Another fun-filled edition of our annual movie-watching challenge, 30 Films in 31 Days, comes to a close. This year I shattered all previous records by watching 42 films (I promise you my social life has suffered greatly). The premise of this challenge is to try and watch 30 films during the month of January, write a two-line review for each and give it a rating out of 5. Though even those basic guidelines are loosely adhered to, the main point is to watch movies and have fun. We're still primarily based on facebook though a number participated via twitter this year using hashtag #30films31days. So whether you made it to 30 movies or 3, I'd like to thank all of this years participants for a month of geeky fun.
Some participants will select movies based on a particular theme, I didn't have an all-encompassing one, but there were a handful of mini-themes and themed movie marathons.
-X-Men series was inspired by a movie marathon that I could not attend, so I watched them on my own
-Star Wars Original Trilogy Marathon - thanks to the boys for coming over to geek out
-Silent Film Sunday - Steamboat Bill Jr. and Nosferatu
-Vampire Movie Marathon hosted by Mike, which also partially inspired me to watch Nosferatu
A number of my other selections were a direct result of other participants posting reviews and piquing my curiosity or reminding me of a classic or certain directors. I also downloaded some of the films people reviewed, and got asked to borrow 2 of the films I'd rated.
I must reiterate, it was so much fun! Now I've got insane amounts of TV shows to catch up on :P
1) Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows Part 2 - dir. David Yates (2011)
My 2nd time seeing the final HP movie. I feel Yates does better with
each one, or maybe it's because this time I finally read the books. It
should be noted that Deathly Hallows Part 1 is much more enjoyable when
you're immediately able to follow up with Part 2, otherwise the
characters seems plucked out of their natural environment (eg. Hogwarts)
for an entire movie. It's amazing how much Yates did with 2 hours of
almost exclusively murky grey imagery and in my opinion he faithfully
adapted the story. My favourite HP movie of them all.
Mild spoiler: My favourite shot is still when they soar over London
on the dragon, now that's how I want to see the city some day!
4/5
2) That Funny Feeling - dir. Richard Thorpe (1965)
Bit of Hollywood fluff staring Sandra Dee's and Bobby Darrin's pretty
faces about love, well-meaning deceit, and a case of mistaken
identity. It's pretty cute and has a certain charm, not sure if that's
because it was made 45 years ago. If it were a contemporary film
perhaps I'd be trying to blow my brains out? Either way, if it ever
airs on TCM again, it's worth a peek.
3/5
3) X-Men - dir. Bryan Singer (2000)
First of the X-Men series that saw the arrival of Wolverine and Rogue
at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (did I get that right?), it
served to set up and introduce the key figures out of the Mutants and
establish the premise and reasons for homo sapiens and Mutants being on
the brink of war. Again, this is a movie that's best watched with all
the others, having grown up surrounded by boy chatter about the X-Men
but never picked up one of the comics myself, I needed the intro and
cliff notes but found the movie average overall (enjoyable, but
average).
3/5
4) X-Men 2: X-Men United - dir. Bryan Singer (2003)
Scientist William Striker has a complicated agenda that creates a
catalyst for anti-mutant measures from the Government, has him attacking
Professor X's school, and attempting to replicate Cerebro (a machine
housed in the basement of the school) for purposes of mind control. All
this in 2 hours and 15 mins, which is either not enough time, or too
much depending how you look at it. Striker's is not the only story in
here either, there are many sub-plots amongst the Mutants and after a
while it's just too much. My brain starts to get tired and then the
movie won't even end despite my inability to take in any more plot
points. When you stop to lay out the entire story, it's actually not a
bad tale, but the packaging fails somehow. I'd rather they did this
over 2 movies (I would actually gladly watch this over 4 hours in order
to get more detail), or simplified it somehow.
2.5/5
5) Say Anything - dir. Cameron Crowe (1989)
Young love a la Cameron Crowe... Lloyd is smitten with Diane, who is
clearly out of his league. But his kind heart and genuine affection win
her over anyway, and Diane turns out to be truly lovely (if not weirdly
close with her father) but with some complications in her life --
including said father who's at the same time a fraud, and thinks she can
do better than Lloyd. The story is simple but engaging, and rings true
in many aspects (if not a little overblown, but then again, aren't high
school love stories -- onscreen and off -- a little overblown?)
3/5
6) Strictly Ballroom - dir. Baz Luhrmann (1992)
Oh, the colourful splendor that is Baz Luhrmann! Especially set in
the world of competitive ballroom dancing! And especially set in Baz
Luhrmann's over the top world of competitive ballroom dancing!! Scott
Hastings is poised to win the Pan Pacific Grand Prix but he just wants
to dance his own showy steps. His defiant ways cause him to lose his
partner, but in the process a beginner dancer from the studio named Fran
encourages him to follow his dream and dance his own steps with her
instead in the competition. Lies, deceit, meddling from crazy family
members ensue, but in the end will Scott believe in himself and will
love triumph??? Ha ha, it's not my first time seeing Strictly Ballroom
but it still got some chuckles out of me. Plus who can resist that art
direction? Tho I wonder how many bottles of platinum blond hair dye
they went through during production of this film?
2.5/5 (It's something I have to be in the mood to watch, I'm sure I'd
give it a 3 on another day)
7) X-Men 3: The Last Stand - dir. Brett Ratner (2006)
A "cure" is found for the Mutant gene causing controversy amongst
Mutants. Magneto rallies "the brotherhood" along with Jean Grey
returned as The Phoenix to declare war on those who created the cure and
those who would use it as a weapon to disarm Mutants. I say this time
and again, I liked X3, better than the first 2. It's far from perfect,
but the story is just complex enough without losing me, and the moral
complexities are well exemplified. I gotta ask tho, is it just a
product of the movies, or is Rogue really such a ninny? I never really
noticed before but her character and abilities were so cool in the first
movie, but by X3 she's become quite pathetic. Also after staring at
The Phoenix for so long, I need to get me that hair colour stat!
3/5 (I'm tempted to give it 3.5...the effects were really quite good
when it first came out...)
8) To Catch A Thief - dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1955)
This Hitchcock thriller stars Cary Grant as a former jewel thief who
is getting blamed for a recent rash of robberies in the French Riviera.
Grace Kelly is the rich American heiress who is both intrigued and
suspicious of him. The movie kicks off with some beautiful aerial shots
in a not-so-suspenseful chase scene, and unfortunately that is one of
the problems that persists in the film...it's really not that
suspenseful. There's an abundance of witty lines and
character-revealing conversations but overall I never got the sense that
Grant was ever in much danger or peril despite being pursued by the
police. That said, I still enjoyed the way their relationship played
out and I did want to find out 'what happens next?' Good but not my
favourite Htichcock film (and definitely not as good as I remembered
it).
2.5/5
9) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - dir. David Fincher
(2011)
There's something to be said for a good opening credit sequence, and
you can usually count on Fincher for that. Also, who the heck thought
I'd start becoming a Trent Reznor fan? haha This movie is based on the
book of the same name by Stieg Larsson, about a journalist investigating
the disappearance of a girl in the 60's with the help of a troubled but
fierce young computer hacker, which leads them to uncover more
corruption and wrongdoing than they could ever imagine. There's much to
say about this movie, the Swedish original, the story etc. I've had
multiple discussions already. Fincher's version is gritty and intense
as expected, Rooney Mara does an amazing job, and there is a lot of
story to digest and many a moment that will make you flinch. I've never
read the books but I've seen the Swedish trilogy of movies. Despite
the good job Fincher has done on the English version, I would have to
say I still prefer the Swedish version of Dragon Tattoo by Niels Arden
Oplev better. There was a greater reliance on detailed storytelling
there rather than editing tricks (both picture and sound), there's an
art to the latter too, but in this case I prefer getting to the meaty
part of the story. Also I prefer the way Mikael and Lisbeth's
relationship is depicted in the Swedish version, where the emphasis was
on friendship. Either way, this film is worth seeing and sure to
generate much discussion.
4/5
10) X-Men: First Class - dir. Matthew Vaughn (2011)
If someone had told me I would one day find myself scouring all the
HMV/Best Buy/Future Shops in downtown Toronto for an X-Men movie, I
would've laughed at you. But I think First Class was worth the effort,
despite falling into the popular (and increasingly criticized) "series
re-boot" category. Here we go back to how everything got started,
before everyone had their bad-ass nicknames and the general public were
aware of the existence of Mutants. In this one Professor X and
Magneto's common enemy is Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), who is hell bent
on igniting the Cold War between the US and Russia. I am so in love
with the Cold War/swinging 60's setting. Add in good character
development, a straightforward story that leaves room to explore the
blurred lines of loyalty and morality, and a strong cast, and you have
the formula for my favourite X-Men movie of them all.
4/5
11) Our Idiot Brother - dir. Jesse Peretz (2011)
Paul Rudd is the lovable & gullible well-meaning hippie brother
than manages to destroy his three sisters lives with his naivety and
idealism. This is your classic indie gem with easily digestible
characters and predictably enjoyable plot. I'll even forgive the
cheesey cliche ending. I really enjoyed the cast, which stars Zooey
Deschanel (blessedly acting less "New Girl"-ish, thus not making me want
to vomit), Emily Mortimer, and Elizabeth Banks (with a hair do that
makes her look kind of like a young Parker Posey) as the victimized
sisters.
3/5
12) Love and Other Drugs - dir. Edward Zwick (2010)
Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway star as a pharmaceutical rep/player
and an independent young woman with stage 1 Parkinsons who, despite
some initial resistance to commit, find themselves in a relationship
facing some serious challenges. As far as Rom Com/Dramas go, this one
isn't bad. The story isn't completely shallow, you get to see Jake
Gyllenhaal's ass (and Anne Hathaway's boobs), and the mid-90's backdrop
is an endless delight to me. If I had the choice between owning the
soundtrack or the DVD, I'd still pick the soundtrack, but I would still
recommend this movie.
3/5
13) Everything's Gone Green - dir. Paul Fox (2006)
This is the Candian indie featured penned by Douglas Coupland (aka
the man who made the term "Generation X" famous) and at the centre of it
is the character he writes best: Paul, a gen X slacker, a bit
disenchanted with his world and his inability to get ahead in it. That
is, until he becomes part of a lottery scam orchestrated by Bryce, the
money-hungry ex of Ming, the girl Paul is interested in. I saw this
back when it was at TIFF and forgotten most of it. I'd forgotten how
Canadian it is, with its Vancouver backdrop and CBC
(chinese-born-Canadian) female love interest. I'd also forgotten about
the rather impressive cinematography and interestingly designed shots,
not sure if it's a purposeful nod to the author's
photography/orchestrated by Coupland himself. It's not the best thing
Coupland's ever written, but it is funny and I can very much relate.
Paulo Costanzo is also really cute.
3.5/5 (the 0.5 was for it's relate-ability)
14) Hugo - dir. Martin Scorsese (2011)
A great family film with dazzling visuals, about an orphan living in a
train station who stumbles upon a mystery involving an automaton, the
girl who holds the key to activate it, and an unlikely link to a
forgotten filmmaker. It’s based on the book "The Invention of Hugo
Cabret" by Brian Selznick, giving us an unexpected lesson about Georges
Melies (we didn’t know it was based on a true story). I’m not sure what
it says about me (who has studied film history at a university level),
but I’m sheepish to admit the only reason I recognized Melies’ “Trip to
the Moon” was because The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight” video
was inspired by it. Either way this movie is a delight, though a bit
predictable at times. There is a wonderful subplot about a romance
between two wiener dogs that had me tearing up more than I did for
Edward and Bella did in three Twilight movies. Ok, ok fine, it wasn’t a
subplot, but it was practically the greatest part of the movie. The 3D
work was good (tho I’m still not a fan), but I felt it was unnecessary
in one particular scene (very mild spoiler: when they showcase Melies’
films I don’t know why they decided to make them 3D, they’re supposed to
be from the dawn of filmmaking, I really would’ve preferred to see them
in their original form). Overall, it’s magical and feel-good, and if
it weren’t for those damn 3D glasses, I would’ve been a kid in awe at
the cinema all over again (kinda like the way I felt after watching
Super 8).
4.5/5
15) Souvenir of Canada - dir. Robin Neinstein (2005)
Somehow I missed this one at TIFF 2005, luckily I happened upon this
copy sandwiched amidst dusty, cigarette-smoke-coated discount movies at a
2nd hand shop in South Etobicoke. To say it's a documentary based on
Douglas Coupland and his book of the same title is both accurate and a
little simplistic at the same time. There are photographs from his
books, and the font is familiar. If the book were to get up and start
speaking to you, it would probably tell you some of the same stories.
But there's more to it than that, it also looks at Doug's Canada House
art project and includes his boyhood memories delving into relationship
with his father, brothers, etc. I'm sure being a Coupland fan helps,
but I think most Canadians will stumble upon one or two childhood
memories while watching this.
3/5
16) Cassandra's Dream - dir. Woody Allen (2007)
Blood is thicker than water, but when 2 money-stricken brothers do
their rich uncle a "favour", the moral implications make everything
spiral out of control. Turns out Woody Allen does a good Hitchcock,
because this is what Cassandra's Dream feels like. It's more dark
Hitchcockian drama/suspense instead of your usual self-deprecating Woody
Allen humour. I never really understood why everyone loves Matchpoint
but no one knows about Cassandra's Dream. And even if you don't like
the movie, staring at Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor will get you
through. They both give great performances.
4/5
17) Chung Kuo - Cina - dir. Michelangelo Antonioni (1972)
In the 70's, acclaimed filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni was invited
to communist China to film a documentary about "New China". However
Chairman Mao hated the documentary so much that Antonioni was charged
with being anti-Chinese and counter-revolutionary. What I saw in this
3.5 hr documentary was largely observational with minimal narration and
lingering shots. There are 3 parts, focusing on life in Beijing, Henan,
and Shanghai. It's a rare glimpse into China during the 70's as it was
forbidden by the communist party, even so, there were heavy
restrictions placed on what could be filmed. Therefore some of the
footage is taken with a hidden camera, these scenes contrast with their
visit to a village in Henan where villagers are confronted by the camera
without warning and folks come out of their homes to peer curiously at
the "white men". The overall sense I got wasn't anti anything, it just
showed a society of modest folk, people very accepting of their fate,
and taught not to question much. This is echoed in the inscriptions of a
village wall that frankly frightened me: "oppose individualism,
criticize revisionism". It was an interesting watch, just long. Very
long. Even after I forwarded through the operating room footage of the
c-section where the woman is aestheticised by acupuncture (talk about
something I NEVER needed to see)
2.5/5
18) Une Femme Mariee - dir. Jean-Luc Godard (1964)
Ok, have I filled my quota of pretentious films after this one?
Godard has never been one of my favourites. Having spent much with his
devotees (ie. in film school) I've been trained to read into every
shot/word/light source/speck of dirt for greater meaning and after a
while it's taxing and unenjoyable. What we have here in Une Femme
Mariee is a cold, unaffected young French woman who has to decide
between her husband and lover. The story (if you can really call it
that) plays out over a handful of scenes over a short period of time,
laden by themes of commercial/media influence (ie. a number of bra ads),
fragmented thoughts, and largely pointless philosophizing. It was
beautifully shot in stunning black & white, and I enjoyed the
similar screen composition in her intimate moments with both men.
Overall terrific cinematography, but don't expect to have any love
towards the characters.
2/5
19) Super 8 - dir. J.J. Abrams (2011)
This was one of my favourite films of 2011 taking place in 1979 about
a group of teenage amateur filmmakers who witness a mysterious train
crash that is carrying a top secret alien species and aircraft. It's
got the greatest dialogue amongst kids since Stand By Me, both in terms
of humour and genuineness. For those who hail from the west end of
Toronto, it's the type of movie you would've gone to the Westwood during
the summer holidays with your friends to see. It brings you back to a
time of wonder and awe, when you fancied yourself sophisticated while
still young and innocent.
5/5
20) Last Night - dir. Massy Tadjedin (2010)
Decided to watch 3 favourite romantic dramas back to back that
explore themes of love and infidelity (and how often one has nothing to
do with the other, contrary to popular belief). Last Night is about a
couple who spend a night apart; he finds himself on a business trip with
an attractive new coworker, she runs into an old flame. Through the
movie we see their struggle and the clashes between desire, love,
fidelity, guilt, and obligation. I won't deny it's very much a chick
flick, however I think it's unfair these types of movies get lumped in
with your mediocre rom-coms when they are so much more. Anyone with an
interest in morality, defining love, and right and wrong within a
relationship would enjoy seeing this film. I think it's almost needless
to say the dialogue and performances are great. (On a personal note,
there is a line in there where a friend describes Alex as being more
whole/complete when he is alone. I feel it's such an astute and concise
line, perhaps because I often feel that way about myself)
4.5/5
21) Closer - dir. Mike Nichols (2004)
Based on a play about four people and their tangled relationships
with each other. There's a whole psychological element in this story
that really takes a few viewings to sink it (granted it's at least my
4th time seeing Closer so I think I got the message). For general
viewing purposes it's got thought-provoking dialogue, an alluring young
Natalie Portman, handsome Jude Law (before his hairline started to
recede), drama, desire and deception. I loved this movie so much that
the last time I was in London I sought out one of the key filming
locations (Postman's Park) to find the plaque from which Natalie
Portman's character's name comes from.
5/5
22) Conversations With Other Women - dir. Hans Canosa (2005)
This is one of the finest achievements in contemporary cinema when it
comes to crafting a fine dialogue-driven story. Helena Bonham Carter
and Aaron Eckhart are seemingly two strangers who meet a wedding, but as
their conversation progresses you find out there's much, much more.
The entire film is also artistically shot in splitscreen, utilized not
for the character's point-of-views so much as a device for showing
separation, facilitating flashbacks, and inward vs outward emotion.
Though shrouded with words and years of separation, you can still pick
up on the youthful spirit of their love (alive and suppressed all at the
same time). The performances given by both are brilliant.
5/5
23) The Namesake - dir. Mira Nair (2006)
The IMDB description of this movie is: "American-born Gogol, the son
of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers,
despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional
ways." which is also what I thought this adaptation starring Kal Penn
was about too. From the trailers I thought it focused on his
relationship with his father, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The story is actually about a family, with much focus on the mother,
from her youth in India, to being transplanted to New York and the
trials and joys she faces as they raise their kids. The filmmaker
captures the beauty but also the stark contrast of life in India vs the
US, and shows the difference of cultures effectively even within North
America. I wouldn't say it was emotionally charged as it could have
been, but the story wasn't riddled with plot cliches (I think it can be
hard to escape the cultural cliches - ie his white gf being a rich blond
girl) which I appreciated (The Joy Luck Club could learn from this).
The movie is worth a watch, however I still prefer Kal Penn doing
comedy.
3/5
24) Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - dir. George Lucas
(1977)
On blu-ray for the first time (don't worry, I didn't buy the saga,
just the trilogy) the adventures of young Luke Skywalker learning of his
Jedi lineage, battling the evil Imperial Empire... ok ok, I'm not going
to summarize this... Any review about Star Wars was written long ago,
to which I have nothing to add. The only thing folks can really comment
on nowadays are what ridiculous changes the latest release brings. To
this I will say -- I've never been so distracted during the Mos Eisley
scene. And now that we're all focused on finding the changes, every
time something's not quite right we'll stop and go "was that always
there?" *sigh*
(I don't think I'm going to rate these, I don't know which version to
rate them on)
25) Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - dir. Irvin
Kershner (1980)
It was around this movie during our "Star Wars Day" that I developed
this theory about the light sabres getting brighter with every new
release. This is still my favourite of the trilogy.
26) Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - dir. Richard
Marquand (1983)
Where we discover the horrid number added to the scene in Jabba's
palace is actually entitled "Jedi Rocks", and see Ewoks blink for the
first time (SO wrong). Though I like Empire better for story, this one
still is the flashiest and exciting in its own way.
27) Steamboat Bill Jr. dir Charles Reisner & Buster
Keaton (1928)
Buster Keaton's comedic tale about star-crossed lovers whose fathers
are rival steamboat captains is a silent film classic, one of the last
films he made independently before signing with MGM. My preference for
Keaton over Chaplin is his devotion to pure physical comedy with agenda,
it's visual entertainment without a highbrow theme that we are require
to raise our intellect to understand. In the dawn of the moving picture
era that's my preferred focus.
3.5/5
28) Nosferatu dir. F.W. Murnau (1922)
The vampire movie that started it all was based on Bram Stroker's
Dracula, depicting for the first time that sunlight was fatal for
vampires. Count Orlok didn't sparkle, and didn't run around the woods
in the daytime with sniveling chicks named Bella. I did a bit of
reading about the film online afterward as I had some questions about
the version I watched, there are various versions since the original
prints were destroyed. Because of copyright restrictions, the
characters names were originally changed (ie. Count Orlok instead of
Count Dracula) but in my version with English subtitles (the film is
German) *some* of the names have been changed back. Also my version did
not include the blue tinting for nighttime scenes (which was a popular
practice at the time due to technological restrictions to filming in
night time). The music was 2nd rate (often 3rd rate) which took away
from the overall creepiness of the film, I was conflicted whether to hit
mute because the sound captured the pops and crackles of the film
projection which I loved, a shame I could not separate that from the
music. Max Schreck really is as creepy as they made him out to be in
Shadow of the Vampire (a great companion movie to this I'd say).
3.5/5
29) Naked Lunch dir. David Cronenberg (1991)
Well...uhm...Naked Lunch was still more comprehensible than anything
by David Lynch. It's loosely based on the 50's William S. Burroughs
novel of the same name, I know nothing about the book, and even after
watching it, I'm not entirely sure I know much about the film either.
Bill Lee, while high on bug powder, accidentally shoots and kills his
wife but his typewriter assures him she wasn't human anyway, together
they delve into a mysterious plot that takes them to an Islamic port,
and soon nothing and nobody is who/what they seem. I gotta ask, what
was Cronenberg's obsession with bugs and fleshy drippy gross organisms
in those years? I don't always have the stomach for it, Existenz was
alright, but I can't stand to watch more of The Fly than I've already
seen. Set decor's great and props to the props master and special FX,
clearly a lot of imagination went into the movie. But overall, it just
made me develop an irrational fear of typewriters.
2/5
30)
Los ojos de Julia (Julia's Eyes) dir. Guillem
Morales (2010)
A woman with rapidly deteriorating eyesight investigates the
suspicious death of her sister who suffered from the same eye
condition. I missed seeing this at a past TIFF and glad I finally
caught it. It is finely crafted suspense. Though the story is a bit
predictable at times there are a few good twists and always enough
happening at all times to keep you engrossed. Speaking of gross, the
films is not high up there in the gore scale, but there was one
shot...which I now refer to as the "Buñuel tribute"...that made me cover
my eyes and nearly go running out of the room. Something that doesn't
happen often. There was also moments where it distinctly reminded me of
Wait Until Dark (the 60's thriller starring Audrey Hepburn by Terence
Young)
3.5/5
Aaaand that's 30 films in 17 days, likely my personal best! (Also
indication that I really have no life.) I'm not going to stop here tho,
many a bonus round to come!
BONUS ROUND:
31) Die Fremde (When We Leave) dir. Feo Aladag (2010)
Prior to watching this I'd see all of one trailer at Lightbox
(probably preceding Incendies). It's about a woman who flees with her
son from her oppressive husband in Istanbul. She returns to her family
in Germany, who feel pressured by their traditional Muslim (?) values to
shun her and try to take her son from her to return to her husband.
She flees from them, at the same time hoping (stupidly) for
reconciliation. I found the mix of cultures interesting, the religious
and cultural values in which women find themselves oppressed, where
violence against them is open and accepted, played out with Germany in
the backdrop (not North America, but still very representative of the
western world). It's a very engrossing and moving film, though grueling
to watch emotionally. However, I can, in no way, relate to it. Even as
the main character Umay struggled to reestablish a relationship with
her family I sat there and thought "Jesus, who would want back in to a
family like that?" and of course the mother-son bond is meaningless to
me. It's still a very good film, completely overlooked in my opinion.
4/5 (I'm sure someone with a heart would've rated it even higher)
32) Saved dir. Brian Dannelly (2004)
Another movie where religion is an important theme, however from a
whole other angle! Mary and her best friend Hilary Faye are the
paradigms of "Good Christina Girls". They attend Christian school,
spread the word of JC, and are saving themselves for marriage -- that is
until Mary tries to "cure" her boyfriend who realizes he's gay.
Finding herself pregnant, she begins to evaluate her life, beliefs,
friendships, etc. Mocking fanatical Christians is awesome, and Mandy
Moore actually does a decent job of being the righteous and annoying
Hilary Faye, who genuinely believes her every obnoxious action is a
direct dispatch from God. The dialogue is hit and miss, from wickedly
satirical to flat cliche satanic references (delivered by Eva Amurri aka
Susan Sarandon's daughter, her performance is fine, even the
character's good, it's just the lines they wrote for her) but overall an
easy watch and some good laughs.
3/5
33) Muppets From Space - dir. Tim Hill (1999)
Gonzo receives a message from his alien family through his cereal,
but an evil government agency gets wind of this and kidnaps him. Kermit
and the gang must save the day! This movies was hot on the heels of
Muppets Tonight, so it featured some of the new muppets that I'm less
fond of (Pepe is actually better in this one than he is on Muppets
Tonight). There was still tons of good stuff though, including a great
opening sequence of the Muppets' morning routine, talking food,
celebrity cameos, and the latest inventions from Muppet Labs.
3/5
34) Dracula - dir. Tod Browning (1931)
Starring Bela Lugosi, this is the iconic Dracula (that most of us
know better through The Count on Sesame Street). Between watching
Nosferatu earlier in the week and my memory of Francis Ford Coppola's
version of Dracula, I was mostly making story comparisons in my head (I
have to get around to reading the book some day). It's impressive how
polished this looked compared to the 1922 Nosferatu. There was still no
use of non-diegetic sound (ie musical score) but in a way I liked it
because I could hear the sound of the film (which they left intact for
the transfer).
3/5
35) Interview With the Vampire - dir. Neil Jordan (1994)
Based on the first book of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. This is
Louis' story of being born into darkness and what followed. I wrote a
short paper on one of the scenes in this movie back in university, so
needless to say I'm quite familiar with it. From the Neil Jordan films
I've seen, he seems to have a knack of keeping stories moving, though
it's not all action, fire, and blood (though there is plenty of that
too) I've never felt a single lull in the 2hr running time. I probably
like on screen Louis than I like him in the books (I'm team Lestat!) I
still wonder what it would've been like if River Phoenix had lived long
enough to play Daniel Malloy, better yet if he could've reprised the
role for the 3rd book, and Queen of the Damned wasn't a piece of shit...
4/5
36) The Letter dir. William Wyler (1940)
This movie opens with Bette Davis shooting a man in what she claims
to be self defense, but then a letter surfaces to indicate differently.
Despite a plot that makes you want to find out what happens, I wouldn't
say this was one of Bette Davis' better movies. For some reason it
didn't particularly grip me, though through no fault of Bette Davis',
she's great as usual. There's lots of emotional remorse, but some of it
doesn't lead to much, I guess when you open with a murder I expect
there to be more physical retribution. The ending is good but then I
learned it was tacked on to satisfy the Hollywood Code in effect at the
time. I guess as a emotionally-charged stage play it works, if I'd
known that in advance maybe I would've seen it differently.
3/5
37) People Will Talk dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1951)
Cary Grant is the esteemed Dr. Praetorius with a mysterious past who
falls for a pregnant un-wed medical student. It's got all the Cary
Grant movie staples that I love, snappy one-liners, quick wit, quick
talking, in a world where the right words will get you where and what
you want.
3/5
38) The Social Network - dir. David Fincher (2010)
Thank you Best Buy Trade & Save! This was one of my top 10
movies of 2010. Yep, the movie about Facebook that managed to top all
the critics' lists and mine. From that point on I was convinced David
Fincher is some kind of genius. Now that everyone knows who Rooney Mara
is, it's cool to go back and watch an earlier performance. As
mentioned I'm a fan of quick dialogue and double entendre, so that
opening scene was awesome. I'm CEO, Bitch.
4/5
39) The Town - dir. Ben Affleck (2010)
Also from my Top 10 list of 2010 that got mixed reviews from critics.
I remembered liking it as a 2 hr movie with some small misgivings, but
even I had my doubts that it would hold up in the extended 2.5 hr
cut... turns out it was every bit as good, the extras didn't dilute my
enjoyment of the film. I still have the same issues with the ending
being too tidy but overall Ben Affleck does a decent job of writing and
directing himself in a convincing performance. Sure, I have a soft spot
for smart but reluctant criminals, but I'm still able to identify
meticulous writing, a rich backdrop, and well-orchestrated heists.
4/5 (same rating as Social Network tho I liked that one better...
this rating system is flawed :P)
40) Dead Poet's Society - dir. Peter Weir (1989)
I was a little surprised to find this a little less moving than I did
watching it growing up in the 90's. Robin Williams as the teacher with
unorthodox ways, inspires a group of young boys to think for
themselves, but with some dire results in the conformist society from
which they come. Perhaps it had something to do with driving the same
point home one too many times, it's still a great tale of friendship and
coming of age.
3.5/5
41) Leon - dir. Luc Besson (1994)
Recent offerings like Hanna is dribble compared Besson's masterpiece
about an assassin (or "cleaner") who reluctantly takes in a 12 year old
girl (Natalie Portman in the role that made her famous) whose family has
been killed. It's been too many years since I last saw this movie, I
need to treat myself to these great performances, gritty characters, and
morally ambiguous but utterly engaging plot more often.
4.5/5
42) Inglourious Basterds - dir. Quentin Tarantino (2009)
I had to go out on a guaranteed high note. Every time I finish
watching Basterds, I feel like I can go back to the beginning and start
watching it all over again despite it's 2.5 hr length. It is one of the
most satisfying films ever made. Christoph Waltz is mesmerizing,
Colonel Hans Landa of the SS is one of the greatest characters ever
written. There are lots of QT staples as usual, almost each scene is a
dialogue-driven slow boil with splashes of extreme violence in between,
he even adapts the "trunk shot" (twice!)
5/5
