tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31495012050280974962024-03-12T22:29:37.918-04:00Isaac's Film PicksDon't know what movie to rent? Find one here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-37434503152058741062010-07-01T23:41:00.011-04:002010-07-02T00:54:11.390-04:00"One family. Infinite degrees of separation."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TC1jWiLi3HI/AAAAAAAABl0/5yXR7zoof-E/s1600/Margot_at_the_wedding.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TC1jWiLi3HI/AAAAAAAABl0/5yXR7zoof-E/s320/Margot_at_the_wedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489152759618002034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Margot at the Wedding </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2007)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Directed by Noah Baumbach, rated R, 93 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Margot at the Wedding </span>is a dry and bittersweet dramedy about a neurotic writer who brings her son along to visit her sister on the eve of her sister's wedding to an offbeat man that she disapproves of, which leads to some old family tensions. Nicole Kidman is ruthless as she has this perfect way of being horribly mean while pretending to be nice, and Jack Black offers a rather subdued and subtly funny performance. Writer-director<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TC1jdpekCII/AAAAAAAABl8/fYoCPUYoE9E/s1600/margot_at_the_wedding_xl_04--film-B.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 172px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TC1jdpekCII/AAAAAAAABl8/fYoCPUYoE9E/s320/margot_at_the_wedding_xl_04--film-B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489152881835903106" border="0" /></a> Noah Baumbach's dialogue is potent with subtext and often darkly hilarious, but the film's style is a little too self-consciously "indie." <span style="font-style: italic;">Margot at the Wedding's </span>characters are brutal and sometimes completely unlikable, but they're relationships are utterly realistic and fascinating to watch. You'll like it if: You like films about dysfunctional families, dark comedies, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Squid and the Whale, The Savages </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Royal Tenenbaums.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-11993366983885829552010-06-30T22:27:00.009-04:002010-07-01T23:52:55.401-04:00"How many times I gotta say it? There's no percentage in smartenin' up a chump."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCwBvxnj_kI/AAAAAAAABlk/65RTWjvjeMU/s1600/SetupPoster.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 223px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCwBvxnj_kI/AAAAAAAABlk/65RTWjvjeMU/s320/SetupPoster.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488763966142545474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Set-Up </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1949)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Directed by Robert Wise, not rated, 72 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Set-Up </span>is a gritty and atmospheric film noir about a washed up boxer who desperately believes he'll make it by beating his upcoming, much younger opponent. But his manager, sure that he'll lose, makes a deal for him to take a dive, but, so he can keep the money, doesn't tell his man. The premise is brilliant, and jives well with noir's fatalistic themes, but it's the hard-hitting, almost disturbing atmosphere that builds over the film that's most memorable. Not to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCw_qiCLXvI/AAAAAAAABls/l_NKYB4X9NY/s1600/set_up_19.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 176px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCw_qiCLXvI/AAAAAAAABls/l_NKYB4X9NY/s320/set_up_19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488832045780786930" border="0" /></a> mention the boxing scenes, which are staggeringly brutal and realistic. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Set-Up </span>unfolds over real time, allowing the suspense and dread to build, and the eerie mood doesn't leave much hope in the seedy underbelly of the unforgiving boxing underground. You'll like it if: You like boxing films, film noir, washed up protagonists, <span style="font-style: italic;">Night and the City, Raging Bull </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Killers.</span><br /><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-11976685136710121742010-06-29T17:36:00.009-04:002010-06-29T23:53:10.623-04:00"Terry Griffith is about to go where no woman has gone before."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCptquPUvxI/AAAAAAAABlU/x7pdgrEaj5Q/s1600/Just_one_of_the_guys.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCptquPUvxI/AAAAAAAABlU/x7pdgrEaj5Q/s320/Just_one_of_the_guys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488319676638609170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Just One of the Guys </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1985)</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Lisa Gottleib, rated PG-13, 90 minutes</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Just One of the Guys </span>is, on its face, just another stupid 80's sex comedy, but this one stands out because it's surprisingly funny, unpredictable and a lot of fun to watch. The film is about high school girl who, after losing a journalism competition partly because she's "just a pretty girl," decides to enroll at school as a boy. Yes, the story's fairly cliched, but there is a somewhat interesting look at gender politics, and the complicated, almost subversive love story is impressively compelling and memorably charming.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Just One of the Guys </span>isn't a masterpiece, but it's consistently funny, has a wonderful performance by Joyce Hyser<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCptvnwJXyI/AAAAAAAABlc/4V9MnOAUf6c/s1600/just+one+of+the+guys.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCptvnwJXyI/AAAAAAAABlc/4V9MnOAUf6c/s320/just+one+of+the+guys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488319760796573474" border="0" /></a> and has genuinely likable and relatable characters. You'll like it if: You like 80's sex comedies, teen protagonists, <span style="font-style: italic;">Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Superbad </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Tootsie.<br /><br /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-39761123256924372772010-06-28T22:33:00.009-04:002010-06-28T23:02:59.407-04:00"Forgive us."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TClhW_hPlUI/AAAAAAAABlE/uAUETpvd_JY/s1600/White_ribbon.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 258px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TClhW_hPlUI/AAAAAAAABlE/uAUETpvd_JY/s320/White_ribbon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488024668563543362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The White Ribbon </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2009)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Directed by Michael Haneke, rated R, 144 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The White Ribbon </span>is an unsettling and eerie drama about a schoolteacher that tries to find out who is responsible for a series of strange incidents of violence and destruction. The beautiful black and white cinematography is absolutely breathtaking, and hypnotically draws you into the bizarre story. However, the story is a little frustrating, as it's slowly paced and stingy with answers, but that's director Michael Haneke's <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TClheALOHdI/AAAAAAAABlM/FyXWlt8uKtw/s1600/white-ribbon2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TClheALOHdI/AAAAAAAABlM/FyXWlt8uKtw/s320/white-ribbon2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488024788998692306" border="0" /></a>style, and he includes enough intriguing scenes and characters to hold your interest. <span style="font-style: italic;">The White Ribbon </span>is not for everyone as it's not an easy film to watch or understand, buts it's ominous and brooding atmosphere is enthralling and it's themes are potent. You'll like it if: You like disturbing dramas, Michael Haneke's films, <span style="font-style: italic;">Safe,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Le Corbeau </span>or<span style="font-style: italic;"> Picnic at Hanging Rock.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-69828049655743019882010-06-24T18:17:00.006-04:002010-06-25T00:45:22.842-04:00"Let in the unexpected."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCPe20OoXZI/AAAAAAAABk0/RgKaYova6q0/s1600/ReignPoster.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 272px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCPe20OoXZI/AAAAAAAABk0/RgKaYova6q0/s320/ReignPoster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486473804381707666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Reign Over Me </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2007)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Mike Binder, rated R , 124 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Reign Over Me </span>is a heartfelt but uneven drama about successful dentist that runs into an old college friend who lost his family in the September 11th attacks and tries to help him overcome his grief. Adam Sandler delivers a surprisingly mature performance, though his humor brings a child-like innocence to his erratic character, and Don Cheadle's sincere performance complements Sandler perfectly. The script smartly doesn't focus too much on 9/11, allowing for a more subtle build of emotions, though at times the writing gets a little clumsy. <span style="font-style: italic;">Reign Over Me </span>takes a few missteps, but it's a compelling story about <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCPfDwS085I/AAAAAAAABk8/H5q0GK3R364/s1600/reign_over_me_009.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 165px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCPfDwS085I/AAAAAAAABk8/H5q0GK3R364/s320/reign_over_me_009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486474026663867282" border="0" /></a>grief, with some truly likable and interesting characters. You'll like it if: You like psychological dramas, films about friendship, serious Adam Sandler, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Punch-Drunk Love.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-70046268353272713742010-06-23T13:31:00.013-04:002010-06-24T00:23:03.613-04:00"We'll be rich, Ali... and we'll buy ourselves a little piece of heaven."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCLSv0mTjfI/AAAAAAAABkk/cJa0DyHmISw/s1600/Alifeareats.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCLSv0mTjfI/AAAAAAAABkk/cJa0DyHmISw/s320/Alifeareats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486179015105678834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Ali: Fear Eats the Soul </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1974)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by R.W. Fassbinder, not rated, 94 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ali: Fear Eats the Soul </span>is a simple but powerful German romantic drama about an older German woman who meets a much younger, foreign guest worker one night and falls in love with him. The story doesn't sugarcoat the sad reality of prejudices of that time, but also doesn't back away from showing the imperfect relationship of the main characters, which makes the social commentary even more effective. Fassbinder's subdued visual style complements the story, adding realism while also beautifully<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCLS1mQNBDI/AAAAAAAABks/PdPjGTwsqcs/s1600/ali.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 144px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCLS1mQNBDI/AAAAAAAABks/PdPjGTwsqcs/s320/ali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486179114334094386" border="0" /></a> capturing both wonderful and depressing moments.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Ali: Fear Eats the Soul </span>was inspired by the powerful melodrama of Douglas Sirk, but Fassbinder takes its emotion to a new level with more realistic characters and an unsentimental ending. You'll like it if: You like films about forbidden love, German New Wave, <span style="font-style: italic;">All That Heaven Allows, Harold and Maude </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Third Generation.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-60162110745744781312010-06-21T16:42:00.009-04:002010-06-22T23:45:27.366-04:00"It's the hottest day of the summer. You can do nothing, you can do something, or you can..."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCFs1LtWxUI/AAAAAAAABkU/u-Qndl4-sHE/s1600/DO_THE_RIGHT_THING.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 271px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCFs1LtWxUI/AAAAAAAABkU/u-Qndl4-sHE/s320/DO_THE_RIGHT_THING.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485785482045867330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Do the Right Thing </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1989)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Spike Lee, rated R, 120 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Do the Right Thing </span>is a tense, funny and eclectic film set on one block in Brooklyn on the hottest day of summer, following a slew of characters getting through the day as racial tensions heat up. Spike Lee produces a number of memorable and eccentric characters and gives them dialogue that ranges from hilarious to poignant, and Danny Aiello stands out delivering a complex performance. The film has a brilliant pace, allowing you to get to know the characters and the neighborhood, as the story slowly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCFs6GxF48I/AAAAAAAABkc/_HVypdlhb3I/s1600/do-the-right-thing.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 157px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TCFs6GxF48I/AAAAAAAABkc/_HVypdlhb3I/s320/do-the-right-thing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485785566618706882" border="0" /></a> builds underneath, and director Lee's visual style keeps things exciting. <span style="font-style: italic;">Do the Right Thing </span>is a rare film that deals with race issues without being heavy-handed or annoying, and just allows the characters to speak for themselves and let's you come up with your own answers. You'll like it if: You like urban dramas, films about racial tension, ensemble films, <span style="font-style: italic;">La haine, Boogie Nights </span>or<span style="font-style: italic;"> 25th Hour.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-47983243914969060922010-06-21T16:25:00.010-04:002010-06-24T17:58:53.941-04:00"He'd always wanted a friend. A friend that wasn't invisible, a pet or rubber figurine."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB_NtKitxNI/AAAAAAAABkE/AJMsQAveSV8/s1600/Mary_and_max_poster.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB_NtKitxNI/AAAAAAAABkE/AJMsQAveSV8/s320/Mary_and_max_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485329046968321234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Mary and Max </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2009)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Adam Elliot, not rated, 92 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mary and Max </span>is a heartwarming and quirky stop motion film about an unlikely friendship between two penpals - a young girl in Australia, and an offbeat, obese man in New York. Philip Seymour Hoffman is perfect as the New Yorker, offering a completely convincing voice, and his character is given plenty of wonderfully absurd lines. While the stop motion animation is impressive and sometimes dazzling, it's the deeply personal and touching story that makes the film so powerful. <span style="font-style: italic;">Mary and Max </span>isn't afraid to show the harsh realities of the world, and at times the film is<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB_Nzoc-XRI/AAAAAAAABkM/ZrNw4H0zPtY/s1600/mary.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 149px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB_Nzoc-XRI/AAAAAAAABkM/ZrNw4H0zPtY/s320/mary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485329158076521746" border="0" /></a> really dark, but it makes the main characters' beautiful friendship all the more magnificent. You'll like it if: You like films about friendship, dark humor, stop motion animation, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Station Agent </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">About Schmidt.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-12942021609301322602010-06-21T14:04:00.008-04:002010-06-21T14:23:39.435-04:00"Matt never saw her coming... but all his friends had!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB-tmNkz2iI/AAAAAAAABj0/Cw_SfUgOmyk/s1600/Girl_Next_Door_movie.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB-tmNkz2iI/AAAAAAAABj0/Cw_SfUgOmyk/s320/Girl_Next_Door_movie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485293743151241762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><i>The Girl Next Door </i><i>(2004)</i></b></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Luke Greenfield, rated R, 108 minutes</span><i style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Girl Next Door </i>is a ridiculously fun and surprisingly smart comedy about straight-laced high school senior who finds his passion for schoolwork waning when a porn star moves in next door. While the plot sounds like your typical teen sex comedy, the film is, unexpectedly, a lot more interested in creating believable characters and solid dialogue than over the top raunchy humor (though there's a bit of that too). Another thing that sets this film apart is the terrific acting;<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB-t6AuOirI/AAAAAAAABj8/xOEt88Dvn9Q/s1600/girl_next_door_003.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 189px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TB-t6AuOirI/AAAAAAAABj8/xOEt88Dvn9Q/s320/girl_next_door_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485294083298462386" border="0" /></a> Emile Hirsch and Chris Marquette play off each other masterfully as the lead and best friend respectively, and Elisha Cuthbert even proves she's more than just a pretty girl. <i>The Girl Next Door </i>could be another lazy teen comedy, but it's compelling main characters, truly hilarious dialogue and excellent cast chemistry make it one memorable romp. You'll like it if: You like coming-of-age films, teen sex comedies, Emile Hirsch,<i> Superbad </i>or<i> Harold & Kumar go to White Castle.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span><i></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-55122568958603452372010-06-17T22:03:00.011-04:002010-06-17T22:22:54.411-04:00"I've got an infinite number of places to go, the problem is where to stay."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYHhAg6uI/AAAAAAAABjc/oTHvd_uBXpM/s1600/naked.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYHhAg6uI/AAAAAAAABjc/oTHvd_uBXpM/s320/naked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483933119908211426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Naked </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1993)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Mike Leigh, rated R, 131 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Naked </span>is a harsh, raw and atmospheric drama about an intelligent drifter who, after raping his girlfriend, flees to London to avoid punishment, where he wanders around having various encounters. David Thewlis's character is utterly repulsive, treating women like trash the entire film, but his performance is indescribably brilliant, as he finds a way to make his character more pitiful than loathsome, with charm <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYP7PLmQI/AAAAAAAABjs/CQ_PmbvnJhc/s1600/naked-1993-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 121px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYP7PLmQI/AAAAAAAABjs/CQ_PmbvnJhc/s320/naked-1993-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483933264388004098" border="0" /></a>and wit. All of the film's characters are interesting in their own ways, some are horrifying to watch, and others just sad, but the clever dialogue makes each scene easier to take. <span style="font-style: italic;">Naked </span>is a not an easy film to watch, but its powerful social commentary, memorable characters and unbelievable lead performance make it a must-see. You'll like it if: You like psychological dramas, disturbing dramas,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYH2IAORI/AAAAAAAABjk/8fGtlfZHT-s/s1600/naked2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 126px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBrYH2IAORI/AAAAAAAABjk/8fGtlfZHT-s/s320/naked2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483933125576767762" border="0" /></a> dark comedy, <span style="font-style: italic;">Secrets & Lies, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Trainspotting </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">American Psycho</span>.<br /><span></span></div><span><br /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-10262540370553643032010-06-14T16:56:00.010-04:002010-06-30T21:58:27.976-04:00"It took God six days to create the earth, and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBhG_MZFhGI/AAAAAAAABjM/Gg2_vbZV06A/s1600/Meaningoflife.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 282px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBhG_MZFhGI/AAAAAAAABjM/Gg2_vbZV06A/s320/Meaningoflife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483210597795726434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Meaning of Life </span>(1983)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Terry Jones, rated R, 107 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Meaning of Life </span>is a tasteless but outrageously funny comedy where Monty Python tries to answer the age old question of "Why are we here?" through a series of sketches. Monty Python is in top form here, with some of their most bizarre, outlandish and devilishly clever sketches, but also some humorously poignant moments. The film is visually magnificent, sometimes delving into surreal imagery, and while the film has no plot, the jokes mainly revolve around life and death which gives a sense of cohesiveness.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> The Meaning of Life </span>is quite different from Monty Python's earlier films, but retains their madcap spirit and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBhHMZKOcBI/AAAAAAAABjU/m-e6yrvLWR4/s1600/meaninghy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 162px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBhHMZKOcBI/AAAAAAAABjU/m-e6yrvLWR4/s320/meaninghy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483210824561356818" border="0" /></a>their smart humor, and it might even make you think. You'll like it if: You like Monty Python, sketch films, <span style="font-style: italic;">Man Bites Dog, A Fish Called Wanda </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Fireman's Ball.</span><br /><br /></div><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" border="0" height="11" width="6" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-6233142839392440442010-06-12T01:17:00.014-04:002010-06-14T23:47:45.744-04:00"Every 'Revolution' Needs A Leader"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBaWatie2ZI/AAAAAAAABi8/GXtzMBb3Rc8/s1600/Youth_in_revolt.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBaWatie2ZI/AAAAAAAABi8/GXtzMBb3Rc8/s320/Youth_in_revolt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482734982015146386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Youth in Revolt </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2009)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Miguel Arteta, rated R, 90 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Youth in Revolt </span>is an ambitious and chaotic comedy about a young outcast who creates an alter-ego to help get his sophisticated dream girl. The film has plenty of great character actors, like Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis, but Michael Cera stands out, easily becoming the pitiful, awkward lead character, while also perfectly playing his insane, badass alter-ego. The writing has a potent mix of subtle and black humor, and the film has an offbeat atmosphere<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBaWprRJ1WI/AAAAAAAABjE/0ySYjIxN_3s/s1600/youth-in-revolt-picture.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 158px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBaWprRJ1WI/AAAAAAAABjE/0ySYjIxN_3s/s320/youth-in-revolt-picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482735239103632738" border="0" /></a> where everything feels a little strange.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Youth in Revolt </span>wouldn't work if the main character wasn't so damn likable and charming, and thanks to the hilarious dialogue and wonderfully manic storyline - it works flawlessly. You'll like it if: You like coming-of-age films, quirky humor, Michael Cera, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Royal Tenenbaums, The Good Girl </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Broken Flowers.</span><br /></div><span></span></div><span><br /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-57545123537975155522010-06-11T17:42:00.008-04:002010-06-14T16:58:29.174-04:00"Where the hell is my elephant?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBMYBlW7YgI/AAAAAAAABis/xnMSmOzZK7k/s1600/proctectorg_film.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBMYBlW7YgI/AAAAAAAABis/xnMSmOzZK7k/s320/proctectorg_film.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481751586927239682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Protector </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2005)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, rated R, 108 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Protector </span><span>is a</span>n exhilarating, pulse-pounding Thai marital arts film about a young fighter who goes to Australia to hunt down the gangsters that stole his elephant. Tony Jaa isn't much of an actor, but he's an incredibly talented martial artist, doing all his own stunt without wires or CGI, and he's a lot of fun to watch. The story is simplistic, but it provides for plenty of jaw-dropping fight scenes, and the film has some exciting visuals, including an ambitious extended Steadicam sequence. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Protector </span><span>is a ridiculously fun movie that gets more unbelievable </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBMYKPPqsdI/AAAAAAAABi0/SeuvbvdgIh0/s1600/Protector2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 175px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBMYKPPqsdI/AAAAAAAABi0/SeuvbvdgIh0/s320/Protector2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481751735610028498" border="0" /></a><span>and preposterously entertaining as it goes on - the best martial arts film in recent memory. You'll like it if: You like martial arts, lone wolf protagonists, <span style="font-style: italic;">Ong-Bak, District B13 </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Transporter.</span></span><br /><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-33663172274245623152010-06-10T18:07:00.010-04:002010-06-11T00:38:27.354-04:00"All the world's a stage..."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBF4HhW-0HI/AAAAAAAABic/-nmjreJA_rc/s1600/Trumanshow.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBF4HhW-0HI/AAAAAAAABic/-nmjreJA_rc/s320/Trumanshow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481294292095783026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Truman Show </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1998)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Peter Weir, rated PG, 103 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Truman Show </span>is a unique and inspired dramedy about an insurance salesman who finds out his entire life is being filmed for a TV show. Jim Carrey, in his first "serious" role, gives a low-key but charming performance, and Ed Harris is incredibly forceful and enigmatic as the show's director. The premise is undeniably intriguing, and while on its face its absurd, it has a strange edge of nightmarish believability, and thankfully the rest of the film is as well written and interesting as the idea.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBF4OCXxuXI/AAAAAAAABik/l0bYJGPSX5c/s1600/trum2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 142px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBF4OCXxuXI/AAAAAAAABik/l0bYJGPSX5c/s320/trum2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481294404036704626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Truman Show </span>works as a clever satire of reality TV, but it's the wonderful, relatable characters and exhilarating, somewhat sci-fi story that make the film so memorable. You'll like it if: You like odd premises, dreamlike films, Jim Carrey, <span style="font-style: italic;">Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Stranger than Fiction </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Gattaca.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" border="0" height="11" width="6" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-12377892648251553282010-06-09T22:39:00.006-04:002010-06-09T23:52:18.252-04:00"This sun dial is ten minutes slow."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBBTYRSQlhI/AAAAAAAABiU/LkHb0AgH7a8/s1600/itsag.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 289px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBBTYRSQlhI/AAAAAAAABiU/LkHb0AgH7a8/s320/itsag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480972422931846674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It's a Gift </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1934)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Norman Z. McLeod, not rated, 68 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's a Gift </span>is an uproariously funny classic comedy about a henpecked man who decides to move his family out to California to grow oranges despite his family's objections. W.C. Fields delivers plenty of hilarious lines and he's easy to sympathize with as his wife is so absurdly shrewd, you can't help but hate her - she's seriously awful. The film's sight gags are impressively orchestrated and manage to gain momentum and hilarity the longer they go on. Other than it's odd structure, <span style="font-style: italic;">It's a Gift </span>is a great comedy, filled with memorably funny jokes and a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBBTIyCJF8I/AAAAAAAABiM/hdK_DmAoxqE/s1600/Gift_Fields_article_story_main.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TBBTIyCJF8I/AAAAAAAABiM/hdK_DmAoxqE/s320/Gift_Fields_article_story_main.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480972156844709826" border="0" /></a>underlying feeling of anarchic glee. You'll like it if: You like old comedies, screwball comedies, W.C. Fields, <span style="font-style: italic;">Duck Soup, Sherlock Jr. </span>or<span style="font-style: italic;"> Borat</span>.<br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-87821501091840084252010-06-08T22:58:00.016-04:002010-06-08T23:57:53.607-04:00A Graphic and Hellish Masterpiece<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA8JiXyXgnI/AAAAAAAABh8/lpFQ4fT_BB8/s1600/Come-and-See-poster.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA8JiXyXgnI/AAAAAAAABh8/lpFQ4fT_BB8/s320/Come-and-See-poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480609757638656626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Come and See </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1985)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Elem Klimov, not rated, 142 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Come and See </span>is an eerie, raw and harrowing Soviet war film that shows the horrors of war through the eyes of 13 year old boy who joins a group of partisans trying to survive the Nazi invasion. The incredible, sweeping visual style adds to the surreal and bizarre imagery, and the actual war scenes are realistic and impressive in scope. The film has innumerable disturbing and horrifying moments and seeing them reflected on the face of young Aleksey Kravchenko's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA8JriV2B9I/AAAAAAAABiE/nbK88WqQ1AM/s1600/comeandsee4.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 164px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA8JriV2B9I/AAAAAAAABiE/nbK88WqQ1AM/s320/comeandsee4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480609915090634706" border="0" /></a> expressive face is almost too much at times.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Come and See </span>is unlike any war film out there; its provocative and painful atmosphere is truly haunting, and it's horrors are impossible to forget. You'll like it if: You like Soviet cinema, disturbing films, war films, <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Apocalypse Now, </span>The Ascent, Stalker </span>or<span style="font-style: italic;"> Cross of Iron.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span><span></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-6939034358680335102010-06-07T21:41:00.008-04:002010-06-07T23:22:39.620-04:00"One big case. Zero clue."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mC2q_5kI/AAAAAAAABhk/Dx2lsbi8CKo/s1600/mystery-team.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 261px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mC2q_5kI/AAAAAAAABhk/Dx2lsbi8CKo/s320/mystery-team.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480218889545573954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Mystery Team </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2009)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Dan Eckman, rated R, 105 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Mystery Team </span>is a hilarious and fun low budget comedy about a group of naive child detectives, now in high school, that never grew out of solving little mysteries, who take on a murder case to prove they're adults. Though the premise is funny, it could easily be a one-joke film, but the writers are clearly devoted to creating genuine characters and a surprisingly interesting mystery. The film is made by the Derrick Comedy Troupe whose odd humor <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mQstL-iI/AAAAAAAABh0/91hkfB5IPqs/s1600/mystery-team3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 124px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mQstL-iI/AAAAAAAABh0/91hkfB5IPqs/s320/mystery-team3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480219127388568098" border="0" /></a>translates well into film, and Donald Glover stands out as the childish and devoted leader.<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Mystery Team </span>accomplishes everything it sets out to do; it has an enthralling story, unexpectedly effective suspense (in a good childrens' horror movie way) and a lots of truly funny jokes. You'll like it if: You like <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mDPx3itI/AAAAAAAABhs/VlJIxk58-tE/s1600/mystery_team_movie_image.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA2mDPx3itI/AAAAAAAABhs/VlJIxk58-tE/s320/mystery_team_movie_image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480218896285272786" border="0" /></a>quirky humor, parodies, Donald Glover, <span style="font-style: italic;">Observe and Report, Pineapple Express </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Planet Terror.</span><br /><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" border="0" height="11" width="6" /></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-17065286219876783422010-06-07T15:58:00.008-04:002010-06-07T16:11:40.999-04:00"Some things can't be erased"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA1R74Fkf_I/AAAAAAAABhU/jSG_Gjm246k/s1600/Tape-Poster.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA1R74Fkf_I/AAAAAAAABhU/jSG_Gjm246k/s320/Tape-Poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480126410689642482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Tape</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (2001)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Richard Linklater, rated R, 86 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tape </span>is a tense and claustrophobic drama about two old high school friends who, while hanging out in a seedy motel, discuss some painful memories from high school. The film is based on a play, which explains why it takes place all in one room, but it's never boring as the head games and shocking backstory provide plenty of compelling drama. Ethan Hawke has never been more convincing than his role here as a cunning loser, and its exciting but nerve-racking to watch him toy with is old friend.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA1SBeMHFAI/AAAAAAAABhc/VDSwSfC4jpY/s1600/tape583598834-800wi.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TA1SBeMHFAI/AAAAAAAABhc/VDSwSfC4jpY/s320/tape583598834-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480126506816967682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tape </span>is such an interesting film because you're never sure who to trust and who's being honest, and thanks to some stellar acting it's one charged drama. You'll like it if: You like dialogue driven films, dramas about friendship, films set in one location, <span style="font-style: italic;">Before Sunrise, Mysterious Skin </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">sex, lies, and a videotape.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-38903109057329999182010-06-03T00:35:00.001-04:002010-06-03T00:35:16.921-04:00"I'd like to apologize, but who to."<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAb2wJuPngI/AAAAAAAABhE/uePrYqKOx3k/s1600/In_cold_blood99.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478337303846821378" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAb2wJuPngI/AAAAAAAABhE/uePrYqKOx3k/s320/In_cold_blood99.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 281px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 182px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">In Cold Blood </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1967)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Richard Brooks, rated R, 134 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">In Cold Blood </span>is an unsettling and unflinching true crime drama about what two drifters do after a botched robbery results in them murdering an entire rural family. Robert Blake and Scott Wilson are top notch as the killers, simply becoming their unsavory characters, and they're provided some stellar dialogue. The stark black and white cinematography and the fact that most of the film was shot in the real locations give the film a documentary feel, and provide a perfect atmosphere for the sad and disturbing plot.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAb5E6zFVVI/AAAAAAAABhM/IQkOkBj7oGI/s1600/incold01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478339859641095506" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAb5E6zFVVI/AAAAAAAABhM/IQkOkBj7oGI/s320/incold01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 122px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 279px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> In Cold Blood </span>is the epitome of the true crime genre, allowing a glimpse into the minds of two killers while enthralling you with the tragic story. You'll like it if: You like true crime, films about criminals, police procedurals, <span style="font-style: italic;">Capote, Badlands </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Monster.</span></div><br /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-48703482916019875922010-06-01T23:31:00.009-04:002010-06-02T01:46:54.423-04:00"I should have told her everything. She loved stories like that."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAXY4Qrb3II/AAAAAAAABg0/oNkkXtrZcxs/s1600/Mylifeasadog.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAXY4Qrb3II/AAAAAAAABg0/oNkkXtrZcxs/s320/Mylifeasadog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478022982827498626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My Life as a Dog </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1985)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, not rated, 101 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My Life as a Dog </span>is a heartwarming, though dark, Swedish dramedy about Ingemar, a boy who is sent to live with some relatives in an eccentric little town while his mom tries to overcome a serious illness. Anton Glanzelius delivers a wonderful child performance in the lead, and his character's loneliness and unfortunate circumstances are easy to relate to. The film is filled with odd and very funny characters, but it's the relationships that develop between them and Ingemar that make the story so compelling.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAXY9lbK8MI/AAAAAAAABg8/vPdzmLSwHKI/s1600/MyLifeDog.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 138px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAXY9lbK8MI/AAAAAAAABg8/vPdzmLSwHKI/s320/MyLifeDog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023074295771330" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">My Life as a Dog</span>'s bittersweet and nostalgic atmosphere gives the film charm like few others, and it has the perfect mix of comedy and drama. You'll like it if: You like coming-of-age films, quirky comedies, child protagonists, <span style="font-style: italic;">Show Me Love, What's Eating Gilbert Grape </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Cinema Paradiso.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-21130328055734268182010-05-31T17:38:00.007-04:002010-06-01T01:28:27.064-04:00"In a world where everyone can only tell the truth... this guy can lie."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAR31o_oBBI/AAAAAAAABgk/LFQT6BouNvQ/s1600/Invention_of_lying_ver2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAR31o_oBBI/AAAAAAAABgk/LFQT6BouNvQ/s320/Invention_of_lying_ver2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477634810210419730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Invention of Lying </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2009)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Ricky Gervais & Matthew Robinson, rated PG-13, 99 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Invention of Lying </span>is a flawed but ambitious comedy set in world where everyone can only tell the truth, until one depressed writer discovers how to lie. Ricky Gervais brings his familiar sad-sack comedy to the film and has plenty of self-deprecating charm as the lead, and all the supporting parts are filled by talented comedians, plus there are even a few hilarious cameos. The premise of the film is intriguing and sets up some rather funny gags, but the story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAR37x0G20I/AAAAAAAABgs/rCIBHIAHUGo/s1600/inventionoflying.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 162px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAR37x0G20I/AAAAAAAABgs/rCIBHIAHUGo/s320/inventionoflying.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477634915657243458" border="0" /></a> is split between religious satire, which is funny and thought provoking, and a love story, which effectively fails. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Invention of Lying</span> is proof that perhaps Gervais can't be a successful romantic lead, but this bold comedy proves he can be very funny and even subversive You'll like it if: You like fantasy comedies, satirical comedies, Ricky Gervais, <span style="font-style: italic;">Idiocracy, Liar Liar </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Life of Brian.</span><br /></div><br /><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-14955909479577186722010-05-31T00:11:00.001-04:002010-05-31T00:12:12.341-04:00"My Name is Daniel Johnston. This the name of my tape- it's Hi, How Are You? And, I was having a nervous breakdown when I was recording it."<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAMscQOmpeI/AAAAAAAABgU/FKPGgkn7UdA/s1600/Devil_and_daniel_johnston.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477270435716834786" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAMscQOmpeI/AAAAAAAABgU/FKPGgkn7UdA/s320/Devil_and_daniel_johnston.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 269px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 182px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Devil and Daniel Johnston </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2005)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Jeff Feuerzig, rated PG-13, 110 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Devil and Daniel Johnston </span>is a tragic and yet inspiring documentary about Daniel Johnston, a revered musician, who's life fell apart when his manic-depression took over and he became obsessed with demons and the devil. The film has a staggering amount of old footage since Johnston documented his life, believing he would one day be famous, and his powerful, though divisive, music provides a wonderful soundtrack. Johnston himself <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAMsh4THnrI/AAAAAAAABgc/wBft6r8JDy4/s1600/devildaniel_johnston.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477270532372537010" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/TAMsh4THnrI/AAAAAAAABgc/wBft6r8JDy4/s320/devildaniel_johnston.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 177px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 262px;" border="0" /></a>is an interesting and charming man, who despite his painful flaws is exhilarating to watch. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Devil and Daniel Johnston </span>is a lasting portrait of complex and brilliant artist, who's life couldn't be more interesting if it was made up. You'll like it if: You like films about artists, films about mental disorders, films about music, <span style="font-style: italic;">American Movie</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Grizzly Man </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Grey Gardens.</span><br /><br /><span> <img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-52230064579179074542010-05-27T23:59:00.001-04:002010-05-28T00:00:02.491-04:00"You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets."<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_8qYPgH4jI/AAAAAAAABf8/oLUDdrfkiD0/s1600/virgin_suicides_poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476142267872305714" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_8qYPgH4jI/AAAAAAAABf8/oLUDdrfkiD0/s320/virgin_suicides_poster.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 260px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 183px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Virgin Suicides </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1999)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Sofia Coppola, rated R, 97 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Virgin Suicides </span>is a peculiar and dream-like drama about a group of boys obsessed with a group of mysterious sisters who are shut off from the outside world by their parents after one commits suicide. All the performances by the teens are unexpectedly good, especially Kirsten Dunst who adeptly hides her character's sadness under her outwardly lovable persona. The film has a unique style of throwing tons of information at the audience in various ways, like little voice overs and documentary <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_8qfaRDpEI/AAAAAAAABgM/dXE38bSESDk/s1600/virgin+skswain_the_virgin_suicides_001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476142391020987458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_8qfaRDpEI/AAAAAAAABgM/dXE38bSESDk/s320/virgin+skswain_the_virgin_suicides_001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 180px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 250px;" border="0" /></a>style interviews, which surprisingly makes the story clearer as well as adding a feeling of fantasy. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Virgin Suicides </span>is both subtly funny and depressingly bleak, and it's strange atmosphere is unforgettable. You'll like it if: You like teenage protagonists, films about family, Kirsten Dunst, <span style="font-style: italic;">American Beauty, Lawn Dogs </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Heavenly Creatures.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:medium;"> <img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_half_tan_matte.gif" width="6" border="0" height="11" /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-69758612626491032132010-05-27T01:53:00.008-04:002010-05-27T16:38:49.082-04:00"One of the most bizarre episodes in the annals of American Crime."<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MDQ9-p-I/AAAAAAAABfc/RnwyvkBqoSI/s1600/honey0gwz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475827447163168738" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MDQ9-p-I/AAAAAAAABfc/RnwyvkBqoSI/s320/honey0gwz.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 239px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 180px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Honeymoon Killers </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1969)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Directed by Leonard Castle, rated R, 108 minutes</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Honeymoon Killers </span>is a stark and shocking crime thriller, based on true crimes, about a couple that sets up a scheme where the man dates lonely women, proposes to them, steals their money, then kills them.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Tony Lo Blanco is horrifyingly charming and sleazy, perfectly complementing Shirley Stoler as his manic and boorish wife. The film is clearly low budget, but instead of being a hindrance, it makes everything seem real<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">- </span>almost<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MLUivG_I/AAAAAAAABfk/OmV3lzHq8q0/s1600/honeysz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475827585561598962" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MLUivG_I/AAAAAAAABfk/OmV3lzHq8q0/s320/honeysz.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 129px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a> like watching a documentary where people are actually killed, and the murder scenes are some of the most disturbing ever filmed.<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Honeymoon Killers </span>walks the line between John Waters style campy fun and <span style="font-style: italic;">In Cold Blood-esque </span>true crime horror, which results in a truly chilling and unpredictable experience. You'll like it if: You like true crime films, independent <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MRRhGyWI/AAAAAAAABfs/fy1ZBDQixTk/s1600/honeyc2ce4f9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475827687828670818" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_4MRRhGyWI/AAAAAAAABfs/fy1ZBDQixTk/s320/honeyc2ce4f9.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 135px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 246px;" /></a>horror films, serial killer films, <span style="font-style: italic;">In Cold Blood, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Heavenly Creatures</span>.</div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3149501205028097496.post-79566132029708881102010-05-26T01:35:00.002-04:002010-05-26T01:36:19.295-04:00"Sometimes I feel like you're really taking me for an imbecile."<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_xHj1SI-sI/AAAAAAAABfM/qTMwdbIiuvM/s1600/dinnergZZZ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475329927899839170" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_xHj1SI-sI/AAAAAAAABfM/qTMwdbIiuvM/s320/dinnergZZZ.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 267px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 180px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Dinner Game </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(1998)</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Directed by Francis Veber, rated PG-13, 80 minutes</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Dinner Game </span>is a quick paced French comedy about a group of upper class friends who have dinners where they all invite the dumbest guy they can find. However, on the night of the dinner things go awry and one inviter is stuck all night with his "idiot." Jaques Villeret is perfect as the unwitting dolt as he keeps his frustratingly stupid character likable, and writer-director Francis Veber manages to prevent the the story from becoming predictable, providing plenty of twists and turns. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Dinner Game </span>is only 80 minutes, but it's packed with memorable bits and laugh<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_xHrIdUyyI/AAAAAAAABfU/d8MI3gg7g54/s1600/dinnert+de+Cons1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475330053306108706" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jE4793Iwn4A/S_xHrIdUyyI/AAAAAAAABfU/d8MI3gg7g54/s320/dinnert+de+Cons1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 167px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 240px;" border="0" /></a> out loud scenes, and if you like films where nothing seems to go right - this is as good as it gets. You'll like it if: You like French comedies, slapstick comedies, <span style="font-style: italic;">Dumb & Dumber, The Ladykillers </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Amelie.</span></div><br /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" /><img alt="" src="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/graphics/redstar_matte_tan_transp.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 11px;" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1