Movies

The Ugly Truth was terrible. Obvious. Obnoxious. I'm rewatching 8mm later this weekend since Scott mentioned his wife is in the snuff film featured in the film. As I recall, it's one of the last Nic Cage movies where he isn't an absolute douchebag and the plot was compelling. Avatar in 3D really IS the visual orgasm you've heard it is and is a must-see while it's in theaters. Just don't expect to have your movie snobbery pandered to for this one - enjoy it for what it is, graphic eye candy. I'm also not sure it's the grand political statement it may think it is. Regardless, it's worth getting to a 3D location to watch. Vicky Cristina Barcelona didn't hold up for me past two viewings.

by Renee on January 30, 2010 4:29 PM

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nic cage has had such an odd career. however, i REALLY dug "Matchstick Men". the gal who played his daughter in that movie had the lead in sam raimi's "Drag Me To Hell" - now that was a cool movie. part "Evil Dead", part "Twilight Zone" and a sprinkle of "Blood Diner". raimi at the top of his game...

by gordon getgo on February 3, 2010 12:20 PM

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... "Drag Me To Hell" was great. It was more then I expected. I think "Avatar" did great things visually but I think "District 9" said more and did it for a lot less money! The last movie I saw in the theater was "Legion". I had heard horrible reviews so maybe I had low expectations, but I didn't think it was so bad. Dennis Quaid who I tend to think is okay was really awful, though. It was good to see Doug Jones actually shown as himself on screen (even though it was only for a second), he is a great actor who is always hidden completely by make-up (as the fawn in "Pan's Labyrinth and as Abe Sapien in Hellboy) ... "Edge of Darkness" did really bad at the box office, come to think of it so did "State of Play" which was also based on a British TV mini-series. "Traffic" was too though and that did great. What did they do wrong that "Traffic" did right? ... Oh! Really looking forward to "Shutter Island"!

by kathy on February 12, 2010 4:14 PM

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I couldn't even make it through District Nine, I thought it was so horrible. I must be missing something because so many people just loved it. I got the tongue-in-cheek aspect and the subtext, it just didn't carry me through what I thought was a silly movie.

So - I'm just now watching 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' and there are two things I know for sure: I should have watched this long ago, and I need to be listening to a LOT more Motown.

by Renee on February 17, 2010 11:03 PM

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I saw "Legion" about 15 years ago when it was called "The Prophecy" ;o) Great cast but Viggio Mortensen stole the show as Lucifer.

Finally saw John C. Reilly in "Criminal". Really fun, well-done movie. Highly recommended.

by gordon getgo on February 18, 2010 2:30 PM

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You are right about "Legion" being a rip off of "The Prophecy"! ... and "The Prophecy" and Viggio were much better than "Legion"...

You may not have been missing something, Renee, I can see how "District 9" could be taken as somewhat silly. The behind the scenes dvd extras went a long way in giving me a bit more respect for the movie and the filmmakers.

by kathy on February 19, 2010 6:31 AM

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Finally watched Papillon a while ago and it was beautiful. The cinematography was impeccable and I loved everything about it.

Original Sin was nothing but soft core cinemax fodder, as was Lie With Me.

Chasing Amy still holds up for me, years later. I am loving Lauren Joey Adams' bit part in United States of Tara. What is it about her that gets her cast in these bisexual roles? Is it the voice (which I adore) or did Chasing Amy typecast her?

M Butterfly is right up there with Eraserhead in terms of overrated cult films for me, but it's still funny when Rene is told his mistress is pregnant and must go away for a while to deliver hahahahahahaha

Watched A Guy Thing and Saving Silverman yesterday... the former was absurd, the latter was entertaining, despite most everything that actually makes a movie good being void. It's good for a loaded giggle.

Today, I'm sorting a stack of 'soon to watch' movies - Un Prophete, Lucia Y el Sexo, Control, Glengarry Glen Ross (rewatch), and Recount (rewatch).

by Renee on June 6, 2010 3:24 PM

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Oh... and Monument Avenue has done more than stand up over years for me... turns out I like it more now.
I think it might be the distance from the period of time when we were bombarded with Leary's smoking snark on MTV... some of us lived through that time and are better people for it, but I think it also made me a bit less inclined toward that particular schtick for a while.
It took a few years and maybe Rescue Me for me to decide I needed more of the same (though less coke-fueled and a tad time-tempered and in any event more enjoyable for me now).
Hence my want to rewatch Recount, probably. I really liked it the first time, but it's been a while and with the California elections looming, I'm primed.

by Renee on June 6, 2010 3:30 PM

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I've been watching French art films lately and LOVING them. I didn't realize I had it in me to have such a passion for this genre, but I really love it.
A Prophet is an absolute must-see, I am eager to watch it again.
I've found that I love subtitled films, as it turns off my wandering mind for a bit and I am more able to be engrossed in the movie.

by Renee on August 10, 2010 6:43 PM

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Inception was great - both times :)

by Renee on August 21, 2010 10:16 PM

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