May 2012
9 posts
Jerks with Quirks
Whit Stillman hasn’t made a film since 1998. He has a knack for witty dialog and the absurd. With that in mind, the lady and I decided to see his latest, Damsels in Distress. Greta Gerwig, who I always find everso charming, plays Violet, a student at 7 Oaks, a former womens college that has recently gone co-ed. Violet and her pals want to help the world by having low expectations for frat...
5 Reasons to Love The Avengers
1. Loki. Best villain in a Marvel movie-ever. One of the best in a comic-based movie-ever. Tom Hiddleston’s baddie stole so many scenes, and as nefarious as he was, you still liked him while you rooted for the team to stop him. That’s the mark of a great villian.
2. Black Widow was more than a pretty face. Scarlett Johnannson got to kick ass and be more that just some hot chick in...
April 2012
19 posts
Blockbuster!
I’ve been pretty busy in April. I’ve gone to the cinema 6 times so far. The month isn’t over. Thing is, most of the films I’ve seen this month have been of the small budget, indie variety, The Hunger Games being the blockbuster exception. Blockbuster. I love that word. It makes me think of summer and explosions, two things I do adore. The blockbuster season starts in May,...
Thin Ice (2012)
Thin Ice can best be described as a much lighter Fargo knock-off. But there’s still plenty that sets it apart. Told from the point of view of insurance salesman/con-man Mickey Prohaska, a guy who just can’t get a break. His wife has left him, his insurance company is failing and his wallet was stolen, but not before all the credit cards were maxed out. On a call one afternoon,...
We Need To Talk About Kevin (2012)
I love Tilda Swinton. I really, really REALLY do. She’s great in everything, including We Need To Talk About Kevin. A friend and I were discussing it and he said “oh, yeah there are a bunch of movies about Columbine coming out this year”. Wrong, so so wrong. I bet those films will be easier to watch. Kevin is about a child who is born bad. Reeeeeeally bad. When Eva (Swinton)...
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2012)
I remember the first time I saw the trailer for Jeff, Who Lives at Home, thinking, “hey, this looks like my sort of movie.” Of course, I was right, proving once again how well I know myself. The trailer and poster lead you to believe it’s about yet another slacker living at home in his 30’s, but don’t be fooled. It’s about defying what’s expected of you...
The Hunger Games (2012)
So, like many of my friends have done, I saw The Hunger Games. I went with a huge group and half of them had read the book. I was in the other half, as I am a firm believer that if you read the book right before the movie, you won’t enjoy the film version as much, because everythind is fresh in your mind and you become obsessively nit-picky about the films the way Harry Potter heads and...
Scenes
People always ask what your favorite movie is. They never ask about a favorite scene. If they talk about a scene, it’s usually because something crazy happens in the scene. They can tell you about the dialogue, as that’s what makes it their favorite scene. I guess I’m rambling about this because I overheard some people talking about the new 21 Jump Street and then talking about...
March 2012
8 posts
Friday Night Lights
When this was on TV, I figured it was just a teenage drama about high schoolers and a football obsessed town. And well…it is. But it’s so much more than that. I just cracked season 4, so I’ll try not to spoil anything for those who haven’t watched, but I’ve been wanting to write about this show since I started watching. This well written, well-acted show is about...
Watch
HBO-GO! GO! GO!
Oh, how I’ve missed you, Home Box Office. I never got to see how season 2 of Boardwalk Empire ended. I lapsed on Treme. I worried I’d miss True Blood.
But my worries are over. Thanks sis. Now I can se what happened to Nucky, Jimmy, Eli, Chalky, and the rest of the gang down in Atlantic City.
Hugo (2011)
Man, I wish I had seen this in a theater in 3D. It was a visual treat. Like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s for the eyes. Scorsese didn’t disappoint with this, a rare family friendly film from the man who brought us Goodfellas, Gangs of New York, and The Departed. Not to mention Taxi Driver and Raging Bull but there I go, mentioning them.
From the trailers I had seen, Hugo seemed to be...
February 2012
15 posts
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
I liked this film. I really, really liked it. Gary Oldman absorbed every fiber of British Intellegence Agent George Smiley, and was snubbed once again, by the Academy Awards (though at least he got a nomination, I reminded my lady, who was livid at the loss).
Smiley is sacked by the powers that be, along with his boss (John Hurt), who has been deemed as too paranoid to run Kontrol...
The Artist
I don’t know why I waited so long to write about this movie, but here it is: The Artist deserves all the hype it has gotten. Every bit. It’s one of the most charming films I’ve ever seen, a love letter to the days of silent cinema, filled with many a familiar face from stars, to recognizable “character” actors, and one little dog who almost steals the show.
French...
Redbox
Sometimes you win with Redbox (Attack the Block). Sometimes you lose (Your Highness).
One more cool thing about SF →
Perhaps my dreams will finally come true, and I can finally visit the Alamo Drafthouse, soon to be opening in SF’s Mission district. As if that town wasn’t cool enough already.
The Woman in Black (2012
My scary movie lovin’ pal Lil T and I caught this last night and I have to say, we both enjoyed it. It’s nice to see Hammer Studios bringing back the good old scary movie. It started a bit slow, and had plenty of dark atmosphere, foreshadowing bad things to come, so we held tight for the scares. And scares we got! The jumpy kind: shadows, ghosts, noises from unoccupied rooms, creepy...
WatchWonderful interview with two brilliant actors.
so, so true
jonjohns65: