If god is willin and da creek don't rise

So I watched Spike Lee's documentary "if god is willin' and the creek don't rise". It is his follow up to the documentary he did a year after Katrina called? So was it good, well it is four hours long, at times a little racist, at times a little confusing, but in general is a good look at a city that has struggled for years with corruption and poverty, before Katrina, after Katrina, and will keep struggling for years to come. It was good not great and I think has broad appeal, with the exception of maybe "Sarah Palin" types. I wouldn't say skip this but, I also don't think it is necessarily a must watch, it covers a lot of ground that I have seen short news stories on the same subject cover in far less time. I am not sure really what Spike Lee added to the debate. However, maybe several years from now, individuals wanting to learn about how America failed one of own cities in the midst of a natural disaster, and also see how corporate greed can be dangerous on a grand scale, should watch BOTH his movies on this subject to gain some insight and perspective ("When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" was really awesome).

the men who stare at goats

So I watched the men "who stare at goats" from 2009 starring George Clooney. So is it a good movie, well it could have been. I am going to add to the review after I have read the book, and seen the documentary it is in part based on by Jon Ronson. I read a lot of reviews before watching this movie, and got the sense that people in general liked it but that it eventually fell flat which is how I felt. I have seen some exerts from the documentary that came before the film and I have to say, that some of the weirdest shit in the doc is also some of the weirdest and most unbelievable stuff in this movie. So should you skip it, well I will comment after the documentary and book have been completed but for now, I say if you don't mind watching a movie that starts out with a lot of potential but then dies suddenly towards the end go for it.

blazing saddles

So what movie has a black pot smoking sherrif in the old west, klansman with robes that say "have a nice day", bikers on horseback, a guy named mongo, count bassie in the middle of the dessert, uses the "n" word repeatedly without sounding racist, cattle walking through everything including waiting in line to see a movie, and ends somehow at manns chinese theater after the cast has left the movie and broken loose onto Hollywood, why Blazing saddles of course. This comedy classic was made in 1974 and was directed by the once great Mel Brooks. I say once because he really went into decline after spaceballs (which was just o.k). This movie was written by Andrew Bergman who also wrote one of my other favorite comedies "The Freshman". This is another one of those movies I hope they never remake, it just works so why fuck with things that work and yes work so well. Unless you hate comedy I dare you not to love this classic.

The Russians are coming the Russians are coming

So I watched "The Russians are coming The Russians are coming" made in 1966. So is this a classic or even a good movie, well I got say ehhhh once again. This movie has a great cast (including one of my personal faves Jonathan Winters), a great director, and an interesting premise, but ultimately falls apart in the end. I think it falls apart because it is basically supposed to be a lighthearted comedy, so it is supposed to have a happy ending, but it just seemed contrived to me. I did enjoy watching a movie that apparently took place in a time when not only didn't people have cell phones, but they used switchboards and cranked their phones. Another thing I enjoyed were how there were no subtitles for what the Russians were saying, I don't know if it was intentional, but it put the audience in the same world with the characters who couldn't understand them either. So should you skip this one, well I don't know, I did find much of this film very funny including Alan Arkin (still relevant today wow!), but the ending bothered me, maybe you my one reader may feel differently. If you do please comment, I like to hear other people's opinions about movies that could go either way.

I want someone to eat cheese with

So I watched "I want someone to eat cheese with". So was it good, well ehhhhhh. I liked it, I am a fan of Jeff Garlin, but its not what I would say is a "good" movie. It is likable though, if you enjoy quirky comedies, which I do. I will say I thought the references to the film "Marty" were very apt, considering the plot, and I did like how this guy was basically a very lovable loser. If you enjoy indy comedies, you may enjoy this movie, but if not you can probably skip this one.

whip it

So I watched whip it from 2009, well some think it is good some not so much. Which camp am I in well the not so much one. I really wanted to like this movie, it had hot bad girls in mini skirts (so you can see their panties-what I am a man) being rough and acting tough, a killer soundtrack, an interesting story (based on a real league out of Austin Texas), and good acting, but in the end was just another predictable Hollywood movie for the most part. It suffered from a disease that I find runs rampant in sports films, it involves the main team going from last to first just like that, it involves the rookie sensation going through several personal trials often at the same time, a nasty rival team that shows respect in the end, and the big showdown to end it all. It is systemic and has infiltrated almost every sports flick I have ever seen, it even affects the movies that are spoofs of this very phenomenon. I honestly can't say whether to skip this one or not, maybe if the story had been more simple and had more grit it could have been a great freshman directing attempt by Drew Barrymore, but I was personally left feeling disappointed.

Kramer vs. Kramer

So one of my earliest memories from childhood is seeing this movie from 1979 with my parents in the theater. I will never forget the kid falling off the jungle gym and that "blank" (pardon my french) Meryl Streep using it against Dustin Hoffman in court. I think it is great that the two stars from this movie are still relevant today more than 30 years later. This is a classic. I think what spoke to me most about this movie was how it mirrored in subtle and not so subtle tones the changing landscape in America that really gained momentum in the 1970's. How women are more than just the roles men assign them, how men can make caring fathers, that women can and sometimes should make more money than men, how not all marriages are going to last forever, and finally how that can affect a small child. I can't say for sure but because of those struggles not so long ago, I think kids today are better prepared for divorce today. Its all around them, and there are support systems both private and public. We learned a lot from struggles that seemingly occured ages ago. That is what I liked about Kramer vs. Kramer, it made me think as well as entertain. I am not sure that was the purpose behind this Robert Benton creation, but I think just like movies such as "inherit the wind" paint a picture from another time in American History and how we have changed as a people since, this movie does that as well. In that sense it also shows how much we have not changed at our core. If you haven't seen this film yet I don't think you can go wrong, and if you haven't seen it for several years check it out again, you might just find yourself thinking about this American life as well.

Neo Ned

So have you ever wondered what would happen when two mental patients, one of whom is a Neo-Nazi and the other who is a black woman who thinks she is possessed by Adolf Hitler fall in love, well match this delightful movie to find out. This is pure indy film making, very low budget, hell I could see the reel change marks and this was on television. So is this a good movie well yes. Is it for everyone well no!. This is not a movie that hits just one note, it is at times funny, at other times touching, at times brutal, and yes at times disturbing. This movie is for the individual who finds it hard to sit through most of what Hollywood puts out. Gabrielle Union (Hitler), and the hurt locker's Jeremy Renner give remarkable performances with tons of emotion that feels "real". I liked this movie a lot, this is one of those movies that hopefully would appeal to those readers I am seeking. If you watched this movie and liked it you pass the test.

harvey

So I watched 1950's Harvey. Well is it a "classic", well yeah. Is it perfectly adapted for 60 years after its release well no, but its still really good. The foundation of this classic, lies in the great performance of Jimmy Stewart, combined with a good story, and memorable scenes. My favorite scene is near the end when Jimmy Stewart talks about all the people he meets everyday in an alley behind a bar. Could this movie be remade, well yeah, I would like to see a 21st century Harvey, but will people today like Harvey circa 1950, well I hope I am not alone in saying yes!

severance

So I watched severance from 2006 the feel good family movie of the last decade. Nah, I'm just foolin' ya its a slasher pick. So is it a good movie, well yes and no. In the general sense not really, but in the slasher b-movie sense it gets an A. It has halucinogenic drug use, it has balkan escorts topless firing machine guns, tons of gore, conspiracy theories that go nowhere, and can be at times pretty funny. I have to admit that for what it is it is a good and very watchable movie with decent acting and good atmosphere. I am not sure if this movie is something that is in the same pantheon as the other films in this blog but it is after all about both good movies and indy fare and severance is just that.

the 400 blows

So I watched Francois Truffaut's "the 400 blows". I am not sure why it is called this, so if anyone can help please comment. So this is considered to be a classic, and a centerpiece for discussion in film school. In this regard, I must be ignorant. This is a classic movie, this is a good movie, but I guess I just don't understand what makes this such a big deal for film students. It is a great story about little Antoine doniel who drinks, smokes, steals, skips school, lies, and runs away repeatedly. There is no moral question directed at the viewer it is just his life, and it has been hard but not terrible, like many people's own experience, and so we are not there to judge. The character is revisited throughout truaffot's career in several films, he even uses the same actor Jean-Pierre Laud. Pretty impressive considering the films span 20 years and he started at age 13. I recently reviewed "you can count on me" in many ways this film reminded me of it, in the sense that nothing is over played but we get to understand what goes into shaping someones life. I am looking forward to seeing the further adventures of doniel, and letting you my one reader know my self important opinion.

alice

So I watched an art film called Alice, this "film" is a cult favorite of sort among art types. It came out in 1988 and was made by sureal artist Jan Skankmajer. So was this a good movie well no, but it is an interesting art film. Apparently great film makers like Tim Burton developed some of their early animation styles based on his work. In that sense it was very interesting, however though it was an interesting take on the classic "Alice in Wonderland" it was not good story telling. This is after all a great story this artist is interpreting. Why not actually incorporate the story with its beautiful dialog acted, and not read in sporatic bursts and as blind monologue. Additionally, the film had some very unintentionaly disturbing images, especially the march hare. So should you watch this, if you are a huge fan of Tim Burton, or Michelle Gondry, or an art freak, maybe you will like it after all art is about individual intrepetation, but as an easily watchable movie for most people including intellectual types, no you can definetly skip this one.

the great buck howard

So The Great Buck Howard, this is one of those films that goes under
the category of indy fare for me. So is it a good movie no its just
o.k. This movie had one thing going for it and one thing going against
it. What it had going against it is Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks. I
have yet to think of him as a good actor, and sincerely believe if his
last name was not Hanks and his dad didn't produce some of his work
(including this one) he would be a struggling hack. What it had going
for it is John Malcovich. He is one of the greats and he does not
disappoint here. He does a great job and to be honest the script isn't
bad. Tom Hanks even has a small role as Colin's dad. They even seem to
have an "on golden pond moment" about being a writer (I would say actor
could have been substituted wherever they said writer.) So did I like
this movie, it was o.k it didn't suck but this blog is about truly good
movies and this is not one, but if you are bored and nothing else is on
you could do worse.

capitalism: a love story

Before I begin this review I would like to say that "Roger and me" (also directed by Michael Moore) is one of my favorite movies, and T.V nation I think is a great example of early very liberal television (nowadays we have the daily show and colbert report). That being said, I also have to disclose I have two business degrees including the coveted MBA. So is this a good movie, well unfortunately no. This is not the capitalist pig that dwells within me speaking, but a lover of good movie making speaking out. The second half of this movie was timely and in general pretty good, the first half was uneven and at times a little stupid. The worst scene in the entire movie came just before the movie started to pick up steam. It involved a family, who both the husband and wife worked at walmart. Walmart had taken out a small life insurance policy, on the guys wife (I am assuming to offset rehiring costs in case she died) but Michael Moore slanted it to almost look like walmart killed this poor woman. Or at the very least hoped she would die so they would get a big payout. They had the whole white trash family gathered around the dinner table, crying for their mom, all the while implying walmart was evil and to blame. If you are going to attack walmart do it on unfair wages or supporting Chinese goods made in poor work conditions with no environmental standards, not complete bull shit. Well that was a rant. Which is what Michael Moore at least inspires in people on both sides. That is what I like about him, but not this movie, I say skip it.

close encounters of the third kind

So I watched Steven Speilberg's "close encounters of the third kind" from 1977 yesterday, and I hadn't seen the movie since I was a kid. I guess the two things that always stuck with me from the movie were Richard Dreyfus shaping the mashed potatoes at dinner into a mountain, and saying "this means something, this is important". The other was the aliens at the end, they were very cute and child like. So there is now a whole generation of people who may have never heard of this movie, and as it gets older that will only increase. I mean the movie came out in 1977 and well is great but its not a mythological magnet like "star wars" which came out about the same time. I said in an earlier review "I hope they don't remake this movie" (referring to "some like it hot"), well I would say why not remake this movie. The special effects are terrific, but still we could do so much more nowadays with effects on such a grand level that we couldn't do then. The acting is great but, I don't identify any one of the characters with a specific actor like say Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector. Its a great movie though, and if you are feeling nostalgic, or are a youngin' not afraid of watching something that was done before you were born, this is a great movie. However, me personally I am waiting for the remake before revisiting this yet again, directed oddly enough by Steven Speilberg, but starring Johnny Depp (hey why not he made for a great Raoul Duke!).

the sixth sense

So I revisited the sixth sense today. I can't think of too many people who haven't seen this flick at this point, but there is a whole new movie watching audience growing up right now that may have never even heard of this "classic". So the first time I saw this movie I didn't know the secret, but I knew there was one and figured it out about 10 minutes into the film. If you are young and don't know why someone just said "I see dead people" this movie is where that great line came from. This is also in case you don't know, pretty much the only film M. Night Shamalan did that isn't crap (I also liked unbreakable). So was this movie as good as I remember, well it was even better. I didn't spend the whole movie trying to solve a puzzle so I think I was able to really enjoy what a good story this is. For all you youngins' out there in the year 2100 who come across this as an archive, well for one greetings from beyond the grave, and secondly check out the sixth sense it's awesome.

you can count on me

You can count on me is a film starring Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney and was made in 2000. This is one of those movies that is what they call a hidden gem. It is the story of a brother and sister who lose their parents in a car crash at a very young age. The story begins when they are older and the character played by Mark Ruffalo comes back home. One of the things that I loved about this movie is a key component, namely the tragic loss of their parents. You always get a sense that it is there and has shaped who these two characters have become as adults, but is never overplayed. Rory Culkin (yes Maculays brother) has a great first role as Laura's eight year old son. This movie is very well written and cerebral without trying to be over anyone's head. This is one of those movies that I think most people have never heard of, but if they would take the time to check out, I think they would find memorable.

before the devil knows your dead

Queintin Tarantino once said he would not make a film past 60 becasue no director does their best work that late in life. Well Sidney Lumet who directed this near perfect film was 83 when he directed it. I am not going to say squat about this film, if any one does read this someday, and decides to watch this movie I want everything to unfold for you. It is one of those movies that is like a roller coster ride, and is best when you don't know what is coming around the bend. This is the second movie I have reviewed this week that has Philip Seymour hoffman, and he is at his best. The casting in general which includes, Marisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke, and Albert Finney are all played wonderfully. The way the story unfolds is remarkable, the plot exceptional. There is not a single thing I did not love about this movie. If I do find any followers, and they watch please comment on what you thought, I think this is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

"The man who knew too much"

This Review is about Alfred Hitchcock's "The man who knew too much", starring Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day. To begin with I'm a fan of Mr. Hitchcock, I have seen a great number of his films. Though this is not as riveting as say "North by Northwest", it was a great film especially considering how old it is. Well the premise is now something that has been done to death by Hollywood, a family on holiday gets mixed up in international intrigue involving an assassination plot, and the chase is on to stop the assassin just in time. In this case the parents need to save their son from impending doom as well. However, Mr. Hitchcock is the master and the master is in top form creating suspense and drama at every turn. An interesting moral dilemma is well played also throughout this film. While I was watching this film I was reminded of one of my favorite comedies from the 70's called "foul play". It turns out that this film was an homage to Hitchcock and they based a crucial scene from "the man" in "foul play". I think this is also the origin of the famous use of Doris Day singing "que sera sera". Also, look for Hitchcock he's in there as usual, hard to spot though. Well, if you are a fan of suspense, old films, spy thrillers, or Hitchcock you should be sure to enjoy this good film as well.

mary and max

Mary and Max is a suberbly crafted film realesed in 2009, and is written and directed by Adam Elliot. To start with this film is Austalian, but takes place in both Australia and New York New York. Next, and most importantly I loved this movie. It was poignant, deeply moving, visually stunning and made you laugh, cry, and think. What more can you ask from a film. This film is somewhat intellectual and takes on some very difficult subjects while having the look of a Wallace and Gromit cartoon. It is beautifully narated by Barry Humphries who is most famous for his Dame Edna character. It also has wonderful supporting voices from Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette. This is not a mainsteam film and if I find a following, I would hope they maintain a higher standard for their movie watching experience and seek this film out. I can rave on and on about this film, there was not one moment where I did not find myself completely enthralled. If you like great movies which I hope you do, please don't overlook this gloriuos treasure.

9

"9" is a digitally animated film that was released in 2009 starring Elijah Wood. So what to say about 9. Did I love it, well no. Did I hate it, well no. So is this movie "good" well yes. It is not for everyone and the story is just O.K. However, this movie is beautifully animated and well acted. The tale takes place in a future where machines once made to serve us and fight our wars have turned on us and destroyed the world and killed all humans. Wait no this is not a review of the Matrix or of the terminator, which is one of the things that make this movie just o.k. The evil creature that is at the heart of all destruction is even reminiscent of something from the "matrix". So why watch this movie well unless you are a stoner or a sci-fi geek you can probably skip this one, but if you are either or both you may have a good time. If you are a stoner whip out the bong and the cheetos dipped in vanilla frosting and kick back for a visual feast.

hoosiers

I expect this review will be a bit controversial to some. I am going to say something that some of you will agree with and well will outrage some as well. What is this magic word that will divide the hopefully two people who see this at some point before this blog disappears, well it is "OVER RATED !!!!!!!!!". I hated this movie. I thought the very 80's theme music sucked, I thought Dennis Hopper who got an oscar nod for this over acted. I thought the love interest angle involving Barbara Hershey and Gene Hackman was obvious. Every thing from the towns people hating newly arrived basketball coach "Gene Hackman" , to the local phenom stepping up to the figuritive plate just at the right moment, to the incredible and subtlety racist ending was obvious. Have you said the phrase "this thing just writes itself" well the chuckleheads who got the green light to do this must have uttered that constantly as they wrote this piece of garbage. Oh and by the way I know I forgot to say it earlier but "hoosiers" is an oscar nominated film about a basketball team that wins the big game in the 1950's and was made in 1986. You can skip this one "over rated" "over rated" "over rated"!

some like it hot

So this is my first movie review. I don't know who if anyone will read this but, I am what they call a "movie buff." I watch a lot of films, but generally limit myself to movies that are supposed to be "good" or even "classics". I know there are probably a million people doing this out there so I am just another opinion. I hope if you do read on that you enjoy my reviews. Oh and by the way any future blogs will be sans a long drawn out and probably boring personal history.
So let's start with a film "classic from 1959 "some like it hot". Let me describe the movie in simple terms; what happens when you take a pure B movie plot, add great dialog, superb acting, and near perfect direction from a hollywood legend, well you get pure comic gold. This is one of those movies you hope they never remake. It is now more than 50 years since this Billy Wilder gem was made and its stands the test of time. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are perfectly cast as two down on their luck musicians who are on the run from the mob. They take a gig as female band members in order to get out of town and hilarity ensues. The dialog between them is fantastic and they sell every line that would probably be real cheesy if delivered by almost anyone else. Marilyn Monroe is well HOT. This is my first Marilyn Monroe movie and well I get it now. I always saw pictures of her and said o.k shes a babe but, man there really was just something about her. My favorite lines in the movie are in the very last scene. I won't spoil it for the possible one person who reads this someday, but man I almost peed myself. If you haven't ever taken the time to see this movie do it, unless you are made of stone I dare you not to enjoy this comic masterpiece.