The Outsiders (1983)
Leave it to Hollywood to make a movie about Greasers using the Brat Pack. Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise don't usually make you think about tough hoods who go around fighting all the time, but somehow the entire cast works. This adaptation stays very true to the book it's based on, right down to specific lines. Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, and Matt Dillon stand out as the stars. I really like the common theme of not being able to hold onto innocence, in the book and the movie, by the use of the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay."
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
May 29, 2009
Troy (2004)
There are actually a few things that I like about this movie. First of all, Eric Bana, Brad Pitt, and Orlando Bloom in skimpy clothing is never bad (and as an added bonus, Orlando gets to wield a bow and arrow again). The changes that are made to the accepted legend are mostly done to improve characterization and to help the story stand on its own as opposed to being part of a larger story like The Iliad is. Andromache and her son are certainly spared the horror of their original fate. Paris is not quite the shallow, cowardly moron that he often is made out to be. Plus, there's a great reference to The Aeneid if you're paying attention. Yes, things have been changed - yes, it's too long - and yes, parts are totally ridiculous. But overall, it's kind of enjoyable. And Brian Cox is brilliant when he's playing villains, isn't he?
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
There are actually a few things that I like about this movie. First of all, Eric Bana, Brad Pitt, and Orlando Bloom in skimpy clothing is never bad (and as an added bonus, Orlando gets to wield a bow and arrow again). The changes that are made to the accepted legend are mostly done to improve characterization and to help the story stand on its own as opposed to being part of a larger story like The Iliad is. Andromache and her son are certainly spared the horror of their original fate. Paris is not quite the shallow, cowardly moron that he often is made out to be. Plus, there's a great reference to The Aeneid if you're paying attention. Yes, things have been changed - yes, it's too long - and yes, parts are totally ridiculous. But overall, it's kind of enjoyable. And Brian Cox is brilliant when he's playing villains, isn't he?
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Thursday, May 28, 2009
May 28, 2009
The Celluloid Closet (1995)
Looking at the gay subtext of films going all the way back to the silent era, this documentary had limited theatrical run (so it still counts!). It's interesting to see where they find hidden meanings and signs. The Ben-Hur story is, I think, the most interesting and definitely one of the funniest. There are plenty of film clips to back up the points. I wish it had been made later to incorporate films from 1996 - on, but it's still a pretty in-depth look at the last 90 years or so.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Looking at the gay subtext of films going all the way back to the silent era, this documentary had limited theatrical run (so it still counts!). It's interesting to see where they find hidden meanings and signs. The Ben-Hur story is, I think, the most interesting and definitely one of the funniest. There are plenty of film clips to back up the points. I wish it had been made later to incorporate films from 1996 - on, but it's still a pretty in-depth look at the last 90 years or so.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 27, 2009
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
This movie ushered in the resurgence of period epics that led to Braveheart and sword-and-sandal films like Gladiator. Based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel, it's intense, moving, sometimes bloody, and sometimes tragic. This was Daniel Day-Lewis's first film after his reportedly amazing work in My Left Foot (haven't seen it yet) and he does not disappoint. The execution scene (that involves fire and occurs late in the movie, so I won't spoil who it is that is executed) is hard to watch, incredibly powerful, and chokes me up every time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
This movie ushered in the resurgence of period epics that led to Braveheart and sword-and-sandal films like Gladiator. Based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel, it's intense, moving, sometimes bloody, and sometimes tragic. This was Daniel Day-Lewis's first film after his reportedly amazing work in My Left Foot (haven't seen it yet) and he does not disappoint. The execution scene (that involves fire and occurs late in the movie, so I won't spoil who it is that is executed) is hard to watch, incredibly powerful, and chokes me up every time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
May 26, 2009
Last Chance Harvey (2008)
This movie is about just what it's title says - Harvey's last chance to get things right in every aspect of his life. He's on his last leg at his job, he has one last chance to form (or rescue I guess) a relationship with his daughter, and he has pretty much given up on love. For the first half of the movie, it's really depressing, but as things start to go well for Harvey, the audience starts feeling slightly better. I really wish Netflix could give half stars, because this really is more of a 3 1/2 rating, but oh well.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
This movie is about just what it's title says - Harvey's last chance to get things right in every aspect of his life. He's on his last leg at his job, he has one last chance to form (or rescue I guess) a relationship with his daughter, and he has pretty much given up on love. For the first half of the movie, it's really depressing, but as things start to go well for Harvey, the audience starts feeling slightly better. I really wish Netflix could give half stars, because this really is more of a 3 1/2 rating, but oh well.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 25, 2009
American Splendor (2003)
Not a bad film, though it's really weird. Half fictionalized biopic and half documentary about the author of the comic series American Splendor, both styles work, just not really in conjunction with each other. Paul Giamatti was well-cast as Harvey Pekar, which is especially important when he's being seen alongside the real Pekar.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
Not a bad film, though it's really weird. Half fictionalized biopic and half documentary about the author of the comic series American Splendor, both styles work, just not really in conjunction with each other. Paul Giamatti was well-cast as Harvey Pekar, which is especially important when he's being seen alongside the real Pekar.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
Monday, May 25, 2009
May 24, 2009
Chaplin (1992)
#64 on my Top 100 List
This was the first thing I saw Robert Downey Jr. in and even then I recognized his talent and potential. I'm so glad that he's returned to form with Iron Man, The Soloist, and Tropic Thunder. I have very high hopes for Sherlock Holmes this Christmas. His Best Actor nomination was well-deserved for his dead-on portrayal of Charlie Chaplin, plus the rest of the cast is pretty good too. Geraldine Chaplin, Charlie's daughter, is one of the best, playing her own grandmother Hannah, who had to be institutionalized and was declared insane.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
#64 on my Top 100 List
This was the first thing I saw Robert Downey Jr. in and even then I recognized his talent and potential. I'm so glad that he's returned to form with Iron Man, The Soloist, and Tropic Thunder. I have very high hopes for Sherlock Holmes this Christmas. His Best Actor nomination was well-deserved for his dead-on portrayal of Charlie Chaplin, plus the rest of the cast is pretty good too. Geraldine Chaplin, Charlie's daughter, is one of the best, playing her own grandmother Hannah, who had to be institutionalized and was declared insane.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
Sunday, May 24, 2009
May 23, 2009
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
So...yesterday was my brother's wedding. And it was beautiful. The reception was a blast - the food was good, the music was good, and it was all around a great day to celebrate him and his wonderful wife. But I still had to fit in a movie, so after the reception was over and I had changed out of my bridesmaid's dress, my best friend and I headed out to see this, since if we had stayed home to watch a movie, we both would have been asleep by the midpoint. It's a great movie, totally fun and funny and a nice ending to a great day. Honestly, I also think it's funnier than the first Museum.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
So...yesterday was my brother's wedding. And it was beautiful. The reception was a blast - the food was good, the music was good, and it was all around a great day to celebrate him and his wonderful wife. But I still had to fit in a movie, so after the reception was over and I had changed out of my bridesmaid's dress, my best friend and I headed out to see this, since if we had stayed home to watch a movie, we both would have been asleep by the midpoint. It's a great movie, totally fun and funny and a nice ending to a great day. Honestly, I also think it's funnier than the first Museum.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Friday, May 22, 2009
May 22, 2009
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
I feel the need to justify this one to everyone - when my brother and I were little, we watched monster movies a lot. I've seen Godzilla fight nearly every monster out there, including Mothra, King Kong, and the Japanese ripoff of the Greek mythology monster Hydra. This one, where he fights a robot version of himself from outer space, is my favorite. It's just as ridiculous as it sounds and I love it.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
I feel the need to justify this one to everyone - when my brother and I were little, we watched monster movies a lot. I've seen Godzilla fight nearly every monster out there, including Mothra, King Kong, and the Japanese ripoff of the Greek mythology monster Hydra. This one, where he fights a robot version of himself from outer space, is my favorite. It's just as ridiculous as it sounds and I love it.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
May 21, 2009
In this latest installment of the
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
May 20, 2009
Hercules (1997)
Since I just finished reading the spectacular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, I've been in a Greek mythology mood, so I decided to add this one to the Netflix queue. It sanitizes and "Disney-fies" the original story more than most Disney movies (gone are Hera damning Hercules for being the illegitimate son of her husband, as well as Hercules flying into a fit of insanity and killing his wife and children), but it's cute and entertaining and the singing, narrating Muses are fabulous.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Since I just finished reading the spectacular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, I've been in a Greek mythology mood, so I decided to add this one to the Netflix queue. It sanitizes and "Disney-fies" the original story more than most Disney movies (gone are Hera damning Hercules for being the illegitimate son of her husband, as well as Hercules flying into a fit of insanity and killing his wife and children), but it's cute and entertaining and the singing, narrating Muses are fabulous.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
May 19, 2009
Fanboys (2008)
This is a mildly amusing story about a group of friends trying to break into Skywalker Ranch and steal a print of Episode I six months before it comes out so that their dying friend can see it. Completely unintentionally, I actually watched this on the 10-year anniversary of the day that Episode I was released. What's actually funny about it is watching for cameos from several Star Wars alums and other filmmakers.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
This is a mildly amusing story about a group of friends trying to break into Skywalker Ranch and steal a print of Episode I six months before it comes out so that their dying friend can see it. Completely unintentionally, I actually watched this on the 10-year anniversary of the day that Episode I was released. What's actually funny about it is watching for cameos from several Star Wars alums and other filmmakers.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
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