Cinephile
I can only write the following after watching There Will Be Blood:
DANIEL. DAY. LEWIS.
DANIEL. DAY. LEWIS.
DANIEL. DAY. LEWIS.
DANIEL. DAY. LEWIS.
DANIEL. DAY. LEWIS.
permalink | Comment | film | 01/25/2008
The predictability of stupidity
It’s my personal belief that there are no good movies released between the months of January and April. You wouldn’t find me inside of a theater at that time unless the movie is up for best picture at the Oscars. So, it comes at no surprise that Epic Movie took over the box office this weekend. Honestly, these four months are the cinematic wasteland that is used for mafia’s money laundering and for alimony checks.
However, it’s the best time to watch movies that were released in bigger cities in December. Sure, I have to travel an hour to see them, but most of the time it’s worth the trip. This was the case when I watched Pan’s Labyrinth last Thursday. It’s so engaging (especially for someone like me who is greatly interested in Franco Spain), and it’s a cleverly disguised war movie. Sure, there was the fairy tale aspect of it, but the family/revolution story was the most fascinating.
permalink | Comment | film | 01/29/2007
Critically acclaimed
I don’t know why I put my life into the hands of movie critics. In the last two weeks, I watch six films that averaged two stars among critics. There are only four critics/sources that I trust: Christian Science Monitor, The Associated Press, Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly and the AV Club at The Onion. Sometimes, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone has it dead on, but it’s rare.
Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School: This is such a cute film to watch. It’s like Fight Club but with dancing and melancholy. Some of the Scripps Howard critics were a bit unfair to this gem. It’s worth renting.
Junebug: This was very overrated. Granted, I went to college in Winston-Salem and have known the area in which it was filmed for eight years. However, I was disappointed that a Salem native would portray the area in such an ugly matter. Outside critics can see how this is a portrait of a region and get lost in it, but I can’t see things the way they’re presented.
Aeon Flux: I should have just stayed with the fond memories I had to the cartoon series. This adaptation had it all wrong.
The Matador: Severely overrated as well. Peter Rainer of CSM was right about this being a lame buddy flick.
Snakes on a Plane: Given that it is a bad movie, it’s a great popcorn, afternoon-getaway-from-the-heat flick. I was glad to have something to do while it is so hot.
Cache: This one sticks to the bone. I was haunted by the plot and by the characters. If you do see this, forget the literary format of American storytelling and embrace a new way of seeing.
permalink | Comment | film | 08/30/2006
This title is here to generate buzz
I haven’t been excited about summer blockbusters this year. Other than the fact that I’m going to see Superman Returns on Thursday, there is nothing this summer that I wouldn’t wait for it to be on DVD. Even the snappy “Snakes on a Plane” flick that all the kids are crazy about.
No, I would rather wait for the fall, as I usually do, to catch what is worthy of my time. However, like Samuel L. Jackson, I am sucked in by the movie titles. After catching this story by the Associated Press, I see that I’m not the only one. Cool trailers don’t hurt either:
Running with Scissors: I know that the title is based on Augusten Burroughs’ memoir, but the image and the sense of naughtiness alone is enough to drag me into the theater.
The Science of Sleep: Granted, I would watch anything that Michel Gondry directs or anything that Gael Garcia Bernal would star in, but the title suggests exploration and substance. It could also be classified as being too arrogant.
Mini’s First Time: This title is only here to titillate. If I were to buy a ticket, I’d feel a little bit dirty. It’s like, “Hey, I’m watching someone lose her virginity.”
I can’t think of any more films. Do you have any suggestions?
permalink | Comment [1] | film | 07/26/2006
On location
In the last three weeks, I have checked out seven films, including one in the theater. While five of them were not entertaining, the other two had one thing in common: they were shot in places I know very well. Here is a comparison of the films’ use of the locations (Don’t worry; there are no spoilers).
Thank You for Smoking: Locations mentioned include Washington, D.C., and Winston-Salem, N.C. While this was a fine movie, all the references to Winston-Salem as “Winston-Salem†agitated me. Any North Carolinian or Big Tobacco executive would refer to it as simply “Winston.” As for the D.C. shots, I really didn’t see the capital in them.
Wedding Crashers: Locations included Washington, D.C. This film is great in both use of location and in content. I wasn’t a fan of The 40 Year Old Virgin, but this similar comedy was better. Throughout the movie, I really got a sense of D.C. (at least the parts I’ve seen of it) as a central part of the film rather than a drop in dialogue.
I also watched Elizabethtown and only like the locations, not the overall story and acting.
