Jul 2008
Coming Soon: Archive Recommendations and other Randomness
Jul 10 2008 15:57 Filed in: Theories,
Analysis, Spoilers
Just thinking out loud,
via keyboard. I may start a "How'd I miss it?" or
"That's why I missed it" section of the archive.
Basically something I've caught via the DVR (one of
the best technotoys ever) and feel merits an entry,
or a blog mention.
For example, I will pass on In the Bedroom, a heavy well-acted drama from several years back. Worthy of the award nods to be sure, but unless you're a student of the craft of acting, or filmmaking in general, just don't see you getting much enjoyment from it. Just one of those hard movies to watch that, while good, you have to be in the right frame of mind to see. To wit, still have not seen Mystic River; and while it was a good movie, have I really no desire to see another Eastwood "gem" Million Dollar Baby again. So that puts In the Bedroom in the "that's why" category, erased from DVR memory, a "one-view" wonder.
I will also cover lesser movies that have great moments. There are some movies, that while not great or perfect or anything, still have a scene or two that I just love and if I catch them at the right time, have to sit down and watch again. Hard to explain. Many are guilty pleasures or decent movies that could have been more. One such movie is In the Land of Women, with Adam Brody and Meg Ryan. No I won't do a full review, and yes it is way too ovary-centric for the masses, and even as a chick-flick it was kind of weak. But it had moments and promise, just failed to be new or fresh or deliver on something more.
The older and maligned Something to Talk About with Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid, while not a perfect movie, surprised me. I knew nothing of it, other than it received so-so reviews and poor box office, and it cracked me up. Yes the "Southern" bullshit is well, bullshit; and the family dramarama is overbearing; but there are still some scenes and moments of humor and relationships that ring true and made me laugh. YMMV.
Another movie I do recommend is Beautiful Girls. As a whole it is a decent chick flick as much about the guys as anything else. While the friendship scenes with the guys are nice, I love every scene with a young Natalie Portman. In a small role, she made an impression, matching up well against Timothy Hutton and creating great little moments.
All for now. Off to write a full review of the excellent Waitress.
For example, I will pass on In the Bedroom, a heavy well-acted drama from several years back. Worthy of the award nods to be sure, but unless you're a student of the craft of acting, or filmmaking in general, just don't see you getting much enjoyment from it. Just one of those hard movies to watch that, while good, you have to be in the right frame of mind to see. To wit, still have not seen Mystic River; and while it was a good movie, have I really no desire to see another Eastwood "gem" Million Dollar Baby again. So that puts In the Bedroom in the "that's why" category, erased from DVR memory, a "one-view" wonder.
I will also cover lesser movies that have great moments. There are some movies, that while not great or perfect or anything, still have a scene or two that I just love and if I catch them at the right time, have to sit down and watch again. Hard to explain. Many are guilty pleasures or decent movies that could have been more. One such movie is In the Land of Women, with Adam Brody and Meg Ryan. No I won't do a full review, and yes it is way too ovary-centric for the masses, and even as a chick-flick it was kind of weak. But it had moments and promise, just failed to be new or fresh or deliver on something more.
The older and maligned Something to Talk About with Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid, while not a perfect movie, surprised me. I knew nothing of it, other than it received so-so reviews and poor box office, and it cracked me up. Yes the "Southern" bullshit is well, bullshit; and the family dramarama is overbearing; but there are still some scenes and moments of humor and relationships that ring true and made me laugh. YMMV.
Another movie I do recommend is Beautiful Girls. As a whole it is a decent chick flick as much about the guys as anything else. While the friendship scenes with the guys are nice, I love every scene with a young Natalie Portman. In a small role, she made an impression, matching up well against Timothy Hutton and creating great little moments.
All for now. Off to write a full review of the excellent Waitress.
|