Mid-Year Update

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

Bridge to Terabithia (2007) - 3/5

Bridge to Terabithia (2007) - 3/5

I think a teacher read this to my class when I was in like the third grade. I dug it then.

I liked the first 2 acts of the movie. The imagination and woods reminded me a lot of things I did as a kid.

Then the movie gets a bit dark... not a kids movie imo... at least, not little kids.

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.

Monsters vs Aliens (2009) - 3.5/5

Monsters vs Aliens (2009) - 3.5/5

Pretty good, great animation especially the spatial differences w/ size and motion.

But the story was thin - I was never drawn in, worried, concerned or cared much. But it was fairly fun.

Space Chimps (2008) - 2.5/5

Space Chimps (2008) - 2.5/5

Kinda cute, but I think 2 different companies or 2 different teams did the animation: one for earth/chimps and one for the other planet/aliens... the first team was better.

Jeff Daniel's voice was annoying.

The Interview (1998) - 3/5

The Interview (1998) - 3/5

Kinda an Australian imitation of "The Usual Suspects" and not that good.

It is kinda interesting and does some things well, but ultimately it's all been done before and done better.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) - 3/5

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) - 3/5

Is it silly for me to say this movie is ridiculous?

The action got it about another point otherwise it wd have been rated much lower for me. And while the action was pretty cool, it was so over the top and complicated that I dare say it was "too much." As soon as I think that, I feel I'm showing my age.

I kept feeling like this was a modern day kids movie: crazy action, teeny-bopper love story, over-the-top everything and a dash of cussing, sex and drugs.

I don't think spoilers are possible b/c if you've seen the trailers or just about anything related to this movie, you can guess just about everything in the plot.

The Proposal (2009) - 3/5

The Proposal (2009) - 3/5

Kinda cute and fun to watch, but nothing new or great.

SPOILERS

I was a little disappointed in the predictability of the ending. I assumed they wdn't do the obvious and instead do something like have him move to Toronto w/ her or something.

Revolutionary Road (2008) - 4/5

Revolutionary Road (2008) - 4/5

Great drama w/ great acting and dialog. I really like the power this movie puts behind a drama - it feels so intense like it's a thriller.

SPOILERS

I think this movie is a great picture of the trappings of the "American career." American's tend to forfeit so much of life for their careers/jobs/$ and later regret/resent the decisions.

I loved the scene where she "admitted" they got the house b/c she got pregnant and then had "another kid to prove the first one wasn't a mistake."

It was great when they had the hope of going to Paris and how much that lifted them. I agree w/ his thought that they cd be happy anywhere, but they needed a jump start to live the lives they wanted. I think it was another great picture of people thinking they know what they want, but being too scared (or whatever) to do it.

She kept saying he'd have the time he needed to figure out what he wanted to do. I'm afraid the answer was either a) he'd never know b) it was basically what he was doing though he didn't want that to be the answer or c) nothing.

John really called them out a few times which was a great device ("He's crazy!"). :)

I wd have rathered she not abort the baby, but more than that, I wish she hadn't died. I think the story wd have been better served by her living and continueing the picture of sacrifice/unhappiness/etc. that is closer to the truth of that situation (IMO).

The ending is killer - him, devistated and miserable (seemingly), the new couple becoming friends w/ the neighbors (cycle starts again?), the older couple w/ him turning down his hearing aid - BAM!

I wondered what they were saying - he can't stand her, that's how they stay married, that's the key to success, everyone deals differently, etc. It's interesting b/c earlier John told Helen to shut up, later Helen tells John to shut up and now the daad turns off the mom. None of them want to hear the others.

Great movie - wd have been a 4.5 if she hadn't died. I just think that's a disservice to the women out there that live in the ongoing misery (like Frank did).

Doubt (2008/I) - 4.5/5

Doubt (2008/I) - 4.5/5

Great movie, well made and acted. Nice twist given what wd be expected to come out of Hollywood for a story about Catholic clergy.

SPOILERS

Too many things to analyze and talk about in full, but a few things to mention.

Of course, Aloysius is pretty bad and seems led by serious judgement problems possibly from the death of her husband or just an extreme sense of needing to control things and mistrust. She certainly doesn't embrace any chance or progress in the church.

However, even Flynn states they are the same in the sense that they have failed, laid their sins at Jesus' feet and there they stay.

It's interesting how she condemns and breaks the rules to exact judgment on the priest, but makes considerations for the near-blind nun who sdn't be there.

As we see in the end, she is riddled w/ doubt herself (which Flynn states a) you're not alone and b) it binds us together). I had to wonder if maybe she faked her confession of doubt to Sister James just for that purpose.

We're left on our own to make our decision of what really happened, but Aloysius has certainty based on almost nothing. Scary.

I loved the gossip sermon and it's so true - once that gets out, it's near-impossible if not impossible to overcome it. I've dealt w/ that personally and it takes a long time to overcome what someone might say in error, spite or ignorance.

There's some bonus features on the DVD which are good - talking to the actual nuns. While it's based, or better inspired, by a real Sister James, the events are fictitious. But it's great to hear them talk about the changes after the Second Vatican Council and how the Sisters of Charity got started (and the origination of the "habit").

Apparently, when the founder of the Sisters of Charity lost her real husband in Italy, she went over there. Her caretaker over there dresser her in high-class mourning garb. When she returned, it was about all she had so she kept wearing it. Other nuns followed suit and it became a "habit."

I think being a play before the movie and having the same man driving it all the way through benefited the story and it's evolution and growth. Also, the actors really shined.

The wind is a great device both in imagery and dialog.

Land of the Lost (2009) - 3.5/5

Land of the Lost (2009) - 3.5/5

Funny and entertaining though a bit crude which, while expected from the cast members, kinda is a bummer given how innocent the original series was.

I liked the way they worked in aspects of the original show - many nods to it. And I like how they tied up the ending w/ Marshall as far as what happened when he got back: short, but told us plenty.

Taking Chance (2009) - 3.5/5

Taking Chance (2009) - 3.5/5

This movie wasn't much for "entertainment" but it was good. It wasn't meant to be entertainment. It's the true story of a Marine who volunteers to bring a fallen Marine home to his family.

Two things make this movie good: the way they let the truth come thru in the events and scenes and also how they do so much w/ the scenes w/ no dialog.

It's kind of a movie "everyone sd see" b/c it's a part of life/events/military/war/etc. we don't see (hopefully). My guess is a documentary wd be in poor taste so this is a way to do it that makes it work.

Away We Go (2009) - 4.5/5

Away We Go (2009) - 4.5/5

One thing that always tells me I liked a movie is when I'm thinking and analyzing it for days following.

I like how this movie builds as it goes. At first I was a bit worried, but it built.

I can't say much w/o spoiling it so...

SPOILERS

The characters in this movie get pregnant and find that his parents, who they moved to live near, are moving out of the country. Finding themselves "untethered" they embark on a journey to decide where they want to live and by whom.

First they go to Phoenix to visit her sister and her old boss. Her sister is great, but has a small/short role. It's mostly to establish Verona's relationship w/ her and regarding her deceased parents.

Her old boss's family is a picture of a dejected couple living day-to-day w/o caring about anything or anyone including their own family/kids. Wisely, they run pretty fast to get away from there. They don't want to wind up like them... or near them.

A lot of the relationship of Burt and Verona is trying to figure out if they are losers and how are they going to wind up. They see a loveless, lifeless life in the first couple they visit as we all do.

Another thing I like about this movie is that though we can see the faults easily in their other couples, any cliche about who they are is avoided for the most part. We aren't really spoon fed.

The second couple are ultimate tree-hugger liberals who are offensively opinionated and judgmental. You can't really say they aren't loving or aren't good parents (though they are IMO), but they are abrasive and condescending. It's easy to see why Burt and Verona run from them also... literally. And while they are somewhat cliche, they're also a somewhat real couple, I'd say, or at least a true cliche.

The next couple is in Montreal and immediately they want to live there... and near this couple. The couple has several adopted children and we found out later they have just had their 5th miscarriage and are broken hearted though they've hidden it from the kids and others. It only comes out about the miscarriage later b/c of events and probably wdn't have otherwise.

It's a great device they use to introduce this when they stop "The Sound of Music" when the kids are watching it - they don't show them the "Nazi part" trying to shelter them from the pain. I can understand that and don't really disagree w/ it since the kids are young. I'd probably prefer to just not show them the movie until their older, but the way they do it is a great device.

It isn't apparent why they eventually decide not to move there, but it also isn't really necessary b/c of two things: their next trip and their eventual decision.

The next trip is to visit Burt's brother b/c the brother's wife leaves him and their daughter abruptly. It's a really powerful dialog about the extreme effects her leaving creates: the effects on the husband but more so on the daughter. It's a great view into this aspect of leaving. It's hard to watch and hear, but nothing compared to the rest of their lives.

It effects Burt and Verona too as we see them coping w/ the possibly or at least fear of the same thing happening to them. Verona refuses to marry Burt, but they have a sort of "wedding" there on the trampoline where they exchange "vows" of sort w/ each other. Again, great device and great dialog.

The next morning, Verona pretty much makes the movie w/ her stories from childhood. She's avoided talking about her parents and their life together w/ everyone and then she opens up and it's powerful in every way. Such an emotional picture of a sweet childhood.

Their decision of where they move is perfect... hopefully. It's a bit of a surprise (or at least it was to me) though it sdn't be. And now the lack of dialog is what's moving.

I think this movie is great in the way it doesn't lead the viewer into how we sd react and such.... well, not exactly. I felt I agreed w/ what they were telling me, but in a sense cdn't pin point the reasons right off (don't get me wrong, the first 2 couples especially were offensive and maybe that's why I say this movie builds).

Mainly b/c I cdn't say exactly what was wrong w/ the 3rd couple, I didn't see why they chose not to move there, but again, their final choice makes the others all clearly "wrong" choices.

I didn't love it at the time, but now I love the ending where Burt, ever the optimist, believes it's perfect for them, and Verona's response is that she hopes so. That really grew on me that she has hope and wants it to be the best thing for them.

I actually hoped to like this movie more, but it's still great IMO.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) - 1/5

I saw this on the plane to WWDC and it was terrible all around. No surprise. I usually like Isla Fisher and I don't blame it on her.

The Love Guru (2008) - 3.5/5

The Love Guru (2008) - 3.5/5

I didn't expect too much from this movie and it was pretty funny. It's mostly based around short one-line gags/jokes and such. You can tell that from the trailer.

There's almost no story... or not one worth caring about. But the gags are pretty funny for a laugh.

The Tale of Despereaux (2008) - 3/5

The Tale of Despereaux (2008) - 3/5

My rating of this movie might not be fair. We rented it mostly for our 4 year old and he wasn't too interested so I wasn't really engaged in this movie.

The animation was good, but the story was pretty dark for little kids.

It was fairly original which I like, but, again, didn't really watch it too closely.

Terminator Salvation (2009) - 3/5

Terminator Salvation (2009) - 3/5

I didn't expect much and it was pretty good. Man, I was going to give it 3 and a half, but I find myself not being able to remember hardly a thing about this movie except that it was decent entertainment for a couple hours.

Ok, now I'm remembering a few things... yes, good action, but I'm not sure it was consistent w/ the first movie... oh, well.

The Dam Busters (1955) - 3.5/5

The Dam Busters (1955) - 3.5/5

Good movie, but the pacing was a bit slow. I liked the idea and seeing the varied points of view going thru the movie from the man behind the idea to the pilots.

I liked the tension of the actual bombing (I hope I didn't give anything away there, but the title pretty much says that).

Probably the best part was just seeing the pilots during the "in between" times of it all. Especially since this movie was made so soon after the events.

Lost in La Mancha (2002) - 3/5

Lost in La Mancha (2002) - 3/5

Interesting to see just b/c of what it is, but I can't say it's anything better than the idea: documenting making a movie... that doesn't finish getting made.

I think this movie suffered from several things the kept it from getting made. The budget hurt, but really it's the makers that failed to then spend w/in that budget.

The weather was killer, but only b/c the schedule was so tight b/c of other things.

The actors schedules were hard to organize mainly b/c they didn't have a budget, but I think the real solution there is: use cheaper actors.

Do the real downfall was trying to a make a big budget movie w/ a big budget.

I cdn't help but think that those responsible (director, 1st AD, etc.) wdn't the be ones suffering from all the mistakes. It wd be the crew who wd suddenly be out of work.

Anyway, it's an interesting view into movie-making and how it is (and isn't) done... at least in some senses.

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.