... and, well, some of June, too.
I've seen blogs from my friends and others that have little themes like "What I Ate" or "What I Read", etc. Reading my blog at all, you'll know that my lazy ass eats mostly what my husband makes, and I'm a slow book-finisher. So I shall write what I know, as they say! Nothing too monumental, just snippets of overall thoughts about the experience. I'm not a movie hater; I don't think the majority of flicks out there are so bad that the words "hate" or "horrible" can be applied. There's always some kind of redeeming quality, no matter how small. One reason I'm not a fan of the profession of being a critic for a living. It tends to seem like some of them just thrive on slinging negativity as sport.
Anyhoo... Back in the day, I used to be extremely on top of my game when it came to new release films. I would have seen at LEAST one every weekend in the theatre. My subscription to the then paper-version of Premiere Magazine was in full swing, as well. Much to my dismay, I then went through a very long, dry, theatreless spell, and have started to get things back on track. Watching a flick in a movie theatre is one of my all-time favorite things to do. I've always said that I don't care about having expensive jewelry, or a fancy car, or a huge house or anything material like that... But when the means present themself, I will most certainly throw down for a quality home theatre experience.
So I present to thee my cinematic two cents. I've stockpiled a list to account for some I've seen a couple months prior, but then I'll be caught up, promise!
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Food, Inc. - More on this in another post, but for now, GO. SEE. THIS. FILM.
Land of the Lost - I wouldn't have thought that Will Farrell could be upstaged in a comedy, but Danny McBride did it for me in this one. Everything else was just "meh". But I saw it at a matinee, so all's well.
The Last Emperor - I've had this one on my to-see list for quite a few years now. When we went to China for the first time, we had a tour guide who took us to the Forbidden City, where he told us that this was the only film ever shot inside its walls, and that no one has been allowed to film there since, because of the damage it had done. Though after seeing Golden Flower, that either changed recently, or I'm even more impressed with their sets and CGI. Anyhoo, this was a very interesting story about the end of the Emperor ruling in China that I was not aware of in the slightest. As a trivia side note, it also won 9 Oscars when it was released in 1987, including Best Picture.
Marie Antoinette - Sophia Coppola is one of those directors who, I think, does a great job of creating films that are non-traditionally refreshing. Based on a book, the film shows the more personal side of Marie Antoinette that contradicts the press attacks going on during her time in France. Not very unlike what still goes on in media today, unfortunately.
Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus - If you even remotely go into watching this with any shred of movie critic on your mind, just slap yourself before you hit the play button. Come on -- Debbie Gibson + Lorenzo Lamas + ridiculous CGI sea creatures + other horrid acting. Best scene, hands down, is the shark attacking the airplane. In the air. SO BAD IT'S AWESOME. And I hear there might be a sequel...
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Frances MacDormand is one of those actresses you tend to forget about until you see her act and realize how you really should try harder to remember. This was a simple but sweet story where she did a wonderful job of portraying a character juggling both strength and humility at the same time. A good make-you-smile period film.
The Notebook - No, I hadn't seen it before. Yes, I cried at the ending.
Public Enemies - Johnny Depp is pretty much my favorite actor. He nails his performances, and his versatility and ability to make you forget sometimes that it's really him behind the makeup is mind-blowing to me. After seeing this film, I hit up the interwebs for more info on John Dillinger's story (which is what makes film great). There are some factual inaccuracies in the film's storyline, but it still did the job of portraying why Dillinger was such an intriguing personality in his time.
Religulous - Bill Maher certainly did a thorough job of hoarding knowledge of various religions for this one. I'm not a fan of organized religion for the simple fact that it tends to blind people to the diversity of other religions and cultures, and, above all, has been at the root of too much bloodshed in history (and present day). All because people think their way is the only way to spirituality and enlightenment.
RocknRolla - Even though some of the Cockney accents make you hit rewind or at least hope that whatever was said isn't crucial to the plot, I'm a fan of Guy Ritchie's films (start with Snatch if you've never seen). Gerard Butler does a great job with the comedy that's 180-degrees from Sparta, and it's always nice when Jeremy Piven is on the cast list, too.
Run Fat Boy Run - We have been in love with Simon Pegg ever since watching him first in the gets-better-each-time Shawn of the Dead and then again in Hot Fuzz. Hank Azaria plays a good asshole, too. I was also unaware and surprised to see that it was directed by Jason Schwimmer and written by Simon and Michael Ian Black.
Star Trek: Not a fan of the Shatner classics or the original movies at all, though I will admit that I was most definitely a Next Generation junkie when that series was out. This new incarnation however, is awesome. You don't even have to know much of anything about the series to appreciate it. Having Simon Pegg on the roster was great, too. And is up with making me cry in the first five minutes before the opening title even comes on the screen?! Daaaaang.
Sunshine Cleaning - Again, intrigued by the cast, taken in even more by the unusual but poignant storyline. Great little indie flick.
Up - Pixar is ridiculous. Fantastic movie, and again with the tears early on!
Wal-Mart - The High Cost of Low Price: No words. Everyone should see it. Haven't shopped there since.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno: You should probably be a pre-disposed fan of Kevin Smith films, as we are, to appreciate this one, but it is actually a nice little story in this installment from the Askewniverse. I'm an Elizabeth Banks fan now, too.
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Until next month!
