Short DVD Reviews - Part 8

My word, it's been a long time since I've posted these, so let's get to it. As always, I promise you reviews of our latest Netflix rentals in 25 words or less!

Into the Wild - A startling portrait of a man trying to be one with nature. Heartbreaking and stunning.

Scoop - Hugh Jackman is hot. Woody Allen is not. A positive plus a negative equals a zero.

Gigi - This was a fun and frothy classic musical. The plot is trite, but the music is memorable.

Where the Truth Lies - An odd Hollywood mystery which involves Kevin Bacon, Colin Firth and sex. The intrigue chugs along, but the ending doesn't satisfy.

Easter Parade - Another classic musical, this time with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. The plot and songs were just OK, but it's always fun to watch Judy.

Orlando - Strange gender-bending tale in two time periods starring Tilda Swinton. It's so out there, it ends up going nowhere.

Oscar and Lucinda - Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett in a quirky Australian love story. Once again, it pulled me along but the ending fell flat.

Munich - Oscar-nominated? I didn't get the appeal. Eric Bana saves it from being completely dull.

The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green - Yet another gay male film that is just trite and barely satisfactory.

Pride and Prejudice - This version with Keira Knightley was so heavily edited I was struck dumb at the abrupt ending. Please see the BBC miniseries instead!

In the Valley of Elah - Tommy Lee Jones unravels the mystery of his military son's death. His performance is strong, but the "mystery" was poorly crafted.

A Little Night Music - An early Sondheim musical that's fun to see simply for Diana Rigg. But the plot itself meanders and can't match the good music.

Infamous - Another amazing biography of Truman Capote and his work on In Cold Blood. Don't compare this to Capote; completely different in its own beautiful way.

Blade Runner - Although I'm sure it was ground-breaking for its time, I wasn't blown away and hated those Harrison Ford voice-overs.

The Interpreter - Nicole Kidman and the views of the United Nations are striking. The complex mystery drives the plot well, but I wanted it to go further.

Meet the Spartans - Stupid and sophomoric parody of 300? Yes. But is it funny? Yes.

I Could Never Be Your Woman - An absolutely satisfying tale of Michelle Pfeiffer's mid-life crisis. Adorable film, and adorable Paul Rudd. Best part is Saiorse Ronan as the singing daughter!

The Advocate - Truly bizarre French period drama about putting animals on trial for witchcraft. Seriously. Colin Firth? Not naked.

The Savages - Siblings who hate themselves and kind of hate each other deal with dad's Alzheimer's. Depressing, and that's about it. A disappointment.

21 - This probably makes a better book. Finding out how 5 collegiates broke the Vegas bank is fun, but the plot beyond that is pure formula.

In Bruges - A strangely engrossing tale of lowlifes in picturesque Belgium. May be too violent for some.

Persepolis - This animated tale of a youngster's life growing up in Iran has a lot to teach those of us who grew up in the West.

Baby Mama - The plot is formulaic, but you can't deny that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are darn funny.

The Bank Job - A clever heist film that is really about a web of lies and dirty dealing in 1970's London. Great fun and Jason Statham is hot.

Surrounded By Idiots

Burn After Reading

The title of this post refers to the characters in the film, most of whom are idiots of various varieties. George Clooney's character makes about the worst security guard there ever was. Brad Pitt is obsessed with groovy tunes. Frances McDormand has a very poor idea of when the Cold War ended. And John Malkovich...cusses too much.

I did enjoy the movie sometimes. There are some good laughs, and I marvelled at Tilda Swinton's chance to once again play an icy bitch. But on the whole I felt the film was lacking something - the glue to hold it together. Too much quirky humor, not enough actual substance. I think it would have been better suited as an extended SNL sketch.

The title of this post does not refer to the audience in the theater when we saw the movie. Still, it was an odd experience - like being in a meeting of the Malkovich Fan Club. I swear every time he came on the screen they just laughed and laughed - even when he wasn't doing anything! Bizarre.

My grade - C+.

Special bonus for DC folks - all sorts of shots and references to local geography. But you have to wonder - what time of night would George Clooney have been driving around Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown where there would be NO TRAFFIC?

Half-Baked

Pineapple Express

Yesterday I went with CB to go check out this movie for a matinee - really because it's the only thing I found in the listings that I had any interest in seeing.

The verdict? Wait for a rental.

I won't deny that there are some good laughs in the movie, but overall the plot feels pulled in two directions. On the one hand it's a buddy comedy in the Judd Apatow "nothing is sacred" genre. But on the other hand it's fiercely skewering stereotypical Hollywood action films to the point of absurdity. CB said that if you want to see humor like that - go see Tropic Thunder, which he reports is much, much better.

My grade - C-.

The eyes are the nipples of the face

The House Bunny

This new movie is a real dichotomy.

On the one hand, it's a formulaic comedy that you've seen several times before. It's Troop Beverly Hills mixed with dashes of She's All That and Clueless. About 15 minutes in you know exactly how it's going to turn out and could probably write the plot outline yourself.

But on the flip side, it's full of such hilarious lines and antics by Anna Faris that you lose yourself in the fun! She's proving to be one of the funniest women in Hollywood and deserves a great big career built around her. All those great zingers wouldn't be half as funny if someone else was in this movie. Viva la Faris!

Emma Stone is also very funny in this, giving even more than she had to work with in Superbad. She's assisted by the second generation of Hollywood - Bruce Willis' daughter (the lovely Rumer Willis) and Tom Hank's son (the nerdy cute Colin Hanks).

So go out and have a good time with this one! You won't be disappointed if you throw caution to the wind. I give this movie a solid B.

A Dark Night with The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

Believe the hype - it really is that good. No, really. This is not some frothy superhero movie that's all action and no substance (I'm looking at you, Daredevil). This film transcends the genre to become a substantial drama and thriller.

Emphasis on the thriller aspect, by the way. I was downright SCARED several times! Not like horror-movie scared, but in the nervy-suspense sense - like in The Silence of the Lambs.

And the reason for that is three-fold:

1. A killer script by Jonathan & Christopher Nolan is full of twists, turns and seemingly impossible schemes. Guaranteed to keep you guessing!

2. The direction by Nolan (the latter one) is also very strong, keeping a frantic pace, but still throwing in solid substance to make you care about the characters and what happens next. My only quibble with the movie is that I think it was a tad long, but I admit I don't know what to cut out.

3. But the real reason to see the movie, actually the whole POINT of the movie is the unsettling performance by Heath Ledger as The Joker. He's creepy, perverse, frightening and just a bit funny. Do I believe a posthumous Oscar is appropriate? Um...kinda. I certainly haven't seen an acting performance this year to surpass Ledger's.

Now, all that being said, let me put it out there - the film is disturbing. The Joker's madness is not purely sadistic - he's also an anarchist. And that's a potent and downright scary combination. That sense of "It could happen to anyone at anytime" is pervasive and gets inside your head! Let's just say I didn't get much sleep last night. And what happens to Aaron Eckhart's character (Harvey Dent) is not for the faint of stomach. But for us former comic book geeks, it was really frakkin' cool!

So, other than my obvious A grade for the movie, I'll advise you to see it and see it soon, but perhaps go to a matinee, and take your teddy bear with you!

Oh, and you can debate with your friends - which is more annoying - Christian Bale's weird gravelly voice as Batman, or Pierce Brosnan's singing?

Mamma Mia indeed!

Mamma Mia!

I've already mentioned that I felt this was one of my most-anticipated films of the summer. And I certainly wasn't disappointed. But like another great movie recently, I think a little viewing guide would be helpful:

1. Remember that the plot is thin.
Really thin. Like 1-ply toilet paper thin. As long as you don't go into it expecting deep existential messages, you're good to go.

2. It's silly and wild, which is part of the fun.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Laugh! Sing! (OK, maybe not sing. Perhaps humming is more appropriate until you buy the DVD for home viewing.)

3. Girl power!

The strength of the movie comes from the fun and crazy antics of the female characters, and the delightful actresses playing them. Meryl Streep shines as the lead, proving that not only can she master accents, but she can sing, too! She's very believable as a mother feeling pulled between parental responsibility and her youthful freedom. She's joined by her wild & crazy pals, played to the hilt by Christine Baranski and Julie Walters. Also delightful is the daughter, played by Amanda Seyfried who shines when she smiles and can cry on cue. Coupled with a strong voice, she's a winner.

4. Colin Firth. Shirtless. Singing sweetly. With a secret.

'nuff said. *drool*

5. Turn on your Pierce Brosnan filter.

You'll figure this out real fast - Brosnan can't sing. Like, at all. He's AWFUL. So the grand debate is, can you cover that up if you're suave and sexy at a certain age? I say no - the film features him too prominently when he does decide to torture us with those vocal cords. His singing mars an otherwise wonderful film.

6. Stay for the credits!

You won't be disappointed. Trust me.

So that's it folks, a definite A- for the film. I'd give it a full A score, but...shut up, Pierce, seriously.

Now if you'll pardon me, I need to go see the movie again, so I'm off to strap on my platform boots and sequins while I belt out "Super Trouper!"

Icons for Gay Men

Recently I was re-watching the film Hello Dolly! after hearing those great old Jerry Herman tunes in the film Wall-E. For those unfamiliar, there was quite a hulabaloo when the young Barbra Streisand was cast in the role, whereas the stage version had been pretty much synonymous with Carol Channing. Despite that, we gays still love her, even if we recognize this was perhaps not her best (or most appropriate) role. But how to explain that? Why is it that the majority of gay men love Babs the way we do, and so many others?

Thus I think it's time to offer you, gentle reader, a primer for the pantheon of female icons that we gay folk adore so much. And because I love lists, I'm going to offer my top 10 icons, followed by a laundry list of honorable mentions. Also we'll look at a few potential icons of the future - who will be talking about 25 years now with a great sigh saying, "Oh, I remember when I first saw Elizabeth in the theater. Now THAT was a great time in movies!"

First up, my top 10 list. These are in no particular order, because no matter how I rank them, I will hear cries of sacrilege (probably even from myself).

1. Judy Garland

How does one explain the pull of Judy? I admit that I wasn't even that impressed with Judy in my nascent years as a gay collegiate. But there are several reasons to explain her appeal. First is that quintessential role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Her experience reminds us of our own - lost in a world that is new and scary, wishing for the comforts of a home where you truly belong - if only you had some kind friends to lean on and show you the way. Also Judy has that cache of being a young child star at the time when movie musicals were becoming quite popular. When she exhorted us all to "Get Happy," we gladly obliged.

2. Liza Minelli

One can hardly mention Judy without bringing up her daughter in the same breath. We admire the way she fought to step outside her mother's shadow, taking the musical stage by storm all on her own. She pushed buttons and sang of hot jazz in Cabaret (making us forget that the role of Sally Bowles is supposed to be played by an Englishwoman). And of course she kept marrying men of our number, so she's practically a gay man already. Liza with a Z - that's her!

3. Barbra Streisand

*sigh* Oh, Babs. It's the voice. It's the nails. It's the Jewish girl from Flatbush who makes it on the Great White Way and wins an Oscar in her very first movie role. It's her unconventional choices in leading men that makes us realize all of us stand a chance. (Ryan O'Neal as sex symbol? Believe it.) And of course she's just so easy to impersonate - a godsend for the drag queens out there.

4. Cher

First she declares herself a "Half-Breed," and we identify with the outsider who isn't loved. Then she wears ostentatious-yet-fabulous gowns by Bob Mackie. And then she proves that she can really act, too - "Snap out of it!" Once she went disco, all the gays were ready to dance along and toss our non-existent long hair. Whoooaaaa!!!

5. Madonna

Although she's the youngest on this list, Madonna has done more in her half-century to win the hearts of the gays than most singers do in a lifetime. She has continually skewered social norms regarding sex and religion, and we appreciate it. She also knows how to construct a lot of amazing dance tunes!

6. Bette Davis

We love Bette for one simple reason - she was the first big-mouthed broad who brought the bitch every time she walked in a room. Only she could turn, "Poor Eve!" into a classic line.

7. Joan Crawford

Joan was in some ways Bette's twin for bitchery, but she also brought the glamour and the drama. And of course we know that she was (mostly) Mommie Dearest in real life, which makes her both cool and creepy.

8. Audrey Hepburn

Audrey defined glamour of the era - she looked good in everything, and always had those big fabulous sunglasses! No one else before or sense has made a string of pearls and a long cigarette holder look so very elegant. Then she became a big-time humanitarian, and no one appreciates selfless acts to help the world's forgotten more than the gays.

9. Donna Summer

Donna was the queen of the disco, and we sure loved our disco. Why, exactly? Disco was the chance to show of your hottest threads while shaking your booty on a lighted dance floor. Gay, gay, gay!!!

10. Bette Midler

Her history starting in the gay baths made Bette an instant gay icon for life - she entertained us first, and we've been loyal ever since. Yet we also would have adored her anyway for being loud and brassy with big bazooms. Once she made us weep with Beaches, we have never been the same.

And that's the list! Now for a few honorable mentions, who are certainly gay icons for some, but have not perhaps reached the pinnacle of gay icon stature:

- Dolly Parton - "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."
- Julie Andrews - Sound of Music - love! Victor/Victoria - gay friendly!
- Patti Labelle - Soul sistah had the craziest hair of the 80's. And she likes to eat.
- Marlene Dietrich - She's the woman who made androgyny edgy and fabulous. Madonna owes her a debt.
- Elaine Stritch - Elaine made it OK to drink vodka and sing at the top of your lungs. Not that I ever do that.
- Gloria Gaynor - "I Will Survive" has been our anthem for years - if only she had more hits...
- Carol Channing - She's the smile that ate Broadway - Hello, Dolly, indeed!
- Carol Burnett - That Gone With the Wind sketch was worth a lifetime of laughs.
- Lucille Ball - The original (and perhaps greatest ever) comedienne. And who wouldn't want to marry a hot Cuban?
- Mary Tyler Moore - When she threw her hat up into the Minneapolis sky, she signaled freedom - for all! (Or that's how I saw it.) Plus having a sassy Jewish neighbor was totally our life.
- Whitney Houston - She...eee...eee....will always love uuuuuuuuus...or maybe crack. It's whack!
- Reba McEntire - Short, spunky, redheads are always our best girlfriends. Plus, girl loves her costumes!
- Diana Ross - She was so fabulous and controversial that they made a really, really good musical about her! (Even if she denies it.)
- Katherine Hepburn - She really qualifies as more of a lesbian icon (the jaw, the pants, that red sweater), but we still think she was a strong woman, and we love that.
- Judi Dench & Helen Mirren - Tough British babes for the ages!

Finally, without further adieu, I propose the women with the greatest potential to become our great icons of the new century. Which of them will stand the test of time?

- Jennifer Hudson - She's our new Diana Ross. But girl's got curves!
- Kathy Griffin - She adores us, so how could we not return the love?
- Margaret Cho - Ditto!
- Kelly Clarkson - American Idol no more - she is hot, hot, hot.
- Beyonce' - We're crazy in love with her.
- Cate Blanchett - One minute she's a British queen, the next she's clawing out the eyes of Judi Dench. Bold!
- Tilda Swinton - Androgyny is hot again, and Tilda's at the forefront. A new Marlene in the making?
- Meryl Streep - When she gets Oscar nomination #20, you know we're throwing a party.
- Glenn Close - She was in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway. She may actually BE a gay man!

OK, now's your time to let me have it - where did I go wrong? Whom did I forget? Whom I have shown too much love? (Yeah, right.) And who else will define the future of gay men's DVD and CD collections?

WALL·E gets an A

Pixar triumphs once again with their latest offering, WALL·E. It's touching, visually stunning, and even carries a message. But above all, this film works so well, because...well, let me count the ways:



1. The story is nothing new - boy meets girl and it's love at first sight. Granted this time around they're robots, but you get the picture. It's this simplicity that makes the film universal, and an excellent choice for kids, too. (Also there is a cute cockroach. Yes, I'm serious.)

2. By creating a world beyond our experience, the creators draw us in completely, so that you want to move around and explore with the characters. It's like an animated Life After People.

3. The dialogue is sparse in WALL·E, so we really get to focus on the story and the emotions. In fact, you become so engrossed that you immediately forget the fact that robots expressing emotions isn't really logical.

4. Beneath the enchantment of the story, there's a clear pro-green message going on. But it's subtle enough that you don't feel like you're being preached to at all. Again, a gentle message that will go over well with the little ones.

Get ready to hand this one the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, because it's practically a lock already!

The bigger question - how would I rank it amongst the other Pixar films? Tough call. I'd definitely put it near the top. Maybe somewhere around 3rd, after Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

Oh, and as always you get the bonus of an animated short by Pixar at the beginning. This time around it's the very clever slapstick of a magician and his rabbit in Presto. I'd say an Oscar nod is a sure thing!

The top 100 films of the last 25 years - modern classics?

Continuing a chain from blog-to-blog, I’m borrowing this idea from Voenix Rising.

Using the Entertainment Weekly list of the top 100 movies from the last 25 years [editor’s note – debatable, at best]:

• Bold the movie if you’ve seen it
• Put asterisks next to the movies you’ve seen and really liked. If you saw a film and hated it, cross it out.

I’ve seen a whopping 66 of the Top 100 films, but outright hated only four of them. That’s probably because I’m a bit choosy about what I will and won’t see in the theater. Although the age of Netflix has helped me delve into a lot more so-so movies, I admit.

If I had to pick a single favorite on this list, it would undoubtedly be the LOTR trilogy. But since that might be considered an unfair advantage, I’ll give honorable mention to…The Breakfast Club. A true modern classic!

As for the worst, I think I'd have to say Breaking the Waves. My other crossed-out titles I just thought were overhyped. But Waves was just...bizarre.

1. Pulp Fiction 1994**
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy 2001-03**
3. Titanic 1997
4. Blue Velvet 1986
5. Toy Story 1995
6. Saving Private Ryan 1998
7. Hannah and Her Sisters 1986
8. The Silence of the Lambs 1991
9. Die Hard 1988
10. Moulin Rouge 2001
11. This Is Spinal Tap 1984
12. The Matrix 1999
13. GoodFellas 1990
14. Crumb 1995
15. Edward Scissorhands 1990
16. Boogie Nights 1997**
17. Jerry Maguire 1996
18. Do the Right Thing 1989
19. Casino Royale 2006**
20. The Lion King 1994
21. Schindler’s List 1993
22. Rushmore 1998
23. Memento 2001**
24. A Room With a View 1986
25. Shrek 2001
26. Hoop Dreams 1994
27. Aliens 1986
28. Wings of Desire 1988
29. The Bourne Supremacy 2004**
30. When Harry Met Sally… 1989
31. Brokeback Mountain 2005**
32. Fight Club 1999
33. The Breakfast Club 1985**
34. Fargo 1996
35. The Incredibles 2004**
36. Spiderman 2 2004
37. Pretty Woman 1990
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 2004
39. The Sixth Sense 1999
40. Speed 1994
41. Dazed and Confused 1993
42. Clueless 1995**
43. Gladiator 2000
44. The Player 1992
45. Rain Man 1988
46. Children of Men 2006**
47. Men in Black 1997
48. Scarface 1983
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2000
50. The Piano 1993
51. There Will Be Blood 2007
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad 1988
53. The Truman Show 1998
54. Fatal Attraction 1987
55. Risky Business 1983
56. The Lives of Others 2006**
57. There’s Something About Mary 1998
58. Ghostbusters 1984
59. L.A. Confidential 1997
60. Scream 1996
61. Beverly Hills Cop 1984
62. sex, lies and videotape 1989
63. Big 1988**
64. No Country For Old Men 2007
65. Dirty Dancing 1987
66. Natural Born Killers 1994
67. Donnie Brasco 1997
68. Witness 1985
69. All About My Mother 1999
70. Broadcast News 1987
71. Unforgiven 1992
72. Thelma & Louise 1991
73. Office Space 1999
74. Drugstore Cowboy 1989
75. Out of Africa 1985
76. The Departed 2006
77. Sid and Nancy 1986
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1991
79. Waiting for Guffman 1996
80. Michael Clayton 2007
81. Moonstruck 1987
82. Lost in Translation 2003
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn 1987
84. Sideways 2004
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin 2005**
86. Y Tu Mamá También 2002**
87. Swingers 1996
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery 1997
89. Breaking the Waves 1996
90. Napoleon Dynamite 2004
91. Back to the Future 1985
92. Menace II Society 1993
93. Ed Wood 1994
94. Full Metal Jacket 1987
95. In the Mood for Love 2001
96. Far From Heaven 2002
97. Glory 1989
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley 1999
99. The Blair Witch Project 1999
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut 1999

So how about you - how many have you seen, and what do you think is the best and the worst?

Iron Man Rules

I'm a little late to the party on this, but after protestations from ScottE and my family, I finally caved and agreed to go see Iron Man. My primary hesitation was that the trailer, which I'd seen numerous times in the theater, was about as exciting as a Yanni concert. Also the comic book was never one I was into as a kid. And let's face it - superhero movies in the past few years have varied widely in quality. While some were truly super (X-Men 2, Spider-Man 2, Superman Returns), others have been so bad we'd like to forget they even happened (Daredevil, anyone?).

[On a side note, I finally saw the first half of The Hulk. WOW was that bad.]

Anywho, I went with my brother and sister-in-law to go see it last weekend (second time for them). And it was in fact a really great movie. This is the rare case where a trailer undersold a movie!

I believe that the primary reason it is so successful is that the origin story is carefully crafted, and the entire film is very character-driven. There are actually only a handful of action sequences, so when they do come, you can settle in and enjoy. It's not constant explosions and guns, etc. (Yeah, I'm looking at you, Transformers!)

But I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Robert Downey Jr. makes the movie. He's a lovable lothario (with a hot body) that draws you into every scene. Surprisingly, Gwyneth Paltrow makes a good foil for him. She's a nice mix of smart and sexy.

And for you die-hard comic fans out there, there are a couple nice winks thrown in for good measure. Terrence Howard sees Tony's other iron suit sitting there and says, "Next time, baby." And indeed, his character later becomes Iron Man - perhaps in the third film? If you sit through those long ending credits, you get a hint of where the Marvel Studios are headed - an Avengers movie! The real question - will they do the other indvidiual character films first? (Thor and Captain America, if you're keeping track. Although I'm holding out for The Scarlet Witch!)

Marriage, Sex and Cosmopolitains

Sex and the City: The Movie

I'll put it right out there - I really liked the movie. Is it perfect? No. But for fans of the show it's great fun and brings back happy memories. You'll leave the theater anxious to go sip some Cosmos with your best girlfriends (and gay friends) while watching back episodes on DVD, deciding who amongst your group is a total Samantha.

The critics have been a bit hard on the movie - it's too long, it's too Carrie-focused, it celebrates materialism, too much time out of Manhattan. But I maintain that it's a good time and you'll have a ball. Thus I offer...

The Top 10 Reasons to See the SATC Movie!
10. It's a good time to giggle and frequently say, "Oh, CHARLOTTE..."

9. Have a debate with your friends as to who has aged more gracefully since the series first aired - the men or the women?

8. Outrageous fashion is always a good time to see even if you know you could never afford it.

7. You always want to know what Samantha's next sexual escapade is going to be.

6. Those eyebrows of Big's - you know you've been waiting to watch them arch.

5. Even though her character really could have been fleshed out more, Jennifer Hudson is still lovely. And the only Oscar winner in the film.

4. Hear Carrie intone just one more time, "I couldn't help but wonder..."

3. Miranda and Steve having sex. HOTT! (The second time.)

2. Tear up at Charlotte's unexpected (pun intended) news.

1. Brunch at the girls' favorite place - what could be better?

Enjoy, and if you're in the neighborhood, let's whip up some cocktails, and I can confess why I am sometimes too much of a Miranda!

Prince Caspian Rules

Prince Caspian

It's already been well-established in this blog that I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. The books are a joy to read at any age, allowing one to escape into a world where badgers speak and centaurs are more than fantasy.

The first film was good, and gave a sense of nostalgia for fans who read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. But it never quite reached a point of sheer exhiliration. It instead inspired a gentle sense of wonder, which is beautiful nonetheless.

Thus it is with great pleasure that I report to you that Prince Caspian is truly thrilling. If you can sit through extended periods of chatter and plot exposition, you will be richly rewarded with tales of heroism, exciting battle sequences, and CGI graphics that are (mostly) believable.

In this second film, the actors portraying the Pevensie children have grown up a bit and it shows. Anna Popplewell in particular shows sharp focus as Susan, and Georgie Henley is comfortably settling into the role of Lucy as she matures.

One thing I really liked this time around was how the screenwriters injected a little dry humor here and there to lighten the mood. You'll especially enjoy Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin, doing what he does best (the gruff dwarf with the soft heart that he doesn't want you to know about). And who can't love Eddie Izzard's vocals for the noble mouse knight, Reepicheep?

And again, I can't say enough for the thrilling visions put forth by the artists and animators in this film. Swirling flower petals, warring trees, and especially a powerful river creature are Lewis' creations come alive.

For Narnia!!!

(Now my hope is that a third film is on its way. The logical next step is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, featuring the final appearances of Edmund and Lucy.)

Stalking Sarah Marshall?

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Although clearly a child of the Judd Apatow school, this film is closest to Knocked Up in style. That's because it's a blend of very adult humor that isn't afraid to hit below the belt ("I just went from 6 p.m. to Midnight."), and also a good old-fashioned romantic comedy.

Jason Segel stars in and is the screenwriter for this very funny movie. He's always been a real charmer on How I Met Your Mother, but easily steps into the lead role here. And yes, he's naked. Several times. And you see it all. Not bad, that Mr. Segel!

And while the supporting cast is also amusing (Kristen Bell as an annoying diva, Paul Rudd as an incredibly hot surfing instructor), the shining star is Mila Kunis. Sure, her tan is super-fake. But she is beautiful, funny, and helps you forget that shrew she played on That 70's Show.

On a side note, if this movie doesn't make you want to visit Hawai'i, then what's wrong with you???

Grade: A-

Summer Is Here

Ah, contentment. It's a gorgeous day in the DC area, and I'm at peace. In case you missed the memo, my lovely husband with the adorable smile and rakish charm and I bought a new house recently. (Like Stef, we had to do something to help this lagging economy.) And now I'm really enjoying the fruits of that labor. I'm reclining on our concrete back patio, which I have decided to henceforth refer to as "the lanai" as an homage to The Golden Girls. I'm munching on cheese balls and sipping a vodka & cranberry (the vodka is this stuff from Transylvania - ooo, spooky!). Around me I hear the robins chirping and a dog barking. Our resident blue jays are working on their nest in our magnolia tree. And to my left, some lovely tulips are in full bloom, while across the way, a red azalea is bursting forth in a fiery display.

This can only mean one thing - summer is coming! And to prepare me for this, Entertainment Weekly has released that most crucial of issues - the summer movie preview. What a great thing to read while the squirrels try to figure out where ScottE hid the bird feeder.

Anywho, as I read through, I was struck by several upcoming films, and others left me cold. Thus I present to you a sampling, broken into a few major categories.

1. Movies that I should be excited about, but I'm not:

- Indiana Jones - Yes, I was an Indy fan back in the day. And it does feature Cate Blanchett as some kind of Nazi dominatrix. So why am I not thrilled? Maybe it's that it's been so long and I've forgotten how fun it can be. Maybe I think Ford is getting too old. Maybe I'm just creeped out that he's still with Calista Flockhart.

- Iron Man - One of the more underappreciated comic books from the past, I guess I'm just not thrilled by the trailers I've seen. I do think Robert Downey Jr. is a good choice (the lead character is an alcoholic, after all). But where's that "Ooh, ahh!" excitement?

2. Movies that any one in their right mind is excited about:

- Sex and the City - Duh! Sadly I'll be out of town the weekend of the premiere, so either I have to score a sneak preview invite, or I plan a full-fledged Cosmo party event for when I get back. Man, how I miss these girls!

- Prince Caspian - The first Narnia movie was very, very good - and the second book is my favorite. when I saw the preview recently, I couldn't erase the grin from my face. Woot!

- Wall-E - It's Pixar, and there's a cute robot with big eyes. Considering I was so moved by that post-apocalyptic non-human short film awhile back, this one will spell by doom.

- Mamma Mia! - Meryl Streep + Christine Baranski + Julie Walters + ABBA music = ZOMG awesome!!! Did I mention that my British husband Colin Firth is in it? *swoon*

3. Movies I want to like, but I'm just not sure I can:

- The Happening - This is the latest from M. Night Shyamalan, who has the ability to scare the crap out of most anybody. I like the cast (Mark Wahlberg & Zooey Deschanel), but is it too creepy?

- Pineapple Express - I've had so much fun at Judd Apatow movies, but is it possible I'm burned out?

- Transsiberian - This sounds like an intriguing thriller about a harrowing train ride from Bejing to Moscow. I'll see it if ScottE goes with me!

4. Movies that I shouldn't be so excited about, and will be filed under "guilty pleasures:"

- Get Smart - The TV show was corny, but I still think Steve Carell is genius, and I have a total heterosexual crush on Anne Hathaway.

- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - OK, I'll admit it - I rented the first one and I LIKED IT. Yeah, I did! And I'm not a 17 year-old girl! Sue me! Also, Amber Tamblyn is awesome.

- The House Bunny - What looks like a very predictable movie in which a former Playboy bunny becomes housemother to the loser sorority shouldn't be good. But it stars the hilarious Anna Faris (of the Scary Movie franchise), who cracks me up to no end. And I like The Girls Next Door.

- Hamlet 2 - A movie about a bad high school theater director which features Elisabeth Shue as herself. I've loved her since the days of Adventures in Babysitting; sign me up, and don't fuck with the babysitter!

Vantage Point

Sometimes I see a movie, and I want so much for it to really work and satisfy me. Perhaps I set my expectations too high, - I had such hopes for Vantage Point. Unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

The concept was intriguing - a presidential assassination told from the viewpoint of six different people involved. Slowly the underlying plot is revealed, and the film barrels towards a resolution.

The gimmick of the differing perspectives didn't really work, I think because so little new information was gleaned from each person's "chapter." It was a bit like a slow season of Lost, where you're spending too much time trekking around the island, and not enough getting to the point. And I can tell you the audience in our theater REALLY didn't like the gimmick (laughter and booing abounded).

The other thing that bothered me was the preponderance of truly horrid acting. The President's advisors in particular were just awful. "Make the call! You have to do it now!" Fortunately a few performances - Matthew Fox and Sigourney Weaver did the best with what they had.

And did anyone really believe that Forest Whitaker's character could run fast enough to keep up with the cop?

Oscar Picks!

The Oscars are on! Because the writers are finally getting their due. So that means that I can in good conscience post my Oscar picks for 2007. There's a lot I have missed this year (sadly the Shorts in particular), but I'll do my best with my predictions. Feel free to post your own here, and we'll see who does well on Sunday!

Best Picture

Having seen Atonement, I can attest that it doesn't stand a chance here. And although I really liked Michael Clayton and am holding out hope for Juno, conventional wisdom is that this year the focus will be between No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. Considering I haven't seen Country, my gut says it will win.

Best Actor

Let's be honest - this is Daniel Day-Lewis' award to lose.

Best Actress

For awhile now it's been said that Julie Christie was a lock, because she was so luminous in Away From Her (she was) and it's been so long since she graced the screen. Ellen Page is very good, but will she pegged as typecast? On this one I'm following my heart and saying that Marion Cotillard will reign supreme for her stunning careeer-spanning depiction of Edith Piaf.

Best Supporting Actor

This is the one major category where I'm behind the curve, as the only performance I've seen is Tom Wilkinson in Michael Clayton (and he was very good). But everyone on the planet says that Javier Bardem is a lock, so I'll go with the sure bet.

Best Supporting Actress

An interesting race this year, as a lot of the talk has been about Cate Blanchett, but then Ruby Dee got a surprise award from the SAG. Amy Ryan has also been getting raves, and I was very impressed by Tilda Swinton. The only sure best here is that Saoirse Ronan won't win (she's not in half the movie, and isn't stellar anyway). I'll put my money on Cate this year.

Best Director

PT Anderson is "cool" in Hollywood, but I think the Coen brothers are considered cooler.

Best Documentary Feature

All I've seen in this category is Sicko, which was good but not amazing. The buzz is on No End in Sight so that gets my vote.

Best Documentary Short Subject

Freeheld is a heart-tugger about a lesbian - how can I not vote for that?

Best Animated Feature

Nice things have been said about Persepolis, and it's defintiely on my must-see list. Ratatouille, however, is a hot dish.

Best Foreign Language Film

No clue here, but I hear that Austria's The Counterfeiters is about the Holocaust, which gives it a decent chance.

Best Cinematography

Much has been said about a very long tracking shot midway through Atonement. Is that enough? I'm going to go for There Will Be Blood, where the camera work was a big part of what made it so stunning.

Best Original Screenplay

My worry is that Juno won't win anything else, but this will still be a nice prize for Diablo Cody to take home.
Best Adapted Screenplay

It's a nice honor for young Sarah Polley to be nominated here, but again, the momentum is all for the Coen brothers and No Country for Old Men.

Best Visual Effects

Transformers is probably the safe bet, but I'm going to stake my claim that inserting CG animal daemons into every shot (not to mention a polar bear battle) will give The Golden Compass an edge.

Best Animated Short

Ugh, I'm so sad I have to miss these. I'll say that Peter and the Wolf will give voters some childhood nostalgia.

Best Live Action Short

And for this one I like the name The Tonto Woman. And it's a western theme, which is for some reason very hot this year.

Best Art Direction

There are some sumptous scenes in many of these films, Atonement being a prime example. There Will Be Blood is very nice to look at, although its bleakness may turn off voters. I'm going to say that this is the one vote that will go for Sweeney Todd for its consistently dark tone.
Best Costume Design

At last - the one category in which I've seen all five nominees! Unfortunately the choice isn't easy (and I'm surprised There Will Be Blood was shut out). Will it go to the big musical - Sweeney Todd? Or the French film? That green dress in Atonement? All acceptable choices, but I'll go with tradition and say the showy historical drama wins - Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Best Film Editing

I defy the conventional wisdom, and say this should go to The Bourne Ultimatum. One of the film's greatest strengths is the razor-sharp editing that keeps you in the moment, but doesn't make you nauseous.

Best Sound Mixing

This one generally goes to the loudest movie, so it's Transformers.

Best Sound Editing

Expect a twofer for Transformers.

Best Original Score

Thankfully there was no nomination for that grating score in There Will Be Blood! I'm going out on a limb and voting for Atonement, which was enhanced by the driving music full of...typewriters. Seriously!

Best Original Song

Enchanted was sweet but the music was forgettable, and the 3 songs should split the vote. So I've got my fingers firmly crossed for "Falling Slowly" from the the wonderful Once.

Best Makeup

It would be a crime if this didn't go to La Vie En Rose, which took a twenty-something actress and had her convincingly playing a young chanteuse and an older woman dying of liver cancer.

So how about you folks? How do your picks stack up?

On a side note, we're going to be without any reliable internet access for about a week. So this will be my last post for a bit.

Black Blood

There Will Be Blood

We decided it was time to see this critical darling in time for the Oscars. "What is all the fuss about?" we wondered. Is Daniel Day-Lewis really that good?

In short - yes, he is. He fully inhabits the dastardly character of Daniel Planview, an oil profiteer at the start of the 20th century. Plainview appears to be of one mind throughout - the best profit at any cost, no matter who needs to get stepped on along the way. But his Achilles' heel is the love he has for his adopted son, H.W., which he wouldn't care to admit.

Overall my feeling towards the film is lukewarm. On the one hand, it's a realistic insight into the trials and travails of living on rough terrain in the days when towns were just being constructed. The costumes and sets are well rendered, the cinematography is striking in its bleakness, and most of the acting is strong.

But the vexing issue is the plot, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. I can handle the fact that it's in a way episodic. We don't learn how Plainview got to be so good at his work, and we don't know what ultimately becomes of him (although you can certainly guess). Still, the pieces of story are haphazardly thrown together. It can certainly be frustrating if you're used to a constant narrative through line. I think this type of storytelling works better when the various plot points focus on different characters, such as Anderson's far superior Magnolia.

Also annoying to me was the confusion over Eli and his brother Paul. If you're not really paying attention, you could assume (as I did) that they were one and the same person, which is perplexing to say the least. It's not until halfway through the film that it becomes clear who's who and at that point my brain was a bit fried. Regardless, Eli was so annoying, I admit I was rooting for the bowling pin at the end.

All in all it's a film worth watching, and it's not nearly as violent as some reviews have made it out to be. The only violence we really see is the cunning with which Day-Lewis attacks this role. And in a week, will earn his Oscar.

3 Oscar Reviews

Atonement

The age of the sweeping Ivory-Merchant period film has come and gone. But that doesn't stop other directors from trying. Witness the attempt made by Atonement.

We've got the rich cinematography, impressive costumes and emotional acting. Unfortunately the plot falls short. In fact, by the time we got to the "twist ending" I was scratching my head and saying, "Really? That's it?"

Still, it was pleasing enough to keep my interest to the end. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy give admirable performances although their passion for each other is a tad muted. Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan is certainly precocious, but I wasn't blown away. I was far more impressed by Romola Garai as the older Briony, and Vanessa Redgrave as the eldest.

Trivia tidbit - Oscar-nominated writer/director Anthony Minghella plays the man interviewing Redgrave!


Michael Clayton

Thanks to all its nominations, this film is back in theaters and I'm really glad I saw it. Let me figure out how to explain the movie.

OK - remember Erin Brokovich? Small legal firm takes on evil corporation that's been poisoning innocents, eventually winning the day? Michael Clayton is pretty much the opposite. Tilda Swinton heads the evil corporation, and Tom Wilkinson is the head litigator that's been keeping the case in legal limbo for 6 years. When he cracks and grows a conscience, George Clooney the "fixer" for the firm is sent to clean up the debacle.

The film starts at the end, and then we go back to see how we got there. While some may not like that device, it worked for me, keeping me guessing as to how we'd get there. And unlike most movies I've seen recently, our group was buzzing and debating about it well after the end. It's the kind of complex film that sits well on the Oscar platform, and I'd be happy to see it win Best Picture.

The acting nods are all well-deserved. Clooney artfully balances cleaning up his work messes while his own life is a real mess. (And can we get a round of applause for that fine ass of his?) Swinton is actually quite funny particularly as she practices her interview answers. But the best performance comes from Wilkinson, sitting on the precarious edge between sanity and the truth.


La Vie En Rose

This was a Netflix rental, but considering it's up for 3 Oscars, it merits a more thorough review than my usual 25 words.

This biography of the premier French chanteuse Edith Piaf plays with a dual timeline narrative, showing us Edith's growth to becoming a star, while we alternately witness her final days before she succumbed to liver cancer. The script is a bit lacking, yet we get a solid understanding of the woman behind the song.

Despite any shortcomings in writing or direction, the movie is owned, INHABITED by Marion Cotillard. She commands the stage at one moment, is drunk and broken the next, and later bitterly remorseful. Her whole performance can be read in her big saucer-like eyes. Although I knew she wasn't doing the singing, at times it was hard to imagine I wasn't witnessing the real thing.

Although Julie Christie will be tough competition, I'd be thrilled to see the "little sparrow" take home that Best Actress award - incredibly well-deserved. (And while we're at it, let me throw my hat in for the remarkable make-up. Good luck, Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald!)

Blood is Thicker than Water

Sweeney Todd

You have to say this for Tim Burton - the man likes his macabre visuals. What better director to bring the grisly musical by Sondheim to the silver screen? And I do mean silver - the film is painted almost entirely in shades of black and white. Except the red, that is. LOTS of red. Buckets of blood! If you enjoy a gorefest complete with complex harmonies, this is the one for you!

As for performances, Johnny Depp is a natural as Sweeney - cold, menacing, with one shoe out of the asylum. Helena Bonham Carter is admirable as Mrs. Lovett, although her singing style is a bit like an injured bird, and not a larger-than-life personality.

Overall this is an enjoyable movie if you can handle all that blood. It's quite faithful to the original musical, so show tune afficiandos won't be disappointed.


Juno

This movie is quite unusual - it begins as a whip-smart comedy but settles into a moving drama (with humor still ever-present). It's hilarious, it's touching, and I think it's the best film of 2007.

Once you move past the uncomfortable premise (16 year-olds having unprotected sex, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy), you'll quickly fall in love with the razor-sharp wit of Ellen Page as Juno. Her performance is extraordinary, and I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future! She's surrounded by a dream cast.

Juno lives with a father she adores (J.K. Simmons), a stepmother (Allison Janney) with whom she shares a true love-hate relationship, a best friend (Olivia Thirlby) who is a great sounding board, and a kind-of boyfriend (Michael Cera) who epitomizes dork chic (constantly clad in running shorts, headband and wristbands).

Eventually Juno decides to give the baby up for adoption to a couple she picked out of a pennysaver. She elects a yuppie duo in nearby St. Cloud - a working woman who longs to be a mother above all else (played remarkably by Jennifer Garner) and a man-child father (Jason Bateman) that Juno befriends.

It's hard to describe how good a movie this is until you see it. Go enjoy this Christmas miracle!

The Truth Hurts

The Golden Compass

I've really been anxious to see this adaptation of Philip Pullman's book, the first in the His Dark Materials trilogy. I definitely found it enjoyable, but it certainly seemed less accessible for those who haven't read the book. Assuming a sequel is made, this will be a nice lead-in to the far superior second book, The Subtle Knife.

Dakota Blue Richards does an admirable job portraying the troublemaker child, Lyra. Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are both appropriately cold in their roles as Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel. But the ones who keep stealing the show are Sam Elliott as the aeronaut, Lee Scoresby and Eva Green (in a role that was criminally cut down in size) as the witch Serafina Pekkala.

Although let's be honest - what will be the most intriguing aspect of the film to kids and adults alike is the humans' animal daemons (the physical manifestations of the humans' consciences).

As for the fear that this film is somehow anti-Christian - not a chance. All theological debate has been stripped from the movie, leaving a very fast-paced adventure flick. Perhaps a bit too fast-paced, as the uninitiated will feel like they are missing something. (They are - read the book.)

And lastly - my word but that's the most horrible song over the closing credits. ScottE and I couldn't stop laughing at Kate Bush's ridiculous warbling of "Lyra...and her sooooouuuul..." Ten bucks says this piece of poo song gets nominated for an Oscar!