MOVIES THREAD

Hey, I could be wrong. But when the best advance review they can come up for their commercials is from the Maxim critic, I get suspicious. Could be a winner, could be another Rendition: big names, big issue, big flop.

 

Started to watch Notes on a Scandal last night. Got through 83 minutes before getting tired and falling asleep. I'll watch the rest tonight.

But I had no idea what it was about. Cate Blanchett plays the British version of any hot American school teacher sexing up a kid. Quite right. It's not so bad through the first 83 minutes. Judi Densch (sp.?) is OK, but not seeing where her effort is Oscar-worthy. So far, 2.5 stars.

 

Just bought a 16mm print of the Selznick edit of The Third Man!

 

That's fucking awesome.

And speaking of not fucking awesome, I watched "Vacancy" tonight. What an utter piece of shit.

 

Lots of movies the last few days:

Watched the end of Notes on a Scandal: It's OK. I think Cate Blanchett is the strongest character in the movie, though her 15-year-old sophomore sex machine does a good job. Her husband absolutely steals the one scene after he learns about the sex scandal. Excellent back-and-forthism between hubby and wife in the scene. All in all, not bad. 2.75 stars out of 5.

Running With Scissors: Has its moments, though this is the first time Gwyneth Paltrow didn't do much for me. 2.5 stars out of 5.

Dreamgirls: Enjoyable. Good music. I like the beat and you can dance to it 3.75 stars out of 5.

Let's Go to Prison: I'd always wanted to see Will "Cocka Cocka Kaw!" Arnett in a movie, and he doesn't disappoint. He's got great acting chops. Dax Shepard, the muse to Arnett's protagonist (or maybe it's the other way around) reminds me a lot of a former colleague. It might be outrageous to give this 4 stars out of 5, but for some reason it's a 4-star movie.

Tonight: Blood Diamond, and a few others I have yet to buy at Blockbuster.

BTW, if any of y'all want one of the movies I've seen, PM me. I've got like a 100 or so and don't mind passing them forward.

 

I saw Harold & Maude for the first time last week. Can someone tell me what the big deal is about that movie? It was borderline OK. Mostly I was bored outta my mind. At least now I know where Cat Stevens' Tea For the Tillerman came from.

 

G.O.B.'s "chicken dance" is one of the greatest running jokes in any sitcom. Lindsay had a great one as well [chachi-chachi-chachi-chachi]. I love the scene in the third season where the majority of the Bluth clan break out there "chickens" and G.O.B. gets all excited because he has that bird mask in the other room.
I've been curious about LGTP based solely on Arnett being in it. I'm going to check it out after reading your recommendation. And may I suggest that if you aren't already watching 30 Rock that you should check it out. Arnett has a great recurring character in the series.

 

Fantastic movie. One of favorites from last year.

 

Last King of Scotland: Good movie. The ending was a bit blah. But the rest of it was captivating. The sex scene with the doctor and Amin's wife was fantastic, especially the music. One of the best 45-second sex scenes, tastefully done, I've ever seen. 4 stars out of 5.

The Science of Sleeping: I have no idea how to explain this other than you better be on some great fucking drugs to appreciate it. I watched it sober. Nothing short of bizarre. And good. 4 stars out of 5. Charlotte Gainsbourg reminds me of 3 people rolled into one: a friend I used to know, Alanis Morrisette and Lisa Loeb. Her friend Zoey is uber-cute.

Volver: When I'm watching a movie, I don't want to multi-task, which is what you have to do with this because it's a Spanish movie with subtitles. Early on there are a couple of interesting camera shots, one good one from above of Penelope Cruise-Cruz's cleavage as she's doing dishes. I stopped watching after 40 minutes because it wasn't doing anything for me.

Man of the Year: Good piece of movie here with Robin Williams. Bites you like a pirranha. Robin Williams is great. Christopher Walken, Lewis Black, Laura Linney all are good. Great commentary on politics, so many SJ'ers here would enjoy it. Hondo, have you seen it? 4.25 stars out of 5.

 

Ain't no fucking around in this movie. 4.5 stars out of 5.

 

Stranger Than Fiction: *This* is the Will Ferrell I want to see: serious and funny without even trying. He isn't funny most of the movie because that's not the personality of his character, but there are a few times early when he's so deadpan that it's hilarious, like when he blindly screams at the sky asking who's voice that is. Cool story. 3.5 stars out of 5.

 

By far the best film I have seen in 2007.

If Hirsch, Holbrook and Penn aren't all nominated, I would be stunned.

And, the guy who played Rainey.... he's a Grand Canyon river guide who Penn befriended and saw something in.

What a beautiful country we have.