Movie Log 2013
Oh my, I am so far behind on my movie watching. That's what happens when I get into the writing groove. Somehow I don't think I'll be able to make this goal... we'll see. :D
35. Prisoners (2013) -- starring Hugh Jackman, Melissa Leo, Jake Gyllenhall
I hear this is getting Oscar buzz. Really? Because this is one unrelenting bleak, needlessly convoluted tale. When Jackman's daughter and her friend are kidnapped, the police hold a suspect but then release him. Jackman thinks he's guilty, so he kidnaps the guy himself and tortures him for information. Meanwhile Gyllenhall (the cop) is investigating other leads. Not only does the dismal landscape never ever change - c'mon screenwriters, you have to insert a different tone once in a while or we will drown in your depressing subject matter - but the script also relies far too much on coincidence/good timing/luck. I can't say the worst thing about it without spoiling it. Suffice to say, based on some dialogue at the end, the screenwriters themselves don't even realize the worst thing themselves. *sigh*
Also, just a warning for the animal lovers among us: there is some animal cruelty. Luckily (ugh) it's telegraphed so I knew to look away, and Amy could let me know when it was safe to watch the screen again. (This was Amy's pick for her birthday movie, and she enjoyed it. So. *shrugs*)
36. Thor: The Dark World (2013) - starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston
FUN! There's no point to describe the plot (it's basically Bad Elf vs. Thor with a little Mischievous Loki thrown in) because they're always so ridiculous and full of holes and needlessly "complicated". The fun is just in seeing Thor be so earnest and literal and pretty, and in watching Hiddleston eat up the screen as Loki, and in the adorable, amusing banter and set pieces (best bits in this one: Thor taking the subway to get back to a battle, and Loki morphing into a sarcastic Captain America.) Bonus points for a kickass Thor's-mom. Extra special bonus points for Hemsworth's hair. I just want to touch it. *nods*
37. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
And
38. Blondie: One Way or Another (2006)
Interesting documentaries of two seminal bands. I learned a few things I didn't already know. For example, I didn't know that Johnny Ramone's wife was originally Joey's girlfriend, and that's where their rift came from. And I never realized that DeeDee Ramone actually put out a… hahahahahaaaaaa… RAP ALBUM. Oh my. Super cool footage of both bands early days, and great interviews with those that were there for the ride.
.
35. Prisoners (2013) -- starring Hugh Jackman, Melissa Leo, Jake Gyllenhall
I hear this is getting Oscar buzz. Really? Because this is one unrelenting bleak, needlessly convoluted tale. When Jackman's daughter and her friend are kidnapped, the police hold a suspect but then release him. Jackman thinks he's guilty, so he kidnaps the guy himself and tortures him for information. Meanwhile Gyllenhall (the cop) is investigating other leads. Not only does the dismal landscape never ever change - c'mon screenwriters, you have to insert a different tone once in a while or we will drown in your depressing subject matter - but the script also relies far too much on coincidence/good timing/luck. I can't say the worst thing about it without spoiling it. Suffice to say, based on some dialogue at the end, the screenwriters themselves don't even realize the worst thing themselves. *sigh*
Also, just a warning for the animal lovers among us: there is some animal cruelty. Luckily (ugh) it's telegraphed so I knew to look away, and Amy could let me know when it was safe to watch the screen again. (This was Amy's pick for her birthday movie, and she enjoyed it. So. *shrugs*)
36. Thor: The Dark World (2013) - starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston
FUN! There's no point to describe the plot (it's basically Bad Elf vs. Thor with a little Mischievous Loki thrown in) because they're always so ridiculous and full of holes and needlessly "complicated". The fun is just in seeing Thor be so earnest and literal and pretty, and in watching Hiddleston eat up the screen as Loki, and in the adorable, amusing banter and set pieces (best bits in this one: Thor taking the subway to get back to a battle, and Loki morphing into a sarcastic Captain America.) Bonus points for a kickass Thor's-mom. Extra special bonus points for Hemsworth's hair. I just want to touch it. *nods*
37. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
And
38. Blondie: One Way or Another (2006)
Interesting documentaries of two seminal bands. I learned a few things I didn't already know. For example, I didn't know that Johnny Ramone's wife was originally Joey's girlfriend, and that's where their rift came from. And I never realized that DeeDee Ramone actually put out a… hahahahahaaaaaa… RAP ALBUM. Oh my. Super cool footage of both bands early days, and great interviews with those that were there for the ride.
.