August 5, 2010 - The Informant

Hope for better, but it was adequate.

(98) The Informant (2009): Matt Damon farce.

July 29, 2010 - Cyrus; Winter's Bone

Caught two at the Broadway today with my brother, who was in from Mississippi and loves movies like I love movies, and my sister.

(96) Cyrus (2010):

(97) Winter's Bone (2010:

July 20, 2010 - Thank You For Smoking

Had been meaning to watch this like forever. Finally did it.

(95) Thank You For Smoking (2005): Reliable Jason Reitman film starring Aaron Eckhart.

July 18, 2010 - Peacock

Had high hopes for this one...sigh...

(94) Peacock (2010)

July 16, 2010 - Fur

Had been wanting to see this for a long time. Finally did today.

(93) Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006): I almost gave up on this film. It started slow and didn't hold my attention very well. I think director Steven Shainberg needs to hold himself accountable for this pacing problem. It finally did pick up and ended much better than it started. The real-life Diane Arbus was a great photographer, and we get hints of that in this movie. However, this is an imaginary tale and as such it's just OK. Nicole Kidman as Diane Arbus, and Robert Downey Jr., as Lionel Sweeney are both good, as is Ty Burrell as Allan Arbus, Diane's husband. Chronologically, we're to assume the events in this film take place before Arbus found her eye for photographing the strange and different people for which she's best known.

Anyway, I may give the film another watch one of these days, because it's possible the beginning is a little better than I'm suggesting, but either way if you watch this film just stick with it. It ends nicely.

3 Stars

July 5, 2010 - Up In The Air

Waited a while to see this one because there were a bunch of bad films ahead of it that I just had to see.

(92) Up In The Air (2009): Any film that stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Jason Bateman may not be great, but it will never be bad. Such was the case with this film. Not great, but far from bad, and entertaining all the way through. Clooney and Farmiga are frequent travelers in their separate professional lives. They meet one day in an airport bar and really hit it off. Both love living out of suitcases and hotels, and consider airports their homes. Meanwhile, Bateman (for whom Clooney works as a corporate downsizer) is pulling the plug on Clooney's travel, opting instead for video-conference firings instead. It's a great look at the lives of serious business travelers, and there's a few unexpected turns along the way that will most likely catch you off your guard. A little foul language, but other than that it's entirely engaging. Highly recommend.

3.5 Stars

June 26, 2010 - Crazy Heart

I hate when I get my hopes up for a film. I usually regret it.

(91) Crazy Heart (2009): OK, I can get behind Jeff Bridges winning the best acting Oscar for this film. His performance transcended an otherwise average movie. One of the fatal flaws of this film is that at an hour and fifty-one minutes, which is plenty of time to tell a decent story, this movie failed to dig beneath the surface. The only person in the film I seemed to even care about was one we never see, but only hear on the phone near the end of the movie. Overall, this story was just too disjointed to take seriously. Tighter writing, and perhaps a bit more time, would have made this film infinitely better. The only reason I'd recommend the film is to catch Bridges in an Oscar-winning role. Beyond that, meh.

2 stars

June 23, 2010 - Humboldt County

Caught this in the middle of the night, and it was damn good.

(90) Humboldt County (2008): I watched this movie because I like the subject matter, and it looked far more serious than the majority of films in the genre. I'm glad I chose it. The film follows med student Peter (Jeremy Strong) who has just flunked out of school. His dad, played unflinchingly by Peter Bogdanovich, is the professor that actually flunked him. So, he goes on a bender and hits the road with Bogart (Fairuza Balk), who takes him home with her. "Home" happens to be in the mountains of Humboldt County, California, and her family is currently living off the grid and growing marijuana. While it's culture-shock at first for Peter, he quickly adapts and finds the value in living simply, taking care of your own, and not falling for the trappings of greed.

I started this movie around 2:30 in the morning, telling myself if it wasn't any good I'd turn it off an go to bed. Well, I watched through to the final credits and I'm glad I did. The acting is pretty solid, and in spots is quite good. There's a "humanness" to this film that probably makes it better than it actually is. Catch it when you can, it's very much worth watching.

3 Stars

June 22, 2010 - I Love You, Alice B. Toklas

Love this movie!

(89) I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968): This is a great Hy Averback period piece from the '60s. Harold (Peter Sellers), a stuffy, stodgy lawyer, engaged to his office secretary, Joyce (Joyce Van Patten), meets flower child Nancy (Leigh Taylor-Young) and decides to change his life. He literally dumps Joyce at the alter to heads straight for Nancy. He sheds his lawyer garb, opting instead for bell-bottoms, beads, and platform shoes. The film is a laugh-riot, particularly the scene where Harold, Joyce, and Harold's parents (Jo Van Fleet and Salem Ludwig) enjoy some "special" brownies that Nancy made for Harold. A great romp that you can watch anytime, anywhere!

3 Stars

June 21, 2010 - L'enfant (The Child)

2005 Palme D'or winner at the Cannes Film Festival.

(88) L'enfant (The Child) (2005): One of the best films I've seen in a very long time. Jérémie Renier was as good as ever as the protagonist, Bruno, who is a thief, a hustler, and pretty much a no good person. His girlfriend has a baby that he's only mildly interested in, and he winds up doing some fairly despicable things. I don't want to give this one away. If you haven't seen it, put it high on your list of movies to see, and see soon. I'm certain it was an easy decision for the judges at Cannes in 2005.

4.5 Stars

June 20, 2010 - Avatar

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen this movie.

(87) Avatar (2009): This is the James Cameron film that is now the #1 top grossing film of all time. It ran in theaters for about 9 months. I can't say the film was over-hyped, but it was hyped pretty good. The story, in fact, is very run-of-the-mill "boy meets girl, boy wants girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy wants girl back, boy gets girl back" Hollywood formula film. It was utterly predictable right down to the ending. I applaud Cameron for the technical work. It's pretty cool, but in my estimation its what's wrong with films today. Story is sacrificed for a lot of bells and whistles, and the last time I check story was still king when it comes to making movies.

Anyway, it's doubtful I'd ever recommend this film. It's not that great, and probably should be seen on the big screen.

2 Stars

June 18, 2010 - Purple Rain

Ah...another summer of Midnight Movies at the Tower.

(86) Purple Rain (1984): Yup. The one with Prince, Morris Day, and Apollonia Kotero. Had a great time sitting in my usual spot in the front row. Met up with some friends there, ran into some other friends, chatted with Flavia for a couple of minutes, and just had a damn good time at the midnight movie! Anyone who's seen this movie, or knows it pretty well, can vouch for the fact that Prince is a damn good motorcyclist. It's clear he knows how to ride very well. The music is great, the musical performances are also great, and Morris Day is still hilarious. All this makes up for the fact that most of the acting is pretty bad, and the story is utterly predictable. Although that's largely the point of showing a 26-year-old film at midnight at the Tower!

2 Stars

June 16, 2010 - Arlington Road

This is a film I've seen a few times and really like it every time I watch it.

(85) Arlington Road (1999): This one is loaded with great acting, particularly from Jeff Bridges as a college professors teaching classes on acts of revolution and terrorism, and Tim Robbins who's his next door neighbor with a huge secret to preserve. This movie has some decent twists and turns, and is actually a fairly decent story. The ending is the complete payoff for this film, and its the last 20 minutes that keep me coming back. Very much worth seeing, again and again.

3 Stars

June 14, 2010 - The Medallion

Watched a film tonight I knew wouldn't be very good. Did some work during the really slow parts.

(84) The Medallion (2003): This is a typical Jackie Chan yarn, where he's some sort of special cop/agent/inspector/detective on an international case the originates in China and makes its way to England. He star with Claire Forlani as his love interest, and I have to say there was no real chemistry between the two. I do have a thing for her, so maybe I'm just jealous. Anyway, the medallion in question can bring people back to life, give them lots of powers, and make them mortal. Of course some kid has it, or who would Jackie Chan have to protect?

I'm just not a fan of his movies, and this wasn't one of the better ones. Can't recommend this one for any reason unless you're the person who sees all of his movies.

1 Star

June 8, 2010 - Lord of War

Watched a surprising good-if-disjointed film.

(83) Lord of War (2005): Another Nick Cage romp, but at least this time it wasn't some silly treasure hunt. In this flick Cage is arms dealer Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian who grew up in Brooklyn. The film is actually a decent tale about a gun dealer who had convinced himself that he had no culpability in any of the deaths that occurred at the business end of the weapons he sold. He was a total idealist who only looked at what he was doing as providing a service. After all, he wasn't forcing anyone to pull those triggers, to fire those tanks, to launch those rockets.

It got a little sketchy toward the end and got a real Good Fellas/Casino feel to it as the story became more focused on he and his wife. Honestly, it detracted from the overall film because up until that point -- about 90 minutes in -- the film had a brisk pace. The pacing the rest of the way was off.

Still, the story was compelling, decently told, well acted, and the production values were high. The money was clearly spent in the right areas. I'd recommend this film to most people. Minimal nudity, pervasive language in spots.

3 Stars

June 4, 2010 - Idiocracy

Tonight's movie was interesting, but could have been brilliant if done differently.

(82) Idiocracy (2006): So, dude played by Luke Wilson, Joe, is a very average citizen -- and Army soldier -- in the present day. The Army taps him for a project that will put him to sleep for a year. That year, as you can probably guess, works out to be something closer to 500 years. When this Average "Joe" wakes up 500 years hence, the world is a much different, much dumber place. So much so that Joe is actually now the smartest guy on the planet.

This film could have really worked if the future world wasn't portrayed in such an over-the-top, absurd way. The film actually started great, talking about how the rich and successful limit their breeding to smaller broods, and later in life. It was also pointed out how the poor and seemingly stupid have much larger broods and start out earlier in life. Had they build on that clever intro and kept the movie out of Dumbville, it would have been infinitely better. I never wanted to kill Dax Shepherd so much in my life!

Can't really recommend this film. Catch it if you're drunk or stoned one night; just don't blame me if you want to kill Dax Shepherd.

1 Star

May 28, 2010 - The Big Lebowski

This dude definitely abides.

(81) The Big Lebowski (1998): This is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite movies. Jeff Bridges pulls off the perfect slacker/hippie/stoner in this comedy farce about greed, kidnapping, and bowling. xsw3d (my 3-month-old son typed that). The Big Lebowski has proven to be one of the Coen Brother's most enduring films, and has spawned a plethora of tributes including lines of clothing, dudeist bumper stickers, and gazillions of people who know the script by heart. A great romp with Bridges, John Goodman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Tuturro, Tara Reid, Sam Elliott, Flea, Peter Thewlis, and Peter Stormare. Highly recommended. Caveat emptor: Foul language is pervasive.

4 Stars

May 26, 2010 - Where the Wild Things Are

Watched a movie tonight that is just not my speed of movie. Oh well...

(80) Where the Wild Things Are (2009): The thing about this movie, most of all, was that it was boring. Dull, slow, and boring. I don't know what else to say about it. Perhaps the source material is the problem. It's like twenty pages and only like eleven words. Kind of skinny on just about every element needed to tell a good story. I just didn't like it and there's really nothing more I care to write about it.

1 Star

May 24, 2010 - Daybreakers

Oh the film this could have been....

(79) Daybreakers (2009): This piece of crap could have been a million times better if it would have left the surface of the story one single time and actually delved into some detail. I didn't give a rip about a single person in the entire movie, and that's a very bad sign. All form, no function, makes for a boring bunch of blah blah blah. Ethan Hawke was on valium or some other slow-me-down. Anyone who says his turn in this movie was one of those understated performances is just being nice. The movie had a good premise -- a world ruled by vampires who are running out of human blood and looking for substitute -- but it just never materialized into anything credible. Don't watch this unless you have a free Redbox coupon like I did.

1 Star

May 22, 2010 - Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run)

A super fun film from Tom Tykwer.

(78) Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run) (1996): This film from German writer/director Tom Tykwer has a few familiar faces in it, inlcluding Franka Porente (Blow, Borne Identity, Borne Supremacy), Moritz Bliebtreu (The Baader-Meinhof Complex, Munich, The Experiment). The film is one of those slick, jump cut, multi-media events told in three segments with slightly different things happening in each segment because of cause and effect. The music is pulsing Lola (Potente) and Manni (Bliebtreu) are sexy, and it's only 80 minutes long! Fun for one and all, with very little objectionable content.

3 Stars

May 18, 2010 - Perfume

Watched the movie of a book I read a few years ago.

(77) Perfume (2006): 'Twas an interesting movie, but pretty long in the tooth, and quite unlike other Tom Tykwer films I've seen in the past. It was a great period piece costume-wise, and the source material was great fodder for the story; some good performances, but overall quite slow and a tad dull. The story is of a man who's born with the sensitive olfactory in the world. He becomes a perfumer out to capture that one elusive scent: the essence of the soul. Can't really recommend this film unless it's something you think you'd enjoy. At almost 150 minutes, it's longer than I generally care for when the pace is the deliberate.

1.5 Stars

May 16, 2010 - Every Little Step

Watched a nifty little doc today that I'd been meaning to see for a while.

(76) Every Little Step (2009): This is a documentary about the revival of the smash Broadway hit, A Chorus Line, which includes great archival footage of the creative processes involved in the putting together the original. One gets a sense of what it really is like to be an aspiring dancer in New York City, with only one result being acceptable. This show made careers for the original cast and crew, and is now creating brand new careers for the new troupe. An excellent documentary. Oh, and if the Jason Tam audition doesn't bring tears to your eyes, it's time for a visit to the Wizard.

3 Stars

May 15, 2010 - Strictly Ballroom

Finally watched a movie I'd been meaning to see for some time.

(75) Strictly Ballroom (1992): If there's one thing Baz Lurhmann knows how to do, it's tell a colorful tale. This film is set in an Australia where nothing but ballroom dancing matters. To be the Pan-Asian Champion is the goal of all goals. The movie is beautifully shot and marvelously acted. It's got a Broadway feel to it, and the over-the-top acting lends to this overall feel. The dancing is beautiful, the colors are vibrant, and the personalities are bigger than life. This is one of the few movies that totally predictable and totally engrossing from start to finish.

3.5 Stars

May 9, 2010 - Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: 1960s

Watch a cool doc today.

(74) Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: 1960s (2009): If you're a fan of the late, great musical genius Frank Zappa then this documentary is for you. You'll quickly discover this cat saw the world, particularly the world of music, in a way no one else had, did, does, or will. A unique perspective told by archival footage and living members of the original avant-garde band.

3 Stars

May 8, 2010 - Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Finally, got back to the Broadway to see a movie I'd been dying to see.

(73) Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) (2009): This Swedish film is based on a trilogy of books written by the late Stieg Larsson. The movies follows a shamed newspaperman as he tries to solve a 40-year-old missing persons case with the help of a female computer hacker. The movies feels like a made-for-television movie based on a novel by Danielle Steele or Sidney Sheldon, but is enhanced by the fact that its not hampered by content restrictions. One thing I really like about this movie is that it's the story that tells the tale. No elborate set pieces, no gonzo technology, not a million unnecessary explosions, etc. It's not a Hollywood production is what I'm getting it. It's smartly acted, cleverly constructed, and I'm so glad my schedule worked out so I could see it on the big screen. It was very much worth my time and I'd like to see it again before it leaves town. Go see this movie!

3.5 Stars

May 3, 2010 - Videodrome

Another nifty film by a filmmaker I really like.

(72) Videodrome (1983): Another installment from David Cronenberg. I'm really starting to like his films, and with the exception of Eastern Promises I've liked them all so far. This film stars James Woods and Deborah Harry in a very strange tale of low-budget cable TV programming, S&M snuff broadcasts, and hallucinations about these things. The material is a little bit dated but the story is timeless, and goes right along with Cronenberg's other films, Scanners and Existenz. Worth watching if you're a fan of this filmmaker, otherwise you might wonder what you've just watched. If you're feeling adventurous then this might be a good one to grab from Netflix.

2.5 Stars

May 1, 2010 - Commune

Chose a documentary today that I found on Netflix Instant Play.

(71) Commune 2005: This is terrific documentary about the Black Bear Ranch commune in Northern California, started in 1968 by Elsa and Richard Marley. It's so awesome they have been able to preserve the film footage and photographs from back then. Their motto was "Free Land for Free People", and to this day the commune continues on. It has been preserved in perpetuity by the Black Bear Ranch Land Trust, which means it can never be torn down, or sub-divided, or sold, or razed, or anything else. If you're at all interested in what motivates some people to live off the grid and be free, this is a very poignant look at all that.

3 Stars

April 30, 2010 - 21 Grams

A solid drama landed in my mailbox today, so I watched it.

(70) 21 Grams (2003): Good dramas are generally good because of the dramatic actors cast to pull it off. Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Naomi Watts headline 21 Grams and each are remarkable individual, and powerful together. The supporting cast also includes some serious talent: Melissa Leo, Danny Huston, and Charlotte Gainsbourg just to name three. Penn, del Toro, and Watts are intertwined in a way that's hard to explain without giving a lot away. Suffice it to say this is a well paced, gritty drama with some moments of raw emotion and pain that you will feel. If you haven't seen this movie do so. It's told in a non-linear fashion that works brilliantly to unfold the connections between each person in the film.

4 Stars

April 26, 2010 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Watched a movie tonight I'd seen before, and wanted to own, but just never had until today, when I found it on sale for $3.99 at Best Buy. Don't let the diminutive price tag fool you. This remake is a big movie.

(69) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003): This is the remake with Jessica Biel in pretty much the lead role. However, if you decide to watch this film solely on the basis of R. Lee Ermey's performance as a sadistic sheriff, you will walk away stunned and thrilled. Ermey is positively disturbing and scary as the small town sheriff who is complicit on all that is evil in this Texas town. Biel is also quite good, and presents more than just eye candy, which, let's not fool ourselves, is also part of the appeal of this movie. However, she is believable, strong, smart, and the only one of her friends with their head screwed on properly. Plenty of gore, guts, and good old fashioned horror story material with plenty of homage to the original thirty years ago.

3 Stars

April 24, 2010 - Lake Mungo

Another horror flick from the good guys are Horrorfest IV.

(68) Lake Mungo (2008): This is a nice little film from Australia that has tones of Paranormal Activity, except Lake Mungo was made first. It's a cleverly told story that is deliberately paced. I actually have a hard time calling this a horror film, but as a thriller it's quite good. The films is shot in the now-familiar quasi-documentary style, attempting to make us believe the events are real. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch this movie, and probably won't watch it a second time, but that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. Just pick your spot, and if you can see if for free, or for a buck from Redbox, then it'll be worth the effort.

2 Stars

April 20, 2010 - L'heure d'été (Summer Hours)

Caught a decent French film today after I saw it featured in a recent email I received from the Criterion Collection.

(67) L'heure d'été (Summer Hours) (2008): Caught this film on Netflix Instant and I'm very glad I did. This is a very deliberately paced drama about three siblings (Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling, and Jérémie Renier) dealing with the loss of their childhood memories and belongings as they deal with the reality of their mother's death and the subsequent sale of the family house and very expensive and important art and furniture collections.

Not enough of Juliette Binoche, but Charles Berling makes up for it in an outstanding role as the eldest sibling, and the one pretty much stuck with dealing with everything because he's the only one still living in France. I particularly like the unused phone, which won't mean anything unless you see the movie. It also doesn't give anything away.

If you're looking for a smartly written and directed drama, this one should be high on your list. Very much worth the 1:42 I invested.

3.5 Stars

April 18, 2010 - Orphan

Not too bad of a horror flick.

(66) Orphan (2009): This is a fairly effective horror story. It follows a nice path to total destruction by the end of the film, which serves to build up the tension, scene by scene. I will tell you, however, that the bad accent that the young actress who played Esther tries to pull off is very annoying and not done well at all. It's literally all over the Eastern European map. That aside, she's an effective actress and believably creepy. There's a great plot twist near the end that will tie many things together as well as to continue the story to the bitter end.

Not the best horror flick I've ever seen, but far from the worst. Watch it anytime without hesitation.

2 Stars

April 8, 2010 - The Last House on the Left

Having a new baby has really impacted my movie watching. Made the time for this one in the wee hours.

(65) The Last House on the Left (2009): This is the remake of the 1972 Clive Barker classic of the same name. Not the worst movie I've ever seen. The bad guys (a couple of familiar faces in Garret Dillahunt and Aaron Paul) are believable and the good guys (Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, and Sara Paxton) are also believable. However, the only person I really cared about in the whole movie is Paige. You'll just have to watch it to find out, but talk about being unceremoniously forgotten about. I'm still wondering to myself, what about Paige?

Anyway, it's a fully developed story, which isn't always the case for a horror film. The setup takes a bit, but overall it's worth it, and after all the really bad horror films I've seen of late, this one was at least a breath of fresh air. It's worth watching, especially if you're in the mood for a decent horror flick.

2.5 Stars

March 25, 2010 - Turtles Can Fly; The Men Who Stare at Goats

Caught two pretty decent films today.

(63) Turtles Can Fly (2004): In the days leading up to the war, a village in northern Iraq prepares for the inevitable. The film centers around a group of kids, led by the very likable "Satellite", so named for his expertise in getting satellite television systems up and running in the villages. The kids are a collection of orphans, many of whom have been badly injured because of their primary means of income: digging up land mines and selling them to locals who then re-sell them to NATO forces. When it's all said and done the story is bleak and stark with an ending that makes it all worth while. Some tough moments to watch, but on the whole a very decent film. In Arabic with English subtitles.

3.5 Stars

(64) The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009): What a great title for a film, eh? This is story about an elite US military unit that was put together to be psychic warriors. The great cast includes Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, and Ewan McGregor. Clooney and Bridges are legit psychics who can actually do some amazing things with their minds. McGregor is a journalist writing about the story and tagging along with Clooney in Iraq, and Spacey is a fraud with no talents who somehow got into the unit because he could "bend" forks with his mind.

Overall, the film isn't too bad but it certainly could have been a lot more. Some of the best bits are in the trailer, but it's an interesting story, the likes of which I've never really seen before. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it, but if the chance arises for you, take it. There are some great moments and some laugh out loud gags.

2 Stars

March 24, 2010 - Hamlet 2

I laughed pretty much from start to finish.

(62) Hamlet 2 (2008): A high school drama teacher, Steve Coogan, is not very good at his job, but he is passionate about it. Unfortunately, he funding has been cut and his current class will be his last. In an effort to "wow" his audience and save the drama program, he sets out to produce the best play ever, a sequel to perhaps the best play ever, Hamlet. This movie is completely over the top, with some very funny moments. It never takes itself too seriously, and you can tell that everyone had a great time making this movie. Definitely worth seeing.

2.5 Stars

March 20, 2010 - The Last Days of Frankie the Fly; Rest Stop: Dead Ahead

'Twas a bad day at Window Rock as they say.

(60) The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996): When a film stars Dennis Hopper, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, and Kiefer Sutherland, you'd expect it to be good, right? There's much to be said about lowered - or even no - expectations for a film. The piece of crap is one bad stereotype after another with a story that's clear and muddled at the same time. I don't even feel like telling you what it's about. You'll have to be content with the fact that if you follow my recommendation then you'll never have to find out.

1 Star

(61) Rest Stop: Dead Ahead (2006): This is possibly the worst horror movie I've ever seen. The only name you'll recognize, maybe, is that of Joey Lawrence, in a very embarrassing role that I'm sure he took because they promised to feed him thrice daily during his days on the set. This is the typical story of a boy and a girl who pull into a rest stop, boy disappears, and girl is haunted for no reason by some peckerwood maniac for the rest of the film. In a nutshell, that's your movie. Don't even bother.

0 Stars

March 18, 2010 - The Children

Did it to myself again. You'll see.

(59) The Children (2008): Another Ghost House Underground "horror" film that had so much potential a yet, fell so very, very short. This one could have been really good if only the director had developed the story. Why was one child so very bad and in control of so much? Why did she want so many people harmed, hurt, and killed? Nothing is ever explained, and, if that weren't bad enough, all the "money" shots were edited. Virtually all the violence and gore was implied. I don't mind that in a movie when it's not central to the story, but this movie, in theory, is of the horror genre and the other Ghost House Films I saw had no shortage of graphic gore. Perhaps it was because of the child actors. Anyway, another disappointing horror film from GHU. Gonna wait a while before I tackle the remaining 5 films under this label. Can't recommend at all.

1 Star

March 16, 2010 - The Seventh Moon

You know by now I'm a sucker for horror films, even if they're not very good. Tonight's installment wasn't very good.

(58) The Seventh Moon (2008): This film is part of the Ghost House Underground series from Lionsgate, and it's number 2 of 8 that I've seen. This one stars Amy Smart as an American on her honeymoon in China with her Chinese husband. According to Chinese legend, the gates of hell open on the full moon of the seventh month and some really scary "moon" people come out for a bit of the old rape and pillage during the night. Not a unique or even interesting premise, but I watched it all the same.

For a long time hardly anything happened, then Smart and her husband swore badly at each other for a while, then something happened that I can't tell you because it's the whole enchilada, and then the end credits rolled. I'll give Lionsgate props on one aspect of their line of horror films: 90 minutes or less seems to be the ticket, and this one, thankfully, clocked in at a brisk 87 minutes.

Not really worth watching unless you're a fan of Amy Smart, which isn't hard, or if you're a sucker like me and just like horror films.

1 Star

March 14, 2010 - Triangle

Was gonna spend a buck at Redbox until I saw this on Netflix Instant Play. The buck would have been okay, but free is cool, too.

(57) Triangle (2009): Always liked Melissa George ever since I saw her in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, so that was part of the appeal here. What I thought was going to be just another 1 star horror film turned out to be a little better than average, and more of a thriller than a horror, although some horror elements are present.

The premise is this: A group of friends go for a weekend sail that goes horribly wrong when a strange and isolated storm capsizes the boat. They are saved when a passing cruise ship picks them up, but Melissa George is pretty certain she's been on this ship before, which is completely empty except for the sailboat passengers. One by one the passengers are killed.

This is one of those movies that is a time loop, and the events keep happening over and over. However, Melissa George is starting to catch on. I won't spoil it for you, but the film overall wound up being considerable more engaging than I thought it would be. It's definitely worth watching, even if you drop a buck at Redbox.

2.5 Stars

March 13, 2010 - Freedom Writers

Caught this one in the wee hours of the morning, up with son.

(56) Freedom Writers (2007): A decent turn by Hillary Swank, but the material was treated with kid gloves, and at time was the total cliche of every other "kids from the hood do well because teacher cares" movie. Some bits were good, especially the the story thread about Anne Frank and her diary. Aside from that, not so much. There are some good acting turns in this movie, which is why I will rate it higher than I might otherwise, but the characters are thin and the story never hit the depth I could have.

2 Stars

March 12, 2010 - Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera); Pirate Radio

The baby came on the 4th, so my movie watching has taken a back seat. Did, however, manage to sneak in two today. I should have stopped at one.

(54) Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera) (2001): Had been waiting to see this movie for a very long time, but Netflix never had it in stock. It showed up a few days ago, so I watched it. I was delighted. Essentially this is the story of an assassin's guild and we follow the exploits of the #3 killer, Stray Cat. She has been tagged to take out #1, Hundred Eyes.

In reality this is a movie about our different phases of life as represented by the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Each season in the film is represented by the same woman, Stray Cat, at different ages in her life, sometimes simultaneously.

The film is a little disjointed and told in a very stylized manner, and some of the acting isn't very good, and some of the sets and props are not very good either. Still, these are forgivable things as we've forgiven them previously by greats like Godard. Worth watching, and probably worth watching again.

2.5 Stars

(55) Pirate Radio (2009): Another movie I had waited to see for quite some time. Wish I hadn't raised my hopes. This is a dreadful film about nothing, nothing whatsoever. The premise is there, the story material is there, the characters surely are there. Too bad the screenwriter and director couldn't figure out which end was up.

This movie is supposedly about the British ban on rock and roll music on the public airwaves on 1966, which prompted some savvy radio guys to broadcast from a ship out in international waters, out of the reach of the British government. Honestly, a great premise with huge story potential.

Any real filmmakers out there should consider taking a stab at re-making this film, because I think it would be a solid smash hit. As it stands, Philip Seymour Hoffman aside, it's unwatchable. Really, take a pass on this one. You can thank me later.

1 Star

March 5, 2010 - 12 Monkeys

Caught one of my favorite movies tonite.

(53) 12 Monkeys (1995): In my opinion this is Terry Gilliam's 2nd best movie (I think The Fisher King is his best). It's a great story, which finds its roots in a scene from the 1958 Alfred Hitchcock classic, Vertigo, which resulted in the utterly interesting 1962 short French film La Jetée, reviewed earlier in this blog. Starring an excellent Bruce Willis, 12 Monkey is a time trip which takes us back and forth along a temporal time line. The production values are top shelf, Brad Pitt co-stars as an insane-but-harmless animal rights activist, and Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist who is intrinsically connected to Willis. This movie is absolutely worth watching and savoring, and then worth watching again.

4 Stars

March 2, 2010 - Train

Watched a movie tonight that I knew was probably going to be bad. I was right.

(52) Train (2008): Okay, I admit the primary reason I watched this movie is because it stars Thora Birch, whom I've liked in some of her previous roles. I might also have a crush on her, but that's neither here nor there. The movie is a typical "torture porn" (it's not actually porn) movie that takes is cue from movies such as Hostel, Saw, and Frontier(s). A group of students miss their train to Odessa, Ukraine, and have to take an entirely different train. You already know the setup. Gore, blood, nonsense, people getting killed because they're idiots, etc.

The lone bright spot from the traveling group of Americans? Yes, Thora Birch. She was the toughest and smartest person in the entire movie. A quick nod to Valentin Ganev, who plays the conductor. I first saw him in The Abandoned, which is one of the best horror films I've ever seen. He was quite good in that movie, and equally good in this one. Perhaps he and Birch could team again for a real horror film. Unless you're into this type of film, or have a crush (alleged) on Thora Birch, there are very few reasons to see this film. Half a star for Birch, and half a star cuz she had balls and toughness.

1 Star

March 1, 2010 - The Hebrew Hammer

Watched one at the request of my brother.

(51) The Hebrew Hammer (2002): This film is a send-up of all the old "blaxploitation" films from the 1970s. Some of the comedy was funny, but there were some problems, like a lot of the intended comedy not being funny. Adam Goldberg stars at Mordecai Jefferson Carver, a private detective who's as "super fly" as they come. As a spoof I can accept a lot of shortcomings, so I won't be too hard on it. Plenty of familiar faces including Mario Van Peebles and Peter Coyote. Judy Greer never looked better as The Hammer's girlfriend. Can't really recommend this film, but I won't point and laugh if you decide to watch it. Netflix instant play.

1.5 Stars

February 27, 2010 - Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon)

Caught this film at the Broadway, and had to think about it for a day before I wrote about it.

(50) Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon) 2009: This film won the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival this year, which was a big reason for me wanting to see it. I'll reserve judgment on that, but it was clearly one deserving of attention and accolades. It takes place in a village in Northern Germany just prior to World War I. Shot in black and white, and directed by the very accomplished Michael Haneke, there is much to think about by the time the end credits roll. The village as a Baron and Baroness who own virtually all the land and employ nearly everyone else as farmers in the village. There's also midwife, a school teacher, a doctor, and a pastor. There are also a couple of dozen kids. The adults are humorless and stern; the children, as a result, live their lives somewhere between fright and defiance. The message of the film is very subtle (at least for me), and is designed to represent the earliest formations of the Nazi party of government. I had to read a bit about the history of Germany at that time to fully understand what was happening, but when you see this film you will really got a good sense of how those children could be the generation, as adults, who could inflict so much pain on the world, and without the slightest hint of emotion, regret, or remorse. See this film, make no judgments, and let it settle in for a few days before deciding how much you like or dislike it.

4 Stars

February 26, 2010 - Blood Creek

I set my expectations too high, again.

(49) Blood Creek (2009): Okay, my expectations are never too high when it comes to horror flicks, but this one sounded better than average, so I added it to my Netflix queue a few weeks ago. I should have know better as it's been about a decade since director Joel Schumacher brought us anything really worth watching (1999's 8MM starring Nick Cage). This film had Nazis, the occult, rune stones, and immortality. How can any director go wrong with that formula? By not making it very exiting or very horrifying, that's how. This film just lacked any real depth, and I felt no sympathy for any character. Can't really recommend this movie unless you're just a fan of horror and watch whatever comes out on DVD.

1.5 Stars

February 23, 2010 - The Simpsons Movie

Watched this one because I really just wanted to laugh.

(48) The Simpsons Movie (2007): I have been watching old episodes of News Radio and realized how much I loved Phil Hartman's character on The Simpsons, Troy McClure, so I watched this movie last night. Truth be told, it's the first time I've ever seen it, and honestly I'm a pretty big fan of the TV show. Anyway, the movie is actually hilarious in spots, but it does drag just a bit near the end, until it picks up again. Some classic moments and dependable characters make this movie actually quite watchable. However, if you know nothing of the source material you might find yourself feeling like a translator at a convention for a language that doesn't exist. Still, a romping good time.

2.5 Stars

February 22, 2010 - Independence Day; Deep Impact

Caught a couple of escapism films tonight, just for fun.

(46) Independence Day (1996): What's to say about this film. Full of problems, but a good Sci-Fi romp all the same. Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and about a million other people you know make this movie all that it can be. Not generally a summer blockbuster kind of guy, but this one is actually better than average.

2.5 Stars

(47) Deep Impact (1998): This poor film really didn't have a chance. It came out at the same time as Armageddon, and literally pales by comparison in nearly every category. It is essentially the exact same story, except this film is loaded with a lot of B-list actors, and the writing and overall story is fairly sketchy in parts. Not nearly as good as the first movie I watched tonight, I knew I should have stopped when I was ahead.

1.5 Stars

February 20, 2010 - Salo

Watched a very disappointing film today.

(45) Salo (1975): It's not often that I call a Criterion Film ridiculous, but this one really is. Billed as one of the most disturbing films ever, to be honest with you I've coughed up more disturbing things than this film. It's unimaginative, the opposite of creative, and utterly trite. It's like reading Catcher in the Rye because it was a "banned" book, only to discover how preposterous that notion really was. While it's true there are some graphic scenes, the film is almost entirely gratuitous in its presentation. I can't really recommend this film for any reason, except maybe as a means of answering the question, "What's all the hubbub?" Irreversible was far more disturbing, and much harder to watch. Take a pass on this film.

1 Star

February 17, 2010 - 30 Frames A Second: The WTO In Seattle

Caught a doc tonight that I'd been meaning to watch for a while now.

(44) 30 Frames A Second: The WTO In Seattle (1999): This is a documentary about the protests that effectively shut down the World Trade Organization conference in Seattle in 1999. More than 50,000 protesters filled the streets of downtown Seattle for five days to draw the world's attention to the corruption of the WTO. The doc is a little choppy in parts, and the audio a little sketchy at times, but on the whole a decent presentation. I was left with a good idea about what went on that week in Seattle.

2.5 Stars

February 15, 2010 - eXistenZ

Loved the movie I watched in the early hours of the morning.

(43) eXistenZ (1999): Another surreal entry from David Cronenberg. This one deals with the potential of virtual reality and the real prospect that if it's ever perfected we may never know if we're still inside the game or not. This film has a terrific cast of characters including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Ian Holm, Willem Dafoe, Don McKeller, and Callum Keith Rennie. It's quite interesting throughout, and the ending is the total payoff. If you're looking for something quite different this is your ticket.

3 Stars

February 14, 2010 - Idioterne (The Idiots)

Caught a unique film in the early hours of the day.

(42) Idioterne (The Idiots) (1998): Another original Lars on Trier film, with several familiar faces from his and Thomas Vinterberg's previous works, particularly their Dogme 95 films. This film is about a group of regular, normal people of seemingly average or higher intelligence who live together commune-style, and in public, as a group, act like they're mentally retarded for whatever number of reasons you can imagine. They embrace a concept of "discovering your inner idiot" for reasons therapeutic.

There are some very funny moments in this movie. There are also some scenes of male and female nudity, with one scene becoming a short-but-graphic orgy. In Danish with English subtitles, this is a film definitely worth watching. Utterly von Trier.

3 Stars

February 13, 2010 - Paranormal Activity

Wasn't ever in the mood to see this movie until tonight, so I watched it.

(41) Paranormal Activity (2007): Well, this is the horror film that was all the rage at theaters this past fall and winter. This is a decent little horror film that has a few problems along the way, but overall isn't the worst movie I've ever seen. It's a little slow in spots, the bedroom filming gets old fast, and some of the special effects are horribly obvious. However, there are some pretty scary moments. It's a nice steady build-up to the final scene, and this is an effective approach. Our nerves are steadily rattled. I admit to liking it better than I thought I would, but it's doubtful I'll watch it a second time. I love horror films and there is much better fare out there.

2.5 Stars

February 11, 2010 - Thirteen Days

Watched one in the early hours that I've seen a time or two.

(40) Thirteen Days (2000): I have always loved political intrigue, and this film has that in spades. Certainly embellished for film, the story is still gripping and there's really not a single dull moment throughout. Bruce Greenwood is believable as John F. Kennedy as the Commander in Chief during the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, as is Steven Culp as Robert F. Kennedy. Kevin Costner stars as Kenny O'Donnell who, in real life, played no such advisory role to the Kennedys, but surely someone in the Kennedy Administration did. The film is filled with faces you'll recognize from years of movies and television, and for the most part the acting is solid. Not a film that will ever be considered a classic, but solid enough and one that draws me in every couple of years for a re-watch.

3 Stars

February 8, 2010 - Dances with Wolves

Watched another great classic early this morning. One that doesn't need a whole lot of my frivolous comments.

(39) Dances With Wolves (1990): Certainly one of Kevin Costner's best movies, and probably the one he's most remembered for. It won 7 Academy Awards, and deservedly so. I had forgotten on epic this film was, as well as how beautiful and gripping it is throughout. If you find yourself in the mood for a really great film, consider this one. It's awesome.

5 Stars

February 7, 2010 - The Baader-Meinhof Complex

Thought I'd start a 2 1/2 hour movie at 2 in the morning, see if it was any good, then pick it up after I caught some shut-eye if it started strong. Sometime around 4:30 in the morning the end credits rolled.

(38) The Baader-Meinhof Complex (2008): This film recounts the formation of the violent German terrorist organization known at the Rote Armee Fraktion (Red Army Faction), which the press dubbed the Baader-Meinhof Group. The time line is roughly a ten-year period dating from just before the formation of the organization in the 1960s, through the formation and terrorist acts perpetrated, and the final outcome of the organization's original creators in the late 1970s.

This film is engaging right from the beginning and never lets up. The leaders, Andreas Baader (a very effective Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (an understated Martina Gedeck), and Gudrun Ensslin (an utterly believable Johanna Wokalek) are protesting against the establishment, particularly capitalism,the military industrial complex of the United States, and the invasion of Vietnam. They targeted various media and financial outlets that they deemed complicit in continuing the war against humans for nothing but corporate profits.

The acting is solid throughout, and maybe against better judgment find yourself sympathetic to the terrorists. Never a dull moment, this film is mostly in German, with some English, and sub-titled in English. Well worth the loss of sleep.

4 Stars

February 6, 2010 - Formula 51

Caught one just for fun this afternoon.

(37) Formula 51 (2001): This is by far one of the most entertaining movies starring Samuel L. Jackson. It didn't do very well in theaters, but has subsequently done much better on DVD. In addition to Jackson, we get great performances from a totally over-the-top Meat Loaf, the aggravating-but-effective Robert Carlyle, and the super-sexy Emily Mortimer.

Essentially, Jackson is a brilliant chemist trying to sell his latest drug, Formula 51. He screwed over Meat Loaf, who sends Mortimer to kill him, and then to protect him after he decides he wants him alive so he can deal with him. Carlyle is Jackson's underworld contact in England. There's great action throughout, and a great collection of one-liners. Catch this movie for pure fun. You won't be disappointed.

3.5 Stars

February 4, 2010 - The Fan; La jetée (The Pier)

Caught a double header today, both in the young hours of the new day.

(35) The Fan (1996): A fairly disturbing film starring Robert De Niro as an obsessed baseball fan, and Wesley Snipes as the baseball player that became the obsession. This is pretty much the study of a psychopath and his journey deeper and deeper into a very dangerous obsession with a game and with a player. De Niro is quite convincing as the psychopath and is fairly disturbing throughout. Snipes is a decent guy whose only real struggle in life, aside from the De Niro character, is dealing with his superstardom. A movie definitely worth watching.

3 Stars

(36) La jetée (The Pier) (1961): This French film, all of 28 minutes long, is one of the most interesting short films I've ever seen. Done entirely with still photos, this is the tale of a time traveler who goes back in time, falls in love, and realizes he can't take her back to his time. It is quite obvious this film is the basis for the Terry Gilliam film, 12 Monkeys. Very nicely told, and in a quite interesting format. If you've got a spare 30 minutes, catch this on Netflix Instant Play. You won't be disappointed at all.

4 Stars

February 3, 2010 - Man, Woman, and the Wall; G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra; Fight Club

Triple header today. Watched a Japanese movie in the early hours of the morning, one that I've been tempted several times in the past to watch. Glad I finally pulled the trigger. Later in the day my brother conned me into watching a movie I'd never watch on my own. Oh, the things we do for family. Finished off the day with a movie that won't require a lot of comment.

(32) Man, Woman, and the Wall (2007): An interesting, if not creepy tale about a magazine reporter who moves in next door to an interesting, beautiful young woman. He spends much of his time fantasizing about her by listening to her life through their very thin adjoining wall. One by one his fantasies are replaced with the reality of her life, and this is handled very nicely by the filmmakers. He eventually meets the woman and they have a lot of fun together. The on-screen chemistry between the two is legitimate and helps the story immensely. This movie is definitely worth watching. I don't think the translation from Japanese to English via subtitles was very diligent, and if you watch this film you'll see what I mean. Female nudity throughout, so beware of that.

3.5 Stars

(33) G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra (2009): This movie made a lot of "Worst Films of the Year" lists and I can see why. Not the worst crap I've ever seen, but mighty bad all the same. When your budget is $170 million, please spend some if it on a script. I don't mind all the CGI and Green Screen (even if it's not my thing), but back it up with a story that is at least well structured. I don't have to believe what I'm seeing. After all, I suspended by disbelief when I knew what the movie was, but for the price tag there's really no reason for such horseshit. If it wasn't for Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols (eye candy only), I wouldn't have sat through it. Hate to be sexist like that, but that's pretty much the score on this film.

1 Star

(34) Fight Club (1999): Like Aliens the other night, there's not a lot I can say about this movie. Such great performances from Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meat Loaf. One of the craziest, most intense movies made in recent times, with a great twist ending. If you haven't seen this movie, see it. If you have, then you know it's true when I say, "What can I say?"

4 Stars

February 2, 2010 - Aliens; Zombieland

Watched a classic in the wee hours, then watched an overrated newbie later in the day. Pretty much, I wish I hadn't done the latter.

(30) Aliens (1986): What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? One of the great films of the last 25 years, and hands down one of the greatest sequels ever made.

4.5 Stars

(31) Zombieland (2009): This movie was all the rage in theaters. Well, it didn't come to the theaters I'm loyal to so I waited for the DVD release. Honestly, I do not see how this movie garnered so much attention, let alone rave reviews and talks of it becoming a cult classic. It was boring, young dude never stopped talking, Bill Murray graced the movie in a handful of scene that were ridiculous, and in the end not a damn thing happened.

I generally don't fall for all the hype about mainstream movies, but figured this one must be the exception. Never again. Save your money and watch a good, fun horror movie like Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007).

1 Star

February 1, 2010 - Los Sin Nombre (The Nameless)

February didn't start off with a bang.

(29) Los Sin Nombre (The Nameless) (2005): This disjointed Spanish thriller paled in comparison to the French film, Martyrs, which dealt with essentially the same subject matter. In this film a couple's child is snatched away, a body identified, sad lives press on. Five years later the phone rings with the voice of the girl telling her mother she's still alive. The pursuit to find the child ensues. It was actually more boring than I've just made it sound. I had high hopes for this film, but it just fell flat. Can't really recommend it, and certainly not over Martyrs.

1.5 Stars

January 31, 2010 - Vier Minuten (Four Minutes)

I really love German films, which was one reason I chose the film I watched today.

(28) Vier Minuten (Four Minutes) (2006): This is the story of an elderly piano teacher, Traude, whose students are in a prison for women. She discovers a young, but very troubled student, Jenny. The story is complex and not only deals with the current backdrop of the prison, and prison life etc., but also some some history about Traude dating back to World War II. Aside from all that, Traude is getting Jenny ready for a piano competition that would no doubt bring great acclaim to Jenny if she were to win, as well as quite favorable press to the prison for having such a wonderful music program.

One of the better dramas I've seen in a long time, and a payoff at the end -- the four minutes referenced by the title -- that will leave you spellbound and stunned. Catch this movie on Netflix instant play. German with English subtitles. Some pervasive language in spots.

4 Stars

January 30, 2010 - Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral On A Moving Train

Decided to watch a documentary tonight on Netflix. Glad I did.

(27) Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral On A Moving Train (2004) Howard Zinn was a human rights activist, historian, and author who has written several important books including A People's History of the United States, now in its 5th edition since it was originally published in 1980 and has sold more than a million copies.

The documentary follows Zinn as he gets his first job as a college professor at Spelman College, a black college in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a key academic leader in the civil rights movement in the south, and remained an influential activist and academician right up until his death, just three days ago.

If you want to watch an excellent bit of Americana, this is the documentary for you. Only 77 minutes, but powerful and never a dull moment. Highly recommend.

4 Stars

January 29, - The Freebie

Caught a Sundance film today at the Broadway.

(26) The Freebie (2009): Been a long time since I was this bored. This is a problem that really talky films can have if A) the dialogue isn't very good, and B) we have to watch, incessantly, the people who are doing all the yak yak yakking. Such is the case with this film.

The story involves a couple who are bored in their marriage at the magic number of, you guessed it, 7 years. They decide they each get one night off to go get laid by someone else, just to put a little spark back into their marriage.

I actually thought the two protagonists did a fine acting job, despite suspect source material. It was a boring movie, with a premise you saw coming nearly right out of the gate, and an ending that couldn't have happened any other way. I don't need to see this movie again, don't want to see it again, and can't really recommend it. Definitely for a 30-something crowd. The language is pervasive in spots.

1.5 Stars

January 25, 2010 - The Salton Sea

Thought I was going to catch a little of the old mindless tonight, just for fun. Instead, something solid came my way and I couldn't be happier.

(25) The Salton Sea (2002): Honestly, I don't know how a movie like this escaped me for the past 8 years. It's got a very good Val Kilmer as a tweaker, Peter Sarsgaard in a very sympathetic role as Kilmer's best friend, and a very disturbing and effective Vincent D'Onofrio as a drug dealer. It's also got a lot of great support from the likes of Deborah Kara Unger, Luis Guzman, Anthony LaPaglia, and a lot of other faces you'll recognize.

Kilmer lost his wife. We only know she was somehow killed at the Salton Sea. He's a tweaker and hangs out with Sarsgaard, who has totally smashed too many brain cells with drugs. Kilmer is a narc working for some drug cops, but wants to make one last score to make some big cash and then vanish.

This movie is long on story, the music is soulful, haunting, and spot-on, and the acting overall is way above average. There are some unexpected moments, particularly with Bobby "Rhymes with Hobby" the drug dealer, and a brilliant Mpho Koaho as a gun dealer.

See this movie. This took me way past pleasantly surprised and into the realm of, like I said, how the hell did I miss this movie for the last 8 years.

4 Stars

January 22, 2010 - 11:14

Netflix instant play kept me company while the pork shoulder slow roasted in the smoker.

(24) 11:14 (2005): This was a fun little romp through a town where no one was innocent, except, maybe, Barbara Hershey. This is the kind of movie where lots of stories unfold at the same time, and we get to see them from different points of view throughout the movie. Not my favorite type of movie, but I actually liked this one, and it was benefited by being only 86 minutes long. Also, decent turns by Rachel Leigh Cook, Shawn Hatosy, Patrick Swayze, and Hillary Swank didn't hurt. This flick is pretty much about how, in the blink of an eye, accidental deaths can happen, and they can look like a lot more than they really are.

There a great scene inside a convenience store that, like the rug in The Big Lebowski, really ties the whole movie together. Seriously, a really great scene. If you want to dirty little pleasure, then this movie is just the ticket.

2.5 Stars

January 20, 2010 - Surveillance

Netflix instant play kept me occupied tonight.

(23) Surveillance (2008): I admit I watched this because of the director, Jennifer Lynch, who is the daughter of David Lynch. I just can't say no to a Lynch film. This one wasn't too bad. A couple of FBI agents are investigating a string of murders and use three witnesses to tie it all together. Of course, each witness has a completely different story. It stars Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond in decent turns, and a really good performance by Pell James as a strung out junkie. Overall, a decent watch with a fairly good twist. It held my attention throughout.

3 Stars

January 18, 2009 - Naked Lunch

Caught one of the strangest movies I've ever seen.

(22) Naked Lunch (1991): No one will ever accuse David Cronenberg of being unimaginative. This film was pretty awesome in the imagination department. Based on the book by William S. Burroughs, Naked Lunch is a tale of loneliness, madness, the creative process of writing, drug abuse, murder, and all manner of debauchery that plague a writer played by a very good Peter Weller. Just to give you a taste of the strangeness, people in this world are addicted to bug poison, and other drugs made from bugs like centipedes. It's almost worth watching the "making of" documentary first, and then the film. At any rate, a damn good film that you should see at your leisure.

3.5 Stars

January 16, 2010 - Day Night Day Night

Another late night start for me.

(21) Day Night Day Night (2006): I really wanted to like this film. At times I didn't like it at all, and at other times I couldn't look away. This is a slow, deliberately paced film that follows a teenage girl on a mission in New York City. I don't wanna give it away, so I won't tell you much about her mission, because it's the whole shooting match. There are some gripping moments at the end, and a host of questions when it's over. I let this one sink in for a while before I wrote about it. Not the best film I've ever seen, but far from the worst. An interesting watch, and one I mostly enjoyed.

2.5 Stars

January 15, 2010 - Crash

I watch a lot of movies in either the last couple of hours of the day, or on the first handful. Tonight, I started one late and finished it early.

(20) Crash (1996): This is the David Cronenberg movie, based on a 1973 J.G. Ballard novel of the same name. A different movie to be sure, and certainly not for everyone, it follows a group of car crash victims as they act out their sexual fantasies, or gain their sexual energy, in crashed cars. They also watch a lot of car crashes on video as a sort of pornography. Probably not like any movie you've ever seen. Starring James Spader in a reliably understated role, Holly Hunter, Deborah Unger, Rosanna Arquette, and a very creepy Elias Koteas.

In the end this movie is about addition, any addiction, and how hollow and empty and selfish and lonely addiction really is, and to what lengths people go to just to get one more fix. A decent enough move even though its void of any redeeming qualities.

2.5 Stars

January 14, 2010 - Snow Cake; The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Watched a damn good movie in the early hours of the day, and I suggest you watch it too. Watched a damn good moving in the waning hours of the day, and I suggest you also watch it.

(18) Snow Cake (2006): A very decent cast consisting of Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, and Carrie-Anne Moss unfold this funny and sad and redemptive story of loss, understanding, and acceptance. Emotional from nearly the beginning, almost immediately you know you're watching something off the beaten path. Alan Rickman plays a character who has had his fair share of loss. Sigourney Weaver is a high-functioning autistic woman who also knows loss. Carrie-Anne Moss is a single, attractive woman who lives next door to Weaver, and is living a life full of loss that she created. The particular loss each person has suffered and endured is less important than what it means personally and privately. Weaver's character says it best when she says, "You can't know how I'm feeling because you're not me."

Good writing always trumps everything else, and this movie is exceedingly better than others of similar content because of the terrific writing. Tears and laughs abound, as well as some very warm, tender moments. Definitely worth watching. Savor the performances.

4 Stars

(19) The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): This is an animated film from Wes Anderson, based on original source material from Roald Dahl, and involves the animals of a forest, led by Mr. Fox (George Clooney), and Mrs. Fox (Meryl Streep), battling to keep their homes against the three human inhabitants, Mr. Bean (Michael Gambon), Mr. Boggs (Robin Hurlstone), and Mr. Bunce (Hugo Guinness). This movie is laugh-out-loud funny, so that's what we did from nearly start to finish. The movie is witty and clever, and the animation style will suck you into the film right out of the gate.

I'm not usually an fan of animated films, but I do like Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tennenbaums, Darjeeling Limited), and how can you miss with the brilliant source material from Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)? Grab some friends and go see this movie. It's hilarious throughout, and dares you not to laugh until you can't any longer, then you'll laugh, heartily.

3.5 Stars

January 13, 2010 - Swimmers

Opted for an indie drama shortly after finishing my writing tonight. Wasn't bad, but a payoff at the end would've made it a whole lot better.

(17) Swimmers (2005): Emma, 11, an aspiring swimmer, suffers a ruptured eardrum in the middle of a swim meet, nearly drowns before her father pulls her from the pool, and ultimately needs a surgery her parents can't afford. A decent enough premise, and the young actress who played Emma (Tara Devon Gallagher) does a commendable job for her first real acting gig, but she was much better when she wasn't acting in the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom (2005). Still, she was the only character I even cared about.

This film is the kinds that filled with a lot of familiar faces you can't name, who've been in a lot of movies you've seen but also can't name. One of those actors, Sarah Paulson, does a remarkable job of being believably disturbed. It all pretty much plays out as one would expect, but there are some good bits of dialogue along the way. It falls flat in the final 15 minutes, and for that reason I can't really recommend this film.

2 Stars

January 12, 2010 - Eyes Without a Face

Caught another old French film in the middle of the night.

(16) Eyes Without a Face (1959): A pretty decent little film here. Dude, who's a plastic surgeon, causes a car wreck (which we never see) that results in his daughter's face becoming horribly disfigured (which we also never totally see). He's pretty sure he can fix her up, all he needs to do is find some local beauties and slice their faces off. Too bad the transplants never take. The daughter, Christiane, (played by Edith Scob) is exceedingly creepy and eerie in her "Open Your Eyes" mask. She pretty much floats around in sinuous, gyrating motions that look effortless. Totally effective. The rest of the film, however, isn't quite as great but on the whole it hits the mark and is better than average. Worth taking a peak if you're up late at night and looking for something a little different on Netflix instant play.

2.5 Stars

January 11, 2010 - Pickpocket

Caught a little French film in the wee hours.

(15) Pickpocket (1959): A short-ish film (76 minutes), but not unusual for the day. It's the story of Michel, a pickpocket with no real desire beyond getting better at his tradecraft. His friend Jacques wishes more for him, and the girl, Jeanne, eventually falls for him, mostly because he's the only person left in her life. Not a lot happens in the film beyond a lot of pickpocketing and some cops on Michel's trail, but I liked it all the same.

2.5 Stars

January 10, 2010 - The Green Butchers; The Brothers Bloom

Watched another Danish film early today. It was dark, tender, and perfectly marbled. Much later in the day I almost got conned by a movie. It wanted me to think it was good.

(13) The Green Butchers (2003): Bjarne and Svend are tired of working for Holger the Butcher, so they strike out on their own, opening a shop that becomes quite a big success almost immediately. This is a dark comedy that involves, among other things, a brain-damaged twin, a skeleton collection, a 20-a-day joint habit, a really cute blonde, and the best damned meat marinade in Denmark. Well worth seeing, although the ending did leave me with the beginning twinges of a tooth cavity. That aside, there are some truly laugh-out-loud moments ("They stole my lunch money as a kid, which is why I'm so skinny today...") that make this comedy the real deal.

3.5 Stars

(14) The Brothers Bloom (2008): I like each of the principle actors in this film, which is why I ordered it from Netflix. I love movies about cons, con artists, grifters, etc. I really wanted this film to be good, but it wasn't. There were some major plot holes that remain unresolved, and one flat-out cheat by the writer/director, Rian Johnson, involving the Rachel Weisz character, a blown up building, a stolen book, and the chief of police in Prague. It's worse than it sounds. Unless you're totally into the principle actors in this film, you should take a pass. Good thing my Netflix is unlimited, or I'd be asking for a refund.

1.5 Stars

January 9, 2010 - The Boss of it All; The Celebration

Watched another Lars von Trier film, this time in the wee hours of the morning, and another Thomas Vinterberg film much later in the day.

(11) The Boss of it All (2006): A genuine comedy from the not-so-funny guy, von Trier. An actor is hired to play the role of company president to affect the sale of a Danish software company to a company in Iceland. There are some truly funny moments, which I thought was awesome for two reasons. First, because it's billed as a comedy. Second, because it's written and directed by Lars von Trier (who also hilariously narrates in a handful of spots throughout), who is best known for his non-comedic offerings.

Anyone who's seen High Fidelity (2000) with John Cusack will recognize a familiar face. Iben Hjejle, who played Cusack's love interest, Laura, plays a fairly prominent and hilarious role in this film as Lise, the director of Human Resources for the company said actor has been hired to sell.

Anyone looking for a really good comedy would do well to catch this one. Totally Scandinavian.

3.5 Stars

(12) The Celebration (1998): This film was utterly depressing throughout, which I don't mind at all, and was extremely well acted and presented. The grimness is strengthened by the Dogme 95 filmmaking style to which Vinterberg held himself to as he created this truly great film. Note: The Celebration is the first film created under the Dogme 95 Manifesto created by Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. You'll notice that Vinterberg is uncredited as the director, which is one of the Dogme stipulations.

The "celebration" is the 60th birthday party for Helge, father and husband, and his friends and family are in attendance. This family is perhaps one of the most dysfunctional families ever to make the silver screen, which makes what transpires entirely believable.

I found great sympathy for son, Christian. I won't give it away as it's your job to seek out good films and discover the joy, beauty, and tragedy for yourself. Suffice it to say, this is a must see film for anyone who considers themselves any sort of serious lover of real cinema.

4.5 Stars

January 8, 2010 - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus; The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans

Happy birthday, bro!

Today I took in two films at the Broadway.

(9) The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009): For me this was a very disappointing film by brilliant filmmaker, Terry Gilliam. After such great films as Twelve Monkeys (1995), and The Fisher King (1991), this was a major letdown. A suspect story at best, totally masked behind the multi-media mania that is Gilliam's imagination. Too bad, really. This was Heath Ledger's last film (he died midway through principle photography), and he was the best part of the entire film.

I kept my ears open as we shuffled out of the theater and the comments were mixed. I could see glee on the faces of some, and head-shaking by others. I can't recommend this film, but I wouldn't use my taste in movies as any sort of official barometer. Those of you that follow this blog throughout the year will get a very good feel for what I like in a movie, and some will see the method behind the madness while others only see the madness. Caveat emptor!

1 Star

(10) The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009): Another bad Nicholas Cage movie, and only slightly better than the other film I saw today. Not a true sequel to the 1992 film by Able Ferrara, Bad Lieutenant, it also isn't nearly as good. Don't compare Cage to Keitel. For the most part the movie is laughable, and there are so many perfect little endings that I felt my Red Vines creeping up the back of my throat more than once. Also, Cage changes his accent and speaking style halfway through the film, and at some points I thought he was trying to be Pacino, and at other times I thought Jimmy Stewart had come back to life.

Surprisingly, Alvin "Xzibit" Joiner turns in the best performance. He's believable as a gangster, and to me seems like the only actor comfy in his skin. Fairuza Balk appears in a totally throwaway part/scene, but once again proves (via some nifty black lingerie) that 35 is the new 25.

Can't really recommend unless you're into the principle actors or, like me, support your local film society and see everything they so generously bring to town.

1.5 Stars

January 7, 2010 - Irreversible

Today's film is a very disturbing entry from Norway.

(8) Irreversible (2002): Another recommended film by my friend, Stephen, this was one of the toughest watches I've had. This is pretty much the story of revenge. Dude's girl gets raped and he and his buddy set out to find the guy who did it. The film is brilliant in many ways, including that it plays in reverse. You see the culminating event of the manhunt and then as the rest of the film unfolds you discover how and why it all happened.

The violence is brutal, as is the rape scene. I highly recommend watching the special feature on the DVD that describes and displays the special effects used in the film. The very "real" beating, and the very "real" rape are put into cinematic perspective, and when you see that it was all just SFX making the magic happen, it will wash a calm(er) feeling over you.

I can only recommend this to the most adventurous cinephile. Seriously, not for everyone, and easily rated NC-17 for very good reason.

3.5 Stars

January 6, 2010 - Next

I'm a huge fan of the works of Philip K. Dick, arguably one of the greatest science fiction writers of the 20th century. Hell, one of the greatest writers, period. Dick had an incredible grasp on time travel, and expounded on the implications of it in many of his stories and books.

(7) Next (2007): I caught this on Netflix instant play, largely because of the Philip Dick source material. Julianne Moore starring didn't hurt. The story premise is that dude (Nick Cage) can see a couple of minutes into the future, and thereby can prevent/avoid certain catastrophes. In this case the catastrophe is a nuclear bomb someone in California. Moore, who is an FBI field agent needs Cage to tell her where the bomb is located. Not a great movie, but a decent enough treatment of the original Dick material.

A good enough watch if you like other movies based on Dick's material (Blade Runner, Paycheck, A Scanner Darkly, Minority Report), or if you like the work of the principle actors, which includes Jessica Biel along side the understated Nicholas Cage and the ever-reliable Julianne Moore.

2.5 Stars

January 5, 2010 - Dear Wendy

Happy birthday, sis!

Today I watched a wholly unique and interesting film by Danish director, Thomas Vinterberg, and written by Lars Von Trier.

(6) Dear Wendy (2005): This film is about a group of teenage misfits led by one Dick Dandelion. The group, known as the Dandies and formed by Dandelion, is united in their love of handguns and their code of honor, namely never brandishing their guns, for any reason. All the action takes place in an unnamed American town in an unnamed era, although it's modern enough. This movie is so good, and so worth seeing, that you should drop what you're doing right now and watch it!

4 Stars

January 4, 2010 - World's Greatest Dad

I watched an interesting film today, and it kind of caught me off guard when it came recommended to me from a highly credible source.

(5) World's Greatest Dad (2009): Here's the reason I was caught off my guard and, I might add, highly suspicious of this film. It stars Robin Williams and was written and directed Bobcat Goldthwait. That old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover" has some merit. This film was fantastic, but not perfect. The story was interesting and fresh, and pretty much told in an unflinching manner. Williams plays a dad who is a failed author, failed father, and failing school teacher. I won't give too much away (as is not the point of this blog), but I will say that when Williams is cast in serious roles he does exceedingly well. I highly recommend this film. Rated R for a reason, not for the kidlings, even if they are in public school.

3.5 Stars

January 3, 2010 - Europa

Today I watched a lovely little film by Danish auteur, Lars von Trier. After seeing the brilliant Antichrist on New Year's Eve, I decided to take in some of his films I'd either seen long ago, or hadn't seen at all.

(4) Europa (1991): I hadn't seen this film in many years, but I'm glad I opted to see this one first. Europa is a great story about an American in Germany only a handful of days after the end of World War II. He is a pacifist and conscientious objector, and as a result of his choice to not get involved he had no real identity or persona. The result of this is that he winds up being a pawn by both sides and is used as a sort of spy, but he's not really very good at it. This is classified as an art house film and rightfully so. The camera angles are incredible, and the blending of color and B&W works to perfection. Highly recommended viewing.

4 Stars

Note: Europa is the third film in a trilogy by von Trier. If you prefer to watch them in order start with The Element of Crime (1984), then Epidemic (1987), and finish with Europa.

January 2, 2010 - The Seventh Continent

Happy birthday, mom!

Today I watched a great film by German auteur, Michael Haneke.

(3) The Seventh Continent (1989): This is a grim, harrowing tale (which came highly recommended by my friend Stephen), and is nothing short of nihilism at it's finest. Great performances all around, and a slick, slow slide into complete oblivion. Best film I've seen this year!

5 Stars

January 1, 2010 - The Baby's Room; To Let

Today I watched two Spanish horror films that I rented from Netflix. Neither was bad, neither was great.

(1) The Baby's Room (2006): A creepy tale about parents who can see ghosts in their son's room, but only via the baby video monitor. Interesting enough, but no real scary moments, which is unfortunate because it was billed as a horror film.

2 Stars

(2) To Let (2006): A more effective horror film that the first. A couple goes to look at an apartment they might like to rent, only to discover that some of the belongings are already there. Blood and gore a plenty, so definitely no kids unless they're in public schooling.

2.5 Stars