Run Lola Run This one came from my girlfriends queue, but the ironic part was she had work to do last night, so I ended up watching it (sort of) by myself. I was all good though, she said she'd seen it already and really just liked the soundtrack (which is quite impressive by the way).The concept behind this movie was pretty cool. Rather than being one continuous story, it's sort of variations on the same thing. It's also got kind of a quirky/artsy side to it that the indy fans should dig. My only gripe about the movie is that it feels a bit drawn out, more than my patience could tolerate. The sad part is I usually say that about 120 minute movies, not 80 minute flicks like this one. So, as long as you keep the fast forward button handy, this one's a smooth, enjoyable ride.
Mindhunters Not bad: decent plot, plenty of entertainment, and nothing too corny. This one surely won't make it into anyones "best of all-time" category, but that doesn't mean it's a total waste of time; quite the contrary in fact. It'll not only keep you on the edge of your seat, but'll keep you guessing right up until the very end. I liked it.
Corpse Bride Caught this one while down in Philly last weekend. It wasn't really my choice to check it out, one of those going along with the group things… it was painful.The animation and storyline were nice, but essentially this movie is a musical, and they waste not time making that apparent. If memory serves me correctly, the opening dialogue is a song, which hit me like flying ninja star. First off, I want to see this movie about as bad I want to get my colon cleaned, and then I find out it's a musical within the first 30 seconds. It's like being coerced in skydiving even though your scared of heights, and then, right as your feet leave the plane, realising your parachute is broken - it's gonne be a long, downhill journey. My only laugh came with the help of Ron Burgundy: There's a scene in which Emily (the Corpse Bride) is talking to Scraps (the dead dog) looking for advice. She asks hime a question, and he barks in response. I gave a small chuckle as I pictured her saying, "Oh, Scraps, you know I don't speak Spanish!" :)
Mad Hot Ballroom My girlfriend took me to see this one last night. Being that she's from Washington Heights, she was especially excited to check it out. I thought the documentary was great: it was well put together and, while having some pretty serious undertones, you couldn't help but fall in love with the kids.On the surface, the movie was about the ballroom dance programs of various elementary schools around New York City. It's also, however, a look into cultural diversity of the city; as well as, to some extent, the differing growing pains that come with particular neighborhoods. Based on many of the contextual clues and interviews with the children, it's obvious that kids growing up in Washington Heights face a much different world than those from the other schools. For example, it's relatively easy to deduce that the stability of their home life isn't what it is for the students in Brooklyn or Tribeca. … I'll leave the over-analysis to someone who can actually write. I will say, however, that if you're looking for a fun movie this is it.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou I'm not quite sure how I feel about this movie. For me it was really a typical Wes Anderson production - one that at first I didn't like, but over time I began to challenge my own opinion of and eventually neither liked nor disliked it. His films, and this one is no different, really sit in this quasi gray area.Like with all Anderson films, I feel like Life Aquatic has some deeper meaning that I don't quite get yet, and this mystery is really the reason I can't quite dislike it; or, rather, that I'm inclined to like it. Thus, if you don't like Wes Anderson or you don't like movies that don't quite make sense, don't see it. Otherwise, enjoy… or at least try to.
A Lot Like Love Yet another girlie flick. I caught this one with my girlfriend and her family last night. This one was actually fairly painless and, I gotta admit, sorta touched me. Don't worry, I'm as startled as you are to hear me just say that, but it's true. The relationship between the couple was really cool: rooted in friendship and not too serious. They were able to grow seperately and by acts of God (and some Hollywood writer) their paths crossed at just the right time(s) - so perfect.But I digress&hellp; Overall a decent movie. I'd only recommend checking it out if you were in my position: filled with so much food you can't move, and since your significant other is already there with you, you don't really want to move anyway (in which case there could be total static on the television and you'd probably watch that for two hours just the same).
A Very Long Engagement I would never rent something like this… but my girlfriend would, and did late last week. Overall, not a bad movie; I'd classify it as a whatever : I'm not mad that I saw it, but will certainly try to avoid ever seeing it again. Although the plot didn't necessarily drag, it was a bit long for my tastes. I think it was the fact that to me, it felt like a real girlie flick - something I have only so much patience for.Bottom line: fellas, if you're looking to bring one home for the lady, this one'll do the trick without completely killing you.
Born Rich I picked this one up (err, added it to my queue rather) because my girlfriend works for Johnson & Johnson and I figured she'd enjoy it (yea yea, she does have her own queue, but still); turns out she'd already seen it when it aired on HBO. She played along though and watched it with me anyway :)This movie has an understandable mediocracy that makes it difficult to asses. Was it good? Ahh, it was alright. Is it worth watching? Yea, if you don't have anything too much better to do. The thing is, Jamie (the director) makes an attempt to find some epiphany about being born wealthy, but doesn't quite hit the nail on the head. And rightfully so: you're not going to get complete honesty when talking about money and personal well being on film. These kids essentially have to do nothing and they'll make millions - what's there to talk about?!?! I imagine the deepest, darkest feelings that Jamie was trying to elicit from his friends can only come from knowing them for years, and in incredibly private and personal situations (or just drunk I suppose). So, while it was nice to hear from each of the interviewees, you just don't get anything too deep from them. Before I popped the DVD in though, I figured this would be the case, so I can't be too disapointed. So no, it's not a documentary of epic proportions, but it's also not a complete waste of your time if you watch it. And if you've ever had weathly friends or been around wealth, it's an interesting take on something you've probably already seen.
Cursed This, the first movie to arrive from my girlfriend's queue, is non other than a Wes Craven film! I couldn't believe it. She'd setup the queue prior to going to DC, so this was purely by chance. Needless to say this one was entertaining, yet hella corny; don't get it unless you absolutely have to.
6ixtynin9 I'd seen the trailer for this one while in Australia a few years back; it aired on SBS one night, but I'd missed it and have been wanting to see it ever since. I had no idea what the film was about, it was the title that first caught my attention :) I'd figured it couldn't be what I was thinking of though, as it did air on public television. Alas, Netflix to the rescue to satiate my burning curiosity.First off, turns out the title isn't really "69," as the English translation would have you to believe. It's rather, "Funny Story Six Nine," or, "A Funny Story About Six and Nine." As I said earlier, since I wasn't expecting a Max Harcore flick, I was neither excited nor dissapointed to find this out. Up until about the last two minutes of the film, I was ready to say that this movie was the best one I've seen in a long time. After those two minutes, however, the mailman couldn't come fast enough to pick up the return envelope. After keeping it so thoroughly gangsta throughout the entire film, Tum gets soft. And they didn't even throw in an alternate ending to make the more savage, cold hearted of us happy. What the…?!?! Even with that though, I recommend you check this one out. There are a ton of plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. The acting is great (remember though, that's coming from a non-Thai speaking person), the production is top notch, and, again, the story line takes you on quite an adventure. Looking for a good movie off the beaten path, look no further.
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