The Town - Movie Review

Ok, I just don't get it. Why did this movie get so much praise? A 94% Fresh rating on rottentomatoes.com?? Did we watch the same movie? I can't even properly review this, so I'm just going to bullet point it:

• Implausible plot - I'm sorry, but I just didn't believe it.  There is no way that criminals that are supposed to be so good at evading the FBI could be this dumb.
• Terrible acting or overacting - Seriously, what was Jon Hamm thinking?  "Oh I get to NOT be Don Draper so I better chew as much scenery as possible so people can see that I CAN not be Don Draper."  He was laughably bad.  Blake Lively and Jeremy Renner overacted too.  Ben didn't overact, but he didn't act very well.  The best of the whole bunch was the late, great Pete Postlethwaite.
• Cheeseball dialogue - Mainly spewed out by Jon Hamm.  I guess they decided that the cheesiest actor could have the cheesiest lines like this one, "This is the not fucking around crew so get me something that looks like a print because this not fucking around thing is about to go both ways."
• My favorite line in the entire movie?  When Jon Hamm says to Rebecca Hall's character after the lightbulb goes off that she warned Ben Affleck away, "You know we are a NATIONAL organization."  WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN???  So what, she can't fool you guys because you're a NATIONAL organization?  Dumbest line EVER.

So yeah, all in all I thought this film was terrible and I am completely baffled by the attention it got last year. The seeds of a good movie were there...they just didn't pull it off.

The Best Golden Globes 2011 GIFs

Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield being all cute.

Megan Fox being all scary.

Lea Michelle being all fake.

Mila Kunis and Emma Stone being all wacky.

Chris Colfer being all shocked and kissed by girls.

And finally....RDJ smiling all smarmily at Emma Stone.

(If these don't seem to be working all on the same page, please click each one individually to see the magic.)

My Top 10 Films of 2010 - Finally

Black Swan - Natalie Portman absolutely deserves the Oscar she will most likely get.

Shutter Island - I think Shutter Island actually did a MUCH better job at what Inception was TRYING to do. If that makes any sense. Plus the art direction and score are phenomenal.

The Kids Are All Right - Annette Bening is getting all the raves for this one, but can we please talk about Julianne Moore? For me her performance was the much more heartbreaking and honest of the two.

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part One - I'm dreading saying goodbye to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. This film has perfectly set us up for the final film and showed us what's really at stake in their world. Oh, and the animation sequence that explained the Deathly Hallows was gorgeous.

True Grit - I didn't care much for No Country For Old Men so was leery about seeing another Coen Brothers film but I'm sure glad I didn't miss this. Roger Deakins is a brilliant cinematographer and this film is like a showcase of everything he can do. And how fantastic was Barry Pepper??? Despite the upper echelon of actors in this film, Barry was able to steal every scene in which he appeared, which was unfortunately too few. And I can't wait to see what that Hailee Steinfeld does next.

The King's Speech - Colin Firth is doing some of the best work of his life. I wanted him to win the Oscar last year for A Single Man. He just might take it this year. What truly amazed me about this film is that director Tom Hooper was able to garner so much tension and anticipation on the simple act of a man giving a speech.

Never Let Me Go - I'm saddened by how much Mark Romanek's film was overlooked by the general public. It's a devastatingly beautiful and intellectually profound piece of art.

Nowhere Boy - Another overlooked gem. Who da thunk that boy from Kick Ass could exhibit a range that would include this searing portrait of the young John Lennon?

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - This is the one movie this year that I've found myself watching over and over and over again. It was practically ignored in the theaters but is destined to be a cult classic on DVD. Funny, clever, rocking. I love it.

The Social Network - Yes, yes Jesse Eisenberg (and his penetrating stare) was excellent in this fine Fincher film, but how about that Andrew Garfield? He was the heart of this heartless story and between his performance in this and in Never Let Me Go, I can't wait to see his Spiderman!

My 10 Most Favoritest Christmas Movies

It's a Wonderful Life
I fell in love with Jimmy Stewart quite young in life and I must have watched the scene where he as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary walk home from the dance and throw rocks at the Old Granville House a bazillion times.  I adore that scene.  It's so sweet and romantic and goofy and perfect. I know that once upon a time this film was played nearly non-stop on TV during the holidays, but now that they only play it once a year it has recaptured it's specialness.  It should be watched as a family event.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
I love when Charlie Brown and Linus go pick out a Christmas tree.  "I suggest we try those searchlights, Charlie Brown."  Yes, Linus, you're so smart.

Little Women (1994)
Some years ago watching this film together became a sorta Christmas tradition for me and my best friend Jen. I always moon over Christian Bale as Laurie, and she moons over Gabriel Byrne as Professer Bhaer.  It's gotten harder in recent years because we no longer live in the same city.  But I can always watch this film if I want to feel like she's near and it's great at Christmas.

Elf
I love how quickly this film has become a Christmas classic.  Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Buddy the Elf.

The Family Stone
This film got terrible reviews when it came out in 2005 but I love it and now I watch it every year at Christmas.  The cast is fantastic and it's such a great mix of comedy, drama, and romance.

While You Were Sleeping
I don't know why people don't think of this movie when it comes to the best Christmas movies of all time.  It's perfect.  Funny, sweet, romantic, and charming.  I love the scene when Sandra Bullock as Lucy is at the Callaghan house while they open presents.  She has no family and here she is thrust into this boisterous bunch and she gets quiet and wistful as she watches them interact and exclaim in delight and surprise over their gifts.  And they give her a gift too!  So sweet.  Love it.

The Ref
Judy Davis is genius.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Boris Karloff.  That's all that needs to be said about this classic. 

A Christmas Story
There is a reason TBS plays this for 24 hours straight on Christmas.  No one ever gets sick of it!  Personally I love the quiet scenes, like the opening one with all the kids looking in the toy store window and the parade, or the final scene when mom and dad pour themselves some champagne, sit by the light of the Christmas tree and watch the snow falling outside.  I think I would love a Christmas in the 1940s.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Maureen O'Hara was definitely one of the most beautiful women ever. She's an uptight mother in this one, but she comes around.  Who wouldn't with the wonderful Edmund Gwenn around?

Cult Film Posters - The Warriors

Cult Film Posters - The Hunger

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One - Movie Review

I've read a number of reviews of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One like this one from Cinematical.com that reviews the film from the perspective of someone who never read the books and isn't much of a fan. This is not one of those reviews. But it's also not a review from a rabid fan. I've read all the books, but I've only read each one once. I've seen all the films, but I don't rewatch every single one right before the next one is released. Of the past six films my favorite has always been number three, Prisoner of Azkaban, because Alfonso Cuaron is a magical filmmaker and I wish he'd had it in him to direct more of the Harry Potters.

With HP7 though, David Yates has really proven that ultimately the series belongs to him. I loved this film. It's of course darker than any prior entry because the stakes are the highest they've ever been and death is all around our heroic trio. I loved the brilliant Hermione who shows once again that if it wasn't for her, Harry and Ron would be lost (truthfully they would have perished a long, long time ago without her). I loved the three character actors (Sophie Thompson SQUEE!) who played Harry, Ron, and Hermione disguised by the use of Polyjuice Potion into Ministry of Magic employees. Their spot on mimicry of the young actors facial expressions and body movements lent a wonderful and welcome bit of comedy to an otherwise tense action sequence. I loved, loved, loved the animated sequence that illustrated the story of the Deathly Hallows. It was a gorgeous, exciting, and unique way to tell that important story.

I think the best testament to how much I loved this film though is that halfway through I completely forgot that it is only Part One and was shocked and dismayed when it ended! This was the first HP film in awhile that didn't FEEL as long as it was.

I can't wait for the summer and Part Two!

Home for the Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! For this lovely holiday I wanted to post a scene from my favorite Thanksgiving movie, Home for the Holidays directed by Jodie Foster with a fantastic cast including Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Durning, and Anne Bancroft. It is funny and heartwarming and sad and honest and I love it. But instead of just picking one scene I saw that youtube has the film in its entirety, so I'm posting the whole thing here for you! Enjoy.

Artist Derek Eads

I just discovered the tumblr of artist Derek Eads.  His work is SO COOL and appeals to my movie buff pop culture sensibilities.  Check it out:

Almost Famous

Gary Oldman's various characters

Charlie

Magnolia

Boogie Nights

Self Portrait

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Movie Review

Director Andrew Dominik must be a fan of Terrence Malick. His film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford shares a lot of the same qualities of a Malick film: languidly paced, little or no dialogue in certain scenes, vast sweeping wide shots, voice over narration. Luckily, I love Malick and I loved this film. And I don't mean to compare Dominik to Malick in an insulting way or a copycat way, it just struck me that Malick must have been an influence on Dominik.

This film is long. 2 hours and 40 minutes long. Some critics have complained about the length, but I kinda loved it. It really allowed the story to unfold, diving deep into these characters and the idea of celebrity and to allow the viewer to come to terms with the true nature of Jesse James' brutality. It also allowed for an exquisite building of tension until the audience is wired and ready for the ultimate climatic explosion. I mean the title is The ASSASSINATION of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford! You know it's coming! You are waiting and waiting for it! And then it does come and the movie isn't over and that's awesome! Now we get to experience the aftermath and a new kind of celebrity.

This film is stunning in it's beauty. Gifted cinematographer Roger Deakins paints incredible murals of light and landscape. You can feel the changes in the seasons as you watch the film.

Brad Pitt, himself a ginormous celebrity, was the perfect choice to play Jesse James who was the biggest celebrity of his day. He's excellent in this...revealing little by little the downward spiral of Jesse's paranoia, his mean streak, and cold brutality. Casey Affleck shows us something in his Robert Ford that I've never seen from him before as an actor: effortlessness and subtlety. He portrays the giddiness and sadness of a man who never outgrew his childhood hero worship with amazing sincerity. The supporting cast is just as accomplished as the two leads: Sam Rockwell, Paul Schneider, Jeremy Renner, Mary-Louis Parker, Garret Dillahunt, Sam Shepard. They all embody their roles, big and small, with an honesty and passion.

I encourage you all to rent this film. Don't be intimidated by the length. Pop yourself some popcorn, open a can of soda, sink yourself into the deepest corner of your sofa and spend an evening letting this story unfold in front of you. It's worth the time.

Cult Film Posters - Flash Gordon

Never Let Me Go - Movie Review

I went eagerly to see Mark Romanek's film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go. I haven't read the novel so I went into the film somewhat blind, having tried to avoid as much as I could any details of the story, because I knew that the story had a secret. I expected the film to look beautiful and to be finely acted but I didn't expect it to be so profoundly sad. This is a story that explores big ideas of identity and the soul and one's worth and cruelty and the lengths humans could go in the name of science.  It explores these big ideas, but it explores them quietly, thoughtfully, and seemingly without providing any answers to all the questions generated.  I was deeply touched by this film.  I bawled my eyes out and that is mainly due to the talented young cast of Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and especially Andrew Garfield who continues to amaze me with his honesty on film.  Even if he hadn't been cast as the new Spiderman, that kid would have a damn fine future ahead of him.

The King's Speech - Trailer

Colin is on a roll.

Twitter Movie Trailer

Well, first if you haven't watched it yet, watch the trailer for Fincher's The Social Network:



Then watch this parody for The Twitter Movie:



LOL.

Music Montage - Wet Hot American Summer

YES.

MicMacs - My Review

I went to see the new Jean-Pierre Jeunet film, MicMacs, on Saturday expecting to love it, but I didn't.

Now I know Jeunet is not for everyone. Some people get annoyed with his quirky characters and the complicated plotlines he puts them through, but I usually love it. Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain is one of my all time favorite films, I saw it six times in the theater when it originally came out because I kept taking people to see it!

MicMacs had the same quirky characters and complicated plotline but it all felt rushed and almost like Jeanet was just going through the motions. It's as if he was trying to give us what is expected of him, but without the passion and heart of some of his other films. The characters weren't as deeply drawn as they needed to be. They didn't feel connected to one another, so how was I supposed to feel connected to them?

I left the theater feeling disappointed. So last night I rewatched Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain to lift my spirits. I hope with his next film, Jeanet can get back on track. I think he needs to break free from the box he has put himself in and do something radically different. As long as he still expresses his passion and heart, it should be wonderful.

Somewhere - Trailer

I love Sofia Coppola's films.

Cult Film Posters - The Conversation

Brick - Original Teaser Trailer

Rian Johnson posted his original teaster trailer for his fine film Brick. You can watch it by clicking here:

http://vimeo.com/8729908

Film Scene I Love - The Comedians of Comedy

Zach Galifianakis talks about physical comedy from the film The Comedians of Comedy