Holiday Round Up

I had a bit of time off during the holidays and, of course, I spent most of it at the theater!

Young Adult - I didn't get it. I mean, I understood it, but I don't get why this was marketed as a comedy. It's really not. It's rather sad and depressing. Charlize Theron does do a good job of playing a really messed up person, though.

Shame - My first NC-17 movie! Very subtle, nice picture. Not flashy, but it doesn't need to be. Quiet, but powerful performance by Michael Fassbender.

We Bought a Zoo - I'm a sucker for Cameron Crowe and while this picture is no Almost Famous (what is, really?), it's still super sweet and entertaining.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - I'm a sucker for David Fincher too, but this one didn't quite meet my expectations. Still good, but I think because the original Swedish film was SO GOOD, this one just couldn't match it.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol - Super fun popcorn flick!

The Artist - Silent film in the tradition of Hollywood classics from the 1920's. So charming and cute! Great!

Carnage - I think it works better as a play, but I still really liked this one; especially once the characters begin to unravel. I'd hang out with Kate Winslet any day of the week and twice on Tuesday!

What?

Ugh, I don't even remember which films I've seen since I last posted. The ones I do remember are...

Like Crazy - Such an honest and touching love story. Very realistic and heartbreaking. Very good.

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas - Mindless, silly fun. NPH!

Puss in Boots - Not as clever and entertaining as Shrek, but those kitties are so cute!

The Descendants - I still dislike Clooney, but The Descendants was fantastic. Very funny and a great story. Outstanding performance by Shailene Woodley.

My Week with Marilyn - Nice picture. Stellar performance by Michelle Williams.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - It's always a treat to see Downey and Law interact with one another. They have great onscreen chemistry. This installment wasn't quite as fun as the original, but was still quite a good time. Needed more McAdams!

New Year's Eve - I will give it this - it got better as it went on. Zac Efron!

Take Shelter

It's been like a month since the major studios released something worth seeing. Thank goodness the independent studios are still making good movies. Take Shelter stars Michael Shannon as a small town construction worker who begins to experience delusions and fears that he may be suffering from schizophrenia. I liked this picture. It's not showy, but it's interesting and has some good performances.

Also, Martha Marcy May Marlene opened this week. I highly recommend that picture.

The Rum Diary

Last weekend I saw The Rum Diary. It's not as trippy as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (another Hunt S. Thompson story), but it's quirky and funny and moderately enjoyable.

October 7 Weekend

The title rhymes. Enough said.










As much as I dislike Clooney as an actor, I will give him props as a filmmaker. The Ides of March is a terrific picture full of great performances (Gosling!) and slick movie making.