dazed and confused

So I revisited 1993's cult classic "dazed and Confused", at the local artsy film house. It was a great night they had a costume contest, which we won, well we were the only one's who apparently decided to come in costume, but still we won. They even sold PBR's during the movie so that made things that much better. So is this movie a classic, I say alright alright. This is a cult classic more geared towards the stoner crowd of which I am a proud member. What affirmed for me the notion that this movie is a cult classic is the overwhelming abundance of people (including me) who were saying the lines of the movie out loud in the theater. The fact that so many people remembered so many great lines I think says it all. And that is one of the great things about this movie the story and the dialog in particular. The great cult film maker Richard Linklater, didn't just develop fascinating characters, he gave them many many many memorable things to say. This movie is also nostalgic, for even though it takes place in the 70's, I identified with the whole suburban growing up and making the transition from middle school to high school and going from underclassman to the all powerful senior class thing (that was a mouth full). I also identified with a lot of what these characters did to have fun when they were young and stupid. Look, I don't know if this movie is for everyone, as I said it is a stoner cult classic, but Richard Linklater has given us not just fun movies to watch like this and school of rock, but a pair of great romance movies in before sunrise and before sunset, some really deep philosophical vehicles, in slacker and waking life, and last but not least the imaginative "a scanner darkly" which showcases the very beautiful filming technique known as interpolated rotoscoping, which Linlater was the first to utilize for an entire film. In addition to all this, this film launched the careers of actors like Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck. Look the point of all this is, this is not just a great film, it was made by one of today's most interesting film directors, and gives a look at budding stardom. So in other words, no matter what your personal tastes, there is almost no reason not to at least check out this gem. You may even find yourself someday watching it again and saying the lines with glee yourself.

the A-team

So I watched 2010's comedy the A-team starring Liam Neeson and the pretty boy douche Bradley Cooper. So is this movie good, hell no! So why did I watch it? Well for one I was forced into it, and secondly it scored a 7 on IMDB. I have found that a movie that scores a 7 on IMDB is usually worth watching, but have found with some popcorn flicks that there is a skew that does not necessarily reflect this observation. This was beyond true in this case. So I used to watch the A-team growing up and loved the show including the wonderful character known as B.A Baracus played perfectly by Mr. T.. So I will say I get that the show was over the top and ludicrous and so the movie should be as well. However, if you are going to take a bad t.v show from the 80's (remember I said I loved it) and make it into a movie why not just spoof it like Todd Phillips did with Starsky and Hutch. This movie took itself too seriously. It was a comedy and had some laughs, but overall was beyond unrealistic while trying to appear somewhat realistic. The character portrayed by Jessica Biel was just pointless. The bad guys were just huge douches (hey that's twice I used that word in one review). This movie was way too long and it wasn't even ridiculously long. The back story of how the A-team found each other was pointless, confusing, and pathetic. This movie was confusing and incoherent at times, while extremely predictable at other times. This movie sucked plain and simple. Look there are those in this world who got this movie and I guess enjoyed it, all I can say is kudos you are probably the reason why America is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of educational standards; congratulate yourselves great job.

Wendy and Lucy

So I watched 2008's indy gem Wendy and Lucy. This movie is the feel good dog movie of the last decade. It is lighthearted, comical, and very easy to watch much like Benji. Wait that's not true in fact this movie is the opposite of that. However, is this movie good, yyyy..yy.yyy.eee.aaa.ssss. Sorry, that's yes I started to cry again. Which unless you are made of stone you will do periodically throughout this movie. It's not a good idea to describe the plot at all (which I am not prone to do anyways), but just to say this movie is very narrowly focused, dealing with the relationship of a homeless girl and her dog. This is a very low budget film, but it doesn't need special effects just demands strong acting from the lead role of Wendy played beautifully by Michelle Williams. This movie sheds a spotlight on several issues including homelessness, the struggles of being gainfully employed in tough times, the loss of someone we love, and the tough decisions we must make sometimes in life. This movie is not for everyone, but if you are an animal lover, an indy lover, or a lover of good and original cinema, get out the tissues and get ready to ball your eyes out you won't be disappointed.

I Capture the Castle

So I watched "I capture the castle" from 2003, starring a bunch of British actors who for the most part I am not familiar with and the kid from E.T. (Henry Thomas). To get sidetracked just a little before the review, if you look at the list of young stars who Spielberg has worked with he has spotted some kids who actually have made careers as actors including Dakota Fanning, Drew Barrymore, and most notably Christian Bale (empire of the sun- great flick!). So is it good, I say yes. This movie is sort of a romantic comedy that takes place in the 1930's in England. It is humorous especially in the early moments of the movie, and as the film progresses gets more serious and more about discovering love and the way love affects everyone differently and can change, grow, be confusing, painful, and well die out sometimes. So is this movie for everyone, well no. This movie I would say is geared more towards the Jane Austin crowd, and anyone else may groan during it. I am not a huge chick flick guy or a Jane Austin guy, but I enjoyed it. It is an interesting story, the period is represented beautifully and authentically, and the characters are for the most part very fascinating especially the father, played by the one guy I really knew in this flick, Bill Nighy. So if you find yourself having high tea while playing croquet and being bohemian than turn this movie on some night you should enjoy it.

Ratatouille

So I watched 2008's oscar winner for best animated feature film Ratatouille. So is this movie good, I say once oui, bon tre bon. I think this movie is an instant classic, and is one that does not just appeal to kids and most adults, but in particular to gourmets, which I am. This movie captures perfectly what it is like to be in love with food. It defines the dividing line between what is eating to survive and surviving to eat. About the only character I had a problem with is Linguine, which I didn't dig. The character didn't seem up to the standards of the others, and he does share the lead with Patton Oswalt's wonderful Remy the rat. Besides from that I literally loved every single second of this movie. From the beautiful animation, to the clever story line, to the interesting characters, it is one of the best animated films I have seen period. Some of the people who do voices may surprise you, not in the sense they are doing this film, but in the sense that I honestly (outside of Patton Oswalt) didn't know who did the voices until I looked it up, and was very surprised. This is particularly true of Janeane Garafalo who apparently doesn't have to sound like some whinny gen x'er who smokes too much all the time. Too sum things up, I have to say, any movie that can make rats cooking in a kitchen adorable, has to be good. Why? Because if you saw that in real life all the rats in this movie would be dead not cooking. So enjoy this flick maybe even make some ratatouille yourself, because as Gusteau says anyone can cook!

the three faces of eve

So I watched 1957's "the three faces of Eve" starring Joanne Woodward. So is this movie a classic, well I say yes but not emphatically. Ms. Woodward did win an academy award for her performance as three slightly different personalities inhabiting one body, also known as multiple personality disorder. So why not emphatic in my description of this film being classic, well that has to do with what the definition of classic is. To me something that is classic never goes out of style like coca-cola or a Porsche 911. They withstand the test of time and don't lose much if anything with age. Well this movie suffers from what a lot of older movies suffer from, in my opinion, that is that they are tame by today's standards. I found this to be the case with this movie. I can't help but to think if this movie was made today it would have some cursing, nudity, sex, and maybe some real dramatic moments instead of sort of muted safe ones. I also had a problem with the opening of this movie where they go out of the way to say this isn't loosely based on a real story but is in fact taken from actual events, and even transcripts. However, I read about the woman Eve is based on, and apparently this movie left out a lot and maybe changed some relevant things pertinent to her case. I think Joanne Woodward's portrayal of Eve in all her forms was o.k. I personally think Eddie Murphy did a much better job of portraying multiple characters in "the nutty professor", but where is his academy award. Huh I wan to know, it's all politics with the academy. So it's good, it's still watchable but it is not awesome, but being watchable 50 some odd years later does qualify a movie as a classic to some degree. I recommend watching it, but I've seen better old flicks.

easy a

So I watched 2010's "easy A", starring the current "I'm a smart complicated actress see I have brunette hair" chick, I mean Emma Stone. So far I have seen her in other movies playing basically the same character, such as "zombieland" (which I liked) and "the rocker" which gets an enthusiastic ehhhh. So is this a good movie, I say no. However, though I think the movie is much worse than I am going to admit, I am going to do a first and see this movie through someone else's eyes. I am going to think of this movie's target audience, chiefly mildly interesting and intelligent girls in their mid teens to early thirties. This movie got some pretty warm reviews from both people on imdb and critics. I didn't like it, I could see how this movie could have been good but just not to me. The parents played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are the best part of the movie. They are the kind of parents I hope to be someday. They are warm, funny, and have an open honest relationship with their kids. The relationship between Thomas Hayden Church and his wife played by Lisa Kudrow is interesting and complex. I even appreciate the multiple homages to John Hughes and other 80's movies that are similar to this one. Overall though I just didn't say wow. But that brings us back to the target audience. Look if you are a female in the age range listed above (and even outside of this range( you will probably like this movie regardless of personal possibly esoteric movie standards. If you are someone enthralled by 80's teen movies you might get a kick out of this. If you like barely legal hot chicks and dudes playing high school kids you might satisfy your personal fetish. However, If you watch only weird indy flicks or a lot of action/thriller movies, you will either hate it or be like me and say "my life isn't better or worse for having seen this and I didn't try to commit ritual suicide during it, so ehhhhhhhhhh; but really mean eh (which is not as good as ehhhhhhhh.)

the runaways

So I watched the movie "the runaways" based on the book by Cherie Currie and released in 2010. So is it good, I say ehhh. It is an indy film and one that got some critical praise, but for me it was just o.k. This really sucks, I wanted to love this film because well it is a rock chick movie, with a very hot make-out scene involving a young Dakota Fanning (who is growing up before our eyes) and that depressing vampire chick Kristen Stewart, truly awesome music including the stooges and the sex pistols, and well in general sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. So you think with that pedigree it would rock. And at first this movie did, but then it just got sort of boring (even with the drug abuse) toward the middle of the movie and just stayed that way, flat. The acting is pretty good, and the casting of Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley was perfect. If you want to get a sense of the real Kim Fowley watch a good documentary called "Mayor of the Sunset Strip" about Rodney Bingenheimer, who played a role in the runaways career as well. Some might find this movie awesome, and I would not discourage someone from watching it and forming their own opinion, but when I hit pause to go do the dishes when there is a fucked up Dakota Fanning in lingerie in front of me you know there has to be something missing.

the secret in their eyes.

So I saw "the secret in their eyes" from 2009. So is it good, I say Si! This movie is from Argentina and enlightened me in ways that I never knew possible, chiefly that Argentina has a film industry. Once I got past this shocking revelation I was ready to watch the movie. So this movie won awards all over the globe including the Oscar for best foreign film, and literally every award offered by the Argentinian film awards (which suggests to me maybe Argentina doesn't have a film industry so much as makes a movie a year). This movie was one of the best I have seen in years. It has flash backs that are actually purposeful and not confusing. It has humor. It has suspense. It has mystery. It has not one but two great love stories. It has violence. And it brought me into the world of Argentina, a world I am not that familiar with other than the rumors that Hitler is secretly living there. I loved this movie, from the first shot to the ending, that I thought would be all typical Hollywood bull crap, but surprised me completely and made me go "hmmmmm.. I did not see that coming," which is something I wish I could say more often with thrillers. This movie is a must see unless you hate subtitles. I can see Hollywood making a version of this and ruining it, so see it before Hollywood rapes and kills this movie. Oh and by the way that is the main plot of the movie (the rape and kill thing not the Hollywood thing) so if that makes you squeamish, that may be another reason not to see it.

how to train your dragon

So I saw "How to train your dragon", from 2010. So is it a good movie. Well the answer is no. O.K this movie is visually stunning, but with the evolotion of CGI, these incredible to look at movies are becoming common place. Also this is a kid's movie, and yeah if I was a small child I might think wow this is awesome, but I am not. There are movies which cross the divide between toddler and adult, for instance the original Shrek or even Shrek II (when the cops found a bag of catnip on puss'n'boots and he says "thats not mine" is just awesome). Hell, I even loved all three toy story movies. Granted you could say I have a problem with the kids all having American accents, but even if I accept this because it is a movie, why do the adult Vikings talk with Scottish accents. Shouldn't they sound more like the swedish chef from the muppets, now that's funny. This story will probably play over well with average people and kids. However, if you are an adult, and don't have a dragon fetish, this is just the same old story about how we don't always know someone, until we get to know them, and a monster is not always a monster. Unless I was planning to do some hallucinogens while listening to pink floyd, while this was on in the background, it is just not worth seeing. If you have a family or are not into truly interesting cinema maybe this movie is your cup of tea. If you are a hipster who enjoys movies like the original shrek, you will probably be disappointed.

dogtooth

So I saw the greek film "dogtooth" from 2009. Dogtooth was nominated for several awards including an oscar and won several other awards. So is this movie good. I found it to be extremely good and very refreshing. I have literally not seen anything even remotely like this film in my life. The story is beyond quirky, as well as perverted, sadistic, with moments that can make you feel a little squeamish, all without being a horror movie, in fact I found this movie to be very comical. The basic premise is about a family where the children have been isolated their entire lives from reality. The movie shows what happens when a father and mother team up to teach their children their own version of reality, including a vocabulary existing of well existing words, but with the family's own definition. For example keyboard means vagina in their world. I won't go into the incredibly complex plot or what happens, but I will say this movie touches on taboo subjects such as incest. So is this movie for everyone, HELL NO! This movie is not just somewhat cerebral it is both disturbing at times and highly avant-garde. This movie would best be enjoyed by those who are not shocked easily, and prefer cinema that is both artsy and original. If you are not one of these types, I cannot see you liking this film and may even be offended by it.

micmacs

So I watched the french movie from 2009 "Micmacs", directed by the very talented Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Jeunet has given us the cult classic delicatessen, the award winning Amelie, as well as several other great films. In looking over his biography I can't think of one of his films I did not like. He has a very unique style, like Burton or even Wes Anderson, in the sense that if you know his work at all you will know this is one of his films. Whether you knew this in advance or not. This was the case with me, I just heard it was good, but about 10 minutes in I just knew, it was a Jeunet, it had both his visual stamp and collection of odd characters. So is this movie good, I say "Oui"!, tre bien. This movie has a unique feel and look, it has an excellent plot, is wonderfully crafted, the characters are all unique and likable (except for the bad guys), and this movie tackles very relevant global issues, but does so without being heavy handed or obvious about it. It is in french with sub-titles. This is one of those movies that most people will never see, but could only benefit from being exposed to its humor, its artistry and, its message.

Disney's a Christmas Carol

So I saw disney's a Christmas carol from from 2009, starring Jim Carrey and directed by oscar winner Robert Zemeckis. So is it good. I say indeed not humbug. It was good. I saw some reviews which said it was a little dark but that is one of the things I liked about it. I am not religious, and I sprung forth from the loins of jews, but this has always been one of my favorite stories. It can be a little dark, but in the end Scroge wakes up and its still Christmas day, he hasn't missed it! I saw the preview for this film, when I went to see Avatar in 3d, and having seen the movie in 2d I think it is one of those flicks where the 3d makes the movie that much more of a visual feast for the eyes. The animation quality is mixed for me, Robert Zemeckis is kind of a master of getting details down in terms of look, but I have found the character's motions here, and in his other CGI driven movies, to be kind of clunky. But I thought it was very true to the original, very creative, visually stunning, and very likable. It is a good flick I hope it is enjoyed by people of all faiths around the holidays for years to come.

thor

So I saw Thor in 3d and released in 2011. So did I like it. Well before I answer that let me say I am not opposed to watching the odd popcorn big budget bonanza, but as my blog states, I shoot more for quality overall than just great special effects. So my girl had free tickets and that is why we went. So did I like it? Well if you don't take it seriously it is kind of funny, something I hoped legendary Kenneth Branagh (who directed this film) intended. Oddly he was a perfect choice for this film considering the Thor planet parts with Sir Anthony Hopkins play more like Shakespeare. Is it really good, no. Is it worth it to see it in 3d, no. Some movies like avatar are meant to be seen in 3d, where it is much more than a gimmick. This movie if you see it in the theaters, save the cash see it in 2d you won't be missing anything. Otherwise the special effects are great, and the acting is not horrible. I kind of thought of it as a modern day "flash gordon." It is a little cheesy, a little over the top, but if you find it funny it is enjoyable, just don't tell anyone I said that.

Flags of Our Fathers

So i saw "Flags of Our Fathers" from 2006, and directed by legendary film maker Clint Eastwood. I have always personally hated Clint Eastwood, not because of his movies mind you, wait wait wait this is starting to sound like the last review I just did, deja vu? No it is because Flags of our fathers is the companion piece to the far superior Letters From Iwo Jima, both were released in 2006. So is it good well I say ehhh. So why is this one only a 6.5 on an Imdb scale for me (an ehhh on my scale), and not an 8 like "letters", well I don't know. This movie had good acting, and the story was interesting, but it just didn't do it for me. It is not a bad movie per se, it just didn't work for me. The action sequences are beautifully shot, the directing is at the hands of a master of his craft, it just didn't vibe for me as much as letters from Iwo Jima. I did like how the movie sort of exposed that the celebrity of the men, that the government claimed were the men in that famous photo, was sort of manufactured to inspire patriotism. Look, if you like watching war movies I think this movie will not disappoint. And I think it is worth seeing especially with its companion, if for no other reason than to compare and contrast the two starkly different perspectives and portrays of the same event.

Letters from Iwo Jima

So I saw letters from iwo jima from 2006, directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood. I have always personally hated Clint Eastwood, not because of his movies mind you, he actually is extremely talented and makes great movies especially since "unforgiven." No I hate him because he is a pretty good looking tough guy, and well to get back to what I said in that last sentence he is also really talented, intelligent, an accomplished musician, and he was mayor of Carmel California jut to give a little something back. Of course you can see why a man who's greatest accomplishment thus far has been this blog, would hate such a man. So back on track this movie was awesome. It was part of a two movie series including flags of our fathers(which I also review), about oddly enough the battle of Iwo Jima. First off this movie is beautifully shot, it is mostly done in this sort of colorful black and white (a paradox of sorts), I want to say he did this both to capture the time this movie takes place in since movies were in black in white then, and to really spotlight how desolate and bleak this island of rock seems to be, as well as the bleakness of the situation (well from a Japanese perspective). Secondly, as someone who speaks Japanese, I can say it is beautifully acted; by the way this movie is almost entirely in Japanese, except in scenes involving Americans. Finally, the story is great, it is truthful and gives us a sense of another perspective (if you are American or European). It does not portray the Japanese as evil so much as dutifully patriotic. I highly recommend this movie, though the more jingoistic of us will not appreciate the sacrifice the Japanese made as well during WWII, this is a more cerebral war movie, and one I think may possibly be a little bit of a cult classic someday.

The Great Escape

So I watched 1963's "The Great Escape", starring dead people who include Steve Mcqueen. So is this movie a classic, well I say yes. If you watch this movie you may find yourself saying ohh.. that's where that came from (in reference to any number of movies and tv shows that have paid homage to this movie including say the Simpsons). The whistled theme is just awesome something I have whistled since I was a kid. The movie is true to the original true story. It is very well acted. Exciting from beginning to end, and does not have a happy ending (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Well why not because sometimes it is more about the journey in life than the destination, and the creative forces and sheer will of these men to escape from their German captors makes for great movie watching. I say see it young or old, male or female, this truly is a classic.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

So I watched Scott Pilgrim vs. the World from 2010. This falls under
the indy movie category for me, so was it good I say yes. I am getting
older (not old yet) and though I have a wii, I am not video game dude
nor am I a comic book junkie. However, this movie had great acting, an
interesting premise, was well done and extremely creative, and very
enjoyable from start to finish. My one complaint is sometimes it was a
little too much. What that means exactly is it moved like a video game
fast and with constant activity and no time to breath. But then again
that may be the point, but then again this is a movie, not a video
game. This is a movie for hipsters,video game freaks, and comic book guys
(and gals). The fight sequences are very refreshing and there is both
great humor and several good love stories. This movie seems very youth
oriented, but as I said I am not as young as I once was and am no
longer this movies key demographic and I had a blast watching it.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

So I revisited one of my favorite movies "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai", well is it an indy classic, well i say hai (that's yes gaijin)! What makes this the best movie that Jim Jarmusch has done (which is a list that includes so many greats including broken flowers, down by law, coffee and cigarettes, and dead man) is just well everything. The plot that borrows both from the Japanese books rashomon and he hagakure is brilliant, the acting is top notch. The title character is played by Forrest Whitaker in a performance that is just as compelling as his portrayal of Idi Amin. The first musical score by the RZA fits so perfectly that it is one of those times when I have to say the movie would have lost something (thought not much), if it was not there. The use of old cartoons for whatever reason is brilliant. The odd characters that pop up throughout the film are one of the things Jarmusch does brilliantly and this movie is no exception, and the ending is perfect. What else can I say oh yeah did I say brilliant yet!! Look if you only love chick flicks this is not your movie. If you only watch popcorn flicks maybe this movie is beyond you, but if you are part of the semi intellectual hipster crowd that is my demographic and you have not seen this movie, run don't walk to your netflix cue and love this masterpiece too.

The Kids Are All Right

So I watched the indy powerhouse that is "the kids are all alright" from 2010. Well was it all alright, well yeah it was really alright. Ok outside of being a year away from opening my first restaurant (yeah !!!), the character portrayed by Mark Ruffalo reminded me of myself, but this movie is just good. Is it as good as the hype, well no. I think the gay community loves it when a movie shows just how much a gay couple can have all the trials and tribulations of a straight marriage, so it got a lot of buzz. But then again movies like this do just that, help break down the walls of misunderstanding and show us that marriages can have control freaks, parents who drink but are not raging alcoholics (but do maybe like their wine a little too much), have kids that aren't perfect but are also pretty great, and can survive an affair. This movie is warm, sweet, and enjoyable. It puts on display the new America where a family isn't always what the "bible" had in mind. I say unless you lean way to the right you should at least moderately enjoy this flick if not just flat out love it.

A town called panic

So I just came out of retirement and reviewed the horrible salt. I need a movie that doesn't suck. So I give you the crazy ass french stop motion animation flick called " A town called panic" from 2009. This movie has been described as surreal, i just call it awesome. What I loved about this movie is it made no sense, well so did salt but i hated that, so why did I love this one? Well because it is not supposed to make sense, It is just a crazy film with a crazy adventure that all starts when someone orders way too many bricks and the movie just keeps rocking from there. It is in french so don't watch if you don't like subtitles and don't get an english version, it is animation but I can't see anyone portraying the zaniness of these characters other than the original actors, all though it may be possible. Look if you like to just have good clean fun, or you like to enhance your movie going experience through chemical experiments, or you just love good art that doesn't beat you over the head with how smart it is than kickback and laugh.

salt

Alright one reader I am out of retirement. So what movie is so powerful it could drive me out of my golden critical slumber it is "salt". So salt is not critically acclaimed, it is not a classic in the making, and it is not an indy, what it is is a movie that sucks. I mean really sucks. Its premise, about a sleeper cell of russian agents hell bent on bringing down America would have flown 25 years ago, but not now. The action sequences were laughable. I mean fine we are almost always supposed to believe people can do things in these movies that would kill other people but come on this Russian bitch jumped from truck to truck on a highway like it was nothing after jumping onto a truck from an overpass. One of the things I will always love about "diehard" is that by the end Bruce Willis was so badly bruised, bloody, and beaten it was plausible that this man went through what he did. The fact that Angelina Jolie still had perfect makeup after this ordeal tells me one thing, people don't pay to see an ugly Angelina Jolie just ask the people who made "a mighty heart", which by the way did not suck, this did stay away unless you don't mind a horrible plot, laughable heroics, and plot twists that leave you saying "i saw that coming"!!