Week 19: May 7, 2010 to May 13, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 8
195. Navy Seals -- I hadn't watched this movie in years. A good action movie with Charlie Sheen and Michael Biehn in it. If you primarily are looking for a movie with action and little character development, this one is for you. Nothing wrong with the occasional fun purely action driven movie but I wouldn't have minded a little more of the personal sides of some of the characters.
196. Iron Man 2 -- I watched this in the theater with my boys and my dad opening weekend. I'd gone over to my dad's house earlier in the week with the first Iron Man on DVD so he'd have a chance to see it. He really liked the first movie--he tends to like action movies. Shocking, I know. Anyway, the four of us got to the theater early so we could get some good seats. We did despite the theater being sold out (I'd bought our tickets early and online--that was cool). I hadn't been to a movie theater with my dad in over twenty years (My parents would rather watch movies at home on DVD). Honestly, the movie could have sucked and I would have enjoyed the experience of just being at the movies with my dad and my boys. Fortunately though, the movie didn't suck--we all liked it very much. I liked it almost as much as the first Iron Man. Overall, it was a great action movie--nice mixture of action and character development--but by the end, I found myself wanting just a bit more Iron Man action. I felt the end battle between Iron Man and Whiplash was just WAY too short. Considering all the fighting that had occurred prior to their encounter, their very short battle seemed anti-climactic. And if you don't know this already--stay for the short scene after the end credits finish rolling. Hopefully, my boys, my dad and I will be able to see more movies at the theater over the summer.
197. Tombstone -- An excellent western. Kurt Russell did a fine job as Wyatt Earp--"You gonna do something? Or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?" -- as did Sam Elliot as his brother, Virgil, but Val Kilmer stole the show as Doc. Holliday -- "I'm your Huckleberry". "Maybe poker's just not your game, Ike. I know; let's have a spelling contest." "You're no daisy. You're no daisy at all. Poor soul, you were just too high strung." Oh, there are just too many good lines in this movie...even Michael Biehn had some good ones too as Johnny Ringo. "Smell that, Bill? Smells like someone died." Every time I watch this movie, I find something else in it that I like.
198. The 13th Warrior -- A friend recommended this movie to me. I'd heard it was a box office flop--but aside from that knew very little about the movie. In general, I liked the story--a loose retelling of the Beowulf epic poem. I also liked the interactions between the Scandinavian characters and the Arab ambassador (played by Antonio Banderas).
199. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus -- I think I'll have to watch this movie again to understand it more fully, but what I did understand, I enjoyed. What an oddly imaginative movie--and a bittersweet experience watching Heath Ledger in his last role. I couldn't help but wonder what the movie would have been like had he not died--I mean, parts were obviously rewritten to accommodate the other three actors in the role. His passing was such a shame--I'd always thought he was an incredibly talented actor.
200. The Invention of Lying -- I'm undecided about this movie. While not overly religious, I was mildly disturbed by the direction this movie took about 45-50 minutes into the movie when the humorous set-up about no one in the world being able to lie revealed itself as a means to make a mockery of organized religions. No where on the DVD cover is the 'real' story discussed, nor in any of the previews is the real nature of the movie revealed--and perhaps that is what disturbed me the most. If the intent was to poke fun at organized religion and by extension of that 'faith' -- fine -- but at least have the guts to state that up front in your advertisement. Instead, it seemed as if the movie was sold as something it wasn't. In addition to this, I felt like the excursion into the mockery of religion really didn't have anything much to do with the romantic-comedy side of the story--except that it worked as filler for the middle half of the rather thin romantic story line. Parts of this movie were brilliant and I would have liked it more had it developed the romantic comedy angle better.
201. The Jackal -- This is the first of many Bruce Willis movies I'll watch over the next week or so. While some might gripe about Richard Gere's accent, I wasn't distracted by it at all. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the way Willis created his cool and methodical assassin. And while Bruce Willis seems to gravitate toward (but not always) the three "C"s of character types -- Cops, Criminals and Crazies -- he always seems to find a way to make each just a little bit different while always keeping his 'cool'. A great suspenseful thriller (with a nice cameo of Jack Black too).
202. Mercury Rising -- This one has Willis as a former undercover FBI agent trying to protect an autistic boy from the government men who are trying to kill him. Even while playing tough guys, Willis is able to reveal just enough heart to make him a sympathetic hero. Miko Hughes played the young autistic boy, Simon, and he did an impressive job.
Tombstone as long been one of my favorite movies and so it is high on my list of movies to watch from this week. To that list, I'll add Iron Man 2. I'll also add The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus--a sentimental choice. I've also long liked the cat-and-mouse thriller The Jackal--all very good and very different movies.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Year of Movies
Week 18: April 30, 2010 to May 6, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 8
187. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil -- Overall, I liked this movie (based on real events) directed by Clint Eastwood, but it's not one of my favorites by him. I loved the scenery--and eventually someday, I'd love to visit Savannah Georgia. As for the movie, I felt that John Cusack's character was there primarily for the purpose of having someone the camera could follow around while he visited the locations and met with the characters involved in the 'real' story. Because of this, I felt his character was a bit bland especially when compared with some of the real-life characters with some of the characters played by themselves.
Note: This was April's last movie. Total number of movies watched in April: 46.
188. The Missing -- Another fine performance by Cate Blanchett--and by Tommie Lee Jones. This is another western I missed when it came out, but it is a fine movie. Cate plays a tough, single mother/doctor of two daughters living alone in New Mexico. Tommie plays her father--who disappeared years earlier to live with the Indians. When her oldest daughter is kidnapped by Indians, she reluctantly reconnects with her father and together they hunt down the incredibly vicious villain who took her. At times, dark and disturbing but an excellent movie.
189. Return to Me -- A sweet and heart-warming (pardon the pun) movie. Some might think it is too sweet and the events too coincidental, but I've always enjoyed watching this gentle, sweet and well-written/acted romantic comedy. I wish Bonnie Hunt would write more movies like this.
190. 2012 -- Incredible special effects. An interesting premise. I have some mixed feelings about this movie. While at times, I was entertained by the spectacular images, I was also depressed by the overall destruction. It's one of those movies where once I finished it, I was fine with watching it, but I didn't feel the overwhelming need to either watch it again any time soon, or to rush out and buy it on DVD.
191. Citizen Kane -- After watching RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane, I felt like I had to watch the actual classic again. The last time I'd seen this movie was probably twenty years ago--and at the time, I really didn't appreciate the greatness of this movie. Perhaps with age does come wisdom...well, at least a little...
192. Much Ado About Nothing -- Kenneth Branagh's 1993 version staring a whole slew of famous actors and actresses, all of whom looked like they were having way too much fun--especially Michael Keaton as the idiot Dogberry. I love the banter between Branagh's Benedick and Emma Thompson's Beatrice. A fun movie beautifully shot in Tuscany.
193. The Art of War -- An enjoyable action movie with some good fight sequences and a decent storyline. Wesley Snipes's UN agent Shaw seems similar to other character's he's played, but I really liked Anne Archer's villain Eleanor Hooks.
194. Confidence -- I really liked this cool confidence movie. It had a good cast, Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamanti and Dustin Hoffman as the ADHD mobster (and he makes a point of emphasizing the 'H') who thinks he's the one in control. Just enough twists and turns to make the story interesting.
While Citizen Kane is a classic, and often called the greatest American movie ever--and I do agree it is a great movie--I won't declare it my favorite for the week. I'll submit that The Missing, Return to Me and Much Ado About Nothing are among the top movies this week (along with Citizen Kane). Yeah, I know--I just picked half the movies this week and put them in the top shelf. Oh wells.
Have a great weekend, all.
Total number of movies watched: 8
187. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil -- Overall, I liked this movie (based on real events) directed by Clint Eastwood, but it's not one of my favorites by him. I loved the scenery--and eventually someday, I'd love to visit Savannah Georgia. As for the movie, I felt that John Cusack's character was there primarily for the purpose of having someone the camera could follow around while he visited the locations and met with the characters involved in the 'real' story. Because of this, I felt his character was a bit bland especially when compared with some of the real-life characters with some of the characters played by themselves.
Note: This was April's last movie. Total number of movies watched in April: 46.
188. The Missing -- Another fine performance by Cate Blanchett--and by Tommie Lee Jones. This is another western I missed when it came out, but it is a fine movie. Cate plays a tough, single mother/doctor of two daughters living alone in New Mexico. Tommie plays her father--who disappeared years earlier to live with the Indians. When her oldest daughter is kidnapped by Indians, she reluctantly reconnects with her father and together they hunt down the incredibly vicious villain who took her. At times, dark and disturbing but an excellent movie.
189. Return to Me -- A sweet and heart-warming (pardon the pun) movie. Some might think it is too sweet and the events too coincidental, but I've always enjoyed watching this gentle, sweet and well-written/acted romantic comedy. I wish Bonnie Hunt would write more movies like this.
190. 2012 -- Incredible special effects. An interesting premise. I have some mixed feelings about this movie. While at times, I was entertained by the spectacular images, I was also depressed by the overall destruction. It's one of those movies where once I finished it, I was fine with watching it, but I didn't feel the overwhelming need to either watch it again any time soon, or to rush out and buy it on DVD.
191. Citizen Kane -- After watching RKO 281: The Battle Over Citizen Kane, I felt like I had to watch the actual classic again. The last time I'd seen this movie was probably twenty years ago--and at the time, I really didn't appreciate the greatness of this movie. Perhaps with age does come wisdom...well, at least a little...
192. Much Ado About Nothing -- Kenneth Branagh's 1993 version staring a whole slew of famous actors and actresses, all of whom looked like they were having way too much fun--especially Michael Keaton as the idiot Dogberry. I love the banter between Branagh's Benedick and Emma Thompson's Beatrice. A fun movie beautifully shot in Tuscany.
193. The Art of War -- An enjoyable action movie with some good fight sequences and a decent storyline. Wesley Snipes's UN agent Shaw seems similar to other character's he's played, but I really liked Anne Archer's villain Eleanor Hooks.
194. Confidence -- I really liked this cool confidence movie. It had a good cast, Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamanti and Dustin Hoffman as the ADHD mobster (and he makes a point of emphasizing the 'H') who thinks he's the one in control. Just enough twists and turns to make the story interesting.
While Citizen Kane is a classic, and often called the greatest American movie ever--and I do agree it is a great movie--I won't declare it my favorite for the week. I'll submit that The Missing, Return to Me and Much Ado About Nothing are among the top movies this week (along with Citizen Kane). Yeah, I know--I just picked half the movies this week and put them in the top shelf. Oh wells.
Have a great weekend, all.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A Year of Movies
Just when I was catching up....
Week 17: April 23, 2010 to April 29, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 13
174. The Time Traveler's Wife -- I had finished reading the 500 plus page book a week or so before watching the movie. I enjoyed the book--I thought the writing was impressive as was the unique situation of the main characters--trying to maintain a love affair while one half of the pair time travels unwittingly back and forth through time (and space). I wondered how the movie would work with such a seemingly difficult narrative. Well, it worked, mostly, because the filmmakers removed most of the extra subplots and characters and focused primarily on the love affair. On the merits of whether or not I was entertained by the movie--I was--but on the other hand, was the book a richer experience because of the added material. Of course. I liked both the book and the movie on different levels.
175. The Hurt Locker -- A great, but very intense movie. I could not relax while watching it. Riveting performances. Excellent story. And while I thought this was an excellent movie--I don't feel the desire to watch it again any time soon. As you'll see with the majority of the rest of this week's choices, I felt the need to watch movies that were lighter and more humorous after finishing this film.
176. America's Sweethearts -- That's right. I followed up The Hurt Locker with a heavy dose of cheese and ham. This movie has a lot of my favorite actors/actresses in it--it's funny, witty and just what I needed to relax after a stressful movie.
177. Avatar -- I was probably one of only a few movie-lovers to not actually see this movie in the theaters. I'd heard mixed reviews about the actual story of the movie--and while the plot was not unique, the visual effects and beauty of the movie more than made up for the lack of material. The boys and I enjoyed watching this movie--just the regular 2D DVD version--I'll have to check out my Blu-ray copy another time. I'd be interested in seeing a sequel to this--either set on this moon or perhaps on another location in James Cameron's 'galaxy'.
178. The Last Shot -- Matthew Broderick as a man desperate to shoot his own movie and Alec Baldwin as an FBI agent who uses him and his film making desires to help take down the mob. A funny movie and as I found out later, actually based on real events. A decent comedy.
179. The Hangover -- Wow. I'd heard a lot about this movie but like Avatar, I was probably one of only a few adults to not have seen it in the theaters. Yes, it had crude humor, but you know, sometimes that's exactly what you need after a long day. Mindless, silly humor. My wife and I watched this together and we both liked it quite a bit. Could there be a sequel to this?
180. Love Stinks -- Love, if you can even call it that, goes so wrong in this silly movie. Not a great movie--but there are some funny parts here and there in it.
181. Point of No Return -- A good retelling of the Pygmalion Legend and of Luc Besson's Nikita. While I like this movie, I wish there was just a bit more action in it.
182. RKO 281: The Battle over "Citizen Kane" -- A friend recommended this movie to me. After watching it, I wanted to re-watch Citizen Kane (which you'll see in later posts, I did). I had no idea what Orson Welles had to do in order to make his masterpiece. An interesting movie.
183. Miyazaki's Spirited Away -- Another movie recommended to me by a friend. I had no idea what to expect with this animated movie. The kids wanted to watch it with me and I wasn't sure if they would like it. We all ended up liking it--and the kids ended up wanting to watch it again...and again....and again. This was such an interesting, imaginative and creative movie!
184. The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day -- A good sequel and a really good movie, but not quite as tight as the original. This one did have more action, and more of the history of the characters, but I missed the Willem Defoe character. I'm hoping that the director makes a third in this series considering how this one ended (and I won't put any spoilers here). A very entertaining movie.
185. Romeo Must Die -- Jet Li shows off his fighting skills here in his first English-language leading role. Lots of action and just enough humor in this to make it a decently entertaining movie.
186. Red Dawn -- I'd seen this a number of times over the years on TV, but I think this was the first time I'd watched it on DVD. There were a couple of scenes in it I didn't remember. The acting at the beginning of the movie seemed a little 'so-so', but by the end of the movie, I thought everyone was doing a really good job. Wolverines!
Okay--as usual, I don't have a single 'favorite'. The Hurt Locker was an excellent, excellent movie and if I had to declare a single 'intense' movie of not only this week, but so far for the entire year, I'd probably pick it. Avatar was an impressive movie considering all the time and energy that was so obviously put into making it.
That's it for now (the dog is begging for me to let her out, and if I don't, well....).
Have a great week, all.
Week 17: April 23, 2010 to April 29, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 13
174. The Time Traveler's Wife -- I had finished reading the 500 plus page book a week or so before watching the movie. I enjoyed the book--I thought the writing was impressive as was the unique situation of the main characters--trying to maintain a love affair while one half of the pair time travels unwittingly back and forth through time (and space). I wondered how the movie would work with such a seemingly difficult narrative. Well, it worked, mostly, because the filmmakers removed most of the extra subplots and characters and focused primarily on the love affair. On the merits of whether or not I was entertained by the movie--I was--but on the other hand, was the book a richer experience because of the added material. Of course. I liked both the book and the movie on different levels.
175. The Hurt Locker -- A great, but very intense movie. I could not relax while watching it. Riveting performances. Excellent story. And while I thought this was an excellent movie--I don't feel the desire to watch it again any time soon. As you'll see with the majority of the rest of this week's choices, I felt the need to watch movies that were lighter and more humorous after finishing this film.
176. America's Sweethearts -- That's right. I followed up The Hurt Locker with a heavy dose of cheese and ham. This movie has a lot of my favorite actors/actresses in it--it's funny, witty and just what I needed to relax after a stressful movie.
177. Avatar -- I was probably one of only a few movie-lovers to not actually see this movie in the theaters. I'd heard mixed reviews about the actual story of the movie--and while the plot was not unique, the visual effects and beauty of the movie more than made up for the lack of material. The boys and I enjoyed watching this movie--just the regular 2D DVD version--I'll have to check out my Blu-ray copy another time. I'd be interested in seeing a sequel to this--either set on this moon or perhaps on another location in James Cameron's 'galaxy'.
178. The Last Shot -- Matthew Broderick as a man desperate to shoot his own movie and Alec Baldwin as an FBI agent who uses him and his film making desires to help take down the mob. A funny movie and as I found out later, actually based on real events. A decent comedy.
179. The Hangover -- Wow. I'd heard a lot about this movie but like Avatar, I was probably one of only a few adults to not have seen it in the theaters. Yes, it had crude humor, but you know, sometimes that's exactly what you need after a long day. Mindless, silly humor. My wife and I watched this together and we both liked it quite a bit. Could there be a sequel to this?
180. Love Stinks -- Love, if you can even call it that, goes so wrong in this silly movie. Not a great movie--but there are some funny parts here and there in it.
181. Point of No Return -- A good retelling of the Pygmalion Legend and of Luc Besson's Nikita. While I like this movie, I wish there was just a bit more action in it.
182. RKO 281: The Battle over "Citizen Kane" -- A friend recommended this movie to me. After watching it, I wanted to re-watch Citizen Kane (which you'll see in later posts, I did). I had no idea what Orson Welles had to do in order to make his masterpiece. An interesting movie.
183. Miyazaki's Spirited Away -- Another movie recommended to me by a friend. I had no idea what to expect with this animated movie. The kids wanted to watch it with me and I wasn't sure if they would like it. We all ended up liking it--and the kids ended up wanting to watch it again...and again....and again. This was such an interesting, imaginative and creative movie!
184. The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day -- A good sequel and a really good movie, but not quite as tight as the original. This one did have more action, and more of the history of the characters, but I missed the Willem Defoe character. I'm hoping that the director makes a third in this series considering how this one ended (and I won't put any spoilers here). A very entertaining movie.
185. Romeo Must Die -- Jet Li shows off his fighting skills here in his first English-language leading role. Lots of action and just enough humor in this to make it a decently entertaining movie.
186. Red Dawn -- I'd seen this a number of times over the years on TV, but I think this was the first time I'd watched it on DVD. There were a couple of scenes in it I didn't remember. The acting at the beginning of the movie seemed a little 'so-so', but by the end of the movie, I thought everyone was doing a really good job. Wolverines!
Okay--as usual, I don't have a single 'favorite'. The Hurt Locker was an excellent, excellent movie and if I had to declare a single 'intense' movie of not only this week, but so far for the entire year, I'd probably pick it. Avatar was an impressive movie considering all the time and energy that was so obviously put into making it.
That's it for now (the dog is begging for me to let her out, and if I don't, well....).
Have a great week, all.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Year of Movies
Week 16: April 16, 2010 to April 22, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 9
165. The Firm -- I read the book years ago and enjoyed the story, and I like this film version too. Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn all did great jobs, but Holly Hunter really stole the scenes she was in. And who can forget the short fight scene at the end of the movie when Tom Cruise beats the hell out of Wilford Brimley? It just wasn't fair!
166. Solaris -- This is a challenging movie--akin to The Fountain--in that I don't think I quite understood ALL of the movie with just one viewing, and perhaps like aspects of the movie, it just can't be 'understood' fully, period. There are just some things that can't be explained and/or understood. There seemed to be multiple levels of storytelling going on throughout the film and I'm looking forward to watching it again (and perhaps understanding at least a bit more of this thought-provoking movie). I liked the chemistry between George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. Jeremy Davies performance was incredibly creepy. Good, but creepy.
167. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial -- After what, 28 years or so, I still love this very sweet and very moving and very loving story about the bonds of friendship. I watched this with my little guy and he enjoyed the movie quite a bit too. I noticed that the DVD I watched had the updated version--the gun-less version. I'm not sure I understand (hmmm...is this a trend?) the reason for editing out the guns--I felt like the point of the story was, in part, that as long as only the kids were involved with the alien, all was fine--it wasn't until the adults showed up that problems surfaced--but, then, the change wasn't all that dramatic, I suppose. The magic of the movie remained even after all these years.
168. How To Train Your Dragon -- I FINALLY see a movie at the theater this year! Yea! I watched this with my little guy too. He loved this movie. I thought it was rather good too. We decided after the movie was over that we'd probably have to get the DVD when it comes out. He wants the DVD for his birthday or Christmas. Is it too early to get him hooked on movies? Actually, I think he's already hooked. He's such a fan of so many of the super-hero and action movies that have come out over the past year or so--and I've started showing him some of my favorite movies. (I was hesitant to show him the Lord of the Ring trilogy last year, but he really wanted to watch it--and when I warned him about the 'scary' parts he gave me a look and said, "Dad...it's not real. It's JUST a movie.") As for this movie, I was impressed with the animation and the story--both were quite good.
169. Trapped -- A thriller starring Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon. I liked certain aspects of this movie--primarily, the mother played by Charlize refusing to become the 'victim' that Kevin's character was hoping she'd become, and overall I was generally entertained, but the entertainment was solely on the surface. Dig below the surface of this movie, and parts of it just didn't add up. The young doctor (husband/father character) was obviously successful, had a seemingly happy marriage, was apparently active in helping to raise their little girl, did extensive lab work in developing a new drug AND was also an accomplished pilot. It just seemed a bit much for one person to achieve. Perhaps I'm being overly picky--I'd be interested in reading the book the movie was based on though -- 24 Hours.
170. Silverado -- Somehow over the past 25 years, I entirely missed watching this tremendously entertaining western. A great ensemble cast--Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover and an incredibly funny Kevin Costner make up the four 'heroes' of this film, but there's also Jeff Goldblum, Jeff Fahey, Linda Hunt, John Cleese, Brian Dennehy...just to name a few more in the cast. They are all so watchable and entertaining that by the end, I was hoping for more. Clever writing and a beautiful movie filmed primarily (if I recall correctly) in New Mexico.
171. American Beauty -- The first time I watched this movie was about ten years ago when it came out, and I don't remember appreciating it very much--now, however, I think it is a beautiful and stunningly honest movie about life and families and growing older and a peek into the dark side of some suburban life and marriage. Excellent performances by all of the actors--and though we're told at the beginning how the movie ends, when it does end, it's still a shock. Also--who knew a plastic bag floating in the wind could be beautiful?
172. True Lies -- Wild action mashed up with romantic comedy and both are done well. The two Arnolds in this really looked like they were having fun with the action and the one-liners. And after watching Jamie Lee Curtis 'dance' in the hotel room, I'm thinking....why hasn't she been on Dancing With the Stars yet....? Also, I thought the 'Simon' character played by Bill Paxton was utterly hilarious. For a movie that runs over two hours, it sure didn't seem that long. I wish James Cameron had done a sequel on this one.
173. The Ninth Gate -- A friend recommended this dark thriller to me--and no surprise, I liked it. Johnny Depp manages to play a guy we're not supposed to like in a way we end up liking anyway. While I did enjoy this movie, there were a couple of sticking points--would people who deal in rare books handle their rare and expensive books so carelessly (without gloves, while smoking/drinking) and for a movie involving the devil, I thought the end was a bit on the tame side. Or perhaps, to keep with the 'lack of understanding on my part' theme going in this blog post--I just didn't 'get' the entire ending and it actually was darker and more sinister than it seems on the surface. Hmmm....possible.
A favorite this week? I suppose the sentimental favorite would go to E.T. BUT, I was really impressed by How To Train Your Dragon too. Also, for laughs, there's True Lies...for epic western, Silverado, and for an amazing overall movie, American Beauty. Geee...can I work in the others somehow too?
Have a great day, all.
Total number of movies watched: 9
165. The Firm -- I read the book years ago and enjoyed the story, and I like this film version too. Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn all did great jobs, but Holly Hunter really stole the scenes she was in. And who can forget the short fight scene at the end of the movie when Tom Cruise beats the hell out of Wilford Brimley? It just wasn't fair!
166. Solaris -- This is a challenging movie--akin to The Fountain--in that I don't think I quite understood ALL of the movie with just one viewing, and perhaps like aspects of the movie, it just can't be 'understood' fully, period. There are just some things that can't be explained and/or understood. There seemed to be multiple levels of storytelling going on throughout the film and I'm looking forward to watching it again (and perhaps understanding at least a bit more of this thought-provoking movie). I liked the chemistry between George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. Jeremy Davies performance was incredibly creepy. Good, but creepy.
167. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial -- After what, 28 years or so, I still love this very sweet and very moving and very loving story about the bonds of friendship. I watched this with my little guy and he enjoyed the movie quite a bit too. I noticed that the DVD I watched had the updated version--the gun-less version. I'm not sure I understand (hmmm...is this a trend?) the reason for editing out the guns--I felt like the point of the story was, in part, that as long as only the kids were involved with the alien, all was fine--it wasn't until the adults showed up that problems surfaced--but, then, the change wasn't all that dramatic, I suppose. The magic of the movie remained even after all these years.
168. How To Train Your Dragon -- I FINALLY see a movie at the theater this year! Yea! I watched this with my little guy too. He loved this movie. I thought it was rather good too. We decided after the movie was over that we'd probably have to get the DVD when it comes out. He wants the DVD for his birthday or Christmas. Is it too early to get him hooked on movies? Actually, I think he's already hooked. He's such a fan of so many of the super-hero and action movies that have come out over the past year or so--and I've started showing him some of my favorite movies. (I was hesitant to show him the Lord of the Ring trilogy last year, but he really wanted to watch it--and when I warned him about the 'scary' parts he gave me a look and said, "Dad...it's not real. It's JUST a movie.") As for this movie, I was impressed with the animation and the story--both were quite good.
169. Trapped -- A thriller starring Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon. I liked certain aspects of this movie--primarily, the mother played by Charlize refusing to become the 'victim' that Kevin's character was hoping she'd become, and overall I was generally entertained, but the entertainment was solely on the surface. Dig below the surface of this movie, and parts of it just didn't add up. The young doctor (husband/father character) was obviously successful, had a seemingly happy marriage, was apparently active in helping to raise their little girl, did extensive lab work in developing a new drug AND was also an accomplished pilot. It just seemed a bit much for one person to achieve. Perhaps I'm being overly picky--I'd be interested in reading the book the movie was based on though -- 24 Hours.
170. Silverado -- Somehow over the past 25 years, I entirely missed watching this tremendously entertaining western. A great ensemble cast--Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover and an incredibly funny Kevin Costner make up the four 'heroes' of this film, but there's also Jeff Goldblum, Jeff Fahey, Linda Hunt, John Cleese, Brian Dennehy...just to name a few more in the cast. They are all so watchable and entertaining that by the end, I was hoping for more. Clever writing and a beautiful movie filmed primarily (if I recall correctly) in New Mexico.
171. American Beauty -- The first time I watched this movie was about ten years ago when it came out, and I don't remember appreciating it very much--now, however, I think it is a beautiful and stunningly honest movie about life and families and growing older and a peek into the dark side of some suburban life and marriage. Excellent performances by all of the actors--and though we're told at the beginning how the movie ends, when it does end, it's still a shock. Also--who knew a plastic bag floating in the wind could be beautiful?
172. True Lies -- Wild action mashed up with romantic comedy and both are done well. The two Arnolds in this really looked like they were having fun with the action and the one-liners. And after watching Jamie Lee Curtis 'dance' in the hotel room, I'm thinking....why hasn't she been on Dancing With the Stars yet....? Also, I thought the 'Simon' character played by Bill Paxton was utterly hilarious. For a movie that runs over two hours, it sure didn't seem that long. I wish James Cameron had done a sequel on this one.
173. The Ninth Gate -- A friend recommended this dark thriller to me--and no surprise, I liked it. Johnny Depp manages to play a guy we're not supposed to like in a way we end up liking anyway. While I did enjoy this movie, there were a couple of sticking points--would people who deal in rare books handle their rare and expensive books so carelessly (without gloves, while smoking/drinking) and for a movie involving the devil, I thought the end was a bit on the tame side. Or perhaps, to keep with the 'lack of understanding on my part' theme going in this blog post--I just didn't 'get' the entire ending and it actually was darker and more sinister than it seems on the surface. Hmmm....possible.
A favorite this week? I suppose the sentimental favorite would go to E.T. BUT, I was really impressed by How To Train Your Dragon too. Also, for laughs, there's True Lies...for epic western, Silverado, and for an amazing overall movie, American Beauty. Geee...can I work in the others somehow too?
Have a great day, all.
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