Category Archives: Movies

I finally watched The Social Network last night and I’m glad I saw it. It is a very interesting, well-written, relevant, well-executed movie and it will probably win Best Picture of the Year at this year’s Academy Awards.

With that said, I normally hate movies or TV shows about douchebags i.e. Entourage, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Tosh.0. So, for me, watching The Social Network was more bitter than sweet. I found myself watching a group of mean, eventual-billionaire douchebags fighting each other over more power and more money and I couldn’t get 100% on board with it. I was, however, impressed with how intensely the movie depicts a topic that is so relevant to this generation and how Facebook has jimmied itself into so many people’s lives, myself included. If I took anything away from the movie it’s that it made me want to delete my profile and return to more archaic socializing techniques, but that’s easier said than done.

Jesse Eisenberg was really great as Mark Zuckerberg and is totally deserving of all the praise he’s receiving. Justin Timberlake played a HUGE asshole suspiciously too easily. My favorite character was Erica Albright played by Rooney Mara. She’s only in the movie for a few scenes but delivers some of the most poignant lines. The most memorable is from the opening scene when she says to Mark, “You are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you’re going to go through life thinking that girls don’t like you because you’re a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won’t be true. It’ll be because you’re an asshole.”

I’ve never been a huge fan of Joan Rivers and I’m still not a huge fan, but I do have a new appreciation for her.

I really liked watching her latest documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. It focuses on the many ways Joan has been trying to reignite her career. She performs at small venues in Wisconsin and the Bronx, she does commercials, she does ANYTHING she can to make money and be in the spotlight. While it’s hard for me to have pity on someone as wealthy and successful as Joan Rivers, her documentary made me feel bad for her. I marveled at how insecure she is at 77-years old. Here she is, an iconic name in comedy, yet she comes across as a person who needs constant validation and approval. When she doesn’t get it, she feels like a total failure and becomes depressed.

Even though I feel bad for Joan Rivers, I also developed a huge amount of respect for her because of this well-done documentary. And she is actually pretty darn hilarious in it.

I watched Scott Pilgrim vs. The World this last weekend and I thought it kicked A. In fact it reminded me a lot of Kick Ass, which I also liked. It is just a fun movie that does what it wants.

Scott Pilgrim is a sort of action-fantasy-romantic comedy based on a series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley. I haven’t read the graphic novels of which the movie is based, but I imagine they’re just as fun. It was totally refreshing, unique and fun and I laughed pretty hard.

Scott is forced to fight the 7 evil exes of Ramona Flowers in order to win her heart. Mae Whitman, who I totally loved as Ann Veal (her?) on Arrested Development, stole the show. She totally cracked me up as Roxy Richter, one of the 7 evil exes that Scott must fight. I couldn’t help but think of George Michael and Ann Veal (see Arrested Development) fighting and it made me enjoy it even more. It’s SO FUN.

Check it out.

I really loved Black Swan, the new psychological thriller by Darren Aronofsky, mostly because of Natalie Portman’s totally thrilling performance as Nina Sayer, a prima ballerina who is completely obsessed with perfection. She was on fire. Mila Kunis was also really beautiful and surprisingly good in this movie.

I have to admit, I actually watched this movie twice this weekend. Partly because two different groups of friends wanted to go and partly because I just wanted to understand it a little bit better. I really don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone so I will issue my spoiler alert now.

SPOILER ALERT:
Black Swan was dark and even frightening at times. I was pretty uneasy throughout the movie mostly because I was trying to discern the difference between reality and Nina’s delusions. The second viewing was more enjoyable because I was able to clearly see the progression of her psychotic symptoms as she deals with the immense pressure that is placed on her from every direction. I really sympathized with Nina and Natalie Portman portrayed her fragility and eventual transformation in a totally beautiful and even believable way. The line that separates sanity from insanity seemed extremely easy to cross. Easily my favorite scene was Nina’s transformation into the Black Swan, a character from “Swan Lake” that was so difficult for her to embrace. That scene alone is worth watching over and over. It was stunning.

This movie is a trip, but the kind that I like to go on. It might not be your cup of tea but then again, you might not even like tea.

I’d been wanting to see The Kids Are All Right for a while now and I finally got to see it. I loved it, just like I thought I would. It was one of those indie movies that didn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be indie… ahem, 500 Days of Summer. It definitely had its deliberate moments: hand-written credits, Vampire Weekend, Mark Ruffalo. But all in all, it was a really beautiful movie and I liked it a lot.

Annette Bening is my favorite character in this movie. She plays Nic, a strong-willed doctor who is married to Jules (Julianne Moore) and they have two children from a really sexy sperm donor, Paul, played by Mark Ruffalo. The kids become curious to meet their biological father and are quickly enchanted by him and he is equally enchanted with them. The movie then follows the dramatic aftermath of their meeting, which I won’t give away.

Part of me actually would have liked to see this movie depict Paul as a not-so-cool person. Just a regular guy. Instead, he’s this cool, leather jacket wearing, good-looking urban gardener who owns his own restaurant. He’s in to all the latest music and bangs chicks all the time. I kind of wanted him to be a Jon Lovitz pharmaceutical salesman or something. And the kids are like, “Um. You’re okay, I guess, but my moms rule. And you’re dumb.” or something like that. Just a thought.

I also loved Yaya Dacosta as Tanya. She’s below with the fro. SO HOT!

I wouldn’t recommend seeing Burlesque with a lot of haters. When I saw this movie there were 6 of us friends in the movie theater and 1 other person on the 3rd row. (Poor guy.) We laughed so hard at the sexy dance routines, the multiple costume changes, and the cheesy dialogue. It was hysterical. Imagine Cabaret, Showgirls, Moulin Rouge!, and Chicago all rolled into a movie with Xtina and a 64-year old Cher. For some of you, like my friend Chris, this is a painful hell in movie form. But for me, it’s an outrageous slice of campy musical heaven; a C+ movie in an A+ experience.

After a wonderful Sunday brunch I sat down and watched Lovely, Still, an enormously sweet 2008 movie starring Martin Landau and my favorite lady in Hollywood, Ellen Burstyn.

Gauging by the trailer, I had assumed the movie was simply about two older people who discover love later in life. However, it turned out to be so much more. There are haunting and even scary parts to this layered drama and, at times, it made me want to bury my face in a pillow and bawl my eyes out.

With that said, I really loved this movie. It’s not 100% perfect, but I don’t care. I loved it. And I don’t know how she does it, but Ellen Burstyn can break my heart in a second. She’s the best.

I didn’t think I was going to love Toy Story 3 as much as I did. I really loved the first two installments but this one is my favorite, easily making the Toy Story trilogy one of the best of all time.

Ken is one of my most favorite parts of this movie. Michael Keaton does his voice and he made me laugh pretty hard. Such a good douche bag.

I know this movie has received a lot of rave reviews, but it really is amazing. I loved it. Check it out when you can. You’ll be glad you did.

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to watch Auntie Mame, a 1958 film starring Rosalind Russell. It immediately jumped into my heart as one of the funnest/funniest movies I’ve ever seen. It is so good.

The movie tells the story of Mame and her recently orphaned nephew, Patrick, who comes to live with her. It then chronicles Mame’s and Patrick’s relationships, adventures, and challenges. Mame doesn’t put up with small-minded, boring people and I love how she is able to put people in their place in such a kind, friendly way. Everyone needs an Auntie Mame.

If you need a good movie that is ahead of its time, please watch this one. It really is one of the classiest, sweetest movies in the world. And you can thank Taylor for the recommendation.

“Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”
—Auntie Mame

The other night I watched Women in Love, a gorgeous 1969 film (released in the U.S. in 1970) based on D.H. Lawrence’s novel of the same name. This film isn’t action-packed and most of its enjoyment can be found in the terrific screen-writing, the feisty dialogue, and the beautiful performances from the four main characters. Glenda Jackson and Alan Bates were especially sexy in this film. (Glenda Jackson won her first of two best Actress Oscars for Women in Love) Oh. And there is a wrestling scene for which there are no words.

This movie caused me to sincerely reflect on love, relationships, and the expectations each of us has when it comes to those we love. It also made me think about the balance between our bodies and our minds and learning to gauge our emotions and not judge them too harshly.

“But better die than live mechanically a life that is a repetition of repetitions.”
—D.H. Lawrence, Women in Love

Last night I watched Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classicThe Evil Dead with some of my favorite peeps. It was my first time ever seeing it and I actually loved it. It was totally creepy and even though it was laughable in most parts, it all came together in a comedic/fun/gross/campy way.

Some interesting facts about this movie:
-Creamed corn dyed green was used as zombie guts. So gross.

-The blood is a combination of Karo syrup, non-dairy creamer, and red food coloring. At one point, Bruce Campbell’s shirt was so saturated with the fake blood that after drying it by the fire, the shirt became solidified and broke when he tried to put it on.

-The film was shot over several years, so they had to replace actors sporadically throughout the movie.

-Bruce Campbell put up his family’s property in Northern Michigan as collateral so that Sam Raimi could not only finish the film, but also blow it up to 35 mm film which was required for theatrical release.

Seriously. This movie cracks me up. I loved it. If you’re looking for a good/fun Halloween movie, this one tops my list. Check it out!

My friend, Reba, recommended I watch Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte and it knocked me out. It is easily one of the best scary movies that I’ve ever seen with the BEST ending.

Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Agnes Moorehead from TV’s Bewitched star in this 1964 film and it is so scary. Bette Davis is amazing and so magnetic and fun on screen. There were twists and moments where I got the chills because I was so scaredy pants. I seriously loved it. Taylor hates scary movies, but he loved this one and we both fell in love with its ending. So good.

Seriously. Just look at the poster:

I’ve unintentionally been on a Meryl Streep kick lately and have recently re-watched Out of Africa, Angels in America, Doubt, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. All of which are great.

Well, last night I watched Robert Benton’s Kramer vs. Kramer for the first time and it is a total gem. I loved it. This movie is a sweet and emotional depiction of a father and his son as they learn how to deal with the desertion of their wife/mother, the subsequent divorce and the ugly custody battle that follows.

This movie dealt with complex issues like divorce, gender roles in parenting, and abandonment. I get worked up about gender roles as it is. I’ve heard people say mother’s are naturally more nurturing and father’s are supposedly more non-committed and almost feral in regards to their children. While that may be what is an observed tendency in nature, it shouldn’t be regarded as the norm amongst humans as it sometimes is. This movie made me think a lot about that. If you haven’t seen it already, do it.

(As far as my Meryl kick is concerned, The Deer Hunter is next.)

The other night I watched Missing, a 1982 political drama starring two of my all-time faves Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek, and I thought it was really great.

It’s based on the true story of Charles Horman, who was an American journalist that disappeared during the Chilean coup of 1973 led by Pinochet, though the movie never actually mentions Pinochet’s name. Sissy Spacek plays Horman’s wife and Jack Lemmon plays his father and the movie follows their struggle to find their missing son/husband. The movie was banned in Chile so you know that means you should probably see it.

Oh, and Vangelis does the synthesized score and it definitely sounds like a 1982 movie. It can be kind of annoying. But the movie itself was great and if you’re looking for a good political drama, this definitely fits the bill.

Check out the sexy Criterion Collection DVD cover for this movie and then check out the movie itself.

Well… what can I say? Piranha 3D was hysterical.

In all seriousness, this movie made my friend, Kristen, barf in her mouth. It was bloody disgusting. But it was also one of the funniest moviegoing experiences that I’ve ever had. If you like campy, cheesy, gory, gross, horror movies then this movie is epic. The filmmakers are so aware of how tongue-in-cheek this movie is that it works for the rest of us. Obviously, if you think you won’t like this movie, you probably won’t. But it made me laugh pretty hard.

This movie also has a pretty great cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Lloyd, Eli Roth, Ving Rhames, and one of my all-time favorites, Elisabeth Shue. I know she’s old enough to play a mom, but I just can’t believe it. She’s a babe.

So if you want to barf, check out this movie! Oh and by the way, Piranha 3D is sitting nicely at an 81% on RottenTomatoes. Who would have thought?!

I’ve been excited to see the French film Un Prophète for a while and I finally got to watch it this weekend.

The story follows Malik, a young Aarb-French man who is sentenced to prison for 6 months. In order to survive, he has to work for a brutal Corsican mafia leader and run “errands” on the outside, including murder. The movie is violent and at times difficult to watch, but there is a beautiful story between Malik and his first victim, who continues to haunt Malik throughout the rest of the movie. It was a strange, yet captivating film and it is my recommendation of the week.

Beautiful.

The other night I watched, for the first time, Miranda July’s Me and You and Everyone We Know. There was a few hysterical moments and I would definitely recommend it. It was awkwardly sweet and even uncomfortable in some parts. But it was cute and worth watching for the “…poop back and forth forever” scene. I thought I was going to die.

Check it out if you haven’t already.

Last night, I watched the Swedish thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it hooked me big time. I haven’t yet read the three novels by Steig Larsson but I see them everywhere and have heard they are really great.

I didn’t know what to expect with this movie. I didn’t know if it would be romantic, sad, scary, or funny. Instead this movie grabbed me by mis huevos and took me prisoner for the 2.5 hours I was glued to the screen. It was graphic in a couple scenes but ultimately, it was a great ride. The poster below is kind of pretty too.

Thanks, Sweden!