A break from the travel posts: Update

I won't be doing a top ten list this year.  I just haven't seen enough films to warrant it.  Also, I find lists to be absurd.  Anyway here's some movies I've seen recently:

"War Horse":  ***** just loved this film, is it a bit sentimental?  Sure, but in the hands of Spielberg it's magical.

"The Descendants":*** Maybe it was the hype, but I liked this movie didn't love it.  I'd prefer to pop in Sideways for the umpteenth time.

"The Muppets":  ***** Just made me smile from ear to ear the whole time.  I really hope there's going to be more in the future.  Segel and company really brought this into the 21st century while holding onto what makes The Muppets special in the first place.

"Martha Marcy May Marlene":***** Wow, wow, wow, such a powerful/disturbing film. 

"Hugo":**** Really the best use of 3D yet.  A must see in the theatre

"Young Adult":  *** Again a liked it, but not loved it.  It is a good little film.

"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol":  **** Best action movie of the year!  Saw it on a real IMAX screen, and was totally worth it.  No matter what you think of Tom Cruise, this is a great film.  Lots and lots of fun.

"Bellflower":  I'm not giving this any stars, not because it was horrible but because I'm still thinking about it.  It's either one of the best films I've ever seen, or one of the worst.

"Cowboys & Aliens": *** Not sure why everyone hated this.  It's not great but it IS fun.  Go into this thinking you're watching a western.  Don't think about the sci-fi aspect. 

"Our Idiot Brother":*** Funny film, Paul Rudd makes this movie pop.  Rent it, you'll laugh.

"Warrior": **** The 21st century Rocky.  It was great, kind of snuck up on me.

"Fright Night":*** Good little remake, that didn't need be remade.

"Larry Crowne":  *** I'm gonna catch some flack for this, but I didn't hate it.  Was it believable in any way?  Absolutely not.  Check your brain at the door and you'll have a cute time.

"The Tree of Life": ***** So so so so amazing!  Stick with it, think about it, and then watch it again.  Just powerful in so many ways, and the cinematography will blow your mind.

"North by Northwest":**** I liked this a whole bunch.  I know I should have seen this ages ago.

"Your Highness":** Um, I wanted to love this, but wound up kind of hating it.

"Crazy, Stupid, Love": **** I don't know if I can fall any more in love with Emma Stone.  I was a little put off by the ending, but not enough to make me love it less.

"Paul": *** Only the second Kristen Wiig performance I've liked.  Fun film for hardcore fans of sci-fi.

"Conan the Barbarian"(2011): ** Skip it folks, or just watch the original with Ah-nuld.  So much better.

"Attack the Block":***** See this now!  Great film, really one of the best of the year.  See it, you wont' be disappointed.  It's been a great year for first time filmmakers.  Joe Cornish, remember the name.

"Trollhunter": *** Fun, inventive, and of course there's an American version coming soon.  See this first.

"The Myth of the American Sleepover": **** Another first time director, another fabulous film.  Quiet, small, realistic.

"Mouth to Mouth":  *** I give this three stars, but that changes day to day, it never went where I thought it was going to go.  Just not sure what to think of it.

"Nightmaster": * Australian film from the 80's with a teenage Nicole Kidman.  If you like to laugh at bad movies, this is for you.

"The African Queen": ****  Classic film of course, completely appreciate it.  I did laugh a couple of times when I don't think I was supposed to.

"The 39 Steps": **** British Hitchcock, great film.

"Certified Copy": ***** Beautiful beautiful film.  Frustrating, thoughtful, and the performances are some of the best I've ever seen.

"King of the Hill": *** Cute film.  Slight.

"I Saw the Devil":***** Hard to watch, but totally worth it.  One of the best serial killer films in quite a long time.  Original.

"Black Lightning":  *** Preposterous, but good times, all the same.

"Pearl Jam: Twenty":  **** Great doc.  Even if you're not a fan of Pearl Jam.

"Marwencol": **** Strange documentary.  Good watch though.

"Life in a Day": **** Another great doc.

"Hoop Dreams":  **** Took me a long time to see this doc, described in some places as the best documentary you have to see. 

"The Unloved": **** Samantha Morton's directorial debut stayed with me for a long time.

"Season of the Witch": *  Why did I watch this again?

"Avalon High": * Bad, but in a funny way.

"Insidious": *** Wound up liking this a lot more than I thought I would.


So that's it folks.  Keep reading.  I'll have a travel post up as soon as I can.  Until then.

Update

Hey all back from Europe, movies I've watched most recently:

Red Cliff (International Version)--****
Two For the Road--****
Red State--***
The Last Exorcism--***(ending was a bit much)
Paranormal Activity 2--***(not as good as the first)
Cherry--***(never heard of this before, fairly good)
Man With the Movie Camera--*****(Absolutely brilliant, anyone who loves film owes it to themselves to see this)

If It's Tuesday It Must Be Belgium--****
Mugabe and the White African-****(great doc)
Harvey--*****
Imitation of Life(1959)--***(not as good as the one from 1934)
Last Night--**
Double Indemnity--*****
Hunger--****
Charade--****
13 Assassins--****
Forget Me Not--**(The ending ruined it for me, would have gotten 3 to 4 stars without the contrivance)
Good Dick--***
Heartburn--***
The Killing--*****(Wow)
Poetry--****
Stone of Destiny--**
Lost In America--****

Update

Recent viewings:

Stolen Kisses-Good times
Source Code-Love Duncan Jones, good sci-fi
The Lincoln Lawyer-not as good as the book
Sucker Punch-that's how I felt
The Eagle-Surprised I liked it
Faster-Quick and easy viewing
Limitless-Who da' thunk it, not too shabby
Take Me Home Tonight-or don't
You Again-Ugh
Wild Target-check it out
Fish Out of Water-highly recommended
Tangled-Wow, unexpected goodness
A Summer in Genoa-nice, melancholy film, beautiful film
I Love you Phillip Morris-see it
Jack Goes Boating-Uncomfortable, the point?
The House of the Devil-Good 21st century 80's horror
Skyline-Blech
Paris-good not great
Harry Brown-very good
Secretariat-hmmm I wonder what happens
Gigantic-odd
In the city of Sylvia-Brilliant
Resident Evil: Afterlife-can I get this hour and a half back?
Killers-one funny scene
Howl-Pretty good
Valhalla Rising-I liked it, you may not
Bronson-Tour de force
Takers-I don't remember this
Amarcord-of course, brilliant

Recent films

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows: part 2

Well made, great ending to a decade long journey.  I'd really like to watch part 1 and part 2 back to back, but until then, Azkaban is still my favorite film in the series, but the last two together could take its place. 

Grade: A-

Captain America: The First Avenger

Good old-fashioned fun, Joe Johnston has crafted a well-made, rip-roaring time at the movies.  Loved it, third favorite film of the year so far.  See it, really got me excited for The Avengers next year.

Grade-A

Jon Favreau Interviews Spielberg, Howard, and Grazer

Cowboys and Aliens Interviews

more

and more

and even more

and the last

Transformers 3 Dark of the Moon

I wasn't going to see it, but I'd read some pretty good things about it.  That the 3D was the best since Avatar, that Michael Bay may have made his best movie yet.  Well, the latter is true, but that's really not saying much.  The movie is waaaaaaay too long, and the plot lacks any type of coherence.  This movie will make gobs of money, especially in middle America(don't mean to offend).  The action is pretty good, and for once you could kind of tell what was going on with ample amounts of slow-mo.  I say skip it, but if you do see it, you might have fun anyway.  Unintentionally funny sometimes, will help you pass the 2 and half hour running time.

D+

SUPER 8

A-

Oh what fun!

Recent viewings

Recent movies I've seen, with a few thoughts.

Bridesmaids--B-
I found this pretty funny.  I think it unravels a bit towards the end,  but a nice summer breeze of a movie.

X-Men: First Class--B+
I'm going to have to go back and watch the first two X-Men, but as of right now, I think this is my favorite of the franchise.

Midnight In Paris--A
Completely speaks to my sensibilities, loved it.  It's dissection of nostalgia has a whimsy that's intelligent and funny.  I'm going to see it again.

Super 8 will be next, at some point, not sure when.

http://cf.drafthouse.com/she_texted_we_kicked_her_out2.html

Double Feature

Here's a double feature for anyone that wants two dramatically different films, and yet, kind of have a lot in common.  One is a documentary, the other a silly, loud, video game of a movie.

Transcendent Man--B+

Gamer--D-

Update

Movies I've watched recently (some I hadn't seen, revisiting others):

Thor-good(see in 2D)
Somewhere- pretty good
The Way Back- see
No Strings Attached- see w/reservations
Rabbit Hole- pretty good
Roman Holiday- must see
Summertime- must see
Unstoppable-good action
Morning glory-see w/reservations
Conviction-skip
It's Kind of a Funny Story- kind of funny
Indescretion of an American Wife-skip
Metropolis Restored- must see of course
Ip Man- good martial arts if faulty history
The Sorcerer's Apprentice-watch Fantasia instead
Gotcha!- 80's cheese w/ a slice of WTF
The Passion of Joan of Arc- must see/pretty brilliant
Diabolique-Fantastic, must see
Sherlock Jr.-brisk fun, silent entertainment, gotta see
Love in the Afternoon-who knew Gary Cooper was so bad? See Roman Holiday instead
M. Hulot's Holiday-must see
Mon Oncle- must see not as much as above or Playtime
La Strada- so good, so great
Shoot the Piano Player- slow burner, must see
The 400 Blows- must must must see
Breathless- left me..., well, you get it
Gilda- Comme ci, comme ca
The Lady from Shanghai- see for the climax
Enter the Void- true cinema
Managment-or how stalking worked for me
The Bounty Hunter- Ugh
The Third Man- watch it again and again

Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench

I really wanted to love this film.  It's beautifully shot in black and white, and the musical numbers shine.  It's that rare mumblecore that I actually haven't cringed to get through, but as with most of them, there is really no story/plot surrounding this wannabe Demy.  The characters go absolutely nowhere except to a different city.  I did somewhat like it, and it does have its charms, but it never completely gelled for me.  That being said this gets my highest rating of any mumblecore yet.....C+

Hanna

"Hanna"

Good but not great.  Wanted it to be better than it was.  Fault lies in the script.  Done--C+

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

"The Adjustment Bureau"

This movie is for those who love Science Fiction,  romantic comedies, and philosphical ideas with a side of religion.  I was so very surprised by this film.  First time director George Nolfi is able to weave many ideas and genres into his script, an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story, into a completely satisfying movie-going experience.  The humor is what really put me over the edge for this film.  It's funny, genuinely, a trait in a lot of films nowadays, that is forgotten. 

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have such an easy rapport with each other that makes you root for them the whole time. They really are fantastic together on screen.  I'm a sucker for a good romance, and above all else, that's what this is.  The science fiction part is where I think some people might have a problem suspending disbelief.  I almost never have a problem with that, and this time wasn't any different for me.  What is amazing to me is the simple way the film's S/F conceits come across, and that's it's filmed in creative ways, that never pulled me out of the story like most of the CGI in other movies do. 

"The Adjustment Bureau" brings up a lot of questions on predestination, free will, and the like.  It had me thinking the whole time watching, as well as after the final reel.  This is great entertainment, full of romance, comedy,  some action, and all the time asking the audience to think along side it. Which I find very rare in most  films released. 

I do have to say the ending was a little flat.  After  I had put so much emotion into watching this film, I just wanted, oh I don't know, a little "more." 

Grade: B+

Until next time readers!  Don't forget to not use your cell phones when going to the movie theatre.  After 30 minutes of seeing a bright screen, on the front row, I started to think that a floating cell phone was part of the movie. (For reals people, if you can't turn off your cell phone for a couple of hours, in public, then don't leave your house, or just go hang out with the person that is so important that you spent 11 dollars to see a movie only to have to text with the jackass the whole time) Oh, and when you kick the seat in front of you throughout the entire movie someone will turn around and give you a dirty look, I on the other hand  will give you the finger.

MOVIE REVIEW

"Blue Valentine"--AI finally got a chance to see this film, which I'd been wanting to see since I'd heard about it.  It's a unique film.  It's a history of everything within this one relationship, yet also a sobering, in-depth look at what could be a history of many relationship's.  Life happens, we all know that.  When first meeting someone, life becomes rose-tinted. Time passes, and life happens.  I took a lot of things from this film, identifying of course, with Dean(Ryan Gosling).  The idea of a Prince Charming, is a disservice to men, as well as women.  There's no such thing, and as life happens, it will tell you this.  There are too many societal pressures upon a relationship that are antequated, and are due an update.  Oh, on some levels, we've come out of the middle ages, but I think there is something so ingrained in us, that we're soon taken back, no matter what.  "What does it mean to be a man?"  A line uttered with such frustration and confusion, by someone, who thinks that love is enough.  Life happens.  This is a portrait of a relationship, the beginning and the end, at the same time.  The performances and direction put you there in that moment.  And if you've had similar experiences, those memories will surface, and in my opinon, that's a good thing.  So, the destruction of Oz. What is Oz anyway? Just a fictional emerald city where all your problems are solved.  Life happens. 

Until next time, dear movie-goers!  Life is happening right now!

MOVIE REVIEW

"Kisses"--Grade A

A little film.  A giant journey.  2 kids about 11, bad family lives, live next door to each other outside of Dublin, Ireland.  Starting in wonderfully gritty Black and White.  A fitting backdrop for the bleak existence these children endure.  Introduced to Dylan(Shane Curry), playing a handheld video game trying to block out the toaster rage of his violent father being thrown outside to "play", and we then meet  Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), so sweetly telling a story about the "Sack Man" that kills children. Kylie being called inside because her uncle is there, and the dread plays across her face, and we know something has probably occurred between her and her uncle.  Dylan's mom returns home, he  goes inside, listens to his parents argue, his father hits his mother, and Dylan intervenes. 

And that's the beginning of what turns into a whimsical, scary, cute, realistic, journey of two kids escaping, at least for a night, their home life.  Once they are starting out of their "kip", color starts to seep into the frame, and we see these morose, cynical kids, come to life.  Their little escape, this fabulous journey we get to take with them, is steeped in truth, yet is bound by magic.  As their journey ends, we go back to black and white, but I believe they'll be able to bring that color back to each others lives any time they need or want to now.  That's something, more than something, that's hope.  And we all need a little of that. 

The performances by these new actors is nothing short of spectacular.  Especially Kelly O'Neill, who I hope, is able to act far into the future, she is truly transcendent. I can't wait to see what  Writer/Director Lance Daly has in store for us next. 

Until next time movie watchers!  Remember to breathe.

Movie Review

"World's Greatest Dad"(2009)--B+

I had no intention of writing up a review for this movie, but it just kind of snuck up on me, and I wanted to share it.  Bobcat Goldthwaite has a made a dark dark, almost subversive film, that really has a lot to say about the way we  idealize death in our society.  It holds a mirror to our hypocrisy, using someone's life as a blank canvas, creating someone completely different, from the brush strokes that had already been painted for that life.  This isn't a movie for everyone.  What movie is?  But if you're looking to think, and be entertained (in a weird/funny way), then check it out.  This movie sat on my queue for quite a while.  I'm so glad I got around to it.

Til next time Filmland readers!  Smiling is half the battle.

Flipped

"Flipped"--B+

What an enjoyable little film from Rob Reiner.   It's a shame that a movie with such heart, hasn't been seen by a lot of people.  I say put it on your queue, or rent it, or stream it, or however you watch movies nowadays, just see it.  It'll put a smile on your face. Go ahead do it.  What are you waiting for?

Until next time folks


Coming soon----"Kisses" review