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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
IMDB
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
IMDB
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).
IMDB
Wikipedia
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).
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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#$k type movies...
IMDB
Wikipedia
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet, Titanic)
Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 13 Going on 30)
YesNoSoso: 2
A solid psychological thriller if not, in my opinion, up to the lofty standards of a Scorcese picture. DiCaprio plays a US Marshall assigned to investigate the disappearance of an inmate of Ashecliff Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island. It soon becomes clear that (to use the appropriate movie cliche) everything is not as it seems. Great performances from DiCaprio, Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley and Michelle Williams. I just felt that some of the foreshadowing was a little forced, but overall I was very invested in the unraveling mystery. Plus I'm not 100% on how it actually ended, which is generally a good sign when it comes to these mind-f#$k type movies...
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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...
IMDB
Wikipedia
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...
IMDB
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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.
IMDB
Wikipedia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
