The Foot Fist Way (2006) - 3/5

The Foot Fist Way (2006) - 3/5

Not too great, but I dig the independent style. Also, the weird tone of the movie - it's like a weird, funny guy tried to make a serious movie and it came out weird and funny.

Kinda like "Napoleon Dynamite" in that sense - the character is funny though in a sense he's not trying to be. Acting strange versus "telling jokes" or something.

Anyway this movie didn't do much, but it wasn't trying to. It's like a 13-year-old made a movie (karate, fighting, girls) but took some advice about some parts from someone older... but even those parts were still made by the 13-year-old.

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.

Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) - 4/5

Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) - 4/5

I was afraid this wd be fairly lame, but really liked it! I remember a lot of the things from that time of skateboarding (empty pools, thin boards, etc.). It was great to see a combination of how it got started, who did it, how it evolved, etc.

I thought they did a great job of telling the story, making it personal, mixing it w/ the times and bringing the original skaters to life on the screen.

It was nostalgic, fun, interesting and personal.

I probably won't see the fictionalized version: "Lords of Dogtown" I'm just too scared it wd ruin it.

Son of Rambow (2007) - 3/5

Son of Rambow (2007) - 3/5

An original slant on a old theme: outcasts grow into an unlikely friendship. It gets a bit sappy at the end which I think was ok.

It was entertaining, but I think it never really settled on what it wanted to be.

Deconstructing Harry (1997) - 2.5/5

Deconstructing Harry (1997) - 2.5/5

Apparently inspired or something by "Wild Strawberries", but I have to say that I have a hard time overlooking Woody Allen just being himself on screen for a couple hours. He's good, but I've seen him do it enough to say that it was once interesting and all, but now it's just him.

I liked a lot of the devices he used to bring his neuroses to the screen and the characters were good and the acting was strong, but I have a hard time seeing past Woody and not only do I think anyone wd have a hard time w/ that, but I don't think he wants you to.

Anyway, I always expect more from him... not sure why.

The Fountain (2006) - 3.5/5

The Fountain (2006) - 3.5/5

I liked this movie. It's great to look at and the interwoven storied from different times is great. The emotion is powerful and tone is awesome (it's almost always night).

Ultimately, I'm afraid some of the "film" got in the way of the "story." I didn't find myself attached though I enjoyed watching it.

The jumps from one time (or reality) to another are tough to watch w/o wondering what they're trying to do which took me out of the my suspension of disbelief.

Also, I may have missed the message, but what I think I got out of the message was a little disappointing.

But I did enjoy it and it's VERY well made.

SPOILERS

If the message was, we all live forever b/c we become one w/ the earth, plants, birds, cosmos, etc., then I got the message and it's a little disappointing for such a film imo.

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.

Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5

Smultronstället (1957) - 4/5

Very cool Swedish film about life and relationships. What we choose to give up and regret later. What we pass on to our children in doing so.

I think the imagery is good and powerful and not too difficult to follow as a lot of people think.

I really liked hearing Swedish and recognizing words.

The devices of choice were good too w/ choosing btwn people, futures, loves, vocations, etc. Good stuff.

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - 4/5

Another great documentary that examines a lot of "why"s.

Are steroids bad? The numbers don't seem to say so. And is it really cheating? Where do you draw the line?

I've always thought it was strange that they are illegal and congress has made such a fuss about it all. I think we all think it's cheating and wrong b/c it's not "natural", but again, where do you draw the line?

It does a great job of calling out past steroid users too.

Really well done imo.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) - 4/5

I think this is a good and well made documentary about the denial of any alternate theory to the origin of life besides Darwinism.

They take a great approach across the board imo. They talk about the freedom of speech, cases of people being ostracized or disciplined for discussing/publishing/etc. Intellectual Design, talk to experts on all sides, etc.

I feel that any non-liberal documentary has a really hard job to not seem biased b/c they'll get attacked (as opposed to Michael Moore movies). The great thing about this documentary is that it doesn't promote ID (though it might seem to), it just questions why it can't be considered.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling this movie is mostly "preaching to the choir" b/c anyone against ID (or just set on Darwinism w/o question) won't see it.

SPOILERS

Even Richard Hawkins seems to agree that it's possible and he's the lead guy against it. But that it can't be God, etc. Illogical. Or that it has to be from an alien life-form (uh, then where did they come from?).

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.

Duplicity (2009) - 3/5

Duplicity (2009) - 3/5

As opposed to "Hud", I'm not sure this movie deserves a 3, but I'm not going to over analyze the rating.

I thought this movie was creative, original and I liked the flashbacks about their relationship. It had some clever comedy and intricate storyline, but ultimately I think it's missing something. I'm not sure what. Maybe something to make me care about the outcome.

SPOILERS

I was never sure if one of the spies was going to screw the other one over, but I didn't really care either. I think I cared more about "what is the product" than the relationship. And w/ the twist at the end, I was still like, "Oh, ok."

One thing that I did like was the speech about "corporate evolution." Here we have two people that can somewhat represent people in general: we all want to be loved, accepted and believe we can trust the one we love. These two continually test each other in this.

But the corporation has evolved to the next level in not only trying to win or beat the competition, but to entice them to cheat and get a false prize. It has evolved beyond the human relationship.

But in the end, I just didn't care that much about what happened so...

Hud (1963) - 3/5

Hud (1963) - 3/5

I feel like this movie sd get a higher rating than that, but I can't really justify it. It's just a feeling probably b/c Paul Newman is so great or that it's a classic.

This is an interesting movie to see after "La Haine" b/c I see some similarities in the alienated youth.

SPOILERS

Hud is pretty much against anything that isn't drinking and sleeping w/ married women. His wreckless (life) driving killed his brother and he's never forgiven himself and thinks he father hatest him for it.

I see a lot of modern attitude in Hud as far as selfishness. When his father's cattle become sick and there's a threat to all of his stock, Hud wants to sell them quick to make some money and push the problem on someone (everyone) else. "This country is run on epidemics!"

The ethical father can't do it and pays a high price for it. However, it wasn't the death of his son that put the wedge btwn him and Hud, it was that Hud "doesn't give a damn" about anything.

Eventually Hud drives everyone off one way or another and is left alone... w/ what he wants: the ranch.

I really like the way the father refuses to allow oil drilling on his land - another point of contention and difference btwn him and Hud. Hud wants it for money.

It's somewhat of a backwards Prodigal Son story w/ the son staying around, but still wanting his cut of the heritance now.

Haine, La (1995) - 2.5/5

Haine, La (1995) - 2.5/5

I liked that it was in black and white and I think the crafting of this movie was good technically, but I felt the story dragged on and on.

SPOILERS

I kinda felt like I was just watching 3 punks go around, cause other people grief and trouble for no reason or benefit. If they had been a little younger I cd have written it off a bit more as just kids being kids - that type of thing. But as it was, they were just fairly useless people. Not b/c they were different or boisterous, but b/c they were very selfish, self-centered and hateful.

Ultimately, I think the last scene redeemed some of it (and my rating went up a bit) b/c they pointed out "it's not how you fall, but how you land." Showing that while it might not seem so bad how these people act, but what it leads to ultimately that matters - and I can't imagine it landing well and it doesn't as we see in the film.

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.

Apocalypto (2006) - 3.5/5

Apocalypto (2006) - 3.5/5



Good movie - I like the lack of dialog and use of strong characters to communicate. It had good, strong themes and action.

SPOILERS

Not sure why the well filling up w/ water wd be a problem for the woman - wdn't she just float to the top and get out? Sure, she might have to tread water for a while or hold onto something on the side, but... granted she was pregnant/in labor, but still.

Bolt (2008) - 3.5/5

Bolt (2008) - 3/5

Great animation, fun action, touching story. I think this movie hits on pretty much all cylinders. However, the story (or at least the concept) might be too complex for the target audience.

I wd think this is aimed at little kids (as opposed to 7 and up) and the story concept of the dog thinking the show is real and switching btwn filming scenes for the show and the real-life story might be too much.

Not that they mind. :)

"Anything is possible if you're fully awesome." - Rhino

Helvetica (2007) - 3/5

Helvetica (2007) - 3/5

I thought this was a good documentary, but probably only needed to be about 30-45 mins long. Basically it's a bunch of design people talking about how much they love and how great Helvetica is (or isn't in a few cases). There was a little bit of history in there which was good, but not great revelation or statement, I don't think.

So I did enjoy it, but it wasn't amazing.

Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5

Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5

Very fun and inspiring. Though sad at times.

It's basically what you expect, but I think the personalities come through more than I expected. You get closer to the people than you might think b/c that's what it spends all the time on.

SPOILERS

It really got to me when the various people passed away and to think of them all dealing w/ that daily was powerful.

Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5

Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5

Good documentary - won an Oscar this year.

It feels like you're watching a heist movie and can feel pretty good about it coming together. Tense, but very fun.