What I watched from 1/1/09-/6/30/09
66 movies so far this year. Average 11 per month (~3/week).
I might change my rating to be more like Netflix. It's a simpler system:
1/5 - hated id
2/5 - didn't like it
3/5 - liked it
4/5 - really liked it
5/5 - loved it
Top Rated:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
Adaptation. (2002) - 5/5 (seen bef0re)
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5 (seen before)
Bottom Rated:
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5
Cobra (1986) - 1/5
All movies (66):
Revolutionary Road (2008) - 4/5
Doubt (2008/I) - 4.5/5
Land of the Lost (2009) - 3.5/5
Taking Chance (2009) - 3.5/5
Away We Go (2009) - 4.5/5
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5
The Love Guru (2008) - 3.5/5
The Tale of Despereaux (2008) - 3/5
Terminator Salvation (2009) - 3/5
The Dam Busters (1955) - 3.5/5
Lost in La Mancha (2002) - 3/5 documentary
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (20...
My Name Is Bruce (2007) - 3/5
The Incredible Hulk (2008) - 2.5/5
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) - 2.5/5
Speed Racer (2008) - 2.5/5
Star Trek (2009) - 4/5
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Definitely, Maybe (2008) - 4/5
"Caprica" (2009) - 3.5/5
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009) - 3.5/5
The Wrestler (2008) - 4.5/5
"Spaced" (1999) - 2.5/5 tv series
Adventureland (2009) - 4/5
Adaptation. (2002) - 5/5
Henry Poole Is Here (2008) - 3/5
High Fidelity (2000) - 3.5/5
The Foot Fist Way (2006) - 3/5
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - 4.5/5
Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) - 4/5 documentary
Son of Rambow (2007) - 3/5
Deconstructing Harry (1997) - 2.5/5
The Fountain (2006) - 3.5/5
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5 subtitles
Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5 documentary
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5 documentary
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5...
Duplicity (2009) - 3/5
Hud (1963) - 3/5
Haine, La (1995) - 2.5/5
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
Apocalypto (2006) - 3.5/5
Bolt (2008) - 3.5/5
Helvetica (2007) - 3/5 documentary
Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5 documentary
Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5 documentary
frontline: is wal-mart good for america? - 4/5 documentary
Sunshine (2007) - 3.5/5
Cop Land (1997) - 3/5
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
Death Proof (2007) - 4/5
Taken (2008/I) - 3.5/5
He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - 4/5
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) - 4/5
Planet Terror (2007) - 3/5
28 Weeks Later (2007) - 3/5
28 Days Later... (2002) - 3.5/5
What Happens in Vegas (2008) - 1.5/5
Hitman (2007) - 3/5
Yes Man (2008) - 3.5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
Cobra (1986) - 1/5
The Queen (2006) - 3.5/5
Marley & Me (2008) - 4/5
From Netflix (43 - avg ~7/month):
Revolutionary Road
The Return of Captain Invincible
Doubt
Taking Chance
The Dam Busters
Lost in La Mancha
My Name Is Bruce
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Incredible Hulk
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Speed Racer
Definitely, Maybe
Battlestar Galactica: Caprica
The Wrestler
Spaced: The Complete Series: Disc 2
Spaced: The Complete Series: Disc 1
The Foot Fist Way
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Son of Rambow
Slumdog Millionaire
The Fountain
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Hud
La Haine
Apocalypto
Helvetica
Young @ Heart
Breach
Man on Wire
Is Wal-Mart Good for America?: Frontline
Sunshine
Cop Land
The Last Sin Eater
The Bourne Ultimatum
Grindhouse: Death Proof
Grindhouse: Planet Terror
28 Weeks Later
28 Days Later
Ali
Hitman
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 4
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 3
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4: Disc 2
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query " .5/5". Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query " .5/5". Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Movies I've Seen Lately
I'll try to do this from memory. It won't be complete or detailed, but I'll hope to keep it up to date as I go from here.
These are ones I've watched while working out.
In no particular order...
Nosferatu (1922) - 4/5 - silent, (F.W. Murnau, 1922) "To watch F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is to see the vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in cliches, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires." — Roger Ebert
"The original, superbly loathsome German version of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula is a concentrated essay in horror fantasy, full of weird, macabre camera effects. Though ludicrous at times (every horror film seems to become absurd after the passage of years, and many before—yet the horror remains), this first important film of the vampire genre has more spectral atmosphere, more ingenuity, and more imaginative ghoulish ghastliness than any of its successors. The movie often seems more closely related to demonic painting than to the later, rather rigid vampire-movie genre." — Pauline Kael
Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes (1972) - 4/5 - Aguirre, The Wrath of God
Nosferatu (1979) - 5/5 - German/English, Herzog, Kinski
Stage Coach (1939) - 3.5/5 - b/w, classic, (John Ford, 1939) "Perhaps the most likable of all Westerns, and a Grand Hotel-on-wheels movie that has just about everything—adventure, romance, chivalry—and all of it very simple and traditional." — Pauline Kael
Third Man, The - 3.5/5 - Welles, b/w, spy-thriller, Russia
Seventh Seal, The - 3/5 - Swedish, b/w, (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) "The images and the omens are medieval, but the modern erotic and psychological insights add tension, and in some cases, as in the burning of the child—witch (Maud Hansson), excruciation. The actors' faces, the aura of magic, the ambiguities, and the riddle at the heart of the film all contribute to its stature." — Pauline Kael
Magnificent Seven, The - 3.5/5 - western, b/w, based on The Seven Samarai
Seven Samarai, The - 3.5/5 - classic, b/w
Sergeant York - 3.5/5 - Gary Cooper, WWI, b/w
The Big Sleep (1946) - 3.5/5 - Bogie and Bacall, interested release info: some filmed in 1944 and some (refilmed) later in '46, Wm Faulkner on the screenplay - dialogue!
Not while working out:
Ray - 4/5
Spanglish - 3.5/5
Shark Tale - 2.5/5
After the Sunset - 1/5
Incredibles, The - 4.5/5
These are ones I've watched while working out.
In no particular order...
Nosferatu (1922) - 4/5 - silent, (F.W. Murnau, 1922) "To watch F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is to see the vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in cliches, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires." — Roger Ebert
"The original, superbly loathsome German version of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula is a concentrated essay in horror fantasy, full of weird, macabre camera effects. Though ludicrous at times (every horror film seems to become absurd after the passage of years, and many before—yet the horror remains), this first important film of the vampire genre has more spectral atmosphere, more ingenuity, and more imaginative ghoulish ghastliness than any of its successors. The movie often seems more closely related to demonic painting than to the later, rather rigid vampire-movie genre." — Pauline Kael
Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes (1972) - 4/5 - Aguirre, The Wrath of God
Nosferatu (1979) - 5/5 - German/English, Herzog, Kinski
Stage Coach (1939) - 3.5/5 - b/w, classic, (John Ford, 1939) "Perhaps the most likable of all Westerns, and a Grand Hotel-on-wheels movie that has just about everything—adventure, romance, chivalry—and all of it very simple and traditional." — Pauline Kael
Third Man, The - 3.5/5 - Welles, b/w, spy-thriller, Russia
Seventh Seal, The - 3/5 - Swedish, b/w, (Ingmar Bergman, 1957) "The images and the omens are medieval, but the modern erotic and psychological insights add tension, and in some cases, as in the burning of the child—witch (Maud Hansson), excruciation. The actors' faces, the aura of magic, the ambiguities, and the riddle at the heart of the film all contribute to its stature." — Pauline Kael
Magnificent Seven, The - 3.5/5 - western, b/w, based on The Seven Samarai
Seven Samarai, The - 3.5/5 - classic, b/w
Sergeant York - 3.5/5 - Gary Cooper, WWI, b/w
The Big Sleep (1946) - 3.5/5 - Bogie and Bacall, interested release info: some filmed in 1944 and some (refilmed) later in '46, Wm Faulkner on the screenplay - dialogue!
Not while working out:
Ray - 4/5
Spanglish - 3.5/5
Shark Tale - 2.5/5
After the Sunset - 1/5
Incredibles, The - 4.5/5
Friday, January 18, 2008
My Top Five 2007 Movies
These are not the top movies I SAW in 2007, but my top movies released in 2007 (granted I'll still see more released in 2007 going forward, but I thought I'd make this list now)...
Here's the 2007 movies I've seen. There are a ton of 2007 I didn't see so. In fact below is IMDB's top 100 based on votes (7000 vote minimum per film) - I saw 7 of the top 20.
I started the list and when I got thru the best ones, it turned out I had 5 so a nice prime number...
1. Meet the Robinsons - 5/5
2. No Country for Old Men - 5/5
3. Bourne Ultimatum - 4.5/5
4. Juno - 4/5
5. Hot Fuzz - 4/5
Rank Title
1---There Will Be Blood (2007)
2---No Country for Old Men (2007)
3---Man from Earth, The (2007)
---Sicko (2007)
---Juno (2007)
6---Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
---Ratatouille (2007)
---Bourne Ultimatum, The (2007)
9---American Gangster (2007)
10---Into the Wild (2007)
---Hot Fuzz (2007)
---Stardust (2007)
---Atonement (2007)
---3:10 to Yuma (2007)
---Grindhouse (2007)
16---Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007)
---Superbad (2007)
---Gone Baby Gone (2007)
---Darjeeling Limited, The (2007)
20---Eastern Promises (2007)
---Reign Over Me (2007)
---Enchanted (2007)
---Zodiac (2007/I)
Here's the 2007 movies I've seen. There are a ton of 2007 I didn't see so. In fact below is IMDB's top 100 based on votes (7000 vote minimum per film) - I saw 7 of the top 20.
I started the list and when I got thru the best ones, it turned out I had 5 so a nice prime number...
1. Meet the Robinsons - 5/5
2. No Country for Old Men - 5/5
3. Bourne Ultimatum - 4.5/5
4. Juno - 4/5
5. Hot Fuzz - 4/5
Rank Title
1---There Will Be Blood (2007)
2---No Country for Old Men (2007)
3---Man from Earth, The (2007)
---Sicko (2007)
---Juno (2007)
6---Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
---Ratatouille (2007)
---Bourne Ultimatum, The (2007)
9---American Gangster (2007)
10---Into the Wild (2007)
---Hot Fuzz (2007)
---Stardust (2007)
---Atonement (2007)
---3:10 to Yuma (2007)
---Grindhouse (2007)
16---Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007)
---Superbad (2007)
---Gone Baby Gone (2007)
---Darjeeling Limited, The (2007)
20---Eastern Promises (2007)
---Reign Over Me (2007)
---Enchanted (2007)
---Zodiac (2007/I)
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A note about my rating scale...
UPDATED (1.5.07): I wanted to change the slant of my ratings to be more like "how much I like this movie" as opposed to anything about a recommendation...
0-2 = Not worth seeing and probably not worth making notes for.
2.5 = I don't regret watching it, but I wdn't say it's worth your time.
3 = Pretty good, but there's still better stuff to watch.
3.5 = Decent movie. Might see it again.
4 = Good movie. I'd probably see it again. I like it.
4.5 = Really good, little things can't prevent a 5 so this cd be great.
5 = Dang!
Of course, the ratings are relative to what I'd expect/want from the movie. So while "Napoleon Dynamite" isn't the piece of film art that "Schindler's List" is, I can still give it just as good of a rating.
I don't have a checklist or equation to come up w/ the rating so one day I might give a movie a 3 where the next day I wd have given it a 4. I'm swayed by mood and who-knows-what. So my ratings might seem strange or inconsistent at times??? I guess I cd review them later and change my mind, but I don't intend to.
I wd change to 1-10, but it's too late now. That wd make searches easier since as of now if you search for "5/5" you'll also find "1.5/5" and the other "x.5/5" movies. Oh, well.
0-2 = Not worth seeing and probably not worth making notes for.
2.5 = I don't regret watching it, but I wdn't say it's worth your time.
3 = Pretty good, but there's still better stuff to watch.
3.5 = Decent movie. Might see it again.
4 = Good movie. I'd probably see it again. I like it.
4.5 = Really good, little things can't prevent a 5 so this cd be great.
5 = Dang!
Of course, the ratings are relative to what I'd expect/want from the movie. So while "Napoleon Dynamite" isn't the piece of film art that "Schindler's List" is, I can still give it just as good of a rating.
I don't have a checklist or equation to come up w/ the rating so one day I might give a movie a 3 where the next day I wd have given it a 4. I'm swayed by mood and who-knows-what. So my ratings might seem strange or inconsistent at times??? I guess I cd review them later and change my mind, but I don't intend to.
I wd change to 1-10, but it's too late now. That wd make searches easier since as of now if you search for "5/5" you'll also find "1.5/5" and the other "x.5/5" movies. Oh, well.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Books
I was just looking at an old file I used to keep of books as I read them (and when and in some cases where). I haven't kept it up in several years, but here it is...
1 Song Of Soloman, Toni Morrison Fall 1989
2 Painted Bird, Jerzy Kosinski Fall 1989
3 Twice Pardoned, Harold Morris Summer 1990
4 Flatland, Edwin Abbott Abbott Fall 1990
5 Heir To A Dream, 'Pistol' Pete Maravich Fall 1991
6 Fourth Dimension, Rudy Rucker Fall 1991
7 The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran Jan 19 - Feb 6, 1992
8 A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken Jan ? - Feb 9, 1992
9 More Than A Carpenter, Josh McDowell Feb 13 - Feb 24, 1992
10 No Compromise, Melody Green Mar 18 - Mar 25, 1992
11 Star Wars, George Lucas June 30 - July 7,1992
12 The Empire Strikes Back, Donald F. Glut July 8 - July 31,1992
13 Return of the Jedi, James Kahn July 31 - Aug 2, 1992
14 Heir to the Empire, Timothy Zahn Aug 3 - Aug 8, 1992
15 Dark Force Rising, Timothy Zahn Aug 15 - 28, 1992
16 Good Morning, Holy Spirit, Benny Hinn Aug 29 - Oct 18, 1992
17 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis Oct 18 - Oct 25, 1992
18 Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis Oct 25 - Nov 18, 1992
19 The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader", C.S. Lewis Nov 25 - Nov 29, 1992
20 Matthew (New Testament), Matthew (Levi) Aug 5 - Dec 5, 1992
21 Fractal Mode (Book 2: Mode Series), Piers Anthony Nov 29 - Dec 9, 1992
22 Acts (New Testament), Luke Aug 5 - Dec 31, 1992
23 The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis Feb 27,92-Jan 13,1993
24 Romans (New Testament), Paul Jan 1 - Jan 19, 1993
25 1 John (New Testament), John Jan 20 - 24, 1993
26 2 John (New Testament), John Jan 25, 1993
27 3 John (New Testament), John Jan 26, 1993
28 Ephesians (New Testament), Paul Jan 27 - Feb 1, 1993
29 Philippians (New Testament), Paul Feb 2 - 5, 1993
30 John (New Testament), John Feb 6 - March 17,1993
31 The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis Dec 27,92-Feb 23,1993
32 Colossians (N.T.), Paul March 19 - 30, 1993
33 Jude (N.T.), Jude March 31, 1993
34 Hebrews (N.T.), many April 1 - 18, 1993
35 The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis March 28 -Apr 22 1993
36 The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis April 26 - 28, 1993
37 Philemon, (New Testament), Paul May 24, 1993
38 1 Corinthians, (New Testament), Paul May 2 - 27, 1993
39 Habakkuk, (Old Testament), Habakkuk May 27, 1993
40 The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis (Last Chron. of Narnia) May 9 - 27, 1993
The Chronicles of Narnia Oct 18,92-May 27,1993
41 Classic Chritianity, Bob George Feb 21 - May 28, 1993
42 Out of the Silent Planet, C.S. Lewis June 6 - July 7, 1993
43 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses June 7 - Oct 30, 1993
44 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses Oct 31 - Nov 24, 1993
45 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses Dec 1 '93-Jan 17 1994
46 Exodus, (Old Testament), Moses Jan 25 - Feb 13, 1994
47 He is there and He is not Silent, F. A. Schaeffer Feb 7 - Mar 6, 1994
48 Leviticus, Moses Feb 16 - Mar 10, 1994
49 Numbers, Moses Mar 11 - April 4,1994
50 New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton Oct 17 '93-May 1,1994
51 Deuteronomy, Moses April 5 - May 8, 1994
52 Joshua, Joshua May 9 - 20, 1994
53 The Razor's Edge, W. Sommerset Maugham May 15 - 22, 1994
54 Judges, Anonymous June 1 - 18, 1994
55 If You Want to Write, Brenda Ueland June 11 - 19, 1994
56 Ruth, Uncertain June 19, 1994
57 1 Samuel, Samuel and others June 21 - July 2,1994
58 2 Samuel, Samuel and others July 3 - 9, 1994
59 1 Kings, Jeremiah July 10 - 29, 1994
60 2 Kings, Jeremiah July 30 - Aug 13 1994
61 1 Chronicles, Ezra Aug 14 - 23, 1994
62 The Trial of Socrates, I. F. Stone July 20 - Sept 7,1994
63 2 Chronicles, Ezra Aug 24 - Sept 11,1994
63 Ezra, Ezra Sept 12 - 14, 1994
64 Nehemiah, Nehemiah Sept 15 - 23, 1994
65 Esther, Uncertain Sept 24 - 26, 1994
66 Einstein's Dreams, Alan Lightman Sept 12 - Oct 12,1994
67 Job, Uncertain Sept 27 - Oct 13,1994
68 In His Steps, Charles M. Sheldon Sept 10 - Oct 30,1994
69 Proverbs, Soloman and others Oct 14 - Nov 13, 1994
70 Ecclesiates, Soloman Nov 19, 1994
71 Song of Soloman, Soloman Nov 20, 1994
72 Isaiah, Isaiah Nov 21 '94-Jan 3,1995
73 Einstein for Beginners,Jo. Schwartz&MichaelMcGuiness Dec '94 - Jan 22,1995
74 The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer Oct 20'94-Jan 22,1995
75 Jeremiah, Jeremiah Jan 4 - Feb 4, 1995
76 Lamentations, Jeremiah Feb 5 - 9, 1995
77 Ezekiel, Ezekiel Feb 10 - March 2,1995
78 Daniel, Daniel March 3 - 15, 1995
79-91 Hosea - Malachi (O.T. Minor Prophets) March 16-April 8,1995
92-118 Matthew - Revelation (New Testament) April 13-July 18,1995
119 The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis August 2, 1995
120 The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster August, 1995
121 Genesis, Moses August 2 - 5, 1995
122 Casino Royale, Ian Fleming Oct 27-29, 1995
123 The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans Dec 13-14, 1995
124 If Only He Knew, Gary Smalley Dec, 1995
125 Marriage Takes More Than Love,Jack & Carole Mayhall Jan, 1996
126 The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman Feb, 1996
127 Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. June, 1996
128 Sleepers, Lorenzo Carcaterra Sept 27, 2pm-2am,1996
129 Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Rbt Persig July - Nov, 1996
130 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams April - May, 1997
131 Ruins: Xfiles, Kevin J. Anderson May 7-10, 1997 (Berlin)
132 Slaughterhouse 5, Kurt Vonnegut May 10, 1997 (Berlin)
133 Frankenstein, Mary Shelley May 10-16, 1997 (Berlin+)
134 Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger May - June, 1997
135 The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald June ?-13, 1997
136 The Terminal Man, Michael Crichton June 21, 1997 (DFW - Frankfurt)
137 Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck June 22, 1997 (Frankfurt airport)
138 Travels w/ Charlie, John Steinbeck June 22-July 5, 1997
139 Mother Night, Kurt Vonnegut July 25, 1997 (Goteborg - Dublin)
140 Ground Zero (Xfiles), Kevin J. Anderson July 27-29, 1997 (Started in London)
141 Player Piano, Kurt Vonnegut July - Sept. 1997 (Goteborg)
142 God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Kurt Vonnegut Sept. 1997 (Goteborg)
143 Slapstick, Kurt Vonnegut Sept, 1997 (Got, Paris, London)
144 Palm Sunday, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1997 (Goteborg)
145 Dead Eye Dick, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1997 (Goteborg)
146 The Spy Who Loved Me, Iam Fleming Nov, 1997 (Goteborg)
147 The Diary of a Young Girl, Ann Frank Nov 10,1997 (Amsterdam-Jo'burg)
148 The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom June-July, 1998
149 Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut May-July, 1998
150 Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut Aug-Sept., 1998
151 Hocus Pocus, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1998
152 Who Moved the Stone, Frank Morison May - July, 1999
153 DMB: Step Into the Light, Morgan Delancey August, 1999
154 Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card Oct - Nov, 1999
155 Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf, Bill Murray August 2000
156 Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale September 2, 2000
1 Song Of Soloman, Toni Morrison Fall 1989
2 Painted Bird, Jerzy Kosinski Fall 1989
3 Twice Pardoned, Harold Morris Summer 1990
4 Flatland, Edwin Abbott Abbott Fall 1990
5 Heir To A Dream, 'Pistol' Pete Maravich Fall 1991
6 Fourth Dimension, Rudy Rucker Fall 1991
7 The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran Jan 19 - Feb 6, 1992
8 A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken Jan ? - Feb 9, 1992
9 More Than A Carpenter, Josh McDowell Feb 13 - Feb 24, 1992
10 No Compromise, Melody Green Mar 18 - Mar 25, 1992
11 Star Wars, George Lucas June 30 - July 7,1992
12 The Empire Strikes Back, Donald F. Glut July 8 - July 31,1992
13 Return of the Jedi, James Kahn July 31 - Aug 2, 1992
14 Heir to the Empire, Timothy Zahn Aug 3 - Aug 8, 1992
15 Dark Force Rising, Timothy Zahn Aug 15 - 28, 1992
16 Good Morning, Holy Spirit, Benny Hinn Aug 29 - Oct 18, 1992
17 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis Oct 18 - Oct 25, 1992
18 Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis Oct 25 - Nov 18, 1992
19 The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader", C.S. Lewis Nov 25 - Nov 29, 1992
20 Matthew (New Testament), Matthew (Levi) Aug 5 - Dec 5, 1992
21 Fractal Mode (Book 2: Mode Series), Piers Anthony Nov 29 - Dec 9, 1992
22 Acts (New Testament), Luke Aug 5 - Dec 31, 1992
23 The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis Feb 27,92-Jan 13,1993
24 Romans (New Testament), Paul Jan 1 - Jan 19, 1993
25 1 John (New Testament), John Jan 20 - 24, 1993
26 2 John (New Testament), John Jan 25, 1993
27 3 John (New Testament), John Jan 26, 1993
28 Ephesians (New Testament), Paul Jan 27 - Feb 1, 1993
29 Philippians (New Testament), Paul Feb 2 - 5, 1993
30 John (New Testament), John Feb 6 - March 17,1993
31 The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis Dec 27,92-Feb 23,1993
32 Colossians (N.T.), Paul March 19 - 30, 1993
33 Jude (N.T.), Jude March 31, 1993
34 Hebrews (N.T.), many April 1 - 18, 1993
35 The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis March 28 -Apr 22 1993
36 The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis April 26 - 28, 1993
37 Philemon, (New Testament), Paul May 24, 1993
38 1 Corinthians, (New Testament), Paul May 2 - 27, 1993
39 Habakkuk, (Old Testament), Habakkuk May 27, 1993
40 The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis (Last Chron. of Narnia) May 9 - 27, 1993
The Chronicles of Narnia Oct 18,92-May 27,1993
41 Classic Chritianity, Bob George Feb 21 - May 28, 1993
42 Out of the Silent Planet, C.S. Lewis June 6 - July 7, 1993
43 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses June 7 - Oct 30, 1993
44 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses Oct 31 - Nov 24, 1993
45 Genesis, (Old Testament), Moses Dec 1 '93-Jan 17 1994
46 Exodus, (Old Testament), Moses Jan 25 - Feb 13, 1994
47 He is there and He is not Silent, F. A. Schaeffer Feb 7 - Mar 6, 1994
48 Leviticus, Moses Feb 16 - Mar 10, 1994
49 Numbers, Moses Mar 11 - April 4,1994
50 New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton Oct 17 '93-May 1,1994
51 Deuteronomy, Moses April 5 - May 8, 1994
52 Joshua, Joshua May 9 - 20, 1994
53 The Razor's Edge, W. Sommerset Maugham May 15 - 22, 1994
54 Judges, Anonymous June 1 - 18, 1994
55 If You Want to Write, Brenda Ueland June 11 - 19, 1994
56 Ruth, Uncertain June 19, 1994
57 1 Samuel, Samuel and others June 21 - July 2,1994
58 2 Samuel, Samuel and others July 3 - 9, 1994
59 1 Kings, Jeremiah July 10 - 29, 1994
60 2 Kings, Jeremiah July 30 - Aug 13 1994
61 1 Chronicles, Ezra Aug 14 - 23, 1994
62 The Trial of Socrates, I. F. Stone July 20 - Sept 7,1994
63 2 Chronicles, Ezra Aug 24 - Sept 11,1994
63 Ezra, Ezra Sept 12 - 14, 1994
64 Nehemiah, Nehemiah Sept 15 - 23, 1994
65 Esther, Uncertain Sept 24 - 26, 1994
66 Einstein's Dreams, Alan Lightman Sept 12 - Oct 12,1994
67 Job, Uncertain Sept 27 - Oct 13,1994
68 In His Steps, Charles M. Sheldon Sept 10 - Oct 30,1994
69 Proverbs, Soloman and others Oct 14 - Nov 13, 1994
70 Ecclesiates, Soloman Nov 19, 1994
71 Song of Soloman, Soloman Nov 20, 1994
72 Isaiah, Isaiah Nov 21 '94-Jan 3,1995
73 Einstein for Beginners,Jo. Schwartz&MichaelMcGuiness Dec '94 - Jan 22,1995
74 The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer Oct 20'94-Jan 22,1995
75 Jeremiah, Jeremiah Jan 4 - Feb 4, 1995
76 Lamentations, Jeremiah Feb 5 - 9, 1995
77 Ezekiel, Ezekiel Feb 10 - March 2,1995
78 Daniel, Daniel March 3 - 15, 1995
79-91 Hosea - Malachi (O.T. Minor Prophets) March 16-April 8,1995
92-118 Matthew - Revelation (New Testament) April 13-July 18,1995
119 The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis August 2, 1995
120 The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster August, 1995
121 Genesis, Moses August 2 - 5, 1995
122 Casino Royale, Ian Fleming Oct 27-29, 1995
123 The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans Dec 13-14, 1995
124 If Only He Knew, Gary Smalley Dec, 1995
125 Marriage Takes More Than Love,Jack & Carole Mayhall Jan, 1996
126 The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman Feb, 1996
127 Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. June, 1996
128 Sleepers, Lorenzo Carcaterra Sept 27, 2pm-2am,1996
129 Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Rbt Persig July - Nov, 1996
130 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams April - May, 1997
131 Ruins: Xfiles, Kevin J. Anderson May 7-10, 1997 (Berlin)
132 Slaughterhouse 5, Kurt Vonnegut May 10, 1997 (Berlin)
133 Frankenstein, Mary Shelley May 10-16, 1997 (Berlin+)
134 Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger May - June, 1997
135 The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald June ?-13, 1997
136 The Terminal Man, Michael Crichton June 21, 1997 (DFW - Frankfurt)
137 Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck June 22, 1997 (Frankfurt airport)
138 Travels w/ Charlie, John Steinbeck June 22-July 5, 1997
139 Mother Night, Kurt Vonnegut July 25, 1997 (Goteborg - Dublin)
140 Ground Zero (Xfiles), Kevin J. Anderson July 27-29, 1997 (Started in London)
141 Player Piano, Kurt Vonnegut July - Sept. 1997 (Goteborg)
142 God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Kurt Vonnegut Sept. 1997 (Goteborg)
143 Slapstick, Kurt Vonnegut Sept, 1997 (Got, Paris, London)
144 Palm Sunday, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1997 (Goteborg)
145 Dead Eye Dick, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1997 (Goteborg)
146 The Spy Who Loved Me, Iam Fleming Nov, 1997 (Goteborg)
147 The Diary of a Young Girl, Ann Frank Nov 10,1997 (Amsterdam-Jo'burg)
148 The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom June-July, 1998
149 Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut May-July, 1998
150 Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut Aug-Sept., 1998
151 Hocus Pocus, Kurt Vonnegut Oct, 1998
152 Who Moved the Stone, Frank Morison May - July, 1999
153 DMB: Step Into the Light, Morgan Delancey August, 1999
154 Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card Oct - Nov, 1999
155 Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf, Bill Murray August 2000
156 Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale September 2, 2000
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - 5/5
I really liked this movie. It was a like a cross btwn "Forrest Gump" and "The Razor's Edge." Not to say it's as great as though or the best of both, just similar to both in ways.
It was fun to see some scenes I recognized (the cemetary early on is the Mandeville lakefront and the Summer house shots are near there too).
I can't really say I "got a lot" out of this movie, but I very much enjoyed it. It almost didn't get a 5, but...
SPOILERS
There were 2 things that bothered me about this movie:
1. Happenstance?
When he describes the series of events that lead up to Daisy being struck by the car (first off, how did he know all those things? I'm being picky, but that's kinda sloppy filmmaking.), what's his point? So if one thing had happened differently, she'd still have her career.
Is it that we can't control our fate? That everything that happens ultimately has some meaning in the grand scheme? That everything happens for a reason or there's a purpose to everything? That everything has NO meaning - that things just happen b/c 'b' follows 'a' and it just happens? I wasn't sure what the point was???
It didn't seem to fit in the movie... maybe b/c I didn't see the point.
2. He left!
Why'd he leave his family? I felt that was a big mistake and almost cost it the 5 rating... I'm still not sure. A) They didn't know if he'd really keep aging/getting younger B) As it showed, it was many years before it wd have been an issue (he met his daughter when she was 13 and he was still of sound mind). Moreover, it wasn't until the daughter was grown and her husband had passed away that Benjamin really needed anyone to look after him and she basically did it anyway! C) Wdn't it be worth that cost to be around your child and so that your child cd have her real father!?!?!
I saw his point, but felt he was not only wrong, but groundless in his argument.
I think it made for a better movie so I have to chalk it up to a "mistake" on his part.
I really liked this movie. It was a like a cross btwn "Forrest Gump" and "The Razor's Edge." Not to say it's as great as though or the best of both, just similar to both in ways.
It was fun to see some scenes I recognized (the cemetary early on is the Mandeville lakefront and the Summer house shots are near there too).
I can't really say I "got a lot" out of this movie, but I very much enjoyed it. It almost didn't get a 5, but...
SPOILERS
There were 2 things that bothered me about this movie:
1. Happenstance?
When he describes the series of events that lead up to Daisy being struck by the car (first off, how did he know all those things? I'm being picky, but that's kinda sloppy filmmaking.), what's his point? So if one thing had happened differently, she'd still have her career.
Is it that we can't control our fate? That everything that happens ultimately has some meaning in the grand scheme? That everything happens for a reason or there's a purpose to everything? That everything has NO meaning - that things just happen b/c 'b' follows 'a' and it just happens? I wasn't sure what the point was???
It didn't seem to fit in the movie... maybe b/c I didn't see the point.
2. He left!
Why'd he leave his family? I felt that was a big mistake and almost cost it the 5 rating... I'm still not sure. A) They didn't know if he'd really keep aging/getting younger B) As it showed, it was many years before it wd have been an issue (he met his daughter when she was 13 and he was still of sound mind). Moreover, it wasn't until the daughter was grown and her husband had passed away that Benjamin really needed anyone to look after him and she basically did it anyway! C) Wdn't it be worth that cost to be around your child and so that your child cd have her real father!?!?!
I saw his point, but felt he was not only wrong, but groundless in his argument.
I think it made for a better movie so I have to chalk it up to a "mistake" on his part.
Friday, April 03, 2009
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
The Graduate (1967) - 5/5
One of the best. Such a great movie. I've seen this movie several times over the last 20+ years and always enjoy it and see new/different things.
Ref: Rumor Has It - fun movie
SPOILERS (but if you haven't seen this movie, shame on you)
Great exchange in the beginning w/ his dad:
Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: Worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know... I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: To be what?
Benjamin: [looks at his father] ... Different.
I've always loved and identified w/ this sentiment - when I was young and now.
However, I do see the film differently now.
Ben is a great picture of the alienated and isolated youth of the sixties (as seen in the scuba/pool scene). He turns to easy, cheap sex and as Solomon found out, it's empty. Eventually, it's not enough to have sex w/o a relationship and laze around all day.
He's forced into taking out Elaine and BAM! a person. A real person w/ real feelings and emotion. It shocks Ben. He's instantly in love. Here's someone alive - unlike him, unlike his parents, unlike anyone he's around.
Unfortunately, he's having an affair w/ her mom who later tells Elaine that Ben raped her.
Ben's drive during school seems to have been "do what's expected" - head of track, debate, etc. scholarship to grad school. Now his drive is for Elaine and he pursues her relentlessly.
She's forced to marry someone else, but turns back to Ben - both of them rebelling against their parents and all that they are.
They run away from everything not knowing where they're going.
The thing that struck me this time was the look on their faces at the end when the bus is driving off. What were they thinking? They're mostly straight faced, staring ahead blankly. Where they scared? At peace? Disappointed? Free?
I think I always felt before that they were at peace and content, but now I'm not sure???
Greatness.
One of the best. Such a great movie. I've seen this movie several times over the last 20+ years and always enjoy it and see new/different things.
Ref: Rumor Has It - fun movie
SPOILERS (but if you haven't seen this movie, shame on you)
Great exchange in the beginning w/ his dad:
Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: Worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know... I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: To be what?
Benjamin: [looks at his father] ... Different.
I've always loved and identified w/ this sentiment - when I was young and now.
However, I do see the film differently now.
Ben is a great picture of the alienated and isolated youth of the sixties (as seen in the scuba/pool scene). He turns to easy, cheap sex and as Solomon found out, it's empty. Eventually, it's not enough to have sex w/o a relationship and laze around all day.
He's forced into taking out Elaine and BAM! a person. A real person w/ real feelings and emotion. It shocks Ben. He's instantly in love. Here's someone alive - unlike him, unlike his parents, unlike anyone he's around.
Unfortunately, he's having an affair w/ her mom who later tells Elaine that Ben raped her.
Ben's drive during school seems to have been "do what's expected" - head of track, debate, etc. scholarship to grad school. Now his drive is for Elaine and he pursues her relentlessly.
She's forced to marry someone else, but turns back to Ben - both of them rebelling against their parents and all that they are.
They run away from everything not knowing where they're going.
The thing that struck me this time was the look on their faces at the end when the bus is driving off. What were they thinking? They're mostly straight faced, staring ahead blankly. Where they scared? At peace? Disappointed? Free?
I think I always felt before that they were at peace and content, but now I'm not sure???
Greatness.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) (TV) - 5/5
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) (TV) - 5/5
As a stand alone movie at the theater, I'd give this a much lower rating, but as an extended episode of the series which is really what it is, it's great and I'll rate it as part of the series.
So see my previous post on the series for anything more.
As a stand alone movie at the theater, I'd give this a much lower rating, but as an extended episode of the series which is really what it is, it's great and I'll rate it as part of the series.
So see my previous post on the series for anything more.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Razor's Edge (1984) - 5/5
The Razor's Edge (1984) - 5/5
I hadn't seen this movie in several years, but still really like it though I see some things differently now.
The only thing that I think I hadn't noticed so much before is the telegraphing of upcoming events:
Billy: "I sure do love my dog. I'd hate for anything to happen to him."
Man: "Whose dog did I just hit?"
Other than that, I think it's a great movie.
SPOILERS
Larry Darrell kinda states 2 things at the end that seem to (suppose to) be the "message":
- "There's no payoff." He felt he had to live a full life b/c Piedmont died and that he was given a second chance. Also, that Sophie was his reward for living well, but there's no payoff.
- "It just doesn't matter." This one I wdn't put too much weight on, but when Isabel asked ifwhen she'd see him again, he says "You just don't get it. It just doesn't matter." So...
I think what appeals to me most about this movie is the quest for a "full life." Often times in movies, that results in travel and such for the character. That's fine, but it's the attitude that I like so much. Like in "The Graduate" when he says he wants his life to be.... different.
I hadn't seen this movie in several years, but still really like it though I see some things differently now.
The only thing that I think I hadn't noticed so much before is the telegraphing of upcoming events:
Billy: "I sure do love my dog. I'd hate for anything to happen to him."
Man: "Whose dog did I just hit?"
Other than that, I think it's a great movie.
SPOILERS
Larry Darrell kinda states 2 things at the end that seem to (suppose to) be the "message":
- "There's no payoff." He felt he had to live a full life b/c Piedmont died and that he was given a second chance. Also, that Sophie was his reward for living well, but there's no payoff.
- "It just doesn't matter." This one I wdn't put too much weight on, but when Isabel asked ifwhen she'd see him again, he says "You just don't get it. It just doesn't matter." So...
I think what appeals to me most about this movie is the quest for a "full life." Often times in movies, that results in travel and such for the character. That's fine, but it's the attitude that I like so much. Like in "The Graduate" when he says he wants his life to be.... different.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
Sunday, December 07, 2008
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
My new all-time favorite sci-fi show. Yep, more than ST, ST:TNG, Quantum Leap, etc. Amazing. Hard to believe it myself. So great.
Maybe it's just the freshness of it, but this show beats them all.
I've been watching these for a few months now so I haven't posted much. I've watched seasons 1,2,2.5 and 3 and also the movie btwn seasons 3 and 4 "Razor" and they're all great.
The writing is awesome - best ever. They succeeded where XFiles and so many others have failed: they've held it together and avoided the cheap tricks and gimmicks other shows have to rely on after writing themselves into a corner.
The action, drama, sci-fi, everything is so on! This thing fires on all cylinders and doesn't back down on anything. Great in every way!
The first part of season 4 comes out on DVD next month and I hope to TiVo the new (last 10) episodes this Spring to finish it out.
I'm excited to see where it lands, but bummed to see it end. I heard of a spin-off they're going to do when it's over, but I can't imagine it will be good unless they use the same team... which I can't imagine they will.
My new all-time favorite sci-fi show. Yep, more than ST, ST:TNG, Quantum Leap, etc. Amazing. Hard to believe it myself. So great.
Maybe it's just the freshness of it, but this show beats them all.
I've been watching these for a few months now so I haven't posted much. I've watched seasons 1,2,2.5 and 3 and also the movie btwn seasons 3 and 4 "Razor" and they're all great.
The writing is awesome - best ever. They succeeded where XFiles and so many others have failed: they've held it together and avoided the cheap tricks and gimmicks other shows have to rely on after writing themselves into a corner.
The action, drama, sci-fi, everything is so on! This thing fires on all cylinders and doesn't back down on anything. Great in every way!
The first part of season 4 comes out on DVD next month and I hope to TiVo the new (last 10) episodes this Spring to finish it out.
I'm excited to see where it lands, but bummed to see it end. I heard of a spin-off they're going to do when it's over, but I can't imagine it will be good unless they use the same team... which I can't imagine they will.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
Synecdoche, New York (2008) - 5/5
Sad. Tragic. Disturbing. Weird. Powerful. Jacked up.
Hard to know where to start w/ this one, but I think it's a great movie. Very confusing in some senses and while the details are strange, I think it doesn't interfere w/ the overall story/feeling.
It's a hard movie to recommend b/c I think different people will react very differently to it.
Sad. Tragic. Disturbing. Weird. Powerful. Jacked up.
Hard to know where to start w/ this one, but I think it's a great movie. Very confusing in some senses and while the details are strange, I think it doesn't interfere w/ the overall story/feeling.
It's a hard movie to recommend b/c I think different people will react very differently to it.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Primer (2004) - 4.5/5
Primer (2004)
I really liked this movie.
(UPDATE: I went back and up'ed my rating of this movie so the next couple of sentences were made when I had it lower)
I wanted to give it a 4/5 or higher, but it's tough to rationalize w/ the many problems...
Given the circumstances around making the movie, it sd get a 5/5 or something.
The film focuses too much on the science of the situation and leaves too little to the meat of the story. I felt confused by the story, not the science. What happened? Why?
UPDATE:
The reason I up'ed the rating was b/c after thinking about it and I want my ratings to be how much I "like" the movie. Not just technically or artistically or whatever, but what I think about it and all that that entails: fun, clever, etc. How much it appeals to me. I've been thinking and talking about this movie ever since I saw it. I immediately started the director's commentary after watching the movie and immediately started the cast/crew commentary after that (though I didn't finish it).
SPOILERS
What happened to Thomas Granger? The just left that.
UPDATE:
Later in the director commentary he explains they don't know. Their present selves don't know how he found out about the box and what he did exactly, etc. So we don't either.
Why was Aaron leaving?
UPDATE:
Too many doubles and complications. The wiki page explains a lot, but it took me a while to agree w/the whole 'doubles' part.
Wikipedia.org has a great page on it here. I'm not sure I cd get all that from the movie???
I really liked this movie.
(UPDATE: I went back and up'ed my rating of this movie so the next couple of sentences were made when I had it lower)
I wanted to give it a 4/5 or higher, but it's tough to rationalize w/ the many problems...
Given the circumstances around making the movie, it sd get a 5/5 or something.
The film focuses too much on the science of the situation and leaves too little to the meat of the story. I felt confused by the story, not the science. What happened? Why?
UPDATE:
The reason I up'ed the rating was b/c after thinking about it and I want my ratings to be how much I "like" the movie. Not just technically or artistically or whatever, but what I think about it and all that that entails: fun, clever, etc. How much it appeals to me. I've been thinking and talking about this movie ever since I saw it. I immediately started the director's commentary after watching the movie and immediately started the cast/crew commentary after that (though I didn't finish it).
SPOILERS
What happened to Thomas Granger? The just left that.
UPDATE:
Later in the director commentary he explains they don't know. Their present selves don't know how he found out about the box and what he did exactly, etc. So we don't either.
Why was Aaron leaving?
UPDATE:
Too many doubles and complications. The wiki page explains a lot, but it took me a while to agree w/the whole 'doubles' part.
Wikipedia.org has a great page on it here. I'm not sure I cd get all that from the movie???
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - 4.5/5
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - 4.5/5
This movie hits it pretty much on every point: great direction, acting, tension, camera work, scenery, etc. It's really got it all: action, love, drama, relationships, hope, fear, etc.
I loved the pacing and storytelling technique used throughout the whole film
SPOILERS
The only thing that kept this movie from a 5 is that I felt it didn't really build to anything... well, nothing big enough to match the rest of the aspects of the film. The love story had a good ending and probably the best it cd have had w/o being cheesy. I'm not saying I was hoping for something bigger.
But the whole story is the amazingly intricately woven story on a path that "is written." So I felt the ending sd have matched that... somehow.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want the "big, happy, American movie ending." But I wanted the fulfillment to match the build up, but instead I was like, "Oh, ok, so he got a call from the girl." I mean, he had his brother's phone number all along and he knew his brother was involved w/ the guy that had her... cdn't have called that way??? Why did he need the show to call his brother's phone?
Granted, they were watching which led to everything else that happened and that was important, but he didn't plan that or anything.
Anyway, I'm focusing on something that's not all that important and I haven't thought about it this much before now, just that it's what kept it from being a 5. I never like when I focus on something small to make a point and feel like that's all I thought about of the movie. No, it's a GREAT movie.
This movie hits it pretty much on every point: great direction, acting, tension, camera work, scenery, etc. It's really got it all: action, love, drama, relationships, hope, fear, etc.
I loved the pacing and storytelling technique used throughout the whole film
SPOILERS
The only thing that kept this movie from a 5 is that I felt it didn't really build to anything... well, nothing big enough to match the rest of the aspects of the film. The love story had a good ending and probably the best it cd have had w/o being cheesy. I'm not saying I was hoping for something bigger.
But the whole story is the amazingly intricately woven story on a path that "is written." So I felt the ending sd have matched that... somehow.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want the "big, happy, American movie ending." But I wanted the fulfillment to match the build up, but instead I was like, "Oh, ok, so he got a call from the girl." I mean, he had his brother's phone number all along and he knew his brother was involved w/ the guy that had her... cdn't have called that way??? Why did he need the show to call his brother's phone?
Granted, they were watching which led to everything else that happened and that was important, but he didn't plan that or anything.
Anyway, I'm focusing on something that's not all that important and I haven't thought about it this much before now, just that it's what kept it from being a 5. I never like when I focus on something small to make a point and feel like that's all I thought about of the movie. No, it's a GREAT movie.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 4.5/5
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Great movie. I think this is only the second time I've seen this movie (the first being in the theater in '04). I almost gave this a 4 but I think the end is too great.
I think this is a great movie w/ maybe only one drawback: I felt that watching it having seen it before made is less of a thrill ride. The first time thru I was constantly like "what's going on? what's real?" and such. But this time, I felt very little of that. So I cd appreciate the writing and crafting of it, but didn't the excitement of being lost in the story so much.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. But 4.5/5 is pretty rare for me: "Raiders...", "In Bruges", "Primer", etc. 4.5/5 movies
Of course Kaufman's hand and the overall style are just amazing.
SPOILERS
The ending really packs a punch either way. When they decide to get (back) together despite knowing what pain is to come, it's really powerful.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
I might go back and give this a 5/5??? It's hard to say if it was better than the first b/c not only was "The Bourne Identity" great, but also it was new, fresh and original. This being a sequel kinda discounts some of that.
The story was good, but not as good as the first one to me. However, the action was probably better and I'd say in some cases the best. I feel confident in saying that this movie contains the best fight scene... ever.
Some great car chases too.
Very fun. Very cool. Just a great, great spy/action movie.
SPOILERS
The fight scene I'm talking about is the one in Tangier. I love the dimensions of it that it builds from the bombing to the chases to the fight. It really makes it long w/o drawing it out or getting old - just building in intensity.
Another thing that was pretty cool was that the majority of this movie's story takes place btwn the last two scenes of the previous movie.
This movie starts when Bourne leaves the Russian girls apartment. Then you have most of the movie. Then Bourne calls Landy in this movie near the end which is the last scene of the "Supremacy."
Nothing too big, but kinda cool.
I might go back and give this a 5/5??? It's hard to say if it was better than the first b/c not only was "The Bourne Identity" great, but also it was new, fresh and original. This being a sequel kinda discounts some of that.
The story was good, but not as good as the first one to me. However, the action was probably better and I'd say in some cases the best. I feel confident in saying that this movie contains the best fight scene... ever.
Some great car chases too.
Very fun. Very cool. Just a great, great spy/action movie.
SPOILERS
The fight scene I'm talking about is the one in Tangier. I love the dimensions of it that it builds from the bombing to the chases to the fight. It really makes it long w/o drawing it out or getting old - just building in intensity.
Another thing that was pretty cool was that the majority of this movie's story takes place btwn the last two scenes of the previous movie.
This movie starts when Bourne leaves the Russian girls apartment. Then you have most of the movie. Then Bourne calls Landy in this movie near the end which is the last scene of the "Supremacy."
Nothing too big, but kinda cool.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Little Children (2006) - 3/5
Little Children (2006) - 3/5
I thought this movie was going to be more like a 4 or 5, but it fell short at the end. I felt like they got to the last 20 mins and were like "Man, we gotta wrap this up quick!"
There was so much tension and drama building and building - maybe they built it up too much for them to handle.
They characters are all pretty unhappy and disillusioned in one way or another and escape into their various weaknesses most of the time. While some seem excusable others are "evil." I'm not sure if we're suppose to see them as similar or what... unfortunately, I'm not super motivated to analyze this movie b/c of the weak ending.
Well acted and a decent movie (though disturbing at times) but falls short late in the game.
I thought this movie was going to be more like a 4 or 5, but it fell short at the end. I felt like they got to the last 20 mins and were like "Man, we gotta wrap this up quick!"
There was so much tension and drama building and building - maybe they built it up too much for them to handle.
They characters are all pretty unhappy and disillusioned in one way or another and escape into their various weaknesses most of the time. While some seem excusable others are "evil." I'm not sure if we're suppose to see them as similar or what... unfortunately, I'm not super motivated to analyze this movie b/c of the weak ending.
Well acted and a decent movie (though disturbing at times) but falls short late in the game.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Adventureland (2009) - 4/5
Adventureland (2009) - 4/5
This movie is really betrayed by it's trailer. The trailer looks like this silly, quirky comedy about teens in the 80's in the style of Seth Rogen, SNL/Adam Sanberg, etc. Of course, all of those parts are shown in the trailer and the rest is the actual movie.
This movie is more like a cross btwn "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" and "The Graduate."
Also, from the trailer, I thought the main actor, Jesse Eisenberg, wd hold the movie back, but he really was a high point.
It might not deserve 4 out of 5, but it's good and was a pleasant surprise.
SPOILERS:
James, a virgin, gets a summer job at a small theme park. He falls in love w/ a girl who's sleeping w/ a married man. Complicated and delicate. The ending was a bit of a let down - as far as they way the writers decided to show their "committment" or decision or whatever you want to say they wd call it, but I'm certainly not surprised.
They introduce some concepts of family and pain and angst in youth particularly in the 80's when people seemed to be getting faced w/ the consequences of their decisions and the "Me" decade was in full swing. I liked how they didn't try to resolve all of that - they just put it out there.
This movie is really betrayed by it's trailer. The trailer looks like this silly, quirky comedy about teens in the 80's in the style of Seth Rogen, SNL/Adam Sanberg, etc. Of course, all of those parts are shown in the trailer and the rest is the actual movie.
This movie is more like a cross btwn "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" and "The Graduate."
Also, from the trailer, I thought the main actor, Jesse Eisenberg, wd hold the movie back, but he really was a high point.
It might not deserve 4 out of 5, but it's good and was a pleasant surprise.
SPOILERS:
James, a virgin, gets a summer job at a small theme park. He falls in love w/ a girl who's sleeping w/ a married man. Complicated and delicate. The ending was a bit of a let down - as far as they way the writers decided to show their "committment" or decision or whatever you want to say they wd call it, but I'm certainly not surprised.
They introduce some concepts of family and pain and angst in youth particularly in the 80's when people seemed to be getting faced w/ the consequences of their decisions and the "Me" decade was in full swing. I liked how they didn't try to resolve all of that - they just put it out there.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Seven Up! (1964) (TV) - 5/5
Seven Up! (1964) (TV)
NEXT: Frenzy (1972)
This is a series where they took several 7-year-old kids from various walks of life in England in 1964 and interviewed them. They go back every 7 years to see how things are going. The premise was based on a quote: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man."
It's interesting to see who did what they thought they would and how they've changed, etc. I love this kinda thing! Most recently they did "49 Up" in 2005 so you get to see a majority of their lives at this point.
Since they come out every 7 years, there's a lot of recap in each documentary, but I still recommend watching them all to get the full information. After watching so much of their lives, you really feel like you know them and certainly care for them.
SPOILERS
Bruce, Paul and Neil are probably my favorites though I love how Suzanne changed so much over the years. Jackie, Lynn and Sue are kinda sad. Neil is heartbreaking, but powerful.
Haiku Summary
What can I say here?
People change. Some more, Some less.
A lot of it's sad.
NEXT: Frenzy (1972)
This is a series where they took several 7-year-old kids from various walks of life in England in 1964 and interviewed them. They go back every 7 years to see how things are going. The premise was based on a quote: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man."
It's interesting to see who did what they thought they would and how they've changed, etc. I love this kinda thing! Most recently they did "49 Up" in 2005 so you get to see a majority of their lives at this point.
Since they come out every 7 years, there's a lot of recap in each documentary, but I still recommend watching them all to get the full information. After watching so much of their lives, you really feel like you know them and certainly care for them.
SPOILERS
Bruce, Paul and Neil are probably my favorites though I love how Suzanne changed so much over the years. Jackie, Lynn and Sue are kinda sad. Neil is heartbreaking, but powerful.
Haiku Summary
What can I say here?
People change. Some more, Some less.
A lot of it's sad.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Frank and Ollie (1995) - 5/5
Frank and Ollie (1995)
This is a documentary about two of the great Disney animators; two of the "nine old men." These guys started out in school together and wound up sharing an apartment and then building houses next to each other where they lived the rest of their lives (Frank died in 2004, but I believe Ollie is still alive).
It's a great look at what they did and their motivations, humility, skills and general approach to animation.
I've been listening to the AnimationPodcast.com and they talk a lot about Frank and Ollie. So getting to see them and learn about them was a lot of fun.
Haiku Summary
Two animators
for Disney tell their story.
Great insight for us.
This is a documentary about two of the great Disney animators; two of the "nine old men." These guys started out in school together and wound up sharing an apartment and then building houses next to each other where they lived the rest of their lives (Frank died in 2004, but I believe Ollie is still alive).
It's a great look at what they did and their motivations, humility, skills and general approach to animation.
I've been listening to the AnimationPodcast.com and they talk a lot about Frank and Ollie. So getting to see them and learn about them was a lot of fun.
Haiku Summary
Two animators
for Disney tell their story.
Great insight for us.
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