Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Green Butchers

I wasn't aware comedy could be this dark. Urk.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342492/ (Original title: De Grønne Slagtere)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

RocknRolla

Is this entire film a vaguely veiled homoerotic muddle? Or did I miss something?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/

The Wire: Season 4

Not quite the magic of the past 3 seasons. Plenty of excellent scenes, however.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

It's Complicated

And neither has Nancy Meyers, apparently (heard of a screenplay). John Krasinski was pitch perfect, however.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230414/

Extract

Mike Judge goes from Office Space to this? It's as if he's never heard the term screenplay before.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1225822/

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Sherlock Holmes

The Law-Downey pairing has excellent chemistry, so why not film it as a play on screen instead of an action blockbuster?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Funny People

Like an overly long stand-up comedy routine, mixed in with Judd Apatow's real-life family videos.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201167/

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars

Just quite good enough. I expected a bit more from O'Bannon and Kemper, especially Kemper, for the final ending.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387736/

Farscape: Season 4

Claudia Black with a lisp, the 1812 overture, the Crichton/Chiana twist-- ah, the utter genius.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187636/

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Farscape: Season 2

It's the delivery and context that makes this the best line of season 2: "I hate these goggles, they look like CRAP!"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187636/

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Farscape: Season 1

I love this series more than I love Firefly. If you know me, you know what that says about it. (Please, if you watch, give it 7-8 episodes before you judge.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187636/

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Pushing Daisies: Season 2

The funniest part of the entire show was the smooch between Anna Friel and Lee Pace at Comic-Con.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0925266/

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Every Little Step

Even if this wasn't a nigh perfect doc, I would still love it. I was addicted to this music as a child.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0977648/

Ratatouille

Probably the only Pixar film wholly intended for adults, not kids.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

I've Loved You So Long

Unfortunately, the reveal is obvious from the beginning. What else could it have been?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068649/ (Original title: Il y a Longtemps que Je t'Aime)

Monday, November 9, 2009

Duplicity

No, no, no! Finish the movie with the zoom-in on the ceiling behind Clive Owen. Sigh.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135487/

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Duchess

The real Duchess of Devonshire was needy, greedy and a bulimic. Where's that in this portrayal?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0864761/

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Drag Me to Hell

Raimi's genius is in the small stuff, like the squeak of Alison Lohman's forehead against the windshield. Plus that ending-- yes!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127180/

Monday, November 2, 2009

Defiance

Tired of Hollywood movies that give you one truly good scene: the rabbi asking God to take his blessing away from the Jews.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034303/

London to Brighton

No matter what the situation, a Brit is legally obligated to ask you if you'd "like a cup o' tea, luv?"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490166/

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Doctor Who: Season 5

Actual real, live jokes! Bad ones, but at least something to relieve the early 60s tedium.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/

Life: Season 1

There's something vaguely off about the series, even with Damian Lewis more than pulling his weight.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874936/

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Kate & Leopold

No chemistry between the stars dooms the picture, but it's Meg who's out of place, not Hugh.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035423/

Monday, October 26, 2009

Crank

Actually, the best scene is from the beginning: he passes the Porsche by to get into a 70s muscle car.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479884/

The Bridge

The filmmakers knew they had documentary gold, but to actually film the bridge for a year waiting for a death...that's the wrong approach.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799954/

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Choke

How do you see the world? Pretty sure Palahniuk has an ultra-skewed view.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024715/

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Alien Trespass

Meh. If I wanted to see an old B-movie sci-fi flick, I could just watch Plan 9 again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1122836/

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Love's Labour's Lost

With synchronized swimming, floating dancing, and old-time tap, what can go wrong? Actually, the entire second half.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0182295/

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Children of Dune (mini-series)

Once again, James McAvoy lifts technically sub-standard fare to something far more compelling.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287839/

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Beowulf

Gaiman made Beowulf a letch? And just to create a more complete storyline? Shame on him.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Amazing Grace

After pre-screening 30-odd films for the local film festival, anything with decent production values is a gale of fresh air.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454776/

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

Truly moving. A heartfelt testament to childhood, and discovering how to care for those around you.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Lost Room

Peter Jacobson and Peter Krause get my votes for coolest schlub and hottest everyman.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0830361/

Monday, September 21, 2009

28 Weeks Later

People locked in a big room for their own protection against the raging zombie hordes. What do you think is going to happen?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463854/

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Monday, September 7, 2009

Doctor Who: Season 4

Patrick Troughton is, like, 4000 times more interesting than the first Doctor, but it's hard to tell for sure from watching lost episodes.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/

District 9

Allegorically heavy-handed, but not without reason.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Great Buck Howard

I've never seen John Malkovich in a likable role, even one that still lets him be all crazy and in your face.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460810/

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Kevin Smith is more clever than he is funny, and he's far more gross than he is clever.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007028/

Friday, September 4, 2009

Yes Man

Not at all what I expected. Can you say quirky, hilarious and ultimately relevant to your own life?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068680/

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Waltz with Bashir

Unfortunately, the final scenes are not more horrific than the previous ones, so the film loses its punch. The animation is super-keen, however.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185616/ (Original title: Vals Im Bashir)

Monday, August 31, 2009

The Sting

Charles Durning on Paul Newman: "Acting with Paul...what? There didn't seem to be anything there. Then, in the rushes, it was like I wasn't even there."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070735/

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

For all that I find the thesis so very disturbing, this ranks among my top 5 favorite Woody Allen flicks.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Monday, August 17, 2009

Transformers

"Yo, bros before hos, man!" Ugh, why do I expect anything different from a Michael Bay movie?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Ponyo

The Little Mermaid as seen through Hayao Miyazaki's eyes.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0876563/ (Original title: Gake no ue no Ponyo)

Friday, August 14, 2009

Julie & Julia

Three things they did right: the voice, eating with gusto in nearly every scene, and butter. Butter, butter, butter.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Role Models

It's official. There's a new sub-genre of film: Geek-Tastic.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430922/

Two Lovers

It's not possible to watch this without incorporating some of Joaquin Phoenix's troubles into the character. I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1103275/

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Surprisingly touching. America Ferrara's diatribe against weight discrimination is also spot-on.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403508/

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Wallander: Series 1

For someone who admires Swedish culture and society, it's so odd to watch them tear it down themselves.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178618/

Shrek the Third

When the best joke in the entire film is how difficult it is to pronounce Worcestershire, it's my fond hope that they stop here and film no more.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413267/

Monday, July 27, 2009

Pineapple Express

"Danger, danger, trees, tree, tree, squirrel." Think that pretty much sums it up.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910936/

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Star Trek: Season 1 (restored)

Melodrama is high, but oh, the plots and effects used in sci-fi shows since this show aired.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060028/

Kings: Season 1

Unnecessarily complicated towards the end, even as it continued to engage both the brain and soul.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1137462/

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Ringu

Duh, much like the Hollywood version except a lot less of those spectacularly spooky Cinovation special effects.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178868/

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Successful Attempt at Doing Something Different.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417741/

Reign Over Me

Perhaps the best part of the film is what they left out. Watch the special feature 2-minute jam session between Sandler and Cheadle.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490204/

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Blindness

Heavy-handed morality plays just simply stink. Even with Mark Ruffalo in them.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0861689/

Friday, July 17, 2009

Rachel Getting Married

Raw and coherent and mercurial and multi-cultural and primal and hysterical and raw again. Most funnest dance party, too.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1084950/

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Moon

If this doesn't get Sam Rockwell more starring roles, maybe it's time to look into that plumbing career.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Friday, July 3, 2009

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Increase: Sacha Baron Cohen. Increase: penguin madness. Decrease: eating other animals. Thank you.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479952/

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Marley & Me

Do not watch this movie if you have recently had a pet put down. Repeat, do not.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Pixar Story

Define ironic: John Lasseter, CCO of Pixar/Disney, was fired from Disney in the 1980s for trying to use computers for animation.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1059955/

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies

Subtle slapstick, a technique I wasn't aware existed.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464913/ (Original title: OSS 117: Le Caire nid d'Espions)

Point Break

I'd rank this as by far the prettiest of Keanu Reeves' flicks.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/

Friday, June 19, 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Last Chance Harvey

People say I look and act a little like Emma Thompson. There is no better compliment.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046947/

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Kung Fu Panda

First line had me: "Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung-fu skills were the stuff of legend!"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Ghost Town

That dry wit is worth about half a film and then I just want to watch The Office instead.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995039/

Dan in Real Life

Proof that Steve Carell can be devastatingly charming as well as wickedly funny.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480242/

Saturday, June 6, 2009

The Jane Austen Book Club

Way too predictable. Except for the bit with Hugh Dancy trying to get Maria Bello to read Ursula LeGuin-- if only that had worked for me and my book club!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0866437/

Friday, June 5, 2009

Becoming Jane

Forsooth, I believe this film is misunderstood in precisely the same way as Girl with a Pearl Earring.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416508/

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Tell No One

Wow, a modern French crime thriller. Complex, twisty, ranks with the best from any country.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362225/ (Original title: Ne le Dis à Personne)

Monday, June 1, 2009

Frozen River

Proving that selfless behavior is a fundamental part of the human condition.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978759/

Sunday, May 31, 2009

2010

Arthur C. Clarke could not have written a more cinematic novel. (Witness the many scenes/lines used verbatim.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086837/

Friday, May 29, 2009

Up (in 3D)

It soars! It's uplifting! Only a few downer moments! (Trust me, there were far worse puns than this.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Doctor Who: Season 3

What I will miss about William Hartnell playing the Doctor is his unflappable nature in the face of trouble. Are they all like that, and did he start it?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/

Run Fatboy Run

Pegg does much better in over-the-top spoofs. Too much narrative in this one.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425413/

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

MASH: Season 10

Always so weird to see guest stars on MASH. There's Joe Pantoliano, looking about 12 years old.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068098/

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 6

Hands down best scene is Giles laughing hysterically at the Season 6 machinations in the last episode. Good they can make fun of themselves.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

24: Season 7

They sure took their sweet time explaining Jack's motives. I wish it hadn't taken the American people to pressure them into doing it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285331/

Die Hard

Could there be a more stereotypical action film? And by that I mean, so full of stereotypes?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Star Trek

Too many references to old action films (Matrix, Star Wars, Jurassic Park). Consequence: not as unique as it should have been.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/

Friday, May 15, 2009

Wendy and Lucy

Beware animal lovers, this film will raise your anxiety level. Try to remember it's not really the point.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152850/

Away We Go

One of the most genuinely funny movies I've seen. And shouldn't Allison Janney be given a lifetime achievement award by now?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1176740/

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Lost: Season 5

Not the most stellar season. A most provoking end, though, as we gear up to get our questions truly answered.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Dollhouse: Season 1

Remember, it's Whedon, you need to watch at least half the season before it starts getting good. (Episode 7 = fave. Episode 13 = waiting...)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135300/

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Lymelife

So chaps my ass when the end of a movie isn't in keeping with the rest of it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363780/

Watchmen

Less than a handful of scenes different from the comic book = not worth the 3 hours.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409459/

Observe and Report

Above quota: # of penises shown. Below quota: socially responsible endings.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1197628/

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Alone in the Dark

There are so many things you could say about this piece of crap. First and foremost, though, Tara Reid as a scientist?!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369226/

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Let the Right One In

Best horror flick since 28 Days Later? And set in beautiful snowy Sweden instead of rainy England, too.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/ (Original title: Låt den Rätte Komma In)

The Sopranos: Season 6, Part 2

I hated this show for so many reasons. I loved the ending.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141842/

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Heroes: Season 3, Volume 4

I didn't think it was possible to create a character more irritating than Sylar, but they've outdone themselves with Danko.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813715/

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Princess Diaries

So Disney. "Oh, I decided I wanted to rule my kingdom instead of being married to you." "Sure, no problem dear, bye!"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247638/

Friday, April 24, 2009

Outland

Any movie that starts by stating "Principle Ore- Titanium" has immediately lost my respect.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082869/

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

La Vie en Rose

Marion Cotillard's posture, mon Dieu, so painful to watch.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450188/ (Original title: La Môme)

Monday, April 20, 2009

When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions

I sewed for the first four episodes (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo...yup, been there), but the last two episodes on the Shuttle missions? Eye-opening.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233514/

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Body of Lies

Half thinking-person's movie, half action thriller. I haven't decided which wins out.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758774/

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Friday Night Lights: Season 3

If you don't mind... Renewed for a season 4 AND a season 5. Woot!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758745/

Friends: Season 6

Usually couldn't care less about Ross' predicaments, but the white teeth episode? Brilliant.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/

Caché

My attention wandered constantly, even though I understood the thinking behind the long shots of nothing.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387898/

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Friday, April 3, 2009

MI-5: Season 4

I actually enjoy them dissing the US/CIA every so often-- good to see the perspective.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160904/ (Original title: Spooks)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5

My enthusiasm for the show dissipated after the 5th Cylon reveal, done so nonchalantly as to piss off any remaining fans.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407362/

RiP: A Remix Manifesto

95% excellent. Needs yet another remix to add scenes describing new music pricing structure.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1397511/

Sunday, March 22, 2009

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Action films that stutter-- that's what long plane flights are for, right?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311429/

Doubt

So much plaintext and subtext about faith and belief. Not ashamed to say it lost me in sections.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Monday, March 9, 2009

Spaced: Season 2

I heart Simon Pegg and will now watch everything he's written. Oh wait, already done that.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187664/

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Wire: Season 3

Even with the ending ruined by a tweet (grrrrr) the build-up was worth it. Oh, and the showdown at the OK Corral wasn't half bad either.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Apollo 13

Who cares if it's not the most sophisticated film? For space freaks, it's like coming home.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Coraline (in 3D)

Perhaps a bit too strange of a story, but stop-action animation coming right AT you? Knocks my socks off.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327597/

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Spaced: Season 1

Want to know where the ideas in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz come from? Watch this delightful, geeky series.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187664/

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Gran Torino

Don't see this film for its simple messages. See it for the character Eastwood creates, and how he mirrors all our lives.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

John Adams

I am surprised at how much I didn't (and did) know about Adams' career. My hat is off to both Giamatti and Linney (and Polley).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472027/

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

House M.D.: Season 4

Best written show on television today. And medical mystery dramas are triply hard to pull off.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412142/

Monday, February 2, 2009

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Sure, it's a wonderful treatise on aging, but did it have to include every thought about aging anyone has ever had?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421715/

Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Wrestler

That second fight! Ow. Ow. Ow. (Top of your game, Aronofsky. Where will you go from here?)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1125849/

A Better Tomorrow

It's like watching anime, sappy music and all.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092263/ (Original title: Ying Hung Boon Sik)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

A mix of The Two Towers and The Empire Strikes Back, with a healthy dose of Christianity thrown in (as to be expected).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499448/

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

An Angel at My Table

Inconceivable, that she avoided a lobotomy solely on the grounds of having won a national book prize. And the other mis-diagnosed patients?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099040/

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Rumor Has It...

At least Aniston looks good in a ball dress. (Yeah, yeah, so I was tired of MI-5 and needed to watch something dumb.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0398375/

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Friday, January 16, 2009

Lust, Caution

Ang Lee: master of looking. Characters looking at each other, us looking at the characters-- looking and seeing ourselves in them.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808357/ (Original title: Se, Jie)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

MI-5: Season 3

Markedly better season. Final episode expertly penned, especially Danny's speech.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160904/ (Original title: Spooks)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Frost/Nixon

You woulda thought my parents would have chained me to the couch to watch these. (Even if I was only 12.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870111/

Friday, January 9, 2009

Shall We Dance

(The 1937 Fred Astaire version.) Ginger Rogers on roller skates. Nope, doesn't work.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029546/

Monday, January 5, 2009

Pride & Prejudice

Oh what torture, to watch a beloved story in yet another adaptation. Oh what a relief, to watch it come to life on its own.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387/

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Pelle the Conqueror

Historic film themes are somewhat obvious, but seeing how folks lived then (especially in other countries) is most enlightening.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093713/
(Original title: Pelle Erobreren)

Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Band's Visit

Purposefully intimate and slow, with funny fillips from the recent film school grad director.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032856/ (Original title: Bikur Ha-Tizmoret)

Friday, January 2, 2009

You Kill Me

Sympathetic assassins are old news. Clever use of the AA world makes this version hilarious.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796375/

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Sweet Land

What I imagine my mother might have gone through when arriving in this country.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428038/