Twilight
Twilight, as a movie, is a joke. Literally. It’s hilarious. But I don’t think it’s supposed to be. If you can’t find cash to see this film you can look into payday loans or wait till this hits the dollar theater and just save the money. It’s actually kind of insulting to the women who fall all over themselves for Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison who’s apparently come into his own since a brief stint as Cederic Diggory in the Harry Potter... Read More
Thanksgiving Giveaway
Remember the trailer for Thanksgiving at the beginning of Grindhouse? That was bitchin’. In an effort to straighten up my place before relatives arrive to stay for the holidays, I’ve been cleaning up my DVDs that lay strewn everywhere. I found a few unopened DVDs that are either duplicates, or I’m certain I’ll never watch them again. In an attempt to show my gratitude to the blogging community (you give me an excuse to stay up late, avoid homework,... Read More
Synecdoche, New York
Synecdoche, New York (pronounced see-neck-dah-key) is the latest work from visionary writer and Oscar-winner Charlie Kaufman, who created Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, among others. While Kaufman has an impressive list of writing credits to his name, this is his first effort as a director. The result isn’t disappointing, but it’s a little confusing. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Caden Cotard, a small time theater director... Read More
Happy-Go-Lucky
The trailer to this feel-good, British comedy boasts that the film asks the question: what makes us happy? On a superficial level, sure. This might be true. But the movie is much more complex than that and deserves a good looking in to. Happy-Go-Lucky is written and directed by Mike Leigh. Leigh has been directing since the seventies, and his bigger hits include Vera Drake (2004) and Secrets and Lies (1996). His writing in this film rivals Britain’s The Office (without... Read More
Help Wanted
I need help. I’m completely out of ideas when I go to Blockbuster, or to the library. It’s so bad, I’ve thought about renting Jumper. For the love of God, don’t let that happen. Please leave me some suggestions so I don’t end up renting stuff because I like the sound of the title, or because the DVD has a nice cover. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. I’m desperate. Read More
Role Models
Crassness offends me. Unless it’s hilarious. Which allows me to excuse David Wain’s Role Models, because this movie is hilarious. You’d think Judd Apatow was the driving force behind this irreverently funny movie, but he’s not. I’d like to give most of the credit to Wain who directed, and co-wrote the script with Paul Rudd, Ken Marino and Timothy Downing. The spoiler-ific trailer gives most of the plot away. Two BFFs (a respectably bromance),... Read More
Roman de gare
Why is it the French are so good with terrifying suspense? It’s seems they have the corner on that market right now. Remember Cache? The Vanishing (ok, that was half French)? What about Girl Cut in Two? Tell No One? It’s fantastic, and I love it. Claude Lelouch’s Roman de gare follows in the same suit and will keep you wondering ‘whodunnit’ ’til the last thirty seconds of the film. Don’t take that to mean this is an ordinary... Read More
Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace had a lot working against it: one of the worst theme songs ever written (that Garbage song has finally been topped as the worst of the series!), a lackluster, boring Bond girl, a weird name, and a director (Marc Forster) who has immense talent (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball), but has never directed an action flick before. The result gets your adrenaline pumping, but leaves much to be desired. The movie begins right where Casino Royale left off. ... Read More
25th Hour
25th Hour reads as a very angry love letter from Spike Lee to New York City. It’s certainly one of Lee’s better joints, the piece of a competent, mature filmmaker, not some of the blathering drivel we’ve seen in some of his movies. 25th Hour is well worth checking out. The story follows Irish, New York drug dealer Monty (the impeccable Edward Norton). He’s not big time, but not necessarily small time either. The police got him on enough stuff... Read More
Who’s running this Academy?
Below is an article describing the technicality on which the brilliant score to Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight was disqualified from eligibility of Academy Award nominations/wins. This brings up some very important questions. Why, if the score is actually the best of the year, can’t five people win? This seems like an injustice for some of the most talented people in the business. It’s not just this music issue either, people are being looked over on stupid... Read More
