harlan county U.S.A

So I watched the 1977 academy award winner for best documentary, "Harlan County U.S.A" directed by Barbara Kopple. So was it good, yeah it was pretty good. It was not one of my favorite documentaries, but it was enjoyable, informative, and had some real life drama. So basically this movie is about the plight of the Kentucky coal miner, but on a deeper level, it is also about the division between labor and the supplier's of capital in this country. This movie gives us a glimpse into not just the lives of these people, but their struggles over the years going back to the early days of unions in this country. We see how these men toil day in and day out in these mines, only to more than likely die from any number of things but namely "black lung". We see how the rich owners of this mine just don't seem to care about the health and safety of their workers, or about giving them a fair share of the pie. We get a glimpse at corruption at the corporate level as well as in government. Towards the end of the movie something substantial happens which finally brings this nearly year long strike to an end. I won't spoil it, but if Hollywood wrote I would say what B.S, but it happened and because of it the union boys got what they wanted. We also see that even though the strike at the heart of this film is over, the struggle for fair wages, good working conditions, and union rights is never over it seems. My only gripe was with the depressing as all hell hillbilly music, most of which made me feel suicidal. But some may really like that music. I know there is a version of "oh death" in this film, and normally I love it (at least the version by Ralph Stanley), but hated how the singers reminded me how depressing a tune it is in reality. Otherwise this is a great film, but I personally have seen better but not necessarily more powerful documentaries.

superheroes

So I watched HBO's 2011 documentary called superheroes. So was it good, I say up up and away (is that what superman used to say?) or in other words good. This documentary exposed me to a phenomena that I did not know existed, where people take the liking of superheroes way to far. Well that's not entirely true I saw a Mexican documentary a few years back, about Mexican wrestlers who were just people with a cause and a mask to draw attention to themselves called "super amigos", that was also very interesting and good. Basically this documentary is about a bunch of vigilantes most of whom are either out of shape, old, or drunks. There was a team out of New York which was actually composed of some very organized highly trained bad asses. But for the most part these are people with a super hero fetish who are just trying to do some good. My favorite line from the doc was when a super hero was describing his day it went as follows. "he's a regular guy who gets up,.... says goodbye to his girlfriend....., and goes out on the streets in costume." Then the documentarian asks "So you have a girlfriend?", and the super hero replies, "No ... I was just speaking metaphorically." I think that one line says it all, these guys are pretty fucking out there. However, they do good, they seem to help homeless people and shine a light on a common problem in this world, which is that most people turn a blind eye to injustice in this world including cops. So is this movie for everyone, well maybe some comic book geeks may be offended, but it has a good mix of entertainment value and educational value as well (it is a documentary after all). So most people should find something to like about this flick I know I did.

unstoppable

So I watched 2010's train movie unstoppable starring Denzel Washington and directed by Tony Scott. So was it good, well no it get's an ehhh from me. This is Denzel's second mass transit movie in the last couple of years the other being the mediocre remake of "the taking of Pelham 123" (by the same director I may add, what's next a remake of speed). I am not a fan of Tony Scott's movies for the most part with a few exceptions the man gave us "the hunger", "true Romance", and one of my favorite movies of all time "man on fire" also starring Denzel. So if you go to rotten tomatoes you see this flick got an 86% approval rating and is one point shy of a 7 (or the starting point of good in my opinion) on IMDB. However, if you look at the reviews themselves most of them say the same thing, which was "well he did the best he could with a pretty weak premise". Well what is the premise? The answer is a true life tale of a train in Ohio which was unmanned for almost 70 miles, and because of the stupidity of the conductor who left the train to begin with, was traveling at full throttle. All this while carrying a dangerous chemical that could kill us all! So a couple of brave souls got the train to stop. Well this movie did its best to make that boring yet interesting story well not so boring (at the end of day its still just a train on you know tracks going slower than my grandmother used to drive). This movie has conflict, suspense, redemption, selfless heroics, and an executive making all the wrong decisions because he is a douche, you name it the Hollywood formulas are all crammed in here. What it doesn't have is well, that quality that makes an action movie good. I guess go back and watch "man on fire" to get what I am saying, because I don't know how to put it in words; I guess the word Zaz comes to mind. This movie is very skippable, it is not the worst peace of crap I have seen lately, but as I said you may watch it and hear yourself uttering ehhh as well.

the long good friday

So I just saw the classic british gangster flick "the long good friday" from 1980, starring Bob Hoskins and a very cute Helen Mirren. So was it good, I think it was bloody terrific. I have always been a fan of british gangster flicks, I don't know if it is the accents or the propensity for violence mixed with smart dialog, but everything from "sexy beast" to one of my favorite films of all time "lock stock and two smoking barrels" I find just wonderful. So speaking of "lock" the actor who played one of my favorite characters from that film "hatchet Harry" (P.H. Moriarty) plays a great thug named "razors" in this film. This is one of those films where you are better off not knowing the plot at all, this film is a roller coaster ride and a mystery wrapped up in one violent package. All I can say is outside of the very 80's theme song (which wasn't completely horrible) I loved this film. It is stylish, has a very simple but original story line, has great acting, and has a very very satisfying ending. Any movie that I can watch where I can't predict what's coming next is generally pretty good in my opinion. In addition to all this movie has going for it look for a very young Pierce Brosnan in one of his first roles ever. He plays a critical part in this film, but does not even speak one line, which is ironic for a man known as much for his voice as he is for his looks. There is one other thing, being a bit of an anglophile, I can understand both accents and obscure references related to the British, but there were times I wish there were subtitles in this film. Look if you love gangster flicks or violent crime dramas in general, I don't see why you won't like or even love this film. Outside of no one being on cell phones and that very very 80's theme song (which actually I kind of enjoyed though I am not proud to admit this) I think this is a gangster classic that has stood the test of time.

city island

So I watched 2009's indy comedy "city Island", starring the under appreciated Andy Garcia. So was it good, yes not only was it good it was borderline great. This is one of the most original comedies to come about in a long time. This film is not of the raunchy comedy genre that has been so popular in recent years, but rather is a heartfelt portrayal of a family that is just too afraid to talk to each other and keeps many secrets. The movie centers around a secret love child the lead character played by Garcia had before he met his current wife, but found during his duties as a prison guard (I'm sorry I mean corrections officer). He brings this young man into his home and from there all the secrets that this family tries it best to keep from each other slowly come to light. This movie is very intelligent and is beautifully acted (great cast overall), with little side stories which range from the bizarrely beautiful to somewhat moving. "City Island" won the audience award at the Tribeca film festival and I can see why, this is not just one of the best comedies I have seen in a while, but one of the better movies in general I have seen of late. So now is this movie for everyone, well I think it should have broad appeal. It is intelligent, funny, well shot, well cast, and all while not being over anyone's head. The director and writer of this movie did another film I had similar feelings for called "Two family house." So whatever your personal tastes unless you are only into flicks that have the word "saw" in the title you should like if not love this flick.

outsourced

So I watched 2006's under the radar comedy gem "outsourced" directed and starring a bunch of people no one has ever heard of. So is it good, I say namaste bitches, or yes. Now is it great, well no. Was this movie a refreshing surprise I say indeed. Alright this movie is indy fare that did lead to what I believe was a pretty mediocre sitcom that got canceled after one season. This movie itself has sort of a made for TV look. This movie could have easily been bad, it could have been cheesy, but it is not. What it is is somewhat delightful, somewhat unpredictable, informative (in that we learn a little about Indian culture), and overall a pleasant funny little film. What I liked best about this movie was the authenticity, it was filmed on location, and we get a real sense of India and its people. So now the basics, the lead character Todd gets shipped to India by a patriotic kitsch company who now makes all its products in China and is about to outsource its customer service to India. He is sent to India to train his own replacement and the hilarity ensues. This is not a slapstick comedy but just a good lighthearted movie. Now is this movie for everyone, well no actually for an indy film this isn't very indy. This movie lies in a gray area where hardcore indy fans will turn their noses up to it, while the philistines who would normally flock to something like this may find some of this movie a little too dry and intelligent for their tastes (even though it is not high brow). This is why this movie probably never found an audience. However, I liked it, critics liked it, and the other amateur critics of this world liked it. I would even say this is a great date movie. So don't be afraid or put off by the gray zone this film occupies in the film world and give it a chance you may just see with your third eye you really liked this flick as well.

Animal Kingdom

So I watched Australia's 2010 winner for best picture "Animal Kingdom". So was it good, I say throw another shrimp on the barbie and enjoy this great flick. Now is this film perfect, no it could be a bit slow at times for a crime saga, and seems to have gaps in the plot where the audience is supposed to catch on to what happened at some point in the past (which is fine I could keep up). That being said this movie is highly original, well acted, well written, and well directed. I can see why it got so much acclaim in it's native Australia. I particularly liked how it started off with the potential of developing into a crime drama where the main character, a 16 year old named J, is brought in to learn the family trade and nothing else, but skewed off that plot point quickly. I expected to see robberies because this is what the family does. However, what we get instead is the aftermath of one of their scores we don't even really learn about it other than to see some money being counted out early on in this film. Instead J is thrust into this world after his mom dies and we go through a range of emotions and action as the family takes on the police hell bent on taking them down one way or another. So with that being said, this movie on my own IMDB would normally be a 7, but when the ending comes it comes at you hard and fast, and I did see it coming, but only moments before it happened. So if you take everything into consideration this goes down as one of the most original crime thrillers of all time. "Animal Kingdom" is not necessarily the best, but definitely one of the most original and no matter what a must see for both intellectuals and crime film fans.

The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia

So I watched 2002's "The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia" directed by Jennifer Baichwal. So was it good, I say yes but not great, and actually just barely good. This movie mostly struck me as pretentious people commenting on the validity of photographing hillbillies. In this film we are even given the definition of a hillbilly by a PHD oooooh, I'll let the filmmaker in on a little secret everyone fucking knows what a hillbilly is. This documentary reflects on the relationship between photographer Shelby Lee Adams' and his subjects of thirty some odd years the mountain folk of Appalachia. He has an honest and true regard for these people having come from this breed of people I guess, however I do not share his love of these creatures. Look we all have flaws and we all have strengths, however I think most hillbillies are racist, undereducated, under motivated, drug addicted, often incestuous, cretins. I fear this type of people because any contact I have with this breed of American has reinforced the stereotypes of them, and their portrayal in this documentary did nothing to change that opinion. This movie is very dry and very boring, but it is a valid exercise in the documentary genre and is an interesting subject overall. However, I personally recommend the "The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia", if you want to see a documentary on hillbillies. It is more fast paced, has good music, and in general gives a more honest portrayal of what a hillbilly is in my opinion. So watch both, I think it is a good way to compare and contrast two sides of the same coin.

the town

So I watched "the town" written, starring, and directed by the poor man's Matt Damon, Ben Affleck. I am not a huge fan of Ben Affleck, he has done some good work chiefly "Good Will Hunting", but overall his work is more like the idiotic Paycheck (I have got to read the Philip K. Dick story it is based on it can't be as bad as the movie). So is it good, well yes and no. It is a brilliant, taught, suspensful, well acted crime drama. It also has an interesting twist in that Ben Affleck's character falls in love with a hostage he takes on one of his bank jobs. However, what happens later in the movie is complete and total B.S. I am not going to say it, anyone who has read a review or two of mine knows I try to stay away from specific plot points and sometimes even the plot in general. I don't like to spoil the adventure, but Ann if you read this review just remember you dumped me for no reason at all, you need to take a lesson from the forgiving woman played well by Rebecca Hall. Yeah I said it. Anyways, back to the review. This movie is one of several recent gritty movies to take place in the bad part of Boston where apparently America's non hillbilly white trash settle down (read my review of Eddie Coyle). So this is a good movie, with one glaring unrealistic aspect, but if you can get past that, and if you like crime dramas you should like this movie. Kudos Mr. Affleck you are apparently more gifted than most of your film roles would lead the general public to believe.

rango

So I watched Rango from 2011 and starring Johnny Depp. So was this movie good, I say yes you bastards, sorry I tend to curse when I channel the voice of Dr. Duke. I am perhaps a little bit biased in my assessment of this film, I do have a very brief cameo in it. Look for me in the beginning I am driving the Cadillac with my lawyer in the back seat. This is a kids film, but fortunately it is one of those films the adults can enjoy as well (the fact that I am in it should tell you that). The story is very predictable and has been done a million times in a million movies. We have a fish out of water (well lizard), who pretends to be something he is not, gets caught eventually, but comes back to both redeem himself and save the day and of course gets the girl. However, it is the original take on this premise as well as the subtle deeper thoughts that this movie touches on that makes it good. It also is one of the most beautifully animated films I have seen yet. I heard this movie is spectacular in 3D, which is something I would not doubt. So this movie is well shot, well written, and well acted, it has great and original characters, and in general is really good for a kids movie. I will say this critters die in this flick something I was not expecting in a kids movie. But then again it is not graphic and we are talking about birds and other such critters so unless your kid doesn't understand why grandma can't come over for the holidays anymore, don't worry about your kids watching this film. Most people should enjoy this film it is very enjoyable on many different levels and as I said visually stunning. So go watch enjoy whatever your personal movie preferences are.

It's kind of a funny story

So I watched "it's kind of a funny story" from 2010 starring one of my favorite comedians Zach Galifianakis and some kid. So was it good, I say hell yeah this movie was great it's almost worthy of a non skewed 8 on IMDB. I say almost just because it is really really good but not like classic good. This film is truly of the indy variety and one of my favorite films that I have seen recently. It is imaginative, original, well written, well shot, well acted, you name it. This movie touches on some very sensitive subject matter as it does take place almost entirely in a psych ward in a hospital. This movie is the story of a teenager going through some tough times, not because he has a rough life, but because he is just feeling a lot of pressure and stress and doesn't know how to handle it. He has a good life by most anyone's account which is something he acknowledges. I grew up in a similar situation to this kid and could empathize and appreciate what he was going through. Zach plays a great supporting role opposite the kid, he is very funny at times and at other times we get a glimpse into what brought him to stay in the loony bin. This film has one of the funniest movie scenes I have seen of any movie ever and it involves a beaver (sort of). "It's" incorporates fantasy and animation beautifully on top of everything it has going for it. So now we ask is this movie for everyone, NO! This movie is esoteric and an independent film. Look if you like the pixies you will like this movie. If you just asked yourself "whats a pixies?" don't watch.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

So I watched the mega blockbuster finale to the Harry "the nerd sorcerer" Potter saga "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" from 2011. So was this movie good, I say abracadabra bitch, or yes in muggle speak. I have seen every Harry Potter movie and enjoyed them all. I especially like how the movies (and I guess the books to) have matured with each passing film. They also went from somewhat structured like in the sorcerers stone to less predictable and original as time has passed. I saw this last one in IMAX 3D, I personally found the 3D to not be mind blowing, which I think is common among films not shot in 3D. So if I was you I would save the cash and see this in regular boring ole' 2D. So this movie just like the others is a little dark, has fascinating characters, a mystery to be solved and mysteries to be revealed. This movie delivers these Harry standards in spades. This movie was enjoyable except for the final scene for me. I won't spoil it but it is taken from the final books epilogue. It seemed tacked on and kind of pointless. I personally think much like star wars we have not seen the last Harry Potter film. I see the next one coming in about 10 years after the next Harry book by Rowling comes out called "Harry Potter and the quest to find something else to write that failed and the search for more money." I think the next one should be R with a little graphic interracial (muggle on wizard) hardcore action. So this movie is a worthy ending to the series, it answers all the questions, has a wide demographic base from young to old from magic nerd to jock. So go enjoy and be nerdy for a couple of hours, but just don't start here these movies for the most part should be watched in order.