I watched the entire IMDb top 250 list and now I'm watching everything else. All reviews so far.
This time, twenty-four tiny film reviews. You have to read them all, or you won't understand any forthcoming SUPERBLOG!! entries. And then you'll miss the chance to win fine prizes!
Edmond (2005)
This was, I think, the last movie I watched back in June, before I left for my vacation. I'd describe it as Falling Down as written by David Mamet. Which isn't very surprising, considering he did write it. Starring William H Macy.
About Schmidt (2002)
Moving dramedy by Alexander Payne, maybe a little too long. Nicholson has rarely been better.
Secretary (2002)
Unusual relationship comedy starring Maggie Gyllenhaal (whose last name the automatic spellchecker wants me to change to "Challengers") and James Spader. The last act wasn't very good, but otherwise I liked it.
The Color of Money (1986)
Scorsese's worthy sequel to The Hustler (1960) (mentioned in Part 8).
Grabben i graven bredvid / The Guy in the Grave Next Door (2002)
Mediocre/okayish Swedish comedy about the difficulties that arise when a dirty farmer and a middle-class librarian fall in love. The horror!
Risky Business (1983) (repeat)
The epic masterpiece with Tom Krus and whatshername. Featuring a young Joe Pantoliano as Guido the Klever Biznizman.
The Queen (2006)
It's about the Queen.
Hoffa (1992)
Okay. Jack Nicholson is very good as Hoffa, but Danny DeVito is wrong for his character, and the script is one of David Mamet's weaker.
Next (2007)
Nic Cage sees up to two minutes into the future, is hunted by Julianne Moore. Jessica Biel is girl of his dreams. Fascinating premise (based on Philip K Dick story), pedestrian execution. Like, you know, pretty much all PKD adaptations.
The Illusionist (2006)
Nice-looking but empty and predictable period piece about a stage magician named Edward "Emperor" Norton. Jessica Biel is girl of his dreams! I smell a sequel called The Next Illusionist, in which Norton and Nicolas Cage fight for Biel's favors.
I Heart Huckabees (2004)
How am I not myself? Existential comedy by David O. Russell.
See him flip out on the set, calling Lily Tomlin a "cunt". See Lily Tomlin pissed off as well, saying "Fuck you too" to Naomi Watts, and "Shut the fuck up!" to Dustin Hoffman. Ah, the miracle of the Internet. It saves lives, I'm sure I read somewhere.
8 femmes / 8 Women (2002)
Enjoyable murder mystery musical.
The Holy Mountain (1973)
By Alejandro Jodorowsky. Weird, unique. The ending sucks, but some parts rule. I think my favorite character was Fon, He whose planet is Venus.
The Birds (1963) (repeat)
It's about birds.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
Orson Welles' follow-up to Citizen Kane. And as such it's disappointing, as it's not really in the same league. The happy ending is unconvincing.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Starring Cary Grant as the thief. He looks colored, at least on my DVD. Maybe he's just sunburned. Grace Kelly is excellent and not too ugly.
When the Wind Blows (1986)
One of the best animated movies about coping with nuclear war I've seen in several weeks! Based on Raymond Briggs' graphic novel, which I once found among a bunch of children's books in an antique book store in Lkpg, Sweden. I can imagine it freaking out the kids, though it's actually a sweet story. Manages the trick of making WW2 seem downright quaint. Watch it on Google Video.
Ellie Parker (2005)
Shot on digital video, which may account for why it looks like shit. Naomi Watts is a struggling actress who goes to auditions and has love trouble. One or two memorable scenes, and Watts is good throughout, but there's no story here.
Cherish (2002)
Robin Tunney is unjustly incarcerated in an apartment in this drama thriller that seems interesting until she tries to clear her name and starts acting really stupid. Singer Liz Phair has a small part as a bitch. I like Liz Pfair.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Unsurprisingly, you have to be a Twin Peaks fan from before to appreciate this. But if you are, it's very good. One thing that bothers me a little is the absence (actually, replacement) of Lara Flynn Boyle. Bob and the Black Lodge scare me.
Requiem for a Dream (2000) (repeat)
Drugs are bad, apparently.
Rear Window (1954)
Possibly Hitchcock's best film. Hitch the Bitch hated to go on location, so many of his movies look extremely fake today. (They're still good, though.) Rear Window is one of the relatively few who don't suffer from that at all.
El Espinazo del Diablo / The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Stylish but slowish (horror) drama by Guillermo del Toro.
United 93 (2006) (repeat)
Paul Greengrass' emotionally draining account of the plane which went down in Pennsylvania on 9/11. Already reviewed in Part 4, and it was just as good this time. The DVD has audio commentary by Osama bin Laden. No! Hey: Too bad Marky Mark wasn't on the flight. Or he'd have saved everyone, I mean.
OMG what day is this?
3 comments:
>Unsurprisingly, you have to be a Twin Peaks fan from before to appreciate this. But if you are, it's very good.<
I would say the opposite. It would've been quite interesting for fans of the show, if it told them something they didn't already know (save for little Mike's origin, maybe?). It started off interesting, but I felt Laura Palmer's last days were kind of dull, even if the dark depiction of them was the right approach. The movie doesn't look very good IMO, but it might've been the transfer. Ray Wise is always a treat though.
<< I would say the opposite. >>
You think it appeals more to non-fans? I can't see that at all.
<< It would've been quite interesting for fans of the show, if it told them something they didn't already know (save for little Mike's origin, maybe?). >>
I'm not entirely sure I understand this sentence.
>You think it appeals more to non-fans? I can't see that at all.<
No, but I felt it was a drag, watching it right after season 2. Lynch-fans in general, however, who have not seen the series would probably enjoy the movie more than those who have, 'cause then there's no anticipation at play. Just my guess.
>I'm not entirely sure I understand this sentence.<
Little Mike being the dwarf :-)
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