Movies-a-go-go

I know it's been awhile since I've done some movie reviews, so this will be my "catch-up" post. We'll discuss a few movies currently in theaters, and several on video.

Last night ScottE and I had an impromptu date night of dinner (at Annie's Steakhouse) and a movie. We went to see Another Gay Movie, because sometimes you just need to see something fun. And it was! Great fun. This is one film that does not try in any way to have a message or socially redeeming value. Instead it's spot-on parody of the grossest variety. There's not much I really feel comfortable putting in print here, so let's just say there's a lot of gay sex, a lot of nudity (rear and full-frontal), and more than you straight folks probably ever wanted to know about! I'm not sure if there's an audience out there for it, but you do in fact see Richard Hatch's...little Richard, so to speak. Grab your best gay pal and go prepared to laugh and squirm! My rating - A-!

Last week we caught a show of Little Miss Sunshine right after Stef saw it. This was a movie that I liked, but didn't love. Actually I had no real issue with it - it just wasn't in my "huge favorites" list, y'know? All the characters are delightfully quirky - from the son who's taken a vow of silence to the grandfather who snorts heroin. And am I a little out there if I say that Steve Carell is really hot? Best part of this movie without question is the van when the horn starts going off...heh. My rating - B.

Based on a recommendation from Lord and Lady B, we rented two videos recently. The first was V for Vendetta, and I just loved it, much to my surprise. I guess I just didn't know what to expect. Natalie Portman - not annoying! Hugo Weaving - cool, not creepy! The storyline is engaging, and the visuals are on such a grand and impressive scale. It made me want to get out there and celebrate Guy Fawkes Day myself. Grade A!

The other movie was a Spike Lee joint - Inside Man. It was definitely good, although I think I personally was too focused on the bank robbery and a potential twist. Instead I should have realized that the movie is really about the conversation and relationships between the characters - how they love/hate/resent each other, and especially the frank comments on race. Denzel Washington is wonderful, as always. He and Jodi Foster spar in a way that is just divine - love her! And of course Clive Owen is yummy enough to eat with a spoon. I give this one a B+.

Also that week I picked up a random gay flick, assuming it would suck. (Secret tip - 90% of all gay movies are terrible, and we know it. I guess it goes with the whole "10% of the population" thing.) Much to our surprise, Adam & Steve was not only funny, it was often hilarious. The movie features Malcom Gets (formerly of TV's Caroline and the City) as well as Parker Posey and Chris Kattan. Synopsis - 2 men have a tragically bad date in the 80s, and then meet each other again years later, not realizing they had met before. Hilarity ensues. Other than one real gross-out moment, this one can be fun for all - I give it an A-.

We have quite a few films lined up to see in the coming weeks - Babel, The Black Dahlia, and Shortbus. Stay tuned!