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