everybody's fine

So I watched 2009' Everybody's fine, starring Robert Deniro, well was it fine well yeah I guess. This is not a movie I will rant and rave about. It has an all star cast and an indie feel to it, and isn't too sappy. I liked it, I didn't love it but felt it was decent. It is a road tale, and a story about a family becoming closer, and grieving, and dying, and living, and sometimes hiding our true selves from the ones we most love. This is a remake of a very highly regarded Italian film I hope to see someday, I think it would be nice to compare the two. As far as should you see it, well I guess if you are not the sensitive type you can skip, I personally think it is a good date movie, it has things that appeal to both sexes, and can almost cause a tear to well up at times, but you know I am too much a man for that to happen.

The fantastic Mr. Fox

So I watched Wes Anderson's adaptation of the book The Fantastic Mr. Fox, so is it good I say unenthusiastically yes. It wasn't great but it was good. Once again I have not read this book, but as a child read other Roald Dahl books and loved them. So why without enthusiasm, well I guess the story doesn't seem to go anywhere I guess. The end was the end, and that is about that. I liked how every "cussing" cus word was said as "cus", something cute for adults that still made the film a "kids movie." I also liked the ravenous eating habits as well as the animation technique. I have enjoyed all of Wes Anderson's films including "The Life Aquatic" (though marginally in that particular case), and I saw elements of his unique visual style translated into animation. The acting is good with an award winning cast, and the movie is very watchable for children. I am a big kid so I liked it, but I did not love it and do not think this film is for everyone out there, and think even amongst the intellectual sect there is probably much disagreement as to the worth of this film. However, it is worth watching and is in the end enjoyable to do so.

lolita

So I watched Stanley Kubrick's Lolita from 1962, well is it a classic, sadly I say ehhh. This is a good movie make no doubt about it, I like the use of sexual innuendo throughout the movie, I liked Peter Sellers role as Quilty, the acting was good, the movie very funny at times, but it was too long, the use of an epilogue was pointless, and the opening scene should be at the end in my opinion. I have not read the book by Nabakov so I cannot comment on how closely it follows the original story, nor have I seen the remake with Jeremy Irons to see if that has a little more graphic nature, so I can only comment on this film. I love Kubrick he gave us several great films including one of my personal faves a clockwork orange, but here I don't think he had all the elements in place to make a truly great movie that stands the test of time. I hate to say it (without sounding like a perv) but I think if the original age of the girl (I believe 12) and the eroticism was more direct, it could have been a disturbing yet classic film. However if you are a fan of either movies from this time, Peter Sellers, or Kubrick it is worth watching and I did enjoy this movie overall, just wasn't blown away by it.

Copycat

So I watched 1995's movie Copycat starring Sirgourney Weaver. Well was it good, I say yeah it stands the test of time and is good for a thriller. The ending was a little obvious I thought, but what are you going to do. What made this thriller stand out was the interesting take on the serial killer versus serial killer hunter, cat and mouse game, as well as the acting. It probably is not a classic, or really a great film, and to be honest there are some plot holes, but you can't drive a truck through them. If you are a fan of this genre check it out, I don't think you will be disappointed.

The Brothers Bloom

So I watched the Brothers Bloom from 2008, so was it good I say ehhh. It is indy fare and not touted as a "good film" but still got good reviews from most sources. I say this movie could have been good but embraced one plot twist too many. The whole point of the movie was one big complicated grift, but I say they took it too far. It was very well acted, including a very silent character named "Bang, Bang". There were also some very charming funny moments including the crash scores by the judges (If you ever see it you will know what I mean). But in the end I was left feeling exhausted keeping up with everything. Stream line the plot and get back to me Hollywood.

American Graffiti

So I watched George Lucas's 1973 film American graffiti. Well was it a classic, well yeah why not. Let me start by saying that a movie watched in 2010 from 11973, that takes place in the early 1960's can throw a person off but having a memorable cast helps. Lets face it the movie has Han Solo before he was Han Solo Mr. Harrison Ford, one of today's biggest directors, Mr Richie Cunningham, I mean Opie Taylor, I mean Ron Howard, and the still relevant but barely Richard Dreyfus. It also has a pre incestuous relationship Mckenzie Phillips (or possibly not yuck!), Shirley from Laverne and Shirley, and Suzanne Sommers. What did it for me about this movie more than anything else was both the basic story of boys at the precipice of manhood, and the soundtrack that for oldies were far more golden than moldy. I likes this flick and don't see why kids of today wouldn't enjoy it if they gave it a chance.

sins of my father

So I watched the documentary from 2009 Sins of my father, well was it good, I say Si. This documentary was about the worlds most ruthless drug lord, "el jefe" the now deceased Pablo Escobar. However, that is just part of the tale that is told. The main story is actually about his son Sebastian, and his journey to find peace in his own life. He has not followed in his father's foot steps, and in fact wants nothing to do with the world his father lived in, but shows that he loved his father very much and bears the guilt for his fathers atrocities. A big part of the story is about Sebastian is seeking forgiveness, from the sons of two of the men his father had assassinated. The story of Pablo Escobar is fascinating, his son's story is fascinating, the story of the sons of the men Pablo killed is fascinating. This movie was simply incredible. There are several times throughout the movie you see Pablo as a dedicated father and family man. You even hear him sing opera at one point, very well I might add. I have long waited for a movie about the life of Pablo Escobar, this real life tale is better than anything Hollywood could ever imagine and far more moving than a gangster flick could ever be.

The Sun also Rises

So "The Sun Also Rises" is one of my favorite books, and is a masterpiece by the great Hemingway, well was the movie version a classic well no. Was it good, well I and the friends I watched this movie with enjoyed it. It is good not great, it has its moments some of which are funny others of which show men being men, and a certain Lady Ashley being a slutty drunk way before Paris Hilton made it fashionable. I enjoyed it because it brought back memories from the book I had forgotten, but I would like to see a quality R rated remake of this film someday. It is a great story and I wish the film makers had done it justice, but it was the 1950's and I am sure it was pretty racy for that time but now it is tame to some degree. If you are a fan of Hemingway or of old films you may like this film, but it is no classic and not a bad movie just not a a truly good one either.

Ruthless People

So I revisited 1986's Ruthless People, well was it good I have to ehhh. I remember this movie being funny when I was a kid and when it was on the other day, I started watching it and just kept going until the end. This movie had two things going for it the almost always awesome Danny Devito and the very underrated Judge Reinhold (I wish his career would have lasted). It was directed by Jim Abrahams and David Zucker who gave us the comedy classic Airplane. This movie is no classic though. It has its moments but overall is forgettable, unless you want to see the cheesiest aspects of 1980's culture similar to the 1970's culture you would see in the recently reviewed "Saturday Night Fever", you can probably skip this one and download Airplane instead.

Up In the Air

So I just watched 2009's Up in the air, was it good well yeah. It was directed by Jason Reitman son of Ivan Reitman who gave us some comedy classics and gave us some real stinkers as well. His son has given us in his relatively short career this movie, Juno, and Thank You for Smoking. So I can picture this kid being in his dad's world and learning from it, being inspired by it, and taking it to the level his dad hasn't. What I mean is I love Stripes and Meatball's but Jason's movies are much better and in this case deeper than his father's work. I have to think his dad is proud of his son. This movie had great acting from America's sweetheart George Clooney who is embracing getting older, and the rest of the cast including Vera Farmiga. It was deep without being obvious about being so, comical, and enjoyable to watch from start to finish, this is one of those movies that most people can find enjoyable. If you are intellectual you look for deeper meaning, if you are average you laugh and enjoy the ride.

The Hurt Locker

So I watched 2009's best picture winner The Hurt Locker, well was it good, well yeah. Was it truly the best movie of last year, well of the ones I have see I would give that nod personally to the surprisingly good district 9, but this movie was pretty damn good. I reviewed Jeremy Renner in "Neo Ned" in which he gave an incredible performance, and though the acting isn't as good on his part here he does a great job. Katheryn Bigelow, does a really good job of bringing us into the world of someone in the grips of war in a very dangerous , very adrenaline related, profession, of bomb defuser dude. I liked the cameos by Lost's Evangeline Lily, and one of my personal favorites Ralph Fiennes (watch in bruge or red dragon if you haven't already). I liked this movie, and it is good.

Saturday Night Fever

So most of us know Saturday Night fever that are between 30 and almost dead. It has some iconic and often spoofed dance scenes. I wonder if the youngin's of the world today have heard of this movie or for that matter seen it. So is it a classic, well that depends on how you look at it. If you are shallow and have an insipid mind it is. If you are someone who likes to make fun of Disco and cheesy movies it is as well. I think, though I could be wrong, that I fall into the latter category. I enjoyed watching this movie not because it was good, but because it was just humorous to watch Vinny Barbarino in action, and I admit he is a good dancer. I found myself making fun of this movie while I watched it, but it is not terrible or undeserving like say the Blind Side (which I just reviewed), of being in this blog but just dated and just o.k. But there is that music by the Bee Gees that I am almost ashamed to admit I like, and the disco which along with the 80's are among America's cheesiest decades. So I recommend watching it to feel nostalgic, to see what the disco era was like if you are young, or just to laugh at a la mystery science theater 3000. Oh and look for a ridiculously hot very young Fran Drescher in the movie, marone that chick can get sausage stiff if yo know what I sayin' yo know what I am say sayin, ohhhh... marone, I think I just felt the thunder bolt (my attempt at being a stereotyped Italian from Brooklyn or I guess New Jersey as well).

The Devil's Backbone

So I watched Guillermo Del Toro's the Devil's Backbone released in 2001, so was it good well yeah. Del Toro has an incredible artistic side, which I love. I even enjoyed the Hellboy movies, especially the second one because he creates such beautiful creatures, and imaginary worlds. He has a very distinct visual nature like say Tim Burton. This movie was not one of those movies, it had a creepy little ghost kid in it, but otherwise was just a straightforward good old fashioned ghost story without a lot of special effects. The story takes place in Spain during the revolution at an orphanage, and has mysteries set up in the opening sequence which are slowly solved over the course of the movie. It has complicated characters, and a really chilling feel to it without having any spill your popcorn surprise moments. It is simple, well acted, well written, and very interesting. I think of his films I would rank this second after Pan's Labyrinth.

The Blind Side

So I watched the Blind Side last night, well was it good well no. This movie is the flip side of this blog. One side is to hopefully find other movie geeks like myself, and create a forum for introducing good movies to one another. The other is to discredit those that are supposedly good but lets face it are not. So why would I watch a movie I normally would not watch. Well, it was Sandra Bullock's academy award winning performance of course. I looked over the list of past winners from 1980 on, and one thing stuck out whether the performances were memorable or not they all came from good flicks. This fucking thing seriously felt like a made for TV movie. I think the Michael Oher story is truly incredible, and the family that adopted him just incredible, when I see pictures of the very white, very rich, and very southern Leigh Anne Toughy with this enormous black man from the wrong side of the tracks I admit it brings a tear to my eye. This movie as of the day I wrote this review has a 7.7 on IMDB, which on their scale is up there among the best. Each of these reviews is obviously one mans opinion but come on people, if we continue down this path of calling movies like this good, America may someday become no better than one of the fucktard nation of this world. Come on America we can do better, there is better, please do not allow Mediocrity to become the new gold standard. Come on everyone U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A, say it with me and burn this movie and melt that statue Sandra Bullock won. Oh and the kid who played Michael Oher actually did a good job of acting, where is his award.

A serious man

So i watched the Coen brothers "A serious man", well was it a good movie well.... before I say, lets look at some past achievements by these brothers. Let's see, Blood simple (gripping), Raising Arizona (comical and surreal), Barton Fink (surreal), Miller's crossing (gripping and intense), Fargo (gripping, intense, comical), The Big Lebowski (Dude.. do I need to say more o.k comical and surreal), O'brother Where Art Thou (comical, surreal), and No Country for old Men (gripping and intense). There are others but lets face it these are the gems and there are a lot of them. These guys do very distinct genres extremely well, comedy and intense movies. So there can be a lot of cross over and that surreal aspect is always willing to jump in and join either party, and I found this to be the case with a Serious Man, which is seriously good. I almost shamefully admit I have seen No Country for Old Men too many times to remember, it seems every time I see it pop up on TV I say I am going to watch a couple of minutes and get sucked in. So why do I mention this well I need to make some time to see a Serious Man again. It is the surreal, philosophical aspect that I want to revisit. It is a movie that is very deep, and I found myself questioning the gathering storm of the main character Larry Gopnik's life. What does it all mean? A question I am not sure Larry solved either. On a more personal level, I grew up in a very Jewish family, and I always like those movies that take me back to my younger days and remind me of the culture and religious traditions I was raised in. This is a great movie, but it is a much more cerebral movie than No Country for Old Men, and therefore is just for those of you that I hope find me Raoul Duke the greatest movie critic ever that no one reads.