
played by Rupert Friend, brings a glow to both their lives.
It's a wonderful story, exceptionally well played, with glorious,
sad and tender moments. |
See
it
- Subtle, fine and fun. Warming and a bit sad as well.
DVD/Paid |
| Music
of the Heart (1999) - 4/09 (repeat viewing) |
Meryl
Streep plays Roberta Guaspari, who created and led the East
Harlem Violin program, against some considerable odds and the
displeasure of the school board. Well acted, inspiring and real.
This version had a second DVD with a documentary of Guaspari
as well, which was as good as the film. Weird little observation
that the film was directed by Wes Craven. Go figure. |
See
it
- Inspiring. With this viewing, I actually have seen this at
least 3 or 4 times now. We were wading through the dreck at
the vid store and this one just seemed right.
DVD/Paid |
| My
Kid Could Paint That (2007) - 5/08 |
Documentary
covering the Olmstead family, whose 4 year old daughter became
a bit of a phenom in modern art circles in 2005, when she was
suddenly having her own shows and being compared to Picasso
and others. Also managed to net some serious cash from the sale
of her paintings. But perhaps there was a bit more to the story,
as folks begin to infer and accuse. An interesting comment upon
the art world in general, which maybe was the point of the painting.
As the film suggests, you need to decide. |
See
it
- A little klunky in the way things get summed up, but a decent
enough documentary.
DVD/Paid |
| My
Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) |
Should've
seen this coming, but this one misses on so many levels that
you just want to leave. Uma Thurman's Supergirl turns out to
be suprisingly needy person to have a relationship with. It
just gets kinda needlessly overdone and ugly. |
Skip
it
-Worse than it sounds.
Theatre/Paid |
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| Nashville
(1975) - 3/08 |
One
of those movies I never saw but always figured I should've.
Well. I've seen it. Okey-dokey. If you don't already now, this
was Robert Altman's film of intertwined stories leading up to
a dynamic event in Nashville. It's got the Altman trademark
layered sound and ad-lib feel. For me, it plays better in retrospect,
when I don't have to sit through the endless averagely-rendered
country songs and herky-jerky bits. It captured a time, and
Henry Gibson's character (among others) is stellar. But, it
seemed long. |
See
it
- As an AFI "top 100", I'm glad I saw it, but a lot
of it doesn't captivate. Found myself praying that some of the
bands wouldn't do a second song.
DVD/Paid |
| Night
At The Museum (2006) |
Ben
Stiller is a down-on-his-self-induced-luck fellah, who ends
up working in a particularly challenging situation at the Museum
of National History. Frivolity ensues when it turns out that
his charges come to life at night. Kinda disjointed to say the
least, and it's kind of hard to care about anyone too much. |
Skip
it
- A couple of needless subplots distract from this lightweight
script.
DVD/Paid |
| Notes
on a Scandal (2006) |
Sometimes
you just want to grab characters by the scruff of the neck and
ask "what the hell to you think you are doing?" Cate
Blanchett's is one of those. I guess that means that I cared
about her, but it was veering into exasparation at about the
halfway point. The film is pretty Hitchcockian, but probably
wouldn't have made his cut. Judy Dench does a great job as the
bitter and vengeful narrator. |
See
it
- Marginal "See it" mostly because you get a little
fed up with the folks involved.
DVD/Paid |
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| Once
(2007) - 1/08 |
A
very tender and moving film, despite a significant lack of dialog.
In this musical journey, we follow a musician in Dublin, Ireland
whose fortuitous meeting with an eastern european migrant begins
a series of creative events. Indirectly a love story, a musical
journey and inspiring glimpse into a pair of struggling lives.
|
See
it
- Relax into its gentle pace and enjoy.
DVD/Paid |
| Open
Season (2006) |
Maddeningly
missing on many levels, this stands as a great example of animation
going horribly wrong. The onscreen charachters seem as far removed
from the voices as they possibly could be (with one or two minor
exceptions), while the story seemed to be a couple of clever
scenes strung together with long bits of pedestrian segues.
Not quite as bad as Chicken Little... |
Skip
it
- Goodness me, what a dreadful little waste of time...
DVD/Paid |
| Outsourced
(2006) - 12/08 |
A
call-center manager gets railroaded into setting up an overseas
replacement department and finds himself in India, with impossible
goals to achieve and maddeningly lacking apparent resources
to do it. As he gains insight into those around him and gives
into the pace and methods of the culture, things begin to work
differently for him. Definitely not as pat as I just made it
sound. Good characters and a fine eye for the absurdity of culture
and the assumptions it makes. |
See
it
- Nicely acted with an insightful bit of writing. A few minor
script issues and events of convenience, but a good film. DVD/Paid
|
| Over
the Hedge (2006) |
A
clan of animals awake to find themselves surrounded by suburbia,
while a Bruce Willis voiced Racoon named "RJ" entices
them to use their foraging skills for his redemption. Hammy's
"moment of glory" was probably the most sublimely
beautiful and over the top hilarious moments I've seen in a
film. Lots of visual "draws" from other films, but
in a humorous rather than "copy & paste" way.
|
See
it
- Found myself laughing out loud a number of times, but I'm
easily humored by animated animalia. Interesting "behind
the" bit on the rendering of the hair surfaces.
DVD/Paid |
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| Patch
Adams (1998) |
Yeah,
you know how this is going to play out, and you know that it's
going to pull at the obvious heart strings. Robin Williams as
a doctor who brings glee, hope and humor to those who may have
none. |
See
it
- If you don't like that kinda stuff, don't see it. But, I do
like the happy stories now and again, and this one is one.
VHS/Paid |
| Philadelphia
Story (1940) - 10/07 |
Because
ultimately, Katherine Hepburn completely and utterly rocks.
Pacing and cultural assumptions smack oddly 67 (or so) years
later, but this is a fun story of love and attraction, plans
and intentions. Pretty "forward" stuff for pre-war
USA, but fun to watch as socialite Hepburn is about to marry
an up-and-coming indutrialist. Her cad of an ex-husband turns
up suddenly in the form of Carey Grant, as do tabloid reporter
Jimmy Stewart and his photographer. |
See
it
- You need to give into the pace and suspend belief a bit, of
course.
DVD/Paid |
| Pink
Panther (2006) |
Not
to be confused with the Peter Sellers' versions, this rendering
stars Steve Martin and Kevin Kline. When I first saw the trailer,
my question was "What are they thinking?" This movie
did not disappoint - my preconceptions... Everyone tries, but
they cannot make this work, either in tone or content. Only
Jean Reno seems to have the right touch. |
Skp
it
- Go find the originals, they were stellar examples of balancing
subtle humor admist broad comedy.
DVD/Paid |
|
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) |
Yeah,
it's a film based on a Disney ride, but there have been much
worse films made on much better roots. This is a neatly scripted,
swashbuckling romp, with fearsome villians and other-worldly
debts. Nicely rendered and neatly articulated twists. Gratuitous
vignettes of the PotC ride, for those who've been there. |
See
it
- I'll leave it to others to argue who Johnny Depp was channelling
to play Captain Jack Sparrow, but everyone seemed to be having
fun.
DVD/Paid |
|
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) |
I
always feel stupid and cheap when taken in by a sequel, and
this one lines right up with the rest. Nice special effects
for Davy Jones' crew of tortured souls, but what else was there
in this overblown, scriptless "set-up" for the third
edition? Accents too thick to follow and nothing to recommend
this one, not even Keira Knightly... Maybe the next one will
work better. |
Skp
it
- Same thing as the second "Star Wars" film - everything
geared towards a cliffhanger ending - which we now must wait
for.
DVD/Paid |
| Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) -
1/08 |
Better
than the second one, but the characters who we might have cared
about in the first one get overwhelmed by world-ending special
effects. Not that I expected much else, and it is good, hollow
fun. Especially the moments of Jonny Depp dealing with multiple
Captain Jack Sparrows. The plot pretty much makes sense, though
there are some curious jumps and threads. |
See
it
- Moderate "See It", though we did spend a bit of
time going "waitaminute, what in the second episode led
to this?"
Digital/Paid |
| Prairie
Home Companion (2006) |
The
last night performance of the "Prairie Home Companion"
radio show, starring (and written by) Garrison Keillor. I suppose
it would make a big difference if I was familiar with the show,
but fact is, I'd never listened to it. So, this was interesting
but foreign landscape to me, and I'm not sure what Kevin Kline's
Guy Noir or the Lady in the White Trenchcoat was all about. |
Skp
it
- A very mild "skip it", despite good acting. Just
didn't strike a chord for me.
DVD/Paid |
| Premonition
(2007) |
Oh
lordy was this bad. Someone, somewhere along the line should
have called the producer and said, "..y'know, we really
need an actual script." Huge logical gaps and holes in
the narrative, which become noticeable when you aren't mocking
the odd overacting and poor pacing in the scenes. Most everyone
seems to be trying really hard, but this thing needed a serious
rewrite...and the ending? C'mon!... |
Skip
it
- Sorta Momento-ish, but without the reason to be so. Sorry
Sandra, this one's a dud.
DVD/Paid |
| Prestige,
The (2007) |
For
some reason this film got lost in the wake of "The Illusionist".
It has a very different feel than that film, though it mines
a bit of the same territory. Two competing magicians steal tricks,
connive and confound one another in their attempts to pull off
the big trick that will make their name. Things get a bit dark
and murky towards the end, which may or may not work for you.
But, I liked it. |
See
it
- Good acting throughout, with Michael Caine and Scarlett Johanssen
in supporting roles. Can't tell you too much - it's magic...
On Demand/Paid |
| Princess
Mononoke (1997) |
Demons,
curses, greed, epic struggles, bloody deaths and cute little
forest spirits...this film covers it all. A young boy from a
clan thought long-dead must find his fate. Another Miyazaki
film, and in this one he reaches for the epic themes of Kurasawa.
The only slightly clangy note was the casting of Billy Bob Thorton
as one of the voices - but only because you recognize the voice
and it pulls you out of the story. Strong characters and deep
script. Nice. |
See
it
- A fine and wonderful tale, with the only caveat being the
slightly choppy nature of a dubbed film.
DVD/Paid |
| Pursuit
of Happyness, The (2007) |
And
you thought you had a tough day at work... Will Smith puts himself
beautifully into this role as a single father struggling to
hold everything together despite the world testing him at every
step. His bouyant optimism in the face of it all is almost hard
to believe, but it worked for me. Pretty danged impressive on
all levels. |
See
it
- You know where this one is going, but it travels there well.
DVD/Paid |
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| Q
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| Queen,
The (2006) |
Helen
Mirren gives a wonderfully nuanced performance as Queen Elizabeth
II trying to balance tradition and reality in the wake of Diana's
death. Beautiful scenes of societal awkwardness, as well as
the implicit humor of Tony Blair speaking by phone to the Queen
while at home in a dirty T-shirt. Well cast and directed with
a good send of pacing. |
See
it
- Though it moves at a deliberately afternoon tea pace, this
is a finely rendered film.
DVD/Paid |
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| Ratatouille
(2007) |
Great
story. Great animation. Great characters. Great Voices. If you
don't like this, I don't know what to tell you, other than animation
just isn't your thing. Pixar is getting frighteningly close
to real-life image quality. Emille was born to cook. Unfortunately,
he was also born a rat. We all have to overcome obstacles... |
See
it
- Big screen is stunning. Very nice work.
Theatre/Paid
|
| Recount
(2008) - 2/08 |
HBO
production of the events around the 2000 Florida presidential
election, the events of election night and ensuing weeks. Certain
folks realize the enormity of the situation and all the stops
get pulled out. Chilling and frustrating to watch a litany of
small rules and rulings gut our system of voting. Kevin Spacey
plays Ron Klain, who was Gore's former chief of staff. Great
acting by Laura Dern, Tom Wilkonson, Denis Leary and a host
of others. |
See
it
- More chilling now, somehow.
DVD/Paid |
| Rivers
& Tides (2001) |
Natural/Found
Materials artist Andrew Goldsworthy is the subject of this incredible
documentary. You need to see this on the big screen if possible,
and if you've only seen it on a small TV, it's worth the effort.
Shot by Thomas Riedelsheimer , who also did Touch the Sound.
Beautiful on-location photography of this environmental artist.
A wonderful companion to his works. |
See
it
- Riedelsheimer hits the delicate balance of explaining and
presenting stunning works of art. Gorgeous.
Theatre/Paid |
| Robots
(2005) |
None
too good, really. Seems like it got fleshed out into a movie
as they had all the animation done. But, not way up there on
my list of quality animation. Nothing desparately annoying,
but nothing particularly memorable. |
Skip
it
- Pretty fluffy, and even when you have metallic, robotic characters,
you have to care about them, and you don't...
DVD/Paid |
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| Scanner
Darkly, A (2006) |
Half
glad I saw this, but ultimately this one missed for me. Technically
interesting, but the time spent following the monkey-minds of
the drug-blasted got a bit overwhelming. This animimated movie
isn't for kids, and it's pretty majorly depressing in places.
Tight cycles of fallacy and redundant behaviors. Ugh. Keanu
Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. give voice and let
themselves be computer rendered. |
Skip
it
- Ultimately gets the "Skip" because it wasn't worth
sitting through the wasted days and cycles of the drugged out.
DVD/Paid |
| Science
of Sleep, The (2006) |
An
odd little film. A bit frustrating and self-absorbed, but had
a few moments of beauty that give it a marginal "See it".
Be forewarned - if you don't like semi-dream-state story lines
with events that may or may not be happening, you might want
to take a pass. A young mexican artist returns to his French
mother's flat and takes respite from a boring job within his
dreams, which tend to occur at odd times. French, English, Spanish
with subtitles. |
See
it
- The dream sequences are humorously non-linear but logical.
The ending is a bit non-resolved, but since when do dreams make
sense?
DVD/Paid |
|
Scoop (2006) |
At
least Woody Allen does not cast himself as Scarlett Johanssen's
love interest. An investigative reporter gets the tip of a lifetime
- except he's recently deceased. So, he reaches back from the
netherworld to prompt a young journalism student towards the
story of a lifetime. A mildly interesting set-up that really
doesn't quite get real - not that it should get real,
but at least you should care what happens to folks. |
Skp
it
- I was looking for projects to tinker with for most of the
film, and it never really kept my attention.
DVD/Paid |
| Scotland,
PA (2001) |
Hilarious
send up of Shakespeare's MacBeth set in fast food Pennsylvania.
If you know MacBeth, you'll find tons of subtle and specific
references, which make it all the better. Christopher Walken
channels FBI Dale Cooper and Columbo in the same character,
while imparting his unique twist. |
See
it
- I could watch this again.
DVD/Paid |
| Scrooged
(1988) - 12/07 |
Bill
Murray plays a lost and egocentric TV exec, putting on a live
broadcast on Christmas Eve. Whereupon, he is visited by three
ghosts... Sound familiar? It is, of course, but it isn't. Something
very 80's about this film, so if that's gonna bug you, be forewarned.
Something we usually end up watching every year. |
See
it
- Along with "Home for the Holidays", a classic holiday
film experience.
DVD/Paid |
| Search
for Robert Johnson (1992) - 4/08 |
John
Hammond Jr. drives through the Mississippi Delta, finding old
friends, lovers and fans of Robert Johnson. If you don't know
who Robert Johnson is, you should. Really. Anyway, Hammond works
through backwaters and wide spots in the road to fill in as
much as he can on this mythical and mystical blues musician.
He manges to find folks who knew Johnson, played with him and
remembered him, making this an important archival document.
|
See
it
- Interesting to see the people who played with him. Good archival
bits and some nice current playing. Not the smoothest movie
ever, but worth a watch.
DVD/Paid |
| Secret
Life of Bees (2008) - 2/09 |
Dakota
Fanning and Queen Latifah head a great cast, bringing life to
Sue Monk Kidd's tale of the south in 1964. After accidentally
shooting her mother as she tried to leave home, Lily grows to
a 14 year old girl who sees the injustice and danger of her
environment, escapes her father, following the thin clues she
still has, and seeks the trail her mother may have left. This
leads her to the honey farm of August Boatwright and her two
sisters. Touching and wonderful movie with a good sense of the
era. |
See
it
- Excellent acting throughout, a touching and wonderful story.
Who knew that grits were abrasive?
Digital/Paid |
| Shopgirl
(1995) |
Hard
for me to say "no" to Steve Martin, and just as with
reading the novella from which this is adapted, I found myself
considering and reconsidering the folks who populate this story.
Film causes a bit of compression of the story, but it works
OK here. Finds meaning and some humor in the minute choices
we make. |
See
it
- Well drawn characters, if sorta the non-comedy version of
"LA Story".
DVD/Paid |
| Shrek
The Third (2007) - 12/07 |
The
first one was inspired, the second one had some clever bits,
but now it's steadfastly and firmly jumping the shark. Too bad.
But, none of the cleverness which began things. They skim and
rework some ideas and images and jokes which worked in the first,
but this is largely done now. |
Skip
it
- Animated characters going through the motions.
DVD/Paid |
| Sicko
(2007) |
Michael
Moore release that shows how ill the US "healthcare"
system actually is. Even if you are a Moore detractor, you'll
have a hard time arguing against the points and examples made
here. Understated and horriflyingly unflinching. A great film. |
See
it
- Go see it. Then get angry. Then do something.
Theatre/Paid |
| Sierra
Leone's Refugee All Stars (2005) - 1/08 |
Musicians
band together in the refugee camps of west Africa, finding hope
and direction from devastation and brutality. Simple production
of this documentary stays out of the way of a stunning story.
Against all odds, these people make music and reach back into
a culture that nearly killed them. Great stuff. |
See
it
- Contains some pretty rough/violent footage here and there.
A hugely compelling story.
DVD/Paid |
| Simpsons
Movie, The (2007) - 12/07 |
Well,
Matt Groening is a long way from Binky, Akbar and Jeff... Plays
like a long episode of the show, which is itself a longer episode
of the original short. That doesn't really matter though, as
everyone is able to stretch out a bit and have fun. Doesn't
miss, but doesn't hit it out of the park either. Some good laughs
and it's always fun to mock Federal Agencies. |
See
it
- If the Simpsons bother you, you probably don't need me to
tell you not to bother with this. Otherwise, you're gonna see
it no matter what I say.
DVD/Paid |
| Slumdog
Millionaire (2008) - 1/09 |
Sitting
on the cusp of winning the grand prize on the Indian edition
of "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?", a young man from
Mumbai slumdog beginnings is thought to be cheating. Within
the events of his brutal life lie the answer to whether he is
or not. Superbly written and acted. |
See
it
- Everyone was raving about this, but the film was even better
than I'd expected.
Theatre/Paid |
| Smoke
(1995) |
Lives
intersect at a smoke shop run by Harvey Keitel. William Hurt
is a widowed man who is trying to pick up the pieces in the
aftermath and other folks wander in to make this a tremendously
rich and subtle film. Keitel's character alone is worth the
trip. |
See
it
- A great film.
Video/Paid |
| Smoke
Signals (1998) |
An
on-the-rez into "road trip" movie has excellent writing
and acting. The film is not afraid of silence, and let's the
charachters reveal themselves through the film. Victor and Thomas,
embark on a trip to Phoenix to retrieve the ashes of Victor's
father, but all the images along the way make this a superb
film. |
See
it
- Really a good film. Relax and let the pace of the movie take
you along.
Video/Paid |
| Soapdish
(1991) |
Sally
Fields plays the doyenne of a long-run soap opera whom the studio
execs want to retire. For some reason I can't now recall, they
need her to quit, and so begin making things difficult on the
set. With good bits and performances from Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin
Kline, Robert Downey Jr. |
See
it
- A bit forcedly madcap at times, but overall a good little
funny film.
Video/Paid |
| Spanglish
(2006) |
Not
the Adam Sandler vehicle I was prepared for. From the perspective
of the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, who finds hereself immersed
in neurotic LA lifestyle and maintains her values. Tea Leoni
redefines neurotic LA lifestyle. |
See
it
- Stronger script than I would have thought. Sandler very restrained.
DVD/Paid |
| Spellbound
(2002) |
Eight
young students are profiled as they train for the National Spelling
Bee Competition. If you've seen "Bee Season" or "Akeelah
and the Bee", you need to see this. If you tried to write
characters like this, it's possible no one would believe you.
Compelling story and excellent editing make this one a nail-biter. |
See
it
- Great documentary filmmaking. They stay out of the way of
a fantastic story.
Theatre/Paid |
| Stardust
(2007) - 1/08 |
Set
in the mystically-infused British countryside, a young man in
love sets out in a quest for a fallen star for the object of
his desire. Things turn out to be a bit more other-worldly and
complex, as many folks from the mysical realm also seek this
fallen object. Robert DeNiro plays a bit against type as the
captain of a lightning-collecting airship. |
See
it
- Nice script and good acting. Fun stuff. This one seemed to
get missed in the theatres, but I really enjoyed it.
DVD/Paid |
| Stick
It (2006) |
With
the backdrop of national level women's (girls') gymnstics this
film sets up like a "redemption of the bad great athlete
saga", but then takes some mildly suprising turns and prods
at the stuffiness and silliness of judging. Some reasonably
stiff performances here and there, but much more of a movie
than I was ready for. |
See
it
- Not high art, but a good, easy on the brain film.
DVD/Paid |
| Stranger
Than Fiction (2007) |
A
really nicely rendered film - interesting and consistent script
and powerhouse acting. Will Ferrill finds understatement and
control in his acting while playing a too-structured IRS agent
who finds himself the character in writer Emma Thompson's newest
book. One of those films that seems to have gotten done because
everyone wanted to do it. |
See
it
- It looked good on the trailers, and surpassed my expectations.
DVD/Paid |
| Sunshine
Cleaning Service (2008) - 3/09 |
A
single mother trying to keep things together needs more income
than her "call-a-maid" job provides and decides to
branch into crime scene cleanup with her unreliable younger
sister. An excellent cast of insanely great characters put pressures
on her from all directions. Alan Arkin stars as her always-scheming,
always-selling father. Amy Adams manages some very touching
moments as Rose, the mother who is holding things together and
grasping for some tiny success. |
See
it
-I liked this one. Certainly doesn't end with the wackiness
of, say, "Little Miss Sunshine", but it's a nice film.
Theatre/Paid |
| Surfing
For Life (1999) |
The
folks that were surfing before anyone else reflect on how it
started and where they are now. Sort of a "growing old is not
for sissies" aspect that is moving and inspiring. One of the
great surfing films, but for different reasons than most. |
See
it
- Presents a very different perspective on the surf culture
& important history.
Theatre/Paid |
| Superbad
(2007) - 12/07 |
Ok,
this is not high art. Still, it manages to strike a power chord
of truthfullness and frame some interesting questions admist
the barfing. Three heroes-in-their-own-worlds but losers-in-the-high-school-world
have a shot at redemption and teen sex if they can just show
up at the right party with alcohol. "After Hours"
obstacles and plot twists abound, but so do suprisingly tender
looks at adolescence, leaving childhood, and contemplating a
world of change which lies before the characters. |
See
it
- This is probably more of a guy flick, but if you can get past
the juvenile humor, there are some other threads.
DVD/Paid |
| Sweet
Smell of Success (1957) - 11/07 |
Burt
Lancaster plays the hugely-read newspaper writer JJ Hunsecker,
who can make or destroy anyone in the city with a few well-placed
words in his column. Tony Curtis is the limpet-like agent, trying
to squeeze a few bits of anything for himself. Fast-paced and
jazzy, shot in gorgeous black & white. It's one of those
films you should see. |
See
it
- Some bits don't translte as well to modern day, but the story
of power hungry and power-wielding folks is pretty timeless.
DVD/Paid |
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| Talledega
Nights - the Legend of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
One
of those films where most of the good lines were in the preview
trailer. I mean, I didn't expect this to be Masterpiece Theatre,
but it played more like really big budget SNL skit. Which means
that there are a number of mocking interludes, but after a while,
everyone was sort of standing around, trying to figure out how
to end the movie that had run out of setups. And how come if
it's Talledega Nights, why are there so many scenes in broad
daylight...? |
Skip
it
- Not enough laughs for me, so it ultimately loses the vote.
DVD/Paid |
| Thank
You For Smoking (2006) |
Aaron
Eckhart is the smoothest-talking, faster-thinking, better-strategic-and-tactical-planning
PR face for big tobacco. Whether appearing on a daytime talk
show to win the hearts of an antagonistic audience or paying
off lung cancer victims, you actually find yourself rooting
for him in this compellingly twisted and hilarious film. |
See
it
- I think the kidnap/retribution scene stands out, but this
one's good beginning to end.
DVD/Paid |
| Thin
Man, The (1934) - 10/07 |
William
Powell and Myrna Loy had an amazingly funny interplay in this
film, as Nick and Nora Drake, fast-thinking and always drinking
socialites who solve a murder as a fun distraction. Pretty amazing
stuff, to see actors making highballs at midnight. But, the
characters are cool, the subplots cute and clever and in total
a great look at early US filmmaking. |
See
it
- Probably lends itself to a college drinking game - trying
to match the cocktails consumed.
DVD/Paid |
| Third
Miracle, The (1999) |
Another
Ed Harris gem, this time as a broken, questioning and tormented
priest who is sent as a Postulator to evaluate whether a woman
should be given sainthood. Tempted by her daughter, yet compelled
to seek the truth, he finds his footing once again. |
See
it
- Sharp acting, well scripted and directed.
VHS/Paid |
| Tibet:
Cry of the Snow Lion (2002) |
Chronicles
the history of Tibet, the region, the Dalai Lama and the increased
Chinese occupation. It is at times a brutally direct representation
of the violence which has taken place, a stunningly provoking
bit of filmmaking and a touching presentation of the monks,
nuns and Lama's words calling for attention to these events.
|
See
it
- Much of the facts I'd heard before, but having it all there
in one place is pretty overwhelming. Makes ya kinda angry.
DVD/Paid |
| Time
of the Gypsies (1988) |
A
semi-epic, glouriosly melancholy tale of youth, innocence, talent,
destroyed dreams and passion among gypsy culture. Set in eastern
Europe and Italy, a young man with a special sense gets seduced
by quick money and petty crime, perhaps turning his back on
those he loves. Beautiful scenes and sad circumstances. |
See
it
- I saw this film a while ago ('95), but got reminded about
it by the trailer for "Volver".
VHS/Paid |
| To
Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - 9/08 |
One
of those films that you know is a "Classic" and you
can see, but I never really wanted to because I'd loved the
book so much. It misses some stuff by necessity, but wrangles
Harper Lee's novel compellingly well. That Gregory Peck can
sure act, eh? And it's interesting to see Robert Duvall in what
I believe was his first film role. Good stuff. |
See
it
- Yeah. I mean, it's a classic. Nicely done and holds up well
decades later.
DVD/Paid |
| Touch
the Sound (2004) - 11/07 |
The
story of musician Evelyn Glennie, who creates amazing musical
spaces and compositions. Shot by Thomas Riedelsheimer , who
also did Rivers and Tides about Andy Goldsworthy. Several
different musical conditions explored, as is her background,
perspective and physical situation. If you don't know anything
about her, it's worth seeing. If you do, you know why it's worth
seeing. |
See
it
- Riedelsheimer hits the same delicate balance of explaining
and letting the viewer explore the story. Really nice. A good
sound system helps.
DVD/Paid |
| Trust
the Man (2006) |
This
could've gotten really, really good after we stopped watching
it, but I doubt it. David Duchovny and Julianne Moore, Maggie
Gyllenhaal and Billy Crudup - two couples, semi-related, in
New York showing us how relationships can be tough. Oughta go
somewhere, but it started badly and got worse. |
Skip
it
- We turned this off about 40 minutes in. We almost never do
that.
DVD/Paid |
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| Ultimate
Gift (2006) - 4/09 |
There
aren't really many unforseen twists or punches in this film,
but it's a reasonably inspirational tale of how a dead grandfather
reaches out to his directionless grandson. Via clues recorded
while he was dying, he sends Drew Fuller out through a series
of tasks to "qualify" him for an "Ultimate"
gift from his estate. There are lessons to be learned and hard
knocks to be received. Some of the plot constructs positively
clink, but overall, it's not a bad film. |
See
it
- It gets a little Hallmarky, but overall, not oppressively
so. Reasonably uplifting but not suprising.
DVD/Paid |
| Unfinished
Life, An (2005) |
Robert
Redford has retreated to the solitude of his Montana ranch,
caring for his lifelong friend and mourning the death of his
son. The past returns to haunt him in the person of his daughter
in law and the granddaughter he did know he had. Lots of space
in this film, and you can feel the characters thinking, coming
to grips with fears, loss and hopefully redemption. |
See
it
- Great film. Extremely strong writing and acting.
DVD/Paid |
| Unknown
White Male (2005) - 5/08 |
Documentary
about Doug Bruce, who was found in Coney Island, NY in a state
of amnesia. A fascinating study of how much really resides within
our memory, and how an individual can deal with its total disappearence.
As he is reconnected with those who were within and on the edge
of his world, he begins to find a framework for dealing with
his life. |
See
it
- I found this both fascinating and chilling. A good film.
DVD/Paid |
| Unlocking
DaVinci's Code (2004) - 8/07 |
I
hate to use the phrase "cashing in on the hype..."
but in this case, little else applies. Sad to see Patrick MacNee
needing this paycheck. Little in the way of revelation, and
by the end, they were reusing earlier footage. Had rented this
for Narration homework. |
Skip
it
- Not much that you don't know by reading "DaVinci's Code".
DVD/Paid |
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| Volver
(2006) |
Mystic
revisitations and the nearby ghosts of our past seem to haunt
this beautiful film. Pedro Almodovar seeds this film full of
wonderful imagery and symbolism, weaving a tale that you think
you're following. Penelope Cruz plays a mother in Madrid, trying
to keep things afloat despite a lout of a husband and the weight
of her past. But, the past, in the person of her dead mother
now returned to set things right, cannot easily be sidestepped. |
See
it
- Really a glorious and tender story. Liked this a lot.
DVD/Paid |
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| Waitress
(2007) - 12/07 |
Set
in the south, in a universe of wonderous pies and stifling dead-end
sameness, a waitress finds herself pregnant within a marriage
that resides in the center of Horrificville. Keri Russell as
the main character, who finds passion in strange places and
somehow must navigate the waters of her world. Adrienne Shelly
co-stars, wrote and directed this film, yet sadly she did not
see its release, victim of a homicide in NYC. Not an easy film
to classify, yet it touches a lot of wonderful notes. |
See
it
- A delicate and poignant piece of filmmaking. It is truly a
sad thing that there will be no more from Adrienne Shelly.
DVD/Paid |
| WALL-E
(2008) - 6/08 |
I'll
always see a Pixar film on the big screen. This one was a little
different. I think it will actually hold up well over the years,
but lacks the witty dialogue that have been a hallmark of the
Pixar films. It has beautiful images, scenes and characters.
The subtlety of the acting (for example between WALL-E and his
cockroach) is downright amazing. I liked these silent moments
a bit better than the interludes with the future-folks on the
"cruise ship". It had a gentle and timeless quality
almost like a silent film. |
See
it
- Just marvelous to see how Pixar continues to develop.
Theatre/Paid |
| Wallace
& Grommit: The Curse of the Wererabbit (2005) |
This
film hits both the subtle, dry humor of the W&G shorts,
and manages to broaden it to a feature length film. Silly and
squishy, but, hey, that's the attraction. |
See
it
- This curiously gentle pair of animated characters are among
my favorite.
Theatre/Paid |
| Wal-Mart:
The High Cost of Low Prices (2005) |
Granted,
if all of these facts are new to you, then you really need to
pay more attention. However, there will be something - whether
it's the real images of who makes the imported goods, or the
nuts and bolts of how Wal-Mart milks public assistance programs
as an employee "benefit" - that you need to see. Worth
sitting through at least once, or throw a party... |
See
it
- One of the "must-see" documentary films.
Theatre/Paid |
| Walk
The Line (2005) |
I've
been a Johnny Cash fan for as long as I can recall - the first
record I remember was JC at San Quentin. This movie worked -
rendering the life of this dark and haunted artist in a real
and at times, ugly way. Good filmmaking & excellent acting
all around. |
See
it
- Reese Witherspoon continues her rise to greatness & Joaquin
Phoenix hits it just right.
Theatre/Paid |
| Weatherman,
The (2005) |
Nicolas
Cage plays a TV weatherman that people throw food at. This may
be a metaphor for his life, which goes continually and disasterously
wrong on pretty much all levels. He mopes and things get worse
while he tries to impress his father. |
Skip
it
- I felt like I had to take a shower after watching this film.
A waste of Michael Caine.
Theatre/Free |
| What
Dreams May Come (1998) |
It's
more than a bit surprising that this film actually got made.
It takes a pretty big pair to successfully pitch a movie about
death and afterlife, reincarnation and suicide. A couple little
clicky bits here and there, but I really enjoyed this film.
One of those Robin Williams films that not too many folks saw,
I 'd reckon. |
See
it
- You have to let go of your preconceptions a bit, and enjoy
the imagery, even if sometimes the story isn't quite clear.
Theatre/Paid |
| Wild
One (1958) - 2/08 |
One
of those "holes" in the films-I've-seen list. And...well...ok.
Seen it. Seems very tame and silly mostly, though the memorable
lines and scenes still play well. But, this movie didn't really
seem to age well. Maybe it's a statement on Mcarthyism, youth's
exuberence, the generation gap, culture clash, but a lot of
it is just silly. Funny to see Lee Marvin as David Johansen
from the New York Dolls. |
See
it
- Only because it's one of "those" films. Enjoy the
camp.
DVD/Paid |
| Winter
Passing (2005) |
Ed
Harris as an extremely famous activist writer who now awakens
with whiskey and may have nothing left to say, hermitizing himself
after the loss of his wife. His estranged daughter, Zooey Deschanel,
travels home to find some private letters that may allow her
to cash in. She bumps up against what her father has become
and the odd folks who now surround him. |
See
it
- This one worked for me. Another excellent Harris role. Painful
in spots & well written.
DVD/Paid |
| Woman
of the Year (1942) - 10/07 |
A
Tracy/Hepburn film in which they play rival reporters who get
married, find that their lives are impossibly imcompatible.
Thought this was a light comedy, but it really gets a bit sharp
and harsh as things move along. It's tough to watch this now
with any real feel for how "shocking" it was that
Hepburn wanted a career instead of a motherhood role. So, if
you can't maintain that belief, it comes off a bit hokey in
the later stages. |
See
it
- Marginal for historical purposes only. Kinda plays like two
separate movies and now seems a bit longer than it is.
DVD/Paid |
| Wordplay
(2006) |
Not
quite as supremely compelling as "Spellbound", but
an interesting documentary about those who worship on the altar
of Will Shortz and the NYTimes Crossword Puzzle. The docu-folk
rope in a variety of famous people (John Stewart, Bill Clinton,
The Indigo Girls) who all await the days crossword, as well
as those who create them. It all wraps up at the annual crossword
convention/contest. |
See
it
- Great, now I'm hooked on friggin' crosswords... Good stuff
and an interesting story.
DVD/Paid |
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| X-Files:
I Want To Believe (2008) - 1/09 |
Scully
and Mulder reunite for...well, no clear reason. There's a psychic.
There's a hot, young woman agent who is "familiar"
with Mulder's work on the X-Files. There are body parts found
in the snow. There are cynical agents who make snarky comments.
Skinner appears. There are some icky and gothic operation scenes.
Mulder makes some critical errors and Scully wrestles with ethics.
There is, however, no real plot. |
Skip
it
- This would have been one of the weekly episodes where you
went, "Oh well...".
DVD/Paid |
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