The Kite Runner (2007)
NEXT: "Lars and the Real Girl" (2007)
Slightly disturbing and hard to relate to at times, I felt this was a bit monotone. The child actors were really good in all ways.
This movie was interesting and a good story, but I didn't feel they took advantage of it.
Haiku Summary
Boys have falling out.
One goes to U.S. One dies.
Goes back to get boy.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007) - 3.5/5
Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007) (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
NEXT: "The Kite Runner" (2007)
A painful movie to watch about the editor of Elle magazine in France having a stroke and suffering from locked-in syndrome. He basically only has control over one eye and communicates by blinking. His mind is there, but he's trapped. Hard to watch.
W/ help, he's able to write a book which then is made into this movie.
I have to say, while this movie was somewhat inspiring that he was able to keep his sanity and continue to live, communicate, etc. It was a bit depressing too. You wd expect that somewhat... and it was.
I guess I hoped for a bit more of an uplifting story of his triumph. It was inspiring, but very, very sad too.
Haiku Summary
Man has stroke. Coma.
Can think, but little else. He
writes a book with help.
NEXT: "The Kite Runner" (2007)
A painful movie to watch about the editor of Elle magazine in France having a stroke and suffering from locked-in syndrome. He basically only has control over one eye and communicates by blinking. His mind is there, but he's trapped. Hard to watch.
W/ help, he's able to write a book which then is made into this movie.
I have to say, while this movie was somewhat inspiring that he was able to keep his sanity and continue to live, communicate, etc. It was a bit depressing too. You wd expect that somewhat... and it was.
I guess I hoped for a bit more of an uplifting story of his triumph. It was inspiring, but very, very sad too.
Haiku Summary
Man has stroke. Coma.
Can think, but little else. He
writes a book with help.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Little Bear Movie (2001) - 2.5/5
The Little Bear Movie (2001)
NEXT: Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007)
We got this for our 3 year old. He picked it out. It's a sweet story. It's pretty calm and not scary and fairly funny. Not really something adults wd get into, but certainly something I'm fine w/ him watching.
Haiku Summary:
Little Bear meets Cub.
Cub lost parents in storm. They
search and find them. Cute.
NEXT: Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007)
We got this for our 3 year old. He picked it out. It's a sweet story. It's pretty calm and not scary and fairly funny. Not really something adults wd get into, but certainly something I'm fine w/ him watching.
Haiku Summary:
Little Bear meets Cub.
Cub lost parents in storm. They
search and find them. Cute.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Mist (2007) - 3/5
The Mist (2007)
NEXT: "The Little Bear Movie" (2001)
Decent for a B movie so I hope that's what they were going for. You have to look past some things in the usual vein: they wdn't do that, why are they so stupid, shut her up, etc.
Of course they have the obligatory whacko Christian weirdo to call down fire and brimstone. It's a cliche that never gets old... or was never new???
The intensity is pretty good and the premise and stuff is cool, but it doesn't play out quite right. There's too many caveats and such to really pull it off.
SPOILERS:
It had about as good of an ending as "The Last American Virgin" in a sense. Terribly sad, but painfully ironic. If I was able to take this movie more seriously, it wd have been a horrific ending. But since I found it rather silly and mostly a "high production B movie," I was able to take it in stride.
Haiku Summary:
Storm. Mist. Death. What is
it? Monsters. Big ones. Leave or
die. Leave. Most die. Saved.
NEXT: "The Little Bear Movie" (2001)
Decent for a B movie so I hope that's what they were going for. You have to look past some things in the usual vein: they wdn't do that, why are they so stupid, shut her up, etc.
Of course they have the obligatory whacko Christian weirdo to call down fire and brimstone. It's a cliche that never gets old... or was never new???
The intensity is pretty good and the premise and stuff is cool, but it doesn't play out quite right. There's too many caveats and such to really pull it off.
SPOILERS:
It had about as good of an ending as "The Last American Virgin" in a sense. Terribly sad, but painfully ironic. If I was able to take this movie more seriously, it wd have been a horrific ending. But since I found it rather silly and mostly a "high production B movie," I was able to take it in stride.
Haiku Summary:
Storm. Mist. Death. What is
it? Monsters. Big ones. Leave or
die. Leave. Most die. Saved.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Baby Mama (2008) - 3/5
Baby Mama (2008)
NEXT: "The Mist" (2007)
Pretty funny - good parts w/ a decent story setting it up. Fey and Poehler have a great sense of humor so just them doing whatever will be decently funny... probably.
Later in the movie it gets a little mushy which doesn't really work - stick to the comedy.
Haiku Summary
She can't have a babe.
Surrogate mother.
Lies, jokes, mushy end.
NEXT: "The Mist" (2007)
Pretty funny - good parts w/ a decent story setting it up. Fey and Poehler have a great sense of humor so just them doing whatever will be decently funny... probably.
Later in the movie it gets a little mushy which doesn't really work - stick to the comedy.
Haiku Summary
She can't have a babe.
Surrogate mother.
Lies, jokes, mushy end.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
List of U.S. and Canadian box office bombs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of U.S. and Canadian box office bombs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You can sort the list (click the arrows by the column headers) by various items. Sorting by "% of budget" is pretty cool.
You can sort the list (click the arrows by the column headers) by various items. Sorting by "% of budget" is pretty cool.
The Last American Virgin (1982)
The Last American Virgin (1982)
NEXT: "Baby Mama" (2008)
This movie was recommended to me b/c it sets itself apart from what you'd expect... and it does. The premise is a somewhat shy (virgin) boy and his friends are trying to get w/ girls like teenagers dream about. However, the main character meets a girl new to town and falls for her. I'll stop there for the non-spoiler types, but seriously, are you really going to see this movie? Keep reading.
SPOILERS:
Unfortunately, she falls for the boy's "too cool" friend. She gets pregnant and the cool guy dumps her. She gets an abortion and is helped by, Gary, the shy boy. They spend a few days together while she recovers and he's in heaven and thinks she's really fallen for him too.
He goes to her b-day party w/ a new locked inscribed and everything only to walk in her and Mr. Cool making out in the kitchen. Looks are exchanged, but no words. Gary takes off, drives away crying and... credits! Ouch!
I think the lesson here is: you might meet someone you really like and if you're good, you'll get close to them, but ultimately you'll be driving away alone crying. Yikes! It's a pretty harsh reality.
Haiku Summary:
Boy meets girl. Girl digs
boy's friend. Girls has trouble. Boy
helps. Hope. Pain. Credits.
NEXT: "Baby Mama" (2008)
This movie was recommended to me b/c it sets itself apart from what you'd expect... and it does. The premise is a somewhat shy (virgin) boy and his friends are trying to get w/ girls like teenagers dream about. However, the main character meets a girl new to town and falls for her. I'll stop there for the non-spoiler types, but seriously, are you really going to see this movie? Keep reading.
SPOILERS:
Unfortunately, she falls for the boy's "too cool" friend. She gets pregnant and the cool guy dumps her. She gets an abortion and is helped by, Gary, the shy boy. They spend a few days together while she recovers and he's in heaven and thinks she's really fallen for him too.
He goes to her b-day party w/ a new locked inscribed and everything only to walk in her and Mr. Cool making out in the kitchen. Looks are exchanged, but no words. Gary takes off, drives away crying and... credits! Ouch!
I think the lesson here is: you might meet someone you really like and if you're good, you'll get close to them, but ultimately you'll be driving away alone crying. Yikes! It's a pretty harsh reality.
Haiku Summary:
Boy meets girl. Girl digs
boy's friend. Girls has trouble. Boy
helps. Hope. Pain. Credits.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Dan in Real Life (2007) - 4/5
Dan in Real Life (2007)
NEXT: "The Last American Virgin" (1982)
Good, sweet movie. The characters really make this movie. It's something that while you're watching it, you're enjoying getting to know them despite whether anything is actually "happening" or not.
I just wanted to hang out w/ the family.
Despite having a premise that's been done many times before, the difference here is that they really take their time and develop great characters. The fact that the premise is familiar actually helps b/c it's stated and you can move on to how it plays out.
I think everything hits well in this movie and it's really good all around.
Haiku Summary:
Boy meets girl. Girl is
dating boys brother. Things fall
apart. Plays out well.
NEXT: "The Last American Virgin" (1982)
Good, sweet movie. The characters really make this movie. It's something that while you're watching it, you're enjoying getting to know them despite whether anything is actually "happening" or not.
I just wanted to hang out w/ the family.
Despite having a premise that's been done many times before, the difference here is that they really take their time and develop great characters. The fact that the premise is familiar actually helps b/c it's stated and you can move on to how it plays out.
I think everything hits well in this movie and it's really good all around.
Haiku Summary:
Boy meets girl. Girl is
dating boys brother. Things fall
apart. Plays out well.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
The Andromeda Strain (1971) - 2.5/5
The Andromeda Strain (1971)
NEXT: "Dan in Real Life" (2007)
Wow. Slow. It felt like "THX-1138" and "2001" in a lot of ways. An interesting idea/story, but only decently told.
About 40% of the movie is watching the scientists prep for the sterile environment. Another 50% is watching them use robotic tools. The other 10% is the resolution at the very end... maybe it's only 5%.
You might be able to make a higher case for this story's implications about science and man and our position and such. About the decisions we have to make about humanity and who has the right to know this or cause that or how we might be playing God at times. I can see those arguments in there, but unfortunately the metal arms get more screen time and their humming gets most of the dialog.
Haiku Summary
Satellite falls. Town
dies. Unknown cause. Robotics.
Watch. Wait. Slow. Scare! Done.
NEXT: "Dan in Real Life" (2007)
Wow. Slow. It felt like "THX-1138" and "2001" in a lot of ways. An interesting idea/story, but only decently told.
About 40% of the movie is watching the scientists prep for the sterile environment. Another 50% is watching them use robotic tools. The other 10% is the resolution at the very end... maybe it's only 5%.
You might be able to make a higher case for this story's implications about science and man and our position and such. About the decisions we have to make about humanity and who has the right to know this or cause that or how we might be playing God at times. I can see those arguments in there, but unfortunately the metal arms get more screen time and their humming gets most of the dialog.
Haiku Summary
Satellite falls. Town
dies. Unknown cause. Robotics.
Watch. Wait. Slow. Scare! Done.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) - 4/5
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
NEXT: "The Andromeda Strain" (1971)
Very fun and good music. I liked the story and the development of the characters. The tone was great too: dark w/ the direction and coloring to match.
It was painful in several ways to watch (the "drop" is harsh).
Haiku Summary
Man lost family.
Goes back. Kills lots of peeps. They
pretty much all die.
NEXT: "The Andromeda Strain" (1971)
Very fun and good music. I liked the story and the development of the characters. The tone was great too: dark w/ the direction and coloring to match.
It was painful in several ways to watch (the "drop" is harsh).
Haiku Summary
Man lost family.
Goes back. Kills lots of peeps. They
pretty much all die.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Last Dragon (1985) - 1/5
The Last Dragon (1985)
NEXT: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (2007)
This movie is terrible. So bad. I hear them talking about it on filmspotting and decided to just watch it w/o knowing anything. Man, it's bad, but that's the fun of it.
The songs are bad, the acting is terrible, the story is just about the worst possible.
It's a karate movie set in Harlem with some gangs and such. There's a TV hostess that the main character falls for but a local promoter wants her to showcase his new singer so he tries to muscle the hostess around. But here comes Bruce Leroy!
Watch it in a group and get a laugh.
Haiku Summary
Leroy's training is
done. He falls for a girl. Thug
gets her. Leroy saves!
NEXT: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (2007)
This movie is terrible. So bad. I hear them talking about it on filmspotting and decided to just watch it w/o knowing anything. Man, it's bad, but that's the fun of it.
The songs are bad, the acting is terrible, the story is just about the worst possible.
It's a karate movie set in Harlem with some gangs and such. There's a TV hostess that the main character falls for but a local promoter wants her to showcase his new singer so he tries to muscle the hostess around. But here comes Bruce Leroy!
Watch it in a group and get a laugh.
Haiku Summary
Leroy's training is
done. He falls for a girl. Thug
gets her. Leroy saves!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hable con ella (2002) - 3/5
Hable con ella (2002) (Talk To Her)
NEXT: "The Last Dragon" (1985)
It's hard to say what this movie is about, but it's well made and mostly pleasant to watch. It's very powerful and uses people's longings and dreams in a powerful way.
The characters are deep and identifiable.
Despite being well made and rich in many ways, some important things don't hit quite right. There's not really anything that draws this movie to me. It's not really entertaining or sheds light on anything new. But remains w/ me w/ the characters.
Haiku Summary
Two men with women
in comas bond. One crazy.
He dies. She wakes. End.
NEXT: "The Last Dragon" (1985)
It's hard to say what this movie is about, but it's well made and mostly pleasant to watch. It's very powerful and uses people's longings and dreams in a powerful way.
The characters are deep and identifiable.
Despite being well made and rich in many ways, some important things don't hit quite right. There's not really anything that draws this movie to me. It's not really entertaining or sheds light on anything new. But remains w/ me w/ the characters.
Haiku Summary
Two men with women
in comas bond. One crazy.
He dies. She wakes. End.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
21 (2008) - 2.5/5
21 (2008)
NEXT: "Talk to Her" (2002)
Somewhat entertaining at times, but ultimately thin and weak. Lots of predictability, bad acting and thing plot. Also, some bad twists.
Haiku Summary
Smart kids rob Vegas.
Teacher is mean, takes money.
Jokes on him. Surprise!
NEXT: "Talk to Her" (2002)
Somewhat entertaining at times, but ultimately thin and weak. Lots of predictability, bad acting and thing plot. Also, some bad twists.
Haiku Summary
Smart kids rob Vegas.
Teacher is mean, takes money.
Jokes on him. Surprise!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) (V) - 2/5
Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) (V)
NEXT: "21" (2008)
I believe this was Animated Family Films first effort and while it wasn't very good, I've seen worse. Also, there's some good aspects of this movie though maybe not by industry standards: no violence, innuendo, "hidden" adult humor, etc.
It's short - like 52 mins and has a lot of cute parts, but across the board it's lacking.
Haiku Summary
A Jeep wants to fly.
Dreams, tries, crash then forgotten.
Found, repaired and "flies."
NEXT: "21" (2008)
I believe this was Animated Family Films first effort and while it wasn't very good, I've seen worse. Also, there's some good aspects of this movie though maybe not by industry standards: no violence, innuendo, "hidden" adult humor, etc.
It's short - like 52 mins and has a lot of cute parts, but across the board it's lacking.
Haiku Summary
A Jeep wants to fly.
Dreams, tries, crash then forgotten.
Found, repaired and "flies."
Todo sobre mi madre (1999) - 3.5/5
Todo sobre mi madre (1999)
Next: Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) (V)
Weird and powerful. It's a tribute to women, but not one I'd fall in line with.
It's well shot, directed, acted, etc., but I wdn't say I enjoyed it. It's a strong story and has some amazing character development w/ their relationships and such.
I have a hard time enjoying movies that I disagree w/ morally and such.
Haiku Summary
A boy doesn't know
his father. He dies. Mom goes
home. Dad's a tranny.
Next: Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) (V)
Weird and powerful. It's a tribute to women, but not one I'd fall in line with.
It's well shot, directed, acted, etc., but I wdn't say I enjoyed it. It's a strong story and has some amazing character development w/ their relationships and such.
I have a hard time enjoying movies that I disagree w/ morally and such.
Haiku Summary
A boy doesn't know
his father. He dies. Mom goes
home. Dad's a tranny.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
I Am Legend (2007) - 3.5/5
I Am Legend (2007)
NEXT: Todo sobre mi madre (1999)
I liked it. I think a lot of people expected something different. I only expected what they said it was: a zombie movie. And I thought it was a good zombie movie... which isn't saying too much.
But the action is good, it's cool to see NYC all overgrown, etc. But it doesn't stand up to much scrutiny (what zombie movie does?) in the area of "Why did he do that?" or "Why don't they just..." and all.
SPOILERS
Like I said, there's some inconsistent type stuff in it, but in a zombie movie, who cares. I mean, he's alone for so long and even has to kill his dog and then finally people show up and it's like no big deal - he's just upset she cooked the bacon he was saving... for what!!??!?
Haiku Summary
Everyone's dead or
a zombie except one guy.
Others, serum, dead.
NEXT: Todo sobre mi madre (1999)
I liked it. I think a lot of people expected something different. I only expected what they said it was: a zombie movie. And I thought it was a good zombie movie... which isn't saying too much.
But the action is good, it's cool to see NYC all overgrown, etc. But it doesn't stand up to much scrutiny (what zombie movie does?) in the area of "Why did he do that?" or "Why don't they just..." and all.
SPOILERS
Like I said, there's some inconsistent type stuff in it, but in a zombie movie, who cares. I mean, he's alone for so long and even has to kill his dog and then finally people show up and it's like no big deal - he's just upset she cooked the bacon he was saving... for what!!??!?
Haiku Summary
Everyone's dead or
a zombie except one guy.
Others, serum, dead.
The Omega Man (1971) - 1.5/5
The Omega Man (1971)
NEXT: "I Am Legend" (2007)
Wow, I cd have sworn Charlton Heston cd act. This shows 1971 production in the purest light.
Watching this movie explains why no one has ever said "Oh, you gotta see The Omega Man."
I have to give it a bit of slack b/c of the time since it was made, but man, not the greatest film.
Haiku Summary
Smart zombies want to
kill the last man on earth. He
finds cure, but dies. Cheese.
NEXT: "I Am Legend" (2007)
Wow, I cd have sworn Charlton Heston cd act. This shows 1971 production in the purest light.
Watching this movie explains why no one has ever said "Oh, you gotta see The Omega Man."
I have to give it a bit of slack b/c of the time since it was made, but man, not the greatest film.
Haiku Summary
Smart zombies want to
kill the last man on earth. He
finds cure, but dies. Cheese.
Mies vailla menneisyytt� (The Man Without a Past) (2002) - 3/5
Mies vailla menneisyytt� (2002)
NEXT: "The Omega Man" (1971)
Slow, but done well. Always interesting to see how another culture conceives an interesting plot line. Nothing earth shattering here, but interesting to see it played out.
I don't remember what prompted me to see this movie, but I always like a good amnesia story.
Haiku Summary
Beat up by thugs a
man can't remember. Friends, love,
found, but stays with new.
NEXT: "The Omega Man" (1971)
Slow, but done well. Always interesting to see how another culture conceives an interesting plot line. Nothing earth shattering here, but interesting to see it played out.
I don't remember what prompted me to see this movie, but I always like a good amnesia story.
Haiku Summary
Beat up by thugs a
man can't remember. Friends, love,
found, but stays with new.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
American Gangster (2007) - 3/5
American Gangster (2007) - Full cast and crew
Next: "The Man Without a Past" (2002)
I liked the first half of this movie and how they built up the characters and the tension, but then the second half just kinda rode that out. I know there was only so much they cd do since it was based on a true story, but maybe they sd have shortened it.
I'm having a hard time remembering too many of the points I wanted to make about this movie which tells me it wasn't that memorable.
Haiku Summary:
Frank takes over the
drug biz and gets rich. I think
he helped cops later.
Next: "The Man Without a Past" (2002)
I liked the first half of this movie and how they built up the characters and the tension, but then the second half just kinda rode that out. I know there was only so much they cd do since it was based on a true story, but maybe they sd have shortened it.
I'm having a hard time remembering too many of the points I wanted to make about this movie which tells me it wasn't that memorable.
Haiku Summary:
Frank takes over the
drug biz and gets rich. I think
he helped cops later.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Môme, La (2007) ("La Vie En Rose") - 4/5
Môme, La (2007)
Marion Cotillard so totally deserved the Oscar for her role here. The story is painful, but interesting. They did a great job telling it and showing us where she was headed. The songs were nice to hear, but it was painful to see her life go the way it did.
Haiku Summary:
Street girl can sing. She's
discovered and makes it big.
Drugs ruin it all.
Next: "American Gangster" (2007)
Marion Cotillard so totally deserved the Oscar for her role here. The story is painful, but interesting. They did a great job telling it and showing us where she was headed. The songs were nice to hear, but it was painful to see her life go the way it did.
Haiku Summary:
Street girl can sing. She's
discovered and makes it big.
Drugs ruin it all.
Next: "American Gangster" (2007)
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