02/27/06 The New World

The New World (2005), directed by Terrence Malick

watched solo; theater (Blue Ridge Cinema, Raleigh, NC)

Fortunately we didn't have to wait another 20 years between Malick's last film (The Thin Red Line) as we did with his last hiatus. Thankfully so in this case. I was not at all a fan of Thin Red Line, but did really enjoy his famous work in Badlands. Whatever the historic framework, or geographical landscape, Malick focuses his treatment of film as a layered introspection. This "New World" project recreates the arrival of the English to the Americas, and the encounters early Western settlers had with the native tribes of this land. Taking a page from history books, the film chronicles the love affair between the English explorer John Smith and the Native American princess Pocahontas. Forced into a coexistence of cultures, the struggle for land and identity flows between peaceful, sympathetic, inquisitive, and ultimately violent. Through amazingly poignant cinematography, this film truly captures the Americas as they once were. It also turns the discussion through introspective monologues into a vital understanding of humanity and our rights on this earth. OK, preachy & artsy at times, but with more punch than Red Line's "horrors of war" attempts.

4 out of 5 stars

02/26/06 The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005), directed by Andrew Adamson

watched w/ Leslie; theater (Crossroads 20 Cinema, Cary, NC)

Alright, I'm impressed. Even though there seems to be a glut of children/family fantasy tales that follow famous series in literature in today's cinema, this one remains a classic. Again, with its rabid fan base (similar to Harry Potter & LOTR), Hollywood had another test of it's big budget street cred with creating this version. Albeit much more children-oriented than the other two, I still loved this film. It takes me back to the books which I read as a child, and makes you want to revisit those stories & those times. Who never pretended to play hide & seek, and wish that whatever you were hiding in could whisk you off to a magical place? If you didn't, you had a crappy childhood. Well, if you had a crappy childhood, wouldn't you want to be whisked off even more?! Anyway, even if it's geeky-chic now, Narnia is a wonderful fable for children & adults alike. The special effects are played out in epic proportions here. The story seems a bit rushed at times, but as with the childrens' adventure, time seems to slow down in the real world. Over two hours of film go by so fast, whisking you off to your magical dead-end job & bills as if your real life didn't miss a beat.

5 out of 5 stars

02/25/06 North Country

North Country (2005), directed by Niki Caro

watched solo; DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

Go, Charlize. Finally Hollywood can point to a talented actress who is beautiful enough to pull off a lead in any run-of-the-mill yarn they spin out & plaster her name across the poster to sell tickets; then she flips the script on them every once in awhile (a la Monster) and gets down & dirty (and sometimes ugly) to play a true life role of adversity in Oscar winning fashion. This is a story based on the landmark class action lawsuit on a mining company in Minnesota in 1984, that saw women stand up for their rights against sexual harassment in the workplace. Taking on the gritty and until then masculine world of mining, Theron's character becomes the catalyst of the controversial lawsuit. It shows not only the harsh conditions these brave women had to face, but delves more into the community impact it has on all of the families. The documentary info extras are great to see that a lot of the real women played cameo roles in the film too. Don't be surprised to see Charlize win another dirty Oscar.

4 out of 5 stars

02/24/06 Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle (2004), directed by Hayao Miyazaki

watched w/ Leslie & Joel; theater (Blue Ridge Cinema, Raleigh, NC)

Maybe I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. Maybe I'm not the biggest fan of anime in the world. Maybe I should have tried some acid beforehand to make the movie appeal more to me. Whatever the case may be, these Japanese anime films always teeter delicately on the edge of absurdity. I know the idea is to make these fantastical tales spring to life before your amazed eyes, and I give the animators complete credit there. These flicks are pure delight to the senses of watching odd creatures, colorful landscapes, and sci-fi contraptions. That being said, I still find myself with a reality check in the theater saying to myself..."now why did the androgynous midget wearing a cape & beard fight the dancing turnip-head scarecrow jumping into the cursed walking castle?" If you follow that, good luck. Hey, the robotic castle walking the hills and morphing from century to century like a time machine is cool. Billy Crystal as a talking fireball in the hearth, a bit more unconventional. I know this blurb doesn't really explain the film, but if I tried, I'd lose you even more anyway. All I know is that Miyazaki's Spirited Away is much better than this one.

3 out of 5 stars

02/23/06 The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener (2005), directed by Fernando Meirelles

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Often I have a hard time believing that overly proper British people can slide so gracefully in & out of some Third World country, surrounded by a culture they're unaccustomed to, and they prevail some sort of martyr/hero. Seeing that I have never travelled to any Third World, and I am not proper enough to claim Britain-ship, I only have movies and media to enlighten me for now. OK, back to the movie itself. Getting off my erratic soapbox, this film is a well done political thriller in every sense. Directed passionately by Meirelles, the director of another powerful film "City Of God," it tackles subject matter that even in a real world setting eludes most people in the Western world. This tale follows a British diplomat hunting for the truth in a global conspiracy, where his activist wife uncovers information that she is ultimately killed for. Avenging both his wife, and the rights she stood for, the diplomat must expose the truth. That harsh truth is that drug companies are in cahoots with African politicians, in order to test their unstable products on sick & unsuspecting people as human guinea pigs. Obviously this film is not for the faint of heart, but should appeal to those who in some way want an eye-opening experience into how other parts of the world may run. The overhead sweeping shots of the native landscape are breathtaking, as well as extremely sad in some cases. I know it's just a movie, but it represents a world that is often real...and it should make you thankful for the life you have.

4 out of 5 stars

02/22/06 Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man (2005), directed by Ron Howard

watched solo; DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

Boxing films tend to be popular in Hollywood because they always seem to incoporate the perfect allegory. Dramatic narratives intertwined with violent action sequences, that pardon the pun, "pull no punches." OK, ok, so sue me. No don't really. Or I may have to take up boxing to pay the bills. The story is based on the true life of pugilist James J. Braddock who must help his family survive the hard times of the Great Depression, as well as earn back the local respect of being a promising fighter. Crowe does an alright job of convincing us he's from New Jersey, and that he has to toil to make ends meet for his family. He's not a favorite actor of mine, but seems to embody these epic figures in everyday lives in most of his roles. It's the smaller parts like Paul Giamatti's as his trainer that show great acting abilities. It's the typical awe-inspiring story of a true blue-collar hardworking American who makes it big. A true hero for the everyman. Hollywood loves that.

3 out of 5 stars

02/21/06 Junebug

Junebug (2005), directed by Phil Morrison

watched solo; DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

Can I just say that it is refreshing to see a film & landscape that incorporates my "home state" of North Carolina. This independent feature comes from a great new director hailing from the NC School of The Arts, and is filmed in Winston-Salem (The big Hyphen for those of you in the know). The story revolves around a rural family that is welcoming back its eldest adult son and his new wife who have been living the successful high-life in big city Chicago. While not particularly wanting to be back home, the son must contest with life as it has progressed in his absence. His younger brother (soon to be a father) who hates him, a sister-in-law obsessed with Christianity and the outside world, a father who holds all his emotions internally, and a mother who is weary of any woman being good enough for her son. It paints the simple life of this family in complex vignettes of quiet pain, and unexpected love. It also taps into the underground art of a local painter who suffers from mental illness, and how his story correlates with that of the family. While a very quirky character driven piece, Junebug deftly shows the importance of faith and family, no matter what the backdrop may be.

4 out of 5 stars

02/20/06 Failure To Launch

Failure To Launch (2006), directed by Tom Dey

watched w/ Leslie, Brad B., Allyson, Lia; theater (NC State University Cinema, Raleigh, NC); free screening

I have to admit two things here. Firstly, this film viewing took place late into the evening of the date posted, running past midnight, thereby against the Challenge's rules. However, I had already seen Capote earlier in the day meeting my requirements. This was supposed to just be icing on the cake. This leads me to admission #2, that I actually went to a theater to see this film. So, let's go over the plot. Wait, stop me if you've heard a Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy vehicle before. Honestly, why go into the plot, because we all know what to expect. Guy has some sort of quirk to his adult playboy lifestyle, only to fall for some girl of substance who falls prey to his witty charms & scratchy voice, she/he does the other one wrong, they try to make up before it's too late, it is too late, some wacky plan is hatched by each partners' best friends to get them reunited, it works, they fall in love all over again. Does that cover the bases? Oh, and this one has former NFL great Terry Bradshaw's bare backside. No supporting actor nod there...arrogant Academy! I'd love to see McConaughey's romantic comedies fall the way of his twisted horror flick Frailty. That would make for a flick that I wouldn't feel bad for seeing free.

2 out of 5 stars

02/20/06 Capote

Capote (2005), directed by Bennett Miller

watched solo; theater (Galaxy Cinema, Cary, NC)

Again, another biopic that delves deep into the tragic implications of a certain American icon. However, this one is spun on its ear a bit. Truman Capote became a very popular author in 1950's America, for such books as Breakfast At Tiffany's. He was a complex and interesting person. He had a hard childhood, was a well-known homosexual in an era that was never very tolerant of anything non-uptight conservative, and seemed to immerse himself in his own work so much that it lead to his eventual undoing in drugs and drinking. The film revolves around Capote's infamous undertaking of publishing a novel (In Cold Blood) based upon a true-life multiple murder scene in the quiet Kansas country. Capote proceeds to not only research everything revolving around the crime scence, victim's families & community, but most disturbingly into the minds and friendships of the two accused murderers. While remaining an aloof protagonist in the film, the author also displays the constant inner-struggle with his thoughts & emotions; his occupation & acquaintances. Hoffman does a marvelous job as the eccentric Capote.

4 out of 5 stars

02/19/06 The Spook Who Sat By The Door

The Spook Who Sat By The Door (1973), directed by Ivan Dixon

watched w/ Leslie; theater (Hayti Heritage Center, Durham, NC); Black Diaspora Film Festival

Now, to the much more intellectual staple of the evening. This film festival celebrated Black History Month, and African-American cinema with the theme of "politically speaking" this year. Shown in the church attached to a wonderful cultural center, this became a showcase across many themes (art, religion, politics) in just the screening alone. The film itself posed the situation of filling racial quotas within the ranks of the CIA, training those troops with no intention of ever allowing them to become full-fledged agents of the government. Facing the racist superiors, one man takes on his treatment as a personal call-to-arms for the minorities of the U.S. to take on the government in a no-holds barred guerilla warfare. Based on the controversial novel of the same title, it shows in all to recognized reality what can happen to a world where people aren't given a fair and equal opportunity. This movie survives solely on the raw emotion and importance of the activism being discussed violently. Oh, and a complete side-note to the film festival...we ran into Play from Kid 'N Play there. Sweet.

3 out of 5 stars

02/19/06 Zombie Honeymoon

Zombie Honeymoon (2004), directed by David Gebroe

watched solo; theater (Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC); Nevermore Film Festival

I figured I would go on a film festival doubleheader today. Well, I'm glad I went for a 2nd one later in the day, because this one was pathetic. Not quite worth the price of admission, nor worthy of even being on the great Nevermore gothic/horror festival's schedule in my opinion. However, here's the scoop. I am a fan of zombie flicks, maybe just a bit too spoiled in the aristocratic etiquette of said zombie flicks. They need to either be straight-up gory fun-fests, or psychologically mind-freaks that test the will of survival. This is sadly neither. Extremely low budget (I think this was filmed on someone's cellphone while they were stoned), it consists of two newlyweds who spend their honeymoon in a fancy shore house. The guy gets infected by a dead sea-dude (with no help from his beautiful wife), becomes a flesh-eater, is exposed to his wife for what he is, she chooses to stay by his side as the vows state, and he proceeds to eat all their friends (not to spoil it for you, but if you watch it anyway, the film itself spoils the fun for you). Gore, yes. Intelligent, no. If your S.O. is a zombie, run. 'Nuff said.

1 out of 5 stars

02/18/06 Mirrormask

Mirrormask (2005), directed by Dave McKean

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Neil Gaiman represents exactly why I need to read more. I've really been trying to read more books over the past few years, and I now own a few Gaiman books. Haven't read any yet, but I'm getting there. I know that he has some great children's books out there with some tweaked out illustrations in them, which always sounds good. This movie seems the next extension of Gaiman's work, coming across the celluloid as twisted & inventive computer animation mixed with live action actors. The whole story is somewhat a fractured Alice In Wonderland tale of a parallel universe, but inhabited with creatures out of a Tim Burton bad dream. A young girl; suffering from the sudden illness of her mother and amidst the Cirque-du-Soleil-on-acid circus of her father; propels herself literally into her artwork on her bedroom walls. She comes across many strange people in trying to find her way back home, but she ain't in Kansas anymore (actually I think she's British, but that's neither here nor there). The world between dark & light hangs between the balance of her journey. It's the darker version of a family movie that I really enjoy. Very Wizard Of Oz for the gothic 2000's. Now all I have to do is read it.

5 out of 5 stars

02/17/06 Walk The Line

Walk The Line (2005), directed by James Mangold

watched w/ Leslie; theater (NC State University Cinema, Raleigh, NC); free screening

Obviously the Academy Awards always love a biopic with some great names in the lead character roles. This is one that continues to give justice to all those nominations (in the vein of say a "Pollock", or "Ray"), as well as idolize a national icon. I think it's great that these important artistic figures get the cinematic treatment, albeit posthumously. Let's be honest, it would be kind of creepy to have these life stories displayed on the big screen, warts and all, if the people were still alive. These kind of stories always have those great elements of tragic literary figures, but played out in a drug-sex-and-rock-&-roll lifestyle. Part fiction, part biography, part entertainment, part encyclopedia. Parts that creat the whole of a solid movie. Phoenix and Witherspoon both do very well in their portrayals of the famous Cash's. C'mon, the Man In Black is one of the coolest mo-fo's around. Anyone who can create such a seminal recording live at a maximum security institution (a la Folsom Prison) is deservedly a bad-ass.

5 out of 5 stars

02/16/06 Cherry 2000

Cherry 2000 (1987), directed by Steve De Jarnatt

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Ever wanted a post-apocalyptic world in the desert that has reverted back to outlaws ruling, and robotic beauties that will do all your bidding in some Stepford-style complacency? Well, here's your chance! Just sign up for your own wonderful sex-bot kitten that will do your bidding, until you fool around in water, causing a short-circuit, sending you on some hair-brained joyride through the desert wasteland to find a replacement prototype, enlisting the help of a redhead Melanie Griffith in her worst Mad Max rendition, only to encounter crazy B-movie actors who play wanna-be psychopaths, thwart your dastardly plan, and find out that the whole trip was for naught & you loved the she-Mad Max all along! There's a run-on sentence for a run-on movie. It's sad, this could have been cult, and turned out so crap. It took the beautiful Nevada landscape and made it look stupid. Good job. Vegas bright lights would have been better.

2 out of 5 stars

02/15/06 Saw 2

Saw 2 (2005), directed by Darren Lynn Bousman

watched w/ Jason & Sabrina; DVD rental (Netflix) @ Jason & Sabrina's house (Pinehurst, NC)

Yes, back to films that I might not be ashamed about mentioning on this site for fear of being labeled a wussy. However, this one will make you feel like a wussy in another respect. Let's just say it's hard to walk back out to your car in the dark, and drive alone for over an hour in it, just to get home safe & sound. This gory sequel to the well done original Saw in 2004 is still very fresh and creative. I wasn't expecting much from this sequel, but was surprised that it found new & inventive ways to inflict horrible sado-masichistic pain on all the "game's" unwilling participants. While acting is meant to be a bit hokey, and the quick-pan scene editing gets a little amateurish; the movie overall kept you in suspense. The evil Jigsaw killer shows not only his face here, but his cleverly layered twisted streak. The victims have to fend for their lives in a macabre fun-house of death & dismemberment. Good gore flick, and clever writing/storyline for newcomers to the game. Capitalizing on the first Saw film's fame, this one can stand on its own as a good time...if you're into that sort of thing. Sicko.

3 out of 5 stars

02/14/06 Love Story

Love Story (1970), directed by Arthur Hiller

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Blockbuster) @ home

So, two statements. One, I hate Valentine's Day. Two, I hate internet pollsters who stuff the ballot box to make me watch this turd of a movie. To explain further...I'm a hopeless romantic in my own right, and I don't need a corporate holiday to force me to be so, and purchase cheesy heart-shaped candy boxes or teddy bears w/ wings. Also, I feel like if we're going to have a poll, I will take the results like a man & watch whatever wins...but I don't have to like it. I thought this was supposed to be a classic; the pinnacle of love stories in Hollywood. While it has the very real elements of young love, class systems, rebellion, and untimely death...it also has no redeeming value in being tagged a classic. Sorry. Maybe I'm being bitter for the choice, but I thought it was rather cheesy acting for a subject so serious. The soundtrack never backed the mood, and there were so many things left unfinished for me as a viewer. Also, what the hell does "love means never having to say you're sorry" mean anyway? That's easily the worst line in cinema ever. Oh, and I hope cupid spreads some love your way today too. Bah humbug.

2 out of 5 stars

02/13/06 When Harry Met Sally...

When Harry Met Sally... (1989), directed by Rob Reiner

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (North American Video) @ home

Completely not intending to watch two Rob Reiner films in the same week, stuff happens. Romantic comedies seep into the cynical culture that is Brad every so often. Lately, they've kind of multiplied like Gremlins. Anyway, this one has become quite a modern classic. I have to admit, that I did find this one amusing. In that cynical sort of way that Billy Crystal's character tends to look at love. Everyone probably knows the plot by now, but it does follow the comings & goings & run-ins of one Harry and one Sally along a decade long period. They hate each other, they like each other, they love each other, they lose each other, they gain each other. What did I leave out? Oh yes, and Meg Ryan's famous pseudo-orgasm scene in the diner. Reiner & Ephron at least keep the dialogue witty as they try to define the complex definition of "friendship" between the opposite sexes. While a funny film, watching this one with a significant other will only lead to lots of explorative "test questions" that you hope to pass with flying colors, while there's really no right/wrong answers. Hey but the old couples' testimonies bring it back down to cute & cuddly.

4 out of 5 stars

02/12/06 Hedwig And The Angry Inch

Hedwig And The Angry Inch (2001), directed by John Cameron Mitchell

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD (borrowed from Shanna & Beth) @ home

Quite a strange ride this one is. Of course, you should be well aware that this is what you're getting yourself into on this one. I've been wanting to see this one for awhile now, and after having seen it, I'm not sure what it is I saw. The story follows the life of Hedwig, after a botched sex change operation leaves him a physical limbo, and blossoming into her sexual being. While leading the angst-ridden band The Angry Inch, they travel across the country playing local seafood restaurants & stalking the large success of Hedwig's ex, Tommy Gnosis. Gnosis has stolen Hedwig's lyrics, fame, and heart. The glam-rock is reminiscent of Bowie, Iggy, and the NY Dolls. The lyrics provide a powerful interpretation of creation and sexuality. The cinematic style relies heavily on the punk stage show of the title character, with tons of over-the-top scenes & colors. It's a weird psychedelic rollercoaster, often too weird at times...but totally unique. Long live drag, and long live rock shows in seafood restaurants!

3 out of 5 stars

02/11/06 Rumor Has It...

Rumor Has It... (2005), directed by Rob Reiner

watched w/ Leslie; theater (Blue Ridge Cinema, Raleigh, NC)

My, how the mighty have fallen. It's sad to see another Rob Reiner piece of crap. The guy who did Princess Bride, Spinal Tap, and Stand By Me is now schlocking bad re-do's of great 60's comedies. Our last few movies we viewed were getting a bit serious in nature, so we were expecting plenty of fluff here. Unfortunately, it wasn't even funny enough for fluff. Shirley MacLaine was the funniest thing, and that's not saying much. This is putting Jennifer Aniston in the position of being the offspring of the infamous affair of the book/movie The Graduate. Great premise in my opinion. Hell, if Hollywood has to re-hash, this would have been at least an interesting approach. Alas, they failed. Not only glamorizing infidelity, they celebrate the altogether creepiness of the elder Costner (who could have been Aniston's father!) sleeping with 3 generations of women in one family. This fluff is gross, but catching a 3/4 glimpse of Aniston's breast bumps it up one star. Watch the Graduate & forget this (except her breast).

2 out of 5 stars

02/10/06 The Battle Of Algiers

The Battle Of Algiers (1965), directed by Gillo Pontecorvo

watched w/ Leslie; theater (NC Museum Of Art, Raleigh, NC); Winter Film Series

Sometimes films capture the tumultuous nature of society and are more or less preservations of an era past. In sort of a visual documentation of those times, they embody a cinematic "time-capsule." While this is not a documentary, it nevertheless portrays the struggle of Algeria fighting for its independence from France in the late 50's. I must admit that I knew very little of this country's violent past in whatever high school history books we had. I have recently met someone from Algeria, and it piqued not only an interest in learning more about it historically & geographically; but reminding me that this important film was out there. I've always heard about how landmark this film was to drawing attention to Algeria and urban warfare in the twentieth century. It's remarkable how very similar it is to the urban warfare of today. Both shocking and gripping at the same time, I highly recommend this film as an educational tool.

5 out of 5 stars

02/09/06 Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room

Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room (2005), directed by Alex Gibney

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

I can see where this intriguing piece will sway a lot of Oscar ballots over the very likeable March Of The Penguins & grittier Murderball. This is a rags to riches to corrupt Armani suits to rags tale...and it's based in actuality. This doc delves deep into the heavily layered rise & fall of one of the most scandalous companies in America's history. It's amazing to see this story unfold and play out in the media circus that it was. It may in some way provide the Michael Moore-slant in it being a film, but it's hard to ignore the many video & audio-taped discussions by many of the people involved in this scandal. This level of white collar crime should not ever go unpunished, as it is a real tale that has left so many hard-working people with nothing left. While not a damning statement, I thought this well done documentary opened tons of debate, discussion and question marks left behind by such a debacle.

4 out of 5 stars

02/08/06 Waiting...

Waiting... (2005), directed by Rob McKittrick

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Explained to me as sort of the "Office Space for restaurants" movie, lovers of that flick will find this one entertaining. While it doesn't come close to matching the perfect timing and charm of it's comparison, this one does deliver the laughs. It's a great cast of characters, with my favorites being Ryan Reynolds, Dane Cook, Luis Guzman, the Freaks & Geeks kid, David Koechner, and Andy Milonakis (yes the insane MTV kid who acts like he's 13, but is really closer to 30). It's full of gross-out humor all set in the bored lives of these restaurant employees. Proof positive of why it's never ever ok to piss off anyone who handles your food. It's great too that the restaurant's name is Shenanigans (clever play off of Bennigans)! This is a much smarter comedy than it leads you on to believe, as the characters all struggle to figure out what they want to do with their lives. However, they do still play the "game" with each other. You'll have to see it to understand; and if you look, then you might get kicked in the bum. Oh, and stick around for the Milonakis rap at the credits.

3 out of 5 stars

02/07/06 Havoc

Havoc (2005), directed by Barbara Kopple

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

So, ever seen Princess Diaries? It's about as Disney (real actors) as you can get. Remember the goody-two-shoes princess Anne Hathaway in those same movies? Yeah, well she shatters any pre-conceived notion you had of her before this movie. Not only does she & her friends pretty much bare all, they go to disturbing lengths to get away from their humdrum spoiled bored rich-kid lives. Spare me the drama. This is nothing but a bunch of glorified O.C. whining brats that think they have street cred by listening to rap music, then venture into the "downtown" world of pimps & pushers. They fall into it with a few Latino gang members, and we are supposed to believe that they can just waltz their way into this completely different lifestyle without much effort. These girls go to extreme lengths to be "cool," dabbling in drugs, sex & rock 'n' roll (actually, more hip-hop). They pay an ultimate price for ruining not only their own lives, but the gang members' lives as well. And everything is supposed to be hunky-dory in the end. Their suicidal tendencies could have saved us the trouble here of waiting through this crap to hope they see the light. Cheers to former Disney princesses showing T & A. I hear Cinderella's doing a Maxim spread next month.

2 out of 5 stars

02/06/06 Melinda And Melinda

Melinda And Melinda (2004), directed by Woody Allen

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Record Exchange) @ home

Woody Allen films always tend to pull me in two directions. On one hand, it's never much of anything fresh; being that it's always a story of love & relationships set amongst the New York landscape, with main characters' puppetry of Allen's own insecurities. On the other hand, the similar storylines always seem to be played out in unique ways, witty dialogue (occasionally), and there's always solid famous actors across the board. This one lands right in the middle, with some offbeat performances from people like Will Ferrell. I like the basis of the entire story being told over dinner, and running asymmetrical routes in parallel universes of both comedy and tragedy. Who's to say that either story works more effectively, and it furthermore proves that neither can exist without the other. It's relevant in the art of Allen totally; in films he's creative and well-received, while in reality he's that creepy older guy who you don't want to be around. It's a shame that art often has to hang in that balance.

3 out of 5 stars

02/05/06 Good Night, And Good Luck

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005), directed by George Clooney

watched solo; theater (Crossroads 20 Cinema, Cary, NC)

Clooney, being a Hollywood darling and talented actor, can willingly pull off a solid "based on a true story" history lesson. I know that it's just a movie, and many things can become fictionalized for the sake of the art & sometimes the almighty dollar sign. However, this is an overall entertaining flick, with a great ensemble cast, and brilliant lead role by Strathairn. The acting was good, the cinematography was crisp, and on a side note...everyone in the fifties apparently smoked. There are so many walking chimneys around it's ridiculous. Also, there are few drawbacks I noticed. The camera work, which I believe was an "in-your-face" style of close-ups, was a bit too blurry & frenetic; and the ending of this fairly short film felt rushed. Oh yeah, and McCarthy was a witch-hunting paranoid jerk. Again, this was fictionalized, but it spliced in tons of archival real footage of the Red Scare trials that Murrow did bravely challenge credibility on. This seems somewhat relevant in today's fears & media over-saturation.

4 out of 5 stars

02/04/06 The Warriors

The Warriors (1979), directed by Walter Hill

watched w/ Leslie, Joel & Z; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Can you dig it?!?! Yes, yes I can. The source for so many of pop-culture's subversiveness, and references, displayed in all its kitschy brilliance. A true cult classic that has always been on my radar, but never in my DVD player until today. Set sometime in the future of NYC, it shows a criminal underbelly consisting of rival gangs that meet to call a truce of turf warfare, only to have it all blow up in their face. The martyr-like Cyrus is killed, and the Warriors are blamed. They spend the rest of the movie on the lam...running all over the place. Seriously, I've never seen so much running in a movie! For such "tough-guy thugs," they sure did run away from a fight. This may also explain why there's no Obese Gang, considering the marathon is part of the initiation process. The costumes & names of the gangs are priceless, like the Lizzies, Baseball Furies (think Kiss in pinstripes), and the Orphans (poor guys, they just get T-shirts w/ iron on letters). The classic scene with Luther taunting the Warriors to fight by clanking beer bottles together in his hands, while creepily calling "come out and play" is awesome...until P. Diddy ruined it. It just brings us full circle in the pop-culture reference library.

5 out of 5 stars

02/03/06 Pickup On South Street

Pickup On South Street (1953), directed by Samuel Fuller

watched solo; theater (NC Museum Of Art, Raleigh, NC); Winter Film Series

Fuller has seemed to always be an underappreciated filmmaker. This is a great slice of pulp from the 50's crime noir era, complete with all the perfect slang of the times..."dame, bird, clink, pinch, stoolie, two-bit cannon." It has some great one-liners in it, as an example the first kiss between the pickpocket & the broad. He leans in to plant a big one on her as she's on the verge of tears, & says "Sometimes you look for oil, you hit a gusher." What does that mean? Anyway, the story is based on a foiled plot to deliver top secret info to the Communists in Cold War America, with the lead role as a pickpocket who stumbles upon the priceless "lift," and catches the sweet "dame" in the process. Like my use of jargon, eh? It was also very interesting to see this screening at the Museum of Art, with an introduction by an NC State Film Studies professor on Fuller's career & scope of influence.

4 out of 5 stars

02/02/06 Dreams

Dreams (1990), directed by Akira Kurosawa & Ishiro Honda

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD (personal copy) @ home

Taking my lady's advice on the "foreign" film to watch this evening, we chose this late Kurosawa film. Again, an amazing director that I've seen few full length features of...mostly clips & parts. This statement I believe to be apropos, seeing as though this movie was a matter of segmented dream sequences. Really imaginative and surreal sequences at that. I particularly liked the Van Gogh chapter (hard to recognize, but that's Scorsese as the one-eared painter), where the main character dreamily meanders through some of Van Gogh's most famous works. Also, the Smurf-faced dead army platoon refusing to believe they died was poignant. Some odd stuff for sure, but touches on some heavy subjects like war, nuclear power, and the destruction of nature.

4 out of 5 stars

02/01/06 Ringers: Lord Of The Fans

Ringers: Lord Of The Fans (2005), directed by Carlene Cordova

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Blockbuster) @ home

Wow, this was disappointing. And such great potential this had. It's almost as if they rushed this thing along to ride the coat-tails of the monsterously lucrative franchise. It enlists one of the hobbits of Peter Jackson's flicks (dude from Lost) as narrator, and has tons of famous people interviewed about how LOTR & Tolkien shaped their lives. Mad credit here for snagging Lemmy from Motorhead! Who saw that coming?! However, this was just full of bad (cable access TV bad) visual effects & re-enactments. Who knew hippies ruined Tolkien's dream? It gets two stars merely on interesting tidbits of Tolkien trivia, and the Lemmy nod.

2 out of 5 stars

01/31/06 I Vitelloni

I Vitelloni (1953), directed by Federico Fellini

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD rental (Blockbuster) @ home

Fellini is a classic filmmaker; this is widely known. Stating nothing new here. However, I hadn't seen much of his work in the past. This year will be an opportunity to see a lot of his stuff. This always seems to be referenced in character/ensemble works in the present, and praised by critics. I agree whole-heartedly here. While simplistic and frank, it shows the lives of 5 childhood friends who grow up & out of their Italian hometown. While struggling to find who they are, they learn about one another. It shows them scars and all, and captured here in beautiful cinematography. Whilst set in a foreign land, and in another era, it still rings true. This is for anyone trying to do the right thing, failing humanly in those attempts, and inevitably getting the hell out of wherever it is you grew up.

4 out of 5 stars

01/30/06 Grizzly Man

Grizzly Man (2005), directed by Werner Herzog

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home

Realizing that my movie choices had been a bit soft of late, I decided to go hardcore & tangle with the grizzlies. I had heard so much about this film, both from friends and in the media. It's a refreshing take on filmmaking, sort of a documentary about a documentary if you will. Plus, it follows the life of one very eccentric guy throughout the vast Alaskan wilderness tracking grizzly bears. It's unbelievable what this guy Treadwell did over a decade (with no formal scientific education) living, observing, and interacting with these bears...all the while wishing he could leave his human world for their naturalistic freedom. While both comical (guy curses out fox who has just stolen his hat), and devastating (his ultimate demise at the hands of a grizzly); this film is definitely intriguing. It tries to examine not only the man, but his actions & to what extent they either helped or hindered the cause of saving wildlife. Very blunt (interviews) and sharp (wit and grizzly claws).

4 out of 5 stars