Short Takes

It was a night of southern oddity for me with these two films. Both, might make you appreciate your siblings if you have any, or, if the coin is flipped, might make them appreciate you more. In both, there is murder, and lots of it. And both are quirky, weird, surprising, and even humorous at times.

In Leaves of Grass, Edward Norton does double duty playing twins who are opposite in many ways but when it counts, heart wise, quite similar. With brief performances by Susan Sarandon and Richard Dreyfuss, the strangeness and flow of the story will slowly draw you in. When you think you know how it's going to play out, you just might find a few surprises.



In Clay Pigeons, murder seems to happen all around Clay Birdwell, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Made me wonder if there was something in the water in that small town. And while you may start to think he's a goner, by the end of this odd but interesting story there is some satisfaction.

I enjoyed Janeane Garafalo in this, she plays an FBI agent investigating some of the murders, but it seems to me she plays herself in every movie. Not a problem for me, I kind of find it amusing, but it makes it harder to see her as whoever she's playing. And I'm not a big fan of Vince Vaughn but I thought he was quite amusing and convincing as...well, you'll have to watch and see. Even his laugh is funny.

Both movies were interesting in their own ways, and whether they were meant to be straight dramas or thrillers, both had a touch of humor and a bit of surprise to keep things interesting. All in all, an entertaining evening.

Short takes

Le Divorce

After seeing this, not only do I never (ever!) want live in France, now I don't want to even visit. Wow. Ok maybe I'll still visit.




The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Sometimes I see a movie and have nothing to say about it, even if I liked it. This is the case with this movie. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, it just was. I liked the scenes of Greece (water, gorgeous views). Not much else stands out beyond the improbability of a single pair of jeans fitting 4 very differently sized girls. There's a part two as well. Hmmm.




Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Not bad. Couldn't tell if this was supposed to be a spoof-like movie, similar to Big Momma's House, or a revenge driven drama. Too much of both. And Although a 'man' playing a 'woman' in a movie could easily be laughed off as a joke, it doesn't quite come across as too weird.

Fun With Dick and Jane

Oh my this was kind of silly. But it had its funny moments and I do like it when the bad guy gets what coming to him. Alex Baldwin is good at playing those bad guy roles. Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni star in this story about a guy who loses everything and turns to crime (wife in tow) to support his family. In the end, he manages to stick it to the one who did him in, and what a glorious way to do something good. Funny to watch a so-called "good guy" try to be bad. If you like quirky movies then you might get a kick out of this one. It's good for a few laughs.

The Perfect Man

Some of this move was pretty sick. Daughter pretending to be her mom's suitor, mom pretending to be her daughter's love interest. This is taken out of context, but still, even in context...yuck. I don't like a happy ending that evolves almost entirely from deception. And I don't like cookie cutter movies like this one implying such lies and actions are ok because things will work out. They won't. Only in the movies.

If you're really desperate to see Heather Locklear (who is good) in a movie, I guess this will do, although the main focus is Hillary Duff and there's plenty of movies to see her in, isn't there? Otherwise, try and find an LAX* rerun because she was great in that (Why did NBC cancel that show? did I miss something?). I guess I just hoped for something better. Maybe next time.

Click

I didn't expect to like this movie very much but I did. Funny how even the ridiculous can be endearing. How great would it be to fast forward through some of the stressful and annoying occurrences in our lives? And pause the important, replay those events over and over again whenever we wanted to?

Ok, with the right equipment at the right time, some of us can do that now. How about a chance to see your life as it would be if you took a certain path? Would insight change your idea of what's important? Perhaps. While there was a bit in this I could've done without, there was a lot here to enjoy. And a sweet little moral (or one I gleaned from this) to cherish your family and your life. It could always be worse.

Come Early Morning

Depressing. I like the small town feel of this movie, and Ashely Judd, and that's about it. A day in the life of the down and out, with no resolution and a mere sliver of plot stretched out for 90 minutes or so. And it sure felt longer. Maybe this was meant to show how our parents and relatives can shape our future. But if so, it left absolutely no hope for change, only the despair of seeing the long road ahead to an end you never want to come. (or maybe want it now to get it over with).

We all make mistakes, and some of us repeat them so often that it's just a part of life we deal with as a given. I usually look to movies for an escape, but movies like this one are an all too real reminder that there isn't usually a happy ending. Personally, I didn't need the reminder.

I Heart Huckabees

Does it exist? Is it real? Do we matter? Does it make sense? If you can see it, is it there? Is it everything or nothing? Back & forth, up and down, this movie is, if nothing else, "out there." Existential detectives. What a trip. It's funny, it's strange. If you stick with it, you just might enjoy the ride. Well, I did anyway.

Short takes

Code 46
Genetic improbability. I couldn't help but wonder, "did he want to sleep with his mother?" Futuristic (not quite explained) movie. Pretty odd. I guess I should expect some guesswork when it comes to the way some plots are presented, but there are some details (imo) that should be clear. This movie left me guessing about a lot of things. It was an interesting look into a possible future, but not one I'd like to be a part of. It's a good thing I like Tim Robbins.



Just Like Heaven

Liked it. I know it's corny and overly-sweet and terribly predictable. But so what. I liked this movie. If you like romantic and predictable, maybe you will too.




Proof

Is she a thief? Is she a better mathematician than her father? Is she crazy? Did anyone watching the movie care one single iota either way? Jake Gyllenhaal actually showed some life in this, when usually he comes off really stiff. I guess that's one reason to check this out (With Anthony Hopkins being another. He's always good).

Shut up and Sing

I'm not a country music fan (crossovers notwithstanding), nor was I a Dixie Chicks fan before this, but I still wanted to see this film. I didn't pay attention to "the big controversy*" when it was going on and really didn't hear much about it until the end of last year when their song ("Not Ready to Make Nice") started getting heavy play on the radio (again, difficult not to consider the crossovers when they get such airplay). And how great it was, (having watched this), knowing that since this was released, they've won 3 grammy awards for one of the songs (and the album) this all inspired. ("Not Ready to Make Nice" *)

Every US citizen has a right to express their opinion, unless apparently, you're one of the Dixie Chicks. And I guess freedom of speech comes with a price. But if that price is 3 grammy's, hey, why not. Considering how the famous and the infamous do, and say things far worse than Natalie Maine's single inciting comment, I still don't quite understand what the big deal was. I guess this really illustrates what lemmings some people are, being so willing to jump on the ignorant bandwagon without really understanding the situation. This is worth seeing if for no other reason than to see their P.O.V., and consider perhaps, educating yourself before being so willing to jump behind a cause you're told to believe in and accept.

Anything can be taken out of context, made into a cause, and inflated to monumental proportions. Stupid or not.

These three talented women have gained not only my respect, but also another fan. I admire the way they stuck together throughout the ordeal, and continue to do so and remain friends. I especially enjoyed the behind the scenes aspect of it all and will be watching this again. I even enjoyed the music. I'm drawn to harmonizing voices, what can I say.

Beyond Borders

Oh I hated the end of this one. I saw this movie the same week I saw The Girl in the Cafe, and then the Live8 broadcast (last year)... good timing. A lot of depressing information all at once. This movie (Beyond Borders) seemed conflicted between trying to be an ill-fated love story, and a wake-up call regarding what's going on in the world. Which was it supposed to be? Both? It was ok. More impact the first time I saw it, and the second time, much less. I started to think about how fitting it was that Angelina Jolie made the film to begin with (she is the UN Ambassador after all) but her character in the movie seemed a bit... off. Maybe it's just me. I saw this twice. Some of the visuals are hard to forget, whether they were real or not.

Cold Mountain

Very depressing. If this is how things were back then I don't see how anyone survived. An Englishmen and an Australian woman both faking southern accents-- that was interesting. They did it well enough.

This movie left me feeling gypped.

Why did Inmen go up that mountain to go home to her? The only way there, and back, is that one road and she was only up there because of the news Georgia brought that morning (which he couldn't have known). And why was Georgia allowed to live? The confederate cowards were murdering all war deserters (not themselves of course), why did they say that 'Georgia says you was up here' and yet, they didn't kill him? (Why did Georgia live? Because he wasn't all there?)

Two weeks after seeing this movie I still wondered about the glaring inconsistencies. Depressing movie. Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Natalie Portman, Kathy Baker, the entire cast really, were all very good, and worth seeing in this. Despite the inconsistencies and unanswered questions.

I used to think I was born in the wrong era. I'm sure glad I wasn't born into that one. You too?

Raising Helen

While watching Raising Helen, I kept thinking about how familiar it seemed to something else I've watched recently. Took a while, but it came to me. It's similar to a TV show called Summerland. Strange. This was a pretty decent movie. Joan Cusak and Kate Hudson fit their characters rather well. Seemed to be a little too easy overall (the situations resolving themselves), but since this was a Garry Marshall film, and that usually means some sort of happily-ever-after ending, that's not a big surprise. And of course, I do like happy endings. But they should be somewhat realistic.

The Day After Tomorrow

I just like Earth-related disaster movies. There was so much about this one that really just screams, "Yeah Right!" but really, don't you watch movies to be entertained? I do. I want to escape my reality for a while. And this is one of those movies that takes you away. It has some great effects. Always easier to believe the unbelievable when the effects make it possible to even try. Made me wonder too, should something like that ever happen, would our "neighbors to the South" actually allow us safe haven within their borders? All things considered, I hope we never have to find out. I love the ocean, and ocean movies, and although this isn't your typical sea-view type of movie, it was interesting, and, I definitely plan to see it again.

One side note... I wasn't too impressed with Jake Gyllenhal in this. A rather understated performance in my opinion. He seemed far too apathetic regarding the major weather phenomenon going on around him. Probably all blue screen stuff and if so, it really showed.

The Terminal

It's incredible to me that this was actually based on a true story. Whenever I'm at an airport I can't wait to leave. It would be a nightmare to have to live in one for so long, but if home is worse than an airport, I can see why this guy would rather stay. It's probably safe to assume the more interesting (and kinder) moments were purely fictional and it was interesting to see Tom Hanks portray a foreigner.

Collateral

Not quite what I expected. Definitely a different type of character for Tom Cruise. I didn't like the ending. Seemed (both funny, ironic, and) a bit off. Kept expecting something else to happen. Even when it didn't. Wondered, "where's the rest?" But I was surprised by the ending and interested in the events going on until then. So I guess this was pretty decent. Not your average crime thriller. Not the best, but worth watching.

Paparazzi

Celebrity comes with a price. I wonder if they had a clue before they hit the big-time. This is probably an exaggeration but... maybe not. Rremember how Princess Diana died? And the semi-recent accidents involving some paparazzi and Lindsey Lohan, Scarlet Johanson, Reese Witherspoon, and many other celebs lately in similar instances? They need bodyguards! Need lots of those..no wonder some of them have a huge entourage following them wherever they go. Camaflauge. I've never seen Cole Hauser before. He definitely has this ' intensity' thing going for him. This was pretty good. I didn't expect it to be, and so that was a good thing to discover. I like some surprises. And I'd see this again.

It Runs in the Family

A family oriented drama. Pretty cool to see three (or was it four?) generations of the Douglas family in one movie. Considering the events, I couldn't help but wonder if it was difficult to act through some of those scenes. Like foreseeing a real-life future event (inevitable) but always hoping it won't come. This was a sad but realistic story of a family dealing with their issues and hardships. I wonder if anything in the movie applies to them for real. You know, family jokes, certain mannerisms. Interesting story and worth seeing.

Pieces of April

I didn't know what to expect from this movie, but I'm glad I saw it. It manages to mix humor with sadness in a believable (not corny) manner. A drama about the relationship a family has with their estranged daughter. In a way though, it's the daughter that ends up coming across as the "normal" one, despite allusions to the contrary. I hate movie endings usually, and this is no exception. It kind of just, ends. And I guess in this case, it's better this way. We can figure out on our own what the ending would've been. And maybe it's better we don't see that, and are left with a more... positive moment, to remind us that some things in life are better remembered than the inevitable end.

Employee of the Month

The perfect bad day. Wow. And I thought I had some doozy's. It may not be the best movie Matt Dillon has ever made, but it's not all that bad either. Weird, definitely. And a little slow in the beginning. But it has the occasional laugh out loud (actually funny) moment, and a great ending. Maybe you saw it coming but I sure didn't. Never saw any previews for this movie. In a way, I can see why. But still, considering what else there is out there these days, this one is worth checking out. Not a bad way to pass some time.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind

"[...] not happy, wants to move on, we provide that possibility"... Wow. I could use this service, though, intentional "brain damage" doesn't sound like fun. But who doesn't have some upsetting emotional baggage they'd like to erase and never have to agonize about again? (you? lucky you if so) This was quite a ride. Memories collide and blend (literally, and it was pretty neat) and we can see the beginning and end and then (strangely) the continuation of a relationship between two dysfunctional people (and who isn't somewhat dysfunctional?). I liked this movie. And I like Jim Carey in this. He's probably underrated as a serious actor, but in the right role, he can be great. Another movie that makes you think. Nothing wrong with that. Kind of makes you appreciate the love you have in your life, should you be so fortunate, despite the bad that hopefully goes along with what's right, and good.