Raging Bull (1980) - 4/5

Raging Bull (1980)

De Niro shines as a pretty horrible character. Rage is right! This guy is determined to get everything he wants and destroy it too.

Cathy Moriarty is also great - so smooth.

It's very intense in and out of the ring. I can't say enough about how great De Niro is, of course.

City Lights (1931) - 4.5/5

City Lights (1931)

Very fun, cute movie. I liked the simple story and natural feeling situations that let Chaplin shine. What a master!

This movie is a classic's classic. It's nice to watch these scenes knowing this is the material we're always seeing duplicated (but never as well).

One Night with the King (2006) - 2.5/5

One Night with the King (2006)

Pretty good production, but somewhat disappointing/mixed acting. They changed the story which is a big no-no in my opinion. Not that they necessarily changed the message, but I really wanted to see the story I know and love.

Also, they added some sub-plots which may have added depth, but it didn't really work for me - again that cd be just b/c it was different.

The book of Esther is short so maybe it doesn't require a full length feature to tell it all. That cd be why they added other story lines, etc. which, to me, distract from the story.

They did some things well, but overall I was disappointed so read that into my rating.

Beyond the Gates of Splendor (2002) - 4.5/5

Beyond the Gates of Splendor (2002)

I wanted to watch this after "End of the Spear" and I think it's much better. I tend to like the actual people telling the stories. Plus, the real locations, people, photos and film, etc. So great.

This has much more backstory and explinations of their ideas, intentions, mindsets and heart for what they were doing.

Blades of Glory (2007) - 4/5

Blades of Glory (2007)

Funny and good performances by Farrell and Heder. Great permise too.

For some reason, I was really distracted when I saw this movie so I can't seem to remember too much from it. I guess I can look forward to renting it.

End of the Spear (2005) - 3.5/5

End of the Spear (2005)

An important story told fairly well. Not a great movie, but it tells and good and important true story.

It wasn't so much about Jim Elliot like I expected, but others and the tribe and such.

I wd recommend "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" over this movie.

Factotum (2005) - 1/5

Factotum (2005)

Decently acted, but the story and characters are fairly weak. Not much to like here and little reason to try. It started a bit weak and got worse.

Facing the Giants (2006) - 5/5

Facing the Giants (2006)

This movie gets a very high rating for personal reasons. Like others, w/ such a low budget ($70k), it did a lot.

It's a bit cheesy, but for so many possible pitfalls and sensitive issues, there's a lot that cd go wrong. They navigated those well which is quite a feat.

I loved the message and they way it's told w/ focus on God, His word, prayer, trust, faith, etc.

"Extras" (2005) - 3.5/5

"Extras" (2005)

Not a "hilarious" show. Clever and original, but nothing incredible and kinda slow.

Also, it suffered from high expectations from me.

Chicken Little (2005) - 2.5/5

Chicken Little (2005)

Nothing wrong w/ this movie, but nothing great either.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000) - 4/5

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000)

Good show, but I had high expectations. I felt like it was "Seinfeld" on cable, but not as good - possibly b/c being like "Seinfeld" made it unoriginal.

Also, I felt like most episodes were formulaic - he wd do something in the begining which wd set him up to screw things up and come back on him later.

He's kinda Jerry and George rolled into one, but w/o the full cast, it's weakened.

Anyway, it's good and I'm told the next few seasons really get strong, but I was let down a little.

Madagascar (2005) - 4/5

Madagascar (2005)

I really liked this movie. The overall story is decent and the characters are good, but the details and little jokes throughout the whole story cracked me up. I just really liked the detailed thought they put into the little actions and jokes and idiosyncrasies of everything: the personalities of the penguins, the mannerisms of the animals, the quick side jokes w/ the monkeys, etc.

So while this movie isn't like an 'instant classic', I had a lot of fun w/ it.

Igby Goes Down (2002) - 3.5/5

Igby Goes Down (2002)

I think I wd have liked this movie more if I were younger or more ideallistic or something. It reminded me a lot of "The Cather in the Rye." I read that when I was older and didn't like it that much - I just thought the kid was annoying, arrogant, selfish, judgemental and a baby... kinda like this movie.

However, in the second half of this movie, they dive deeper into his family and such and it gets better. The dynamic of his dad and brother and just where people start and wind up and how was interesting.

The acting, tone, etc. are all great and Kieran Culkin handles the lead very well. This movie has a lot going for it. I was probably meant to feel sorry for and sympathize w/ the lead more than thinking of him as a punk causing trouble around him, but...

Shopgirl (2005) - 3/5

Shopgirl (2005)

A good little story not trying to take on too much. What makes a relationship work? What makes a person happy? Why sd two people be together?

I love the pace of this movie. It cdn't be slower and more relaxing. Even the intense scenes are slow.

SPOILERS

I have to say that if I was suppose to buy into Mirabelle and Jeremy being together at the end, I don't think I can. I mean, at least, not buy into it and be satisfied w/ it. He just picked up a girl at her art show and slept w/ her soon before they're together. I'm not sure he's all that great of a guy. As for whether or not they are "right" for each other, that may be a separate question, but I think my feeling on it holds.

UPDATE: It seems Mirabelle is given the choice btwn 2 men. Neither, at first, can give her himself: one is self-absorbed and the other is emotionally closed off. However the second can give her other things like attention, gifts, etc. which are good but ultimately not enough.

Jeremy changes and eventually can give himself to her which, in movie reality, is love and is the 'right choice.'

I have to question if at any point either of them are right for her.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006) - 4/5

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

I felt this was an original idea for a story and it was well told and acted.

SPOILERS

It's hard to pin down exactly what the point was, but I'd consider that to be a good thing. Was it that we sdn't let "numbers" control our lives?

Harold's life is all about numbers: he works at the IRS and is OCD about counting everything and living life in a very calculated manner.

Once that's "broken" he starts changing how he lives and actually starts living his life. Then people are brought into his life. Finally, he's forced to living based on "the facts" and chooses to die for someone else. This time his "living by the numbers" is for a purpose and by choice in the "right way."

But that leaves out Karen Eiffel and too many other characters out of the base of the story. However, to some degree it includes those people in Harold's life: the baker, the professor and the friend.

Karen Eiffel's part in the story is too big to be left out.

I'll have to think about this one some more.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006) - 2/5

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Lots of big names, but Josh Hartnett pretty much cancels all that out.

I bet it was a good read, but the transition to the screen lost a lot. I'd say poor directing, but...???

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004) - 3.5/5

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)

Thought provoking, but a pretty dangerous movie. They certainly take a lot of leaps in their arguments to try to make their points. A good bit of slight-of-hand.

They also hit a lot of topics, concepts, scientific area/theories/ideas, use a cute story, animation, etc. It's hard to focus on one thing and when you try they're already on another point and you've only had time to understand their argument (and not examine it) before they've moved on.

Unfortunately, this probably had the opposite effect on me than what might be intended - I believed it less than they probably wanted. While their spiritual conclusions might be whacko, I'd like to know if their neurology had any merit b/c that cd be pretty interesting.

I wd love to see/read a response to this movie from someone I knew I cd trust. :)

The credentials of the interviewees (which you don't see until the end) are impressive, but these days it's hard to trust college professors and Ph.D.s and such w/o knowing more about them.

The reviews on IMDB are pretty negative, but well worded and intelligent.

I wd have given it a higher rating b/c it's interesting, but it's dangerous.

Marche de l'empereur, La (2005) - 3.5/5

Marche de l'empereur, La (2005)

Good movie. They do a good job of taking a relatively simple story and making it interesting. They don't force any of the cuteness and don't hold back any/much of the tragedy.

"Me, Myself, & Bob" - my thoughts

A post on my thoughts on the book: "Me, Myself, & Bob" - my thoughts

Open Season (2006) - 2.5/5

Open Season (2006)

I can't really say too much about this. We watched it w/ our son and I was probably more interested in watching him than the movie. It definitely had some cute/funny parts, but over all I didn't think the story was that great... though I was distracted.

I was surprised to see (before it started) that it's rated PG. I think it deserved it b/c of the theme of hunting and all.

Anyway, it's decent, but there's better out there.