The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
David Fincher is the guy who directed Fight Club, The Game, Se7en, and Zodiac. So the fact the source material for his most recent endeavor comes from a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who’s born old and grow young a little confusing. Especially when you consider the PG-13 rating. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one long-ass movie. Let’s break it down into three parts, each one hour long. The first act is where the movie shines (and it’s... Read More
Variety’s list of movies from 2008
Variety released the official list of 2008 releases. I’ve been a bad blogger with finals, traveling for the holidays, sleeping a lot. So instead of a review, I’ve just listed the 104 of these I saw. That’s one every 3.5 days. Not to mention the non-new releases I watched. This explains why I don’t have a social life. Three movies I listed in red because while I haven’t seen them, I will most definitely check them out before New Year’s. ... Read More
Australia
Oh boy, Baz. You may have got Nicole Kidman to jump on your train, but you’ll never get me. I must believe that somehow Hugh Jackman got shanghai-ed into this too, and it’s a shame. This sort of manipulative emotionalism is what gives film (and most likely Oscar) a bad name. Australia is directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet), who co-penned the script with a slew of other people. Based on his past few films, you’d think Kidman would play... Read More
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Get this: apparently we (the human race) aren’t taking care of the planet, and should really get our act together. A big thank you to all those involved with The Day the Earth Stood Still for bringing this to our attention. Who would have realized this without such a poignant and relevant movie to tell us? The Day the Earth Stood Still follows brilliant Princeton scientist Helen (Jennifer Connelly) who gets roped into one crazy ass situation: a big colorful sphere landed... Read More
Paging Beatrix Kiddo
I was in Nordstrom’s today, and while I was in a changing room, across the intercom came this message: Paging Beatrix Kiddo, Beatrix Kiddo, code 58. This had to be a joke, right? Then I thought about Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke, where he discusses the secret codes that stores use over their intercoms during emergency situations, to let employees know about terrorists, or spilled toxic chemicals. I got nervous, bought my shirts and left. I wonder what it was. I... Read More
Transporter 3
Ugh. Click here to see Natalya Rudakova… This movie is shit. I get that it’s just an action flick, that I shouldn’t expect very much, but does it have to be so bad, you cringe every time there’s any dialogue? There’s nothing new, or interesting in Olivier Megaton’s Transporter 3. Nothing. While there’s not much of a plot, this is what I did manage to gather between the sloppy, lackluster fight scenes and car chases: There are a bunch... Read More
Milk
His name is Gus Van Sant, and he’s here to recruit you. Van Sant seems to be an auteur of the best kind: doing things only because it pleases him. Don’t believe this? Watch Gerry. While all his movies provide something interesting, his forays into mainstream narratives usually yield the greatest rewards. Milk falls into this category and will please everyone willing to give it a chance. Milk follows the true life story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), the first... Read More
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a perfect example of what a great director can do with a pretty average script. This film is a beautiful, colorful celebration of life that will you leave you feeling incredibly nothing but good. Director Danny Boyle has proved to be one of the most diverse directors out there, having successful and critically acclaimed films ranging from Shallow Grave, Sunshine, Millions, 28 Days Later, and Trainspotting. The slumdog of this story is Jamal. Jamal... Read More
Lit Flicks Challenge
I don’t know why it’s so difficult for me to get this post up on the first of the month. I guess I’m just a procrastinator. Thanks again to everyone that participated this month in the Lit Flicks Challenge. It’s half over! But there’s still plenty of time (3 months) to join now, or to keep up with the challenge. Remember: you’re probably reading books and watching movies anyway, why not win prizes for it? So far UnfinishedPerson... Read More
A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël)
It’s really frustrating to me when a trailer advertises one movie, and then I go to the theater and get something else entirely. However, in the case of A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël), I was immensely pleased. I went in expecting a light-hearted French comedy, and got one of the most interesting character studies of the year. The parallels between Tale and The Royal Tennenbaums is remarkable. Both take place mostly at a stately home in a large city. The family... Read More
