Director: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz [which was pretty good, but this is only his third film)
Stars: Michael Cera (Superbad, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Death Proof, Final Destination 3)
YesNoSoso: 2
I don't usually do this, but a blog I read, Filmdrunk, reviewed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (here) and said everything I think of this movie much more elegantly than I ever could. I loved it. I might even give it an Emphatic 2 (I did). A movie littered with video game imagery and tongue-in-cheek video game references, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World executes its intended style with perfection. Edgar Wright's finished product is unlike any film ever made and is wildly entertaining. I know this is terse and uninformative. Just read the review at Filmdrunk or better yet, go see it.
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8/19/10
The New World (2005)
Director: Terrance Malick (Thin Red Line, Badlands [haven't seen either, but hear they're good])
Stars: Colin Farrell (Crazy Heart, S.W.A.T.)
Q'orianka Kilcher (nothing else really)
YesNoSoso: 1
I put this movie on my Netflix because it was listed on the Onion's AV Club's top 10 movies of the 2000's. Although I respect the AV Club's track record, I have to respectfully disagree with this inclusion. It was boring. As boring as any movie I've ever seen. It avoids the embarassment of a YesNoSoso 0 because of the innovative and downright daring directorial decisions of Terrance Malick. Do yourself a favor and read the trivia section on the IMDB page. Malick employed such aggressive styles as editing the movie around a completed score, using only steady-cam and handhold camera shots, using virtually no artificial light and an average shot length 10x as long as the industry standard. All these decisions give The New World a very authentic feel and I will always respect a director who applies unconventional means to aid the storytelling. But again, boring.
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Stars: Colin Farrell (Crazy Heart, S.W.A.T.)
Q'orianka Kilcher (nothing else really)
YesNoSoso: 1
I put this movie on my Netflix because it was listed on the Onion's AV Club's top 10 movies of the 2000's. Although I respect the AV Club's track record, I have to respectfully disagree with this inclusion. It was boring. As boring as any movie I've ever seen. It avoids the embarassment of a YesNoSoso 0 because of the innovative and downright daring directorial decisions of Terrance Malick. Do yourself a favor and read the trivia section on the IMDB page. Malick employed such aggressive styles as editing the movie around a completed score, using only steady-cam and handhold camera shots, using virtually no artificial light and an average shot length 10x as long as the industry standard. All these decisions give The New World a very authentic feel and I will always respect a director who applies unconventional means to aid the storytelling. But again, boring.
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Away We Go (2009)
Director: Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition [both amazing])
Stars: John Krasinski ("The Office", It's Complicated)
Maya Rudolph (Idiocracy, Grown-ups)
YesNoSoso: 2
Its hard to go wrong with a film directed by Sam Mendes and written my Dave Eggers (and his wife), but apparently Away We Go just didn't jive with audiences. I thought it was really funny. Not in the belly-laughter style of The Hangover or Old School, but in a familiar and comforting way. Krasinksi's true talents lie not in timing or any other classical comedic skills. His strength is his likability. I know this sounds like a knock but it is not, he somehow creates characters (I'm sure its mostly just him) that make you want to hang out with him (and not in the "I'm kickin it with a movie star" way). When he's on the screen, I feel like I'm just hanging out with him cracking jokes and that is a very powerful tool when creating comedy. Maggie Gyllenhall, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan add to the color of the film with amazingly portrayed eccentric characters.
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Stars: John Krasinski ("The Office", It's Complicated)
Maya Rudolph (Idiocracy, Grown-ups)
YesNoSoso: 2
Its hard to go wrong with a film directed by Sam Mendes and written my Dave Eggers (and his wife), but apparently Away We Go just didn't jive with audiences. I thought it was really funny. Not in the belly-laughter style of The Hangover or Old School, but in a familiar and comforting way. Krasinksi's true talents lie not in timing or any other classical comedic skills. His strength is his likability. I know this sounds like a knock but it is not, he somehow creates characters (I'm sure its mostly just him) that make you want to hang out with him (and not in the "I'm kickin it with a movie star" way). When he's on the screen, I feel like I'm just hanging out with him cracking jokes and that is a very powerful tool when creating comedy. Maggie Gyllenhall, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan add to the color of the film with amazingly portrayed eccentric characters.
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E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Director: Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark, War of the Worlds)
Stars: Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York, Suicide Kings [which was pretty good, but I haven't seen anything else he's been in. Although I can only assume Pycho 4: The Beginning was terrible)
Drew Barrymore (Donnie Darko, Fever Pitch)
YesNoSoso: 2
My parents always say I was the only kid in the country that didn't like E.T. Combine that fact with my anger at Speilberg for essentially inventing the summer blockbuster and I had little incentive to re-watch this. I'm upset I stalled. E.T. is, for lack (or laziness) of a better word, a really fun movie. The bike racing scenes were exciting and inspired a boyish nostalgia, I can only imagine how enjoyable they are for boys (and some girls) of bike-riding age. Regardless of my disdain for money-above-all-else culture Spielberg has inspired in Hollywood, I would be remiss not to mention/realize that he accomplished it with extraordinarily good movies. My only beef is the obvious CGI he added in the remastered version. Luckily I was able to look past that and appreciate E.T. for the lovable animatronic Muppet he undoubtedly was in my childhood.
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Stars: Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York, Suicide Kings [which was pretty good, but I haven't seen anything else he's been in. Although I can only assume Pycho 4: The Beginning was terrible)
Drew Barrymore (Donnie Darko, Fever Pitch)
YesNoSoso: 2
My parents always say I was the only kid in the country that didn't like E.T. Combine that fact with my anger at Speilberg for essentially inventing the summer blockbuster and I had little incentive to re-watch this. I'm upset I stalled. E.T. is, for lack (or laziness) of a better word, a really fun movie. The bike racing scenes were exciting and inspired a boyish nostalgia, I can only imagine how enjoyable they are for boys (and some girls) of bike-riding age. Regardless of my disdain for money-above-all-else culture Spielberg has inspired in Hollywood, I would be remiss not to mention/realize that he accomplished it with extraordinarily good movies. My only beef is the obvious CGI he added in the remastered version. Luckily I was able to look past that and appreciate E.T. for the lovable animatronic Muppet he undoubtedly was in my childhood.
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8/2/10
Grizzly Man (2005)
Director: Werner Herzog (Rescue Dawn, Bad Lieutenant: Port of New Orleans [both of which are very good])
Stars: Timothy Treadwell (real person, its a documentary)
YesNoSoso: 1
This could be the classic case of me overreacting to all the positive hype this movie received but I didn't love this movie. I've been on a bit of a documentary kick lately and was very excited about Grizzly Man, seeing as everybody who I told about my recent documentary kick suggested it to me. Add that to the fact that it was on The Onion's AV Club's 50 best movies of the 00's and I was expecting a mind blowing documentary. I really didn't find that to be true. Some of the footage Treadwell shot and Herzog used is truley beautiful and makes for a visually appealing film but I found the story to be less than compelling. Perhaps it was knowing he dies, but I was simply bored.
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Stars: Timothy Treadwell (real person, its a documentary)
YesNoSoso: 1
This could be the classic case of me overreacting to all the positive hype this movie received but I didn't love this movie. I've been on a bit of a documentary kick lately and was very excited about Grizzly Man, seeing as everybody who I told about my recent documentary kick suggested it to me. Add that to the fact that it was on The Onion's AV Club's 50 best movies of the 00's and I was expecting a mind blowing documentary. I really didn't find that to be true. Some of the footage Treadwell shot and Herzog used is truley beautiful and makes for a visually appealing film but I found the story to be less than compelling. Perhaps it was knowing he dies, but I was simply bored.
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The Messenger (2009)
Director: Oren Moverman (his first and only movie)
Stars: Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, X-men: The Last Stand)
Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, Money Train)
YesNoSoso: 1
A very solid dramatic piece driven by fantastic performances. The criminally under appreciated Ben Foster and perpetually impressive Woody Harrelson play perfectly opposite each other in this story of two soldiers assigned to the Casualty Notification division. An interesting and emotionally charged story unravels as the soldiers cope with the range of emotions the next of kin bring to the notification of their loved ones dying as well as their own personal demons. Watch out for a great cameo by Steve Buscemi.
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Stars: Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, X-men: The Last Stand)
Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, Money Train)
YesNoSoso: 1
A very solid dramatic piece driven by fantastic performances. The criminally under appreciated Ben Foster and perpetually impressive Woody Harrelson play perfectly opposite each other in this story of two soldiers assigned to the Casualty Notification division. An interesting and emotionally charged story unravels as the soldiers cope with the range of emotions the next of kin bring to the notification of their loved ones dying as well as their own personal demons. Watch out for a great cameo by Steve Buscemi.
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7/29/10
Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
Director: Andrew Jarecki (his first movie, he co-founded Moviefone)
Stars: Arnold Friedman (a real person, its a documentary)
YesNoSoso: 2
Much in the style of Soupcons, Capturing the Friedmans is a documentary about a court case in which the details of a heinous crime are never really very clear. Jarecki wanted to make a documentary about David Friedman, the most sought after party clown in New York City, but instead found the court case revolving around David's father and brother, Arnold and Jesse respectively, the more interesting subject. The ups and downs, twists and turns of Capturing the Friedmans are so good and so profound that I would be remiss to include even the slightest hint to its subject matter. Just go see it and prepare for a wild, though admittedly depressing, ride.
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Stars: Arnold Friedman (a real person, its a documentary)
YesNoSoso: 2
Much in the style of Soupcons, Capturing the Friedmans is a documentary about a court case in which the details of a heinous crime are never really very clear. Jarecki wanted to make a documentary about David Friedman, the most sought after party clown in New York City, but instead found the court case revolving around David's father and brother, Arnold and Jesse respectively, the more interesting subject. The ups and downs, twists and turns of Capturing the Friedmans are so good and so profound that I would be remiss to include even the slightest hint to its subject matter. Just go see it and prepare for a wild, though admittedly depressing, ride.
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7/8/10
Used Cars (1980)
Director: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Death Becomes Her)
Stars: Kurt Russell (Deathproof, Captain Ron)
Jack Warden (Dirty Work, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing [I've never heard of it but look at that title!])
YesNoSoso: 2
I cannot believe that there was a movie this funny (with a semi-recognizable cast) that I'd never heard of. I didn't even know it was a Robert Zemeckis joint til the end credits. Kurt Russel plays a slimy, but lovable, used car dealer who needs ten grand to bribe his way into the State Senate. Obviously hijinks ensue. The humor is surprisingly crass and advanced for a movie this old and it contains all the attention to detail that Zemeckis' films are known for.
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Stars: Kurt Russell (Deathproof, Captain Ron)
Jack Warden (Dirty Work, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing [I've never heard of it but look at that title!])
YesNoSoso: 2
I cannot believe that there was a movie this funny (with a semi-recognizable cast) that I'd never heard of. I didn't even know it was a Robert Zemeckis joint til the end credits. Kurt Russel plays a slimy, but lovable, used car dealer who needs ten grand to bribe his way into the State Senate. Obviously hijinks ensue. The humor is surprisingly crass and advanced for a movie this old and it contains all the attention to detail that Zemeckis' films are known for.
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7/6/10
Youth in Revolt (2009)
Director: Miguel Arteta (The Good Girl [which was alright], nothing else I've heard of except a TV episode here and there)
Stars: Michael Cera (Superbad, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)
Portia Doubleday (nothing I've ever heard of)
YesNoSoso: 1
This movie was much more serious than I anticipated. Ray Liotta, Zack Galifianakis, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard and Justin Long
complete the ensemble cast in what could best be described as a dark comedy. Every scene with Francois Dillinger (Michael Cera's alter ego) was absolutely amazing and the dialog was surprisingly witty and quick. But the movie as a whole didn't pack a lot of laughs for my taste and I was never quite clear on the point of everything. Michael Cera plays a white trash loser trying to get laid. If that's the whole point of the movie then I guess I didn't miss it, but I'm not sure it warranted a whole movie.
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Stars: Michael Cera (Superbad, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)
Portia Doubleday (nothing I've ever heard of)
YesNoSoso: 1
This movie was much more serious than I anticipated. Ray Liotta, Zack Galifianakis, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard and Justin Long
complete the ensemble cast in what could best be described as a dark comedy. Every scene with Francois Dillinger (Michael Cera's alter ego) was absolutely amazing and the dialog was surprisingly witty and quick. But the movie as a whole didn't pack a lot of laughs for my taste and I was never quite clear on the point of everything. Michael Cera plays a white trash loser trying to get laid. If that's the whole point of the movie then I guess I didn't miss it, but I'm not sure it warranted a whole movie.
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Doubt (2008)
Director: John Patrick Shanely (Joe vs. the Volcano is his only other movie)
Stars: Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Synedoche, NY, Patch Adams)
Meryl Streep (The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Devil Wears Prada)
YesNoSoso: 2
In this age of Megan Fox's, Channing Tatum's and the Twilight losers its refreshing to see a movie that can subside solely on the amazing performances of four actors. Hoffman and Streep are their usual amazing selves (Streep's Brooklyn accent was particularly believable)and Amy Adams is solid but the best, or at least most heralded performance, comes from Viola Davis. Shanely adapts his own play in his first foray into directing since Joe vs. the Volcano and it is thankfully a much more successful turn (well at least artistically).
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Stars: Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Synedoche, NY, Patch Adams)
Meryl Streep (The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Devil Wears Prada)
YesNoSoso: 2
In this age of Megan Fox's, Channing Tatum's and the Twilight losers its refreshing to see a movie that can subside solely on the amazing performances of four actors. Hoffman and Streep are their usual amazing selves (Streep's Brooklyn accent was particularly believable)and Amy Adams is solid but the best, or at least most heralded performance, comes from Viola Davis. Shanely adapts his own play in his first foray into directing since Joe vs. the Volcano and it is thankfully a much more successful turn (well at least artistically).
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Cold Souls (2009)
Director: Sophie Barthes (her first full length feature)
Stars: Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Lady in the Water)
David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, We are Marshall)
YesNoSoso: 1
I thought this movie was right in my wheelhouse, but I ended up just mildy enjoying it. Paul Giamatti plays himself in a quirky plot about removing and storing his soul. He gives a great performance, as does Strathairn, Emily Watson and Lauren Ambrose. Readers of YesNoSoso are well versed in my love of gimmicks but nothing in the movie really wowed me. I'm not trying discourage viewing, it is a solid YesNoSoso 1, but I won't be going back for seconds.
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Stars: Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Lady in the Water)
David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, We are Marshall)
YesNoSoso: 1
I thought this movie was right in my wheelhouse, but I ended up just mildy enjoying it. Paul Giamatti plays himself in a quirky plot about removing and storing his soul. He gives a great performance, as does Strathairn, Emily Watson and Lauren Ambrose. Readers of YesNoSoso are well versed in my love of gimmicks but nothing in the movie really wowed me. I'm not trying discourage viewing, it is a solid YesNoSoso 1, but I won't be going back for seconds.
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7/1/10
Mystery Team (2009)
Director: Dan Eckman (his first full length feature)
Stars: Donald Glover ("Community", nothing else really)
Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation", Funny People [which was pretty good])
YesNoSoso: 2
I checked this movie out because I think "Community" is the funniest show on TV, and in particular the interaction between Troy and Abed. Donald Glover plays Troy and is a member of the comedy troupe Derrick Comedy along with D.C. Pierson and Dominic Dierkes. Mystery Team is Derrick Comedy's first full length feature and it was pretty darn good. My high expectations for this movie were mitigated by terrible looking previews. The end product was extremely good. Its pretty silly and probably not the type of comedy that will appeal to everyone, but I found it to be quite witty in its stupidity.
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Stars: Donald Glover ("Community", nothing else really)
Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation", Funny People [which was pretty good])
YesNoSoso: 2
I checked this movie out because I think "Community" is the funniest show on TV, and in particular the interaction between Troy and Abed. Donald Glover plays Troy and is a member of the comedy troupe Derrick Comedy along with D.C. Pierson and Dominic Dierkes. Mystery Team is Derrick Comedy's first full length feature and it was pretty darn good. My high expectations for this movie were mitigated by terrible looking previews. The end product was extremely good. Its pretty silly and probably not the type of comedy that will appeal to everyone, but I found it to be quite witty in its stupidity.
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6/28/10
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Director: Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas [which was quite good], nothing else really)
Stars: Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad [both of which were great])
Kat Dennings [The House Bunny, Big Momma's House 2 [both of which were terrible])
YesNoSoso: 0
Horrible, just horrible. The only saving grace was that the movie is essentially a Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle set during a night out in NYC. The visiting of so many familiar and famous NYC spots was pretty cool and Michael Cera gives a great performance, but its really hard to buy him as the object of someone's unbridled lust. All the other characters in the movie act completely illogically. The character that Kat Dennings plays is really embarrassed that her father is a very famous producer and yet completely without provocation brings her new love interest, Michael Cera, to her father's studio. Michael Cera's extremely shallow ex is a fellow classmate of Kat's character and is constantly ragging on her for the benefits she enjoys due to having a famous father, such as skipping every velvet roped off line. Wouldn't someone who can get you into any exclusive club in the city be someone a shallow person would make nice with? The movie is rife with actions by its characters that make little to no sense and there are really no other redeeming qualities. Plus Jay Baruchel is completely unbelievable as a tough guy.
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Stars: Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad [both of which were great])
Kat Dennings [The House Bunny, Big Momma's House 2 [both of which were terrible])
YesNoSoso: 0
Horrible, just horrible. The only saving grace was that the movie is essentially a Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle set during a night out in NYC. The visiting of so many familiar and famous NYC spots was pretty cool and Michael Cera gives a great performance, but its really hard to buy him as the object of someone's unbridled lust. All the other characters in the movie act completely illogically. The character that Kat Dennings plays is really embarrassed that her father is a very famous producer and yet completely without provocation brings her new love interest, Michael Cera, to her father's studio. Michael Cera's extremely shallow ex is a fellow classmate of Kat's character and is constantly ragging on her for the benefits she enjoys due to having a famous father, such as skipping every velvet roped off line. Wouldn't someone who can get you into any exclusive club in the city be someone a shallow person would make nice with? The movie is rife with actions by its characters that make little to no sense and there are really no other redeeming qualities. Plus Jay Baruchel is completely unbelievable as a tough guy.
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Shutter Island (2010)
Director: Martin Scorcese (Goodfellas, Bringing Out the Dead)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet, Titanic)
Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 13 Going on 30)
YesNoSoso: 2
A solid psychological thriller if not, in my opinion, up to the lofty standards of a Scorcese picture. DiCaprio plays a US Marshall assigned to investigate the disappearance of an inmate of Ashecliff Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island. It soon becomes clear that (to use the appropriate movie cliche) everything is not as it seems. Great performances from DiCaprio, Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley and Michelle Williams. I just felt that some of the foreshadowing was a little forced, but overall I was very invested in the unraveling mystery. Plus I'm not 100% on how it actually ended, which is generally a good sign when it comes to these mind-f#$k type movies...
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Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet, Titanic)
Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 13 Going on 30)
YesNoSoso: 2
A solid psychological thriller if not, in my opinion, up to the lofty standards of a Scorcese picture. DiCaprio plays a US Marshall assigned to investigate the disappearance of an inmate of Ashecliff Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island. It soon becomes clear that (to use the appropriate movie cliche) everything is not as it seems. Great performances from DiCaprio, Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley and Michelle Williams. I just felt that some of the foreshadowing was a little forced, but overall I was very invested in the unraveling mystery. Plus I'm not 100% on how it actually ended, which is generally a good sign when it comes to these mind-f#$k type movies...
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Crazy Heart (2009)
Director: Scott Cooper (his directorial debut)
Stars: Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, The Muse)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, 40 Day and 40 Nights)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm pretty jaded (fed up?) with the Hollywood music biopic and I hate country music, so logic would imply that I would dislike this movie. But Jeff Bridges gives an amazing performance and is particularly (and somewhat surprisingly) adept at singing. A lot of comparisons have been made with The Wrestler, which is certainly called for, but I thought Crazy Heart was even better. Washed up country singer Bad Blake plays one-night-stands for cash when he falls in love with a reporter that interviews him. It sounds as trite as can be, but I assure you, it actually comes through feeling original. Combine that with the awesome music (yes I described country music as awesome) performed by the unlikely sources of Bridges and Colin Farrell and its a truly re-watchable film.
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Stars: Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, The Muse)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, 40 Day and 40 Nights)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm pretty jaded (fed up?) with the Hollywood music biopic and I hate country music, so logic would imply that I would dislike this movie. But Jeff Bridges gives an amazing performance and is particularly (and somewhat surprisingly) adept at singing. A lot of comparisons have been made with The Wrestler, which is certainly called for, but I thought Crazy Heart was even better. Washed up country singer Bad Blake plays one-night-stands for cash when he falls in love with a reporter that interviews him. It sounds as trite as can be, but I assure you, it actually comes through feeling original. Combine that with the awesome music (yes I described country music as awesome) performed by the unlikely sources of Bridges and Colin Farrell and its a truly re-watchable film.
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The Vistor (2007)
Director: Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent, this was his second film, but he is a fairly recognizable character actor)
Stars: Richard Jenkins (Flirting with Disaster, Cheaper by the Dozen)
Haaz Sleiman (nothing I've ever seen)
YesNoSoso: 1
An enjoyable movie about a widower (the amazing and amazingly underrated Jenkins) making a connection with two illegal immigrants who were unwittingly, illegally squatting in his NYC apartment. A simple movie about loneliness and the downfalls of immigration in post 9/11 America. Great performances lead to an emotional movie that's worth a watch, but to be honest, besides Jenkins, its really nothing special.
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Stars: Richard Jenkins (Flirting with Disaster, Cheaper by the Dozen)
Haaz Sleiman (nothing I've ever seen)
YesNoSoso: 1
An enjoyable movie about a widower (the amazing and amazingly underrated Jenkins) making a connection with two illegal immigrants who were unwittingly, illegally squatting in his NYC apartment. A simple movie about loneliness and the downfalls of immigration in post 9/11 America. Great performances lead to an emotional movie that's worth a watch, but to be honest, besides Jenkins, its really nothing special.
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Sexy Beast (2000)
Director: Jonathon Glazer (this was his first film, he has since directed something called Birth, which I haven't seen)
Stars: Ray Winstone (The Departed, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
Ben Kingsley (The Wackness, The Love Guru)
YesNoSoso: 1
This movie was entirely different than I was expecting. I suppose its a lack of sample size or plain old American naivity, but when I hear English gangster movie I think quick cuts, non-linear storylines and comic book like characters. Sexy Beast contains some amazingly in depth characters (Ben Kingsley was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar) but they are developed through good old fashion conflict and dialogue (mind you, I have NOTHING against the gimmicky style of, say, Guy Ritchie). Ray Winstone plays Gal, a former safe-cracker retired with his wife in Spain. Ben Kingsley plays a recruiter from the London underworld come to sign Gal up for one last job. A surprising amount of the movie centers around Kingsley's character trying to recruit Gal. Some of the best dialogue and scenes in the movie take place just as Kingsley asks him to do the job and Gal refusing.
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Stars: Ray Winstone (The Departed, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
Ben Kingsley (The Wackness, The Love Guru)
YesNoSoso: 1
This movie was entirely different than I was expecting. I suppose its a lack of sample size or plain old American naivity, but when I hear English gangster movie I think quick cuts, non-linear storylines and comic book like characters. Sexy Beast contains some amazingly in depth characters (Ben Kingsley was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar) but they are developed through good old fashion conflict and dialogue (mind you, I have NOTHING against the gimmicky style of, say, Guy Ritchie). Ray Winstone plays Gal, a former safe-cracker retired with his wife in Spain. Ben Kingsley plays a recruiter from the London underworld come to sign Gal up for one last job. A surprising amount of the movie centers around Kingsley's character trying to recruit Gal. Some of the best dialogue and scenes in the movie take place just as Kingsley asks him to do the job and Gal refusing.
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Moon (2009)
Director: Duncan Jones (the only movie he's done so far)
Stars: Sam Rockwell (Choke, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects, Austin Powers in Goldmember)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm debating whether to give this movie an emphatic 2, I guess you'll know whether I did by looking at the bottom of the page. My only hesitation being that I feel I've (maybe) handed out a few too many lately, but Black Dynamite and Zombieland were firmly deserving. This is one of those movies that's amazingness lays in its conceptual idea. To give you a taste: Sam Rockwell plays a man about to end a three year contract working for the company L.U.N.A.R., harvesting power from the Moon and sending it back. Then...some stuff happens. The entire movie is pretty much just Sam Rockwell's incredible performance and Kevin Spacey's creepiest voice. See this immediately.
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Stars: Sam Rockwell (Choke, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects, Austin Powers in Goldmember)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm debating whether to give this movie an emphatic 2, I guess you'll know whether I did by looking at the bottom of the page. My only hesitation being that I feel I've (maybe) handed out a few too many lately, but Black Dynamite and Zombieland were firmly deserving. This is one of those movies that's amazingness lays in its conceptual idea. To give you a taste: Sam Rockwell plays a man about to end a three year contract working for the company L.U.N.A.R., harvesting power from the Moon and sending it back. Then...some stuff happens. The entire movie is pretty much just Sam Rockwell's incredible performance and Kevin Spacey's creepiest voice. See this immediately.
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6/25/10
Black Dynamite (2009)
Director: Scott Sanders (Thick as Thieves [I've never heard of it and he's only directed 2 movies])
Stars: Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight, Exit Wounds)
Tommy Davidson (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls [which was aight], Booty Call)
YesNoSoso: 2
The funniest, most creative movie I've seen in years. A fake blaxploitation movie that drifts between ludicrous spoof and tongue-in-cheek "seriousness" with a few little gimmicks thrown in to complete the 70's look (at one point a boom mic falls into the shot). The supporting cast is a collection of b-list, but totally under-rated comedic actors including Arsenio Hall, Mike Starr, Nicole Sullivan, Cedric Yarbrough and Bokeem Woodbine (OK, he's not really a comedic actor, but still awesome). I could wax poetically about this movie for days, but just watch it and I guarantee you'll start quoting it incessantly. If any one wants any action on this movie becoming a cult classic I'm taking all bets...
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Stars: Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight, Exit Wounds)
Tommy Davidson (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls [which was aight], Booty Call)
YesNoSoso: 2
The funniest, most creative movie I've seen in years. A fake blaxploitation movie that drifts between ludicrous spoof and tongue-in-cheek "seriousness" with a few little gimmicks thrown in to complete the 70's look (at one point a boom mic falls into the shot). The supporting cast is a collection of b-list, but totally under-rated comedic actors including Arsenio Hall, Mike Starr, Nicole Sullivan, Cedric Yarbrough and Bokeem Woodbine (OK, he's not really a comedic actor, but still awesome). I could wax poetically about this movie for days, but just watch it and I guarantee you'll start quoting it incessantly. If any one wants any action on this movie becoming a cult classic I'm taking all bets...
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Wikipedia
Ghost Town (2008)
Director: David Koepp (Stir of Echoes [which was mediocre], Secret Window)
Stars: Ricky Gervais (Stardust, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian)
Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, You've Got Mail)
YesNoSoso: 0
It's not that I thought this movie was bad. Ricky Gervais is indisputably a comedic genius and it has a solid supporting cast, Tea Leoni, Aasif Mandi, and Kristin Wiig, but the movie just didn't really come together. I smirked at the scene with Wiig (cause she's incredible) and the enormous hospital lawyer explaining to Gervais's character that he died for a short period of time but there wasn't really a single moment that I laughed out loud. I debated giving this a YesNoSoso 1 because I was mildly amused during the 2 hours, but when I consider what I could've been watching I realized my, and your, time could be much better spent.
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Stars: Ricky Gervais (Stardust, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian)
Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, You've Got Mail)
YesNoSoso: 0
It's not that I thought this movie was bad. Ricky Gervais is indisputably a comedic genius and it has a solid supporting cast, Tea Leoni, Aasif Mandi, and Kristin Wiig, but the movie just didn't really come together. I smirked at the scene with Wiig (cause she's incredible) and the enormous hospital lawyer explaining to Gervais's character that he died for a short period of time but there wasn't really a single moment that I laughed out loud. I debated giving this a YesNoSoso 1 because I was mildly amused during the 2 hours, but when I consider what I could've been watching I realized my, and your, time could be much better spent.
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Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Director: Kevin Smith (Dogma, Jersey Girl)
Stars: Seth Rogan (Superbad, You, Me and Dupree)
Elizabeth Banks (Wet, Hot American Summer, Meet Dave)
YesNoSoso: 2
This was the most commercially unsuccessful movie for both Kevin Smith and Seth Rogan and I think its among both of their bests (I think it is by far Seth Rogan's best movie). It's the second of Smith's movies to exist outside of the so-called View-Askewniverse and the realistic air of Zack and Miri is what I believe makes it so special. It has that same brand of Clerks style humor and dialog but in a much more believable setting. Kevin Smith's movies are generally very polarizing; people either love him or hate him. I enjoy them because they employ an intelligent dialogue about everyday topics and because Smith creates genuinely funny movies that have actual stories and character development. Zack and Miri Make a Porno represents a great step forward in Kevin Smiths development as a director (unlike Jersey Girl).
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Stars: Seth Rogan (Superbad, You, Me and Dupree)
Elizabeth Banks (Wet, Hot American Summer, Meet Dave)
YesNoSoso: 2
This was the most commercially unsuccessful movie for both Kevin Smith and Seth Rogan and I think its among both of their bests (I think it is by far Seth Rogan's best movie). It's the second of Smith's movies to exist outside of the so-called View-Askewniverse and the realistic air of Zack and Miri is what I believe makes it so special. It has that same brand of Clerks style humor and dialog but in a much more believable setting. Kevin Smith's movies are generally very polarizing; people either love him or hate him. I enjoy them because they employ an intelligent dialogue about everyday topics and because Smith creates genuinely funny movies that have actual stories and character development. Zack and Miri Make a Porno represents a great step forward in Kevin Smiths development as a director (unlike Jersey Girl).
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Zombieland (2009)
Director: Ruben Fleischer (his first movie, has directed some very funny online shorts)
Stars: Woody Harrelson (White Men Can't Jump, EdTV)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale, The Village)
YesNoSoso: 2
Hell F@$#ing Yeah. This movie was amazing. I'm not gonna claim this should've won the Palm D'or or anything, but it was one of the greatest movie experiences I've ever had. It was fun, scary, heart-warming and hilarious. It also has one of the greatest cameos of all time. I'm not even gonna say anything else about it, just go see this movie immediately, you'll want to hit the menu and watch it again.
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Stars: Woody Harrelson (White Men Can't Jump, EdTV)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale, The Village)
YesNoSoso: 2
Hell F@$#ing Yeah. This movie was amazing. I'm not gonna claim this should've won the Palm D'or or anything, but it was one of the greatest movie experiences I've ever had. It was fun, scary, heart-warming and hilarious. It also has one of the greatest cameos of all time. I'm not even gonna say anything else about it, just go see this movie immediately, you'll want to hit the menu and watch it again.
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Choke (2008)
Director: Clark Gregg (the only thing he's ever directed, although he's a recognizable character actor)
Stars: Sam Rockwell (Moon, G-Force)
Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums, Addams Family Values)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm a huge Chuck Palahniuk fan, and really wish more of his books would be adapted to movies because although this movie doesn't fully capture the tone of Chuck's book, it still makes a damn fine entertaining film. Sam Rockwell turns out amazing performance after amazing performance and Choke is no exception. Its not that he pulls off some mind-bendingly difficult role, but he does very subtly portray the traits of the character while still infusing a touch of his own style.
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Stars: Sam Rockwell (Moon, G-Force)
Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums, Addams Family Values)
YesNoSoso: 2
I'm a huge Chuck Palahniuk fan, and really wish more of his books would be adapted to movies because although this movie doesn't fully capture the tone of Chuck's book, it still makes a damn fine entertaining film. Sam Rockwell turns out amazing performance after amazing performance and Choke is no exception. Its not that he pulls off some mind-bendingly difficult role, but he does very subtly portray the traits of the character while still infusing a touch of his own style.
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6/24/10
The Woodsman (2004)
Director: Nicole Kassell (no other movies really)
Stars: Kevin Bacon (Mystic River, My Dog Skip)
Kyra Sedgwick (Born on the Fourth of July [which was alright but you find a better movie among that crap, Gamer)
YesNoSoso: 1
Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt, Eve and Michael Shannon round out the cast in this powerful character study. Bacon plays a character that has just gotten out of prison after serving 12 years on child molestation charges. He's been abandoned by his family and is being harassed by a suspicious cop (Mos Def), all while fighting the urges that got him in trouble in the first place. The movie really delves into the extreme difficulties these former felons have in re-entering society, especially for those with as sordid a past as child molestation.
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Stars: Kevin Bacon (Mystic River, My Dog Skip)
Kyra Sedgwick (Born on the Fourth of July [which was alright but you find a better movie among that crap, Gamer)
YesNoSoso: 1
Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt, Eve and Michael Shannon round out the cast in this powerful character study. Bacon plays a character that has just gotten out of prison after serving 12 years on child molestation charges. He's been abandoned by his family and is being harassed by a suspicious cop (Mos Def), all while fighting the urges that got him in trouble in the first place. The movie really delves into the extreme difficulties these former felons have in re-entering society, especially for those with as sordid a past as child molestation.
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Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Director: Sam Raimi (Spider-man, Spider-man 3)
Stars: Alison Lohman (Big Fish, Million Dollar Kid)
Justin Long (Idiocracy, Still Waiting...)
YesNoSoso: 2
Readers of YesNoSoso are familiar with my love-hate relationship with horror films. I absolutley love a great horror film but loathe that 99% of them are total crap. Drag Me to Hell is that rare gem that beat the odds. An awesome story with a distinctive Raimi-flair (think Army of Darkness set in the real world), Drag Me to Hell will scare you while not insulting your intelligence. The last 20 minutes are downright amazing.
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Stars: Alison Lohman (Big Fish, Million Dollar Kid)
Justin Long (Idiocracy, Still Waiting...)
YesNoSoso: 2
Readers of YesNoSoso are familiar with my love-hate relationship with horror films. I absolutley love a great horror film but loathe that 99% of them are total crap. Drag Me to Hell is that rare gem that beat the odds. An awesome story with a distinctive Raimi-flair (think Army of Darkness set in the real world), Drag Me to Hell will scare you while not insulting your intelligence. The last 20 minutes are downright amazing.
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(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Director: Marc Webb (his first real movie)
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick, 10 Things I Hate About You)
Zooey Deschanel (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Happening)
YesNoSoso: 2
I loved this non-linear love story. Pretty much everything Joseph Gordon-Levitt has done since leaving "3rd Rock from the Sun" has been solid, led by Brick, one of my favorite movies of all time. (500) Days of Summer follows the idealized yet honest retelling of a semi-unrequited romance between Tom (Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Deschanel). Crafty storytelling and wonderful style make this an extremely entertaining movie that will appeal to men and women alike.
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Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick, 10 Things I Hate About You)
Zooey Deschanel (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Happening)
YesNoSoso: 2
I loved this non-linear love story. Pretty much everything Joseph Gordon-Levitt has done since leaving "3rd Rock from the Sun" has been solid, led by Brick, one of my favorite movies of all time. (500) Days of Summer follows the idealized yet honest retelling of a semi-unrequited romance between Tom (Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Deschanel). Crafty storytelling and wonderful style make this an extremely entertaining movie that will appeal to men and women alike.
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Into the Wild (2007)
Director: Sean Penn (The Pledge, The Crossing Guard [both decent])
Stars: Emile Hirsch (The Girl Next Door [actually pretty good], Speed Racer)
Vince Vaughn (Made, Four Christmases)
YesNoSoso: 0
I'm probably gonna catch some heat for this, but I flat out didn't like this movie. All of Hollywood seemed to get behind Penn's project. The supporting cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook and Zach Galifianakis. I appreciated Chris McCandless's story and how many lives he evidently touched along the way, but I found it flat out boring. Its not my style but I can certainly understand the whole shedding-the-shackles-of-society mantra that Chris adopted, but I found myself more annoyed at his disdainful attitude than identifying with his message.
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Stars: Emile Hirsch (The Girl Next Door [actually pretty good], Speed Racer)
Vince Vaughn (Made, Four Christmases)
YesNoSoso: 0
I'm probably gonna catch some heat for this, but I flat out didn't like this movie. All of Hollywood seemed to get behind Penn's project. The supporting cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook and Zach Galifianakis. I appreciated Chris McCandless's story and how many lives he evidently touched along the way, but I found it flat out boring. Its not my style but I can certainly understand the whole shedding-the-shackles-of-society mantra that Chris adopted, but I found myself more annoyed at his disdainful attitude than identifying with his message.
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6/23/10
Adventureland (2009)
Director: Greg Mottola (Superbad, "Arrested Development" [both awesome])
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, The Village)
Kristen Stewart (Panic Room [which was 'aight], Twilight)
YesNoSoso: 1
Adventureland was a movie Greg Mottola had in his backpocket while he was filming other people's dreams. After the success of Superbad, Mottola got a shot to shoot his movie, his way. The result is an entertaining coming of age story. Jesse Eisenberg (the poor man's Michael Cera), Kristen Stewart (in all her lip-biting glory) and Ryan Reynolds play the same characters they play in every one of their projects, but conveniently, are perfectly cast in their roles. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig continue their streak of never not being funny.
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Stars: Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, The Village)
Kristen Stewart (Panic Room [which was 'aight], Twilight)
YesNoSoso: 1
Adventureland was a movie Greg Mottola had in his backpocket while he was filming other people's dreams. After the success of Superbad, Mottola got a shot to shoot his movie, his way. The result is an entertaining coming of age story. Jesse Eisenberg (the poor man's Michael Cera), Kristen Stewart (in all her lip-biting glory) and Ryan Reynolds play the same characters they play in every one of their projects, but conveniently, are perfectly cast in their roles. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig continue their streak of never not being funny.
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District 9 (2009)
Director: Neill Blomkamp (nothing else I've seen)
Stars: Sharlto Copley (The A-team [which I haven't seen but heard is terrible)
Vanessa Haywood (Blood Diamond, nothing else I've ever seen)
YesNoSoso: 2
Almost an emphatic 2; even despite my high hopes for this movie. I spent the entire summer hearing from friends and the news cycle about this great new movie out of South Africa. I expected a Hollywood style blockbuster ala Independence Day, but what surprised me was Sharlto Copley's versatile performance of Wikus Van De Merwe. I went from despising Wikus's meek and incompetent nature to feeling genuinely sorry for him and admiring his moral make-up. The film is further improved by the humanizing representation of the Prawns (the aliens). I really felt connected to the main Prawn's, and his son's, plight despite neither character speaking any human language. Readers of YesNoSoso should be familiar with my hard-on for storytelling that's able to accomplish this.
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Stars: Sharlto Copley (The A-team [which I haven't seen but heard is terrible)
Vanessa Haywood (Blood Diamond, nothing else I've ever seen)
YesNoSoso: 2
Almost an emphatic 2; even despite my high hopes for this movie. I spent the entire summer hearing from friends and the news cycle about this great new movie out of South Africa. I expected a Hollywood style blockbuster ala Independence Day, but what surprised me was Sharlto Copley's versatile performance of Wikus Van De Merwe. I went from despising Wikus's meek and incompetent nature to feeling genuinely sorry for him and admiring his moral make-up. The film is further improved by the humanizing representation of the Prawns (the aliens). I really felt connected to the main Prawn's, and his son's, plight despite neither character speaking any human language. Readers of YesNoSoso should be familiar with my hard-on for storytelling that's able to accomplish this.
IMDB
Wikipedia
5/28/10
Hot Rod (2007)
Director: Akiva Schaffer (He's one third of Lonely Island and directed some SNL)
Stars: Adam Samberg (I Love You Man, I haven't seen any of his other movies)
Ian McShane (Sexy Beast, Agent Cody Banks)
YesNoSoso: 2
Surprisingly hilarious considering it basically got zero fanfare. From this movie, MacGruber and the SNL Digital Shorts, Andy Samberg and his fellow Lonely Island members are, at this point in their careers, a difficult-to-deny force in comedy. Bill Hader, Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Isla Fischer and the third member of Lonely Island Jorma Taccone round at a great cast that really plays off each other nicely.
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Stars: Adam Samberg (I Love You Man, I haven't seen any of his other movies)
Ian McShane (Sexy Beast, Agent Cody Banks)
YesNoSoso: 2
Surprisingly hilarious considering it basically got zero fanfare. From this movie, MacGruber and the SNL Digital Shorts, Andy Samberg and his fellow Lonely Island members are, at this point in their careers, a difficult-to-deny force in comedy. Bill Hader, Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Isla Fischer and the third member of Lonely Island Jorma Taccone round at a great cast that really plays off each other nicely.
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5/17/10
9 (2009)
Director: Shane Acker (nothing else and nothing else in development)
Stars: Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, North)
Martin Landau (Ed Wood, Ready to Rumble)
YesNoSoso: 2
Readers of YesNoSoso know that I'm a sucker for quality animation and apocalyptic tales, so 9 is right in my wheelhouse. The film centers around "9", an autonomous sack-puppet that has just woken up in a scary and desolate world. Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover and John C Reilly provide voices for some of the other "puppets"in this action packed story of discovery. I know there are those who simply don't like animation (a certain ex-roommate for one), but I find it hard to believe that this movie doesn't hold at least some appeal for all.
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Stars: Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, North)
Martin Landau (Ed Wood, Ready to Rumble)
YesNoSoso: 2
Readers of YesNoSoso know that I'm a sucker for quality animation and apocalyptic tales, so 9 is right in my wheelhouse. The film centers around "9", an autonomous sack-puppet that has just woken up in a scary and desolate world. Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover and John C Reilly provide voices for some of the other "puppets"in this action packed story of discovery. I know there are those who simply don't like animation (a certain ex-roommate for one), but I find it hard to believe that this movie doesn't hold at least some appeal for all.
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Wikipedia
Star Trek (2009)
Director: J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible 3, "Alias" [I've never seen])
Stars: Chris Pine (Smokin' Aces [which was pretty bad], Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement)
Zachary Quinto ("24", "Heroes" [Both bad shows])
YesNoSoso: 2
Well this movie was a pleasant surprise. Mission: Impossible 3 was also surprisingly good, so I suppose I shouldn't have been shocked that I enjoyed Abrams take on Star Trek. He has just envoked so much hatred in me for the direction "Lost" has taken and I haven't really enjoyed the Star Trek franchise up until now. Abrams reboot though, is extremely entertaining and very well executed. Very good performances from Pine and Quinto that helps establish that camaraderie between Kirk and Spock seen in the titular television show. Well paced action and quality (but not over the top) special effects make this a very enjoyable movie experience.
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Stars: Chris Pine (Smokin' Aces [which was pretty bad], Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement)
Zachary Quinto ("24", "Heroes" [Both bad shows])
YesNoSoso: 2
Well this movie was a pleasant surprise. Mission: Impossible 3 was also surprisingly good, so I suppose I shouldn't have been shocked that I enjoyed Abrams take on Star Trek. He has just envoked so much hatred in me for the direction "Lost" has taken and I haven't really enjoyed the Star Trek franchise up until now. Abrams reboot though, is extremely entertaining and very well executed. Very good performances from Pine and Quinto that helps establish that camaraderie between Kirk and Spock seen in the titular television show. Well paced action and quality (but not over the top) special effects make this a very enjoyable movie experience.
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5/14/10
The Lives of Others (2006)
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (some German stuff you've never heard of)
Stars: Ulrich Muhe (some German stuff you've never heard of, Sharp Shooter)
Sebastion Koch (some German stuff you've never heard of)
YesNoSoso: 2
An amazing movie depicting the clash of humanistic behavior in the socialistic regime of East Germany. A truly original plot, superbly acted through many twists and turns returns an incredibly engrossing film full of personality. I'm always amazed when a director is able to establish a connection between the characters and the audience without the aid of a common language. I was fully invested in the welfare of the main characters in The Lives of Others and because of that will be back for a second viewing. At least.
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Stars: Ulrich Muhe (some German stuff you've never heard of, Sharp Shooter)
Sebastion Koch (some German stuff you've never heard of)
YesNoSoso: 2
An amazing movie depicting the clash of humanistic behavior in the socialistic regime of East Germany. A truly original plot, superbly acted through many twists and turns returns an incredibly engrossing film full of personality. I'm always amazed when a director is able to establish a connection between the characters and the audience without the aid of a common language. I was fully invested in the welfare of the main characters in The Lives of Others and because of that will be back for a second viewing. At least.
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Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Director: Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovitch, Adaptation [both incredible])
Stars: Max Records (The Brothers Bloom [never saw it, heard it was good, he's done nothing else])
Catherine Keener (Hamlet 2, Switch)
YesNoSoso: 2
With Spike Jonze directing and Dave Eggers assisting on the script this movie had all the makings of a legend. I don't believe the end product reflects my initial high hopes, but it is still quite good. James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whittaker, Michael Berry Jr (I've never heard of him either) and Lauren Ambrose provide the 'Wild Things' with voices and create rich and complicated characters. I enjoyed my 2 hours and definitely feel that there was underlying meaning and implications that I missed on the first viewing. Therefore, by definition, it received a YesNoSoso 2.
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Stars: Max Records (The Brothers Bloom [never saw it, heard it was good, he's done nothing else])
Catherine Keener (Hamlet 2, Switch)
YesNoSoso: 2
With Spike Jonze directing and Dave Eggers assisting on the script this movie had all the makings of a legend. I don't believe the end product reflects my initial high hopes, but it is still quite good. James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whittaker, Michael Berry Jr (I've never heard of him either) and Lauren Ambrose provide the 'Wild Things' with voices and create rich and complicated characters. I enjoyed my 2 hours and definitely feel that there was underlying meaning and implications that I missed on the first viewing. Therefore, by definition, it received a YesNoSoso 2.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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