The (not so) final countdown.
So, I decided that, instead of writing about the movies I see each week, I'll save them up and do one big post at the end of the month and grade each movie. Otherwise, every entry of mine is too similar to Jesse's, and that can get boring. I might do this bi-weekly though, because it gets hard to remember every movie I saw. Maybe. But this is the post for August. I might go see The Constant Gardener on August 31, but that doesn't count because who knows when I'll get around to posting again after that. Anyway, off I go.
Must Love Dogs: C-
I can't really get behind any movie that is based on the premise that Diane Lane can't get a date. Someone I work with said he couldn't get behind any movie based on the premise that John Cusack can't get a date. And yet, here we are. There wasn't really much to this movie, just the standard romantic comedy with a few details shoehorned in (like anyone watches Dr. Zhivago over and over). There isn't a single compelling reason to tell someone to see it. And it was sorely lacking in Piven.
Broken Flowers: B+
I must say that I was disappointed. I can appreciate quiet movies (see: my undying love for Gerry), but this was quiet in a way that felt like something was missing. There are still great parts and great characters, but Bill Murray seems like he's sleepwalking through it. I suggest that next time, instead of including all of that footage of Bill Murray driving, they should do a little side-commentary with RZA and GZA.
The Dukes of Hazzard: B-
I don't know how anyone found these characters sympathetic, even on the TV show. This movie goes a little over-the-top when they start *attacking* cops and whatnot. But Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville are easy to watch, and the movie does achieve some big laughs. Some. I did get a bit of a "Dude, Where's My General Lee?" vibe, though.
My Date with Drew: C-
The premise is cute, and so is the ending. There are some funny moments (like when they bootleg the VIP pass for the Charlie's Angles premiere). But as a movie, it doesn't really work. The whole thing could've been done as an MTV show, a la My Super Sweet 16 or Date My Mom.
Skeleton Key: B
Scream queen Kate Hudson? Okay, maybe not, but this was fine for a horror movie, though by no means essential. But it's got a healthy dose of Saaaarsgaaaaard. Mmmmm.
Four Brothers: B+/A-
For what it is, this movie is highly enjoyable. It did a good job of developing the movie on two levels: the plot, and the dynamic between the brothers. Sometimes it goes a little over-the-top, but I think it was done in a fun way rather than a stupid way. It doesn't take itself so seriously, and there are a lot of funny moments. This is a movie that I would recommend people see, but no one will. Mark Whalberg does crazy violent way better than Tom Cruise in Collateral. Where's his contractually obligated girlfriend?
Junebug: B+
This is another film, like Broken Flowers, that damages itself by holding back too much. The characters that are fully developed (like Amy Adams' character) are wonderful. Some of the others drop in and out of the story willy-nilly, and there isn't a strong enough narrative to replace them. So there's not really much of a movie in this movie. Also, this is a movie that totally plays to packed audiences of senior citizens. When their hearing aids fail, things can get rough. There was some grade-A grousing at my showing.
The Thing About My Folks: B
There are some parts of the movie where it hits a good stride, but these are inevitably ruined by old-man fart jokes. Unsavory.
Red Eye: A-
The best thing about this movie is the fact that Cillian Murphy is in it. But the second best thing, and perhaps more interesting, is that Rachel McAdams plays the type of person you always want to see in thrillers but never do (i.e., someone who is not completely stupid). They kick the crap out of each other. It's awesome.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin: B+
Seth Rogen is hilarious. And the movie does itself a service by not dumbing itself down, and having the main romance develop in a sweet, natural way. There could be more big laughs, though. That might be my own fault, though, because I can't laugh at people embarrassing themselves. Unless it's me.
March of the Penguins: B-
I agree with that thing that Chris posted. This is not really a family movie. It's slow and at parts very depressing. I kinda wanted to build those penguins a house with a fireplace and unlimited fishsticks and tell them not to march anymore. Then they could make a much less depressing movie called Sloth of the Penguins (or Penguins: Revenge of the Sloth). Still, worse than the depressing parts is the repetitive nature of the film, which gets a little tiresome (now the men penguins march, now the women penguins march, etc.). It's amazing that they got such beautiful footage, but I think a documentary about the making of March of the Penguins would be more interesting.
The Brothers Grimm: B+
As far as Terry Gilliam movies go, it's not really that cracked out or as visually interesting (although it is really beautiful). Still, weaves together an interesting story and, if you can get past the main characters' mumbling, very funny. I had a great time at this movie, and it riled up the goth kids like you wouldn't believe.
The Baxter: B
(Sorry, Craig, but I'll see this again with you! Although I probably won't be back in NYC for a while.)
This is no Wet Hot American Summer, but it makes a bid for Cutest Movie '05. It does a good job of parodying romantic comedies ("I found this flower fighting its way through a slab of city concrete. It goes with Catherine's eyes.") but, again, there could have been more big laughs. But man, can Justin Theroux breakdance.
Next week: Tales of Mar and Jesse's road trip to Maine. Bah Habah, here we come!
Must Love Dogs: C-
I can't really get behind any movie that is based on the premise that Diane Lane can't get a date. Someone I work with said he couldn't get behind any movie based on the premise that John Cusack can't get a date. And yet, here we are. There wasn't really much to this movie, just the standard romantic comedy with a few details shoehorned in (like anyone watches Dr. Zhivago over and over). There isn't a single compelling reason to tell someone to see it. And it was sorely lacking in Piven.
Broken Flowers: B+
I must say that I was disappointed. I can appreciate quiet movies (see: my undying love for Gerry), but this was quiet in a way that felt like something was missing. There are still great parts and great characters, but Bill Murray seems like he's sleepwalking through it. I suggest that next time, instead of including all of that footage of Bill Murray driving, they should do a little side-commentary with RZA and GZA.
The Dukes of Hazzard: B-
I don't know how anyone found these characters sympathetic, even on the TV show. This movie goes a little over-the-top when they start *attacking* cops and whatnot. But Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville are easy to watch, and the movie does achieve some big laughs. Some. I did get a bit of a "Dude, Where's My General Lee?" vibe, though.
My Date with Drew: C-
The premise is cute, and so is the ending. There are some funny moments (like when they bootleg the VIP pass for the Charlie's Angles premiere). But as a movie, it doesn't really work. The whole thing could've been done as an MTV show, a la My Super Sweet 16 or Date My Mom.
Skeleton Key: B
Scream queen Kate Hudson? Okay, maybe not, but this was fine for a horror movie, though by no means essential. But it's got a healthy dose of Saaaarsgaaaaard. Mmmmm.
Four Brothers: B+/A-
For what it is, this movie is highly enjoyable. It did a good job of developing the movie on two levels: the plot, and the dynamic between the brothers. Sometimes it goes a little over-the-top, but I think it was done in a fun way rather than a stupid way. It doesn't take itself so seriously, and there are a lot of funny moments. This is a movie that I would recommend people see, but no one will. Mark Whalberg does crazy violent way better than Tom Cruise in Collateral. Where's his contractually obligated girlfriend?
Junebug: B+
This is another film, like Broken Flowers, that damages itself by holding back too much. The characters that are fully developed (like Amy Adams' character) are wonderful. Some of the others drop in and out of the story willy-nilly, and there isn't a strong enough narrative to replace them. So there's not really much of a movie in this movie. Also, this is a movie that totally plays to packed audiences of senior citizens. When their hearing aids fail, things can get rough. There was some grade-A grousing at my showing.
The Thing About My Folks: B
There are some parts of the movie where it hits a good stride, but these are inevitably ruined by old-man fart jokes. Unsavory.
Red Eye: A-
The best thing about this movie is the fact that Cillian Murphy is in it. But the second best thing, and perhaps more interesting, is that Rachel McAdams plays the type of person you always want to see in thrillers but never do (i.e., someone who is not completely stupid). They kick the crap out of each other. It's awesome.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin: B+
Seth Rogen is hilarious. And the movie does itself a service by not dumbing itself down, and having the main romance develop in a sweet, natural way. There could be more big laughs, though. That might be my own fault, though, because I can't laugh at people embarrassing themselves. Unless it's me.
March of the Penguins: B-
I agree with that thing that Chris posted. This is not really a family movie. It's slow and at parts very depressing. I kinda wanted to build those penguins a house with a fireplace and unlimited fishsticks and tell them not to march anymore. Then they could make a much less depressing movie called Sloth of the Penguins (or Penguins: Revenge of the Sloth). Still, worse than the depressing parts is the repetitive nature of the film, which gets a little tiresome (now the men penguins march, now the women penguins march, etc.). It's amazing that they got such beautiful footage, but I think a documentary about the making of March of the Penguins would be more interesting.
The Brothers Grimm: B+
As far as Terry Gilliam movies go, it's not really that cracked out or as visually interesting (although it is really beautiful). Still, weaves together an interesting story and, if you can get past the main characters' mumbling, very funny. I had a great time at this movie, and it riled up the goth kids like you wouldn't believe.
The Baxter: B
(Sorry, Craig, but I'll see this again with you! Although I probably won't be back in NYC for a while.)
This is no Wet Hot American Summer, but it makes a bid for Cutest Movie '05. It does a good job of parodying romantic comedies ("I found this flower fighting its way through a slab of city concrete. It goes with Catherine's eyes.") but, again, there could have been more big laughs. But man, can Justin Theroux breakdance.
Next week: Tales of Mar and Jesse's road trip to Maine. Bah Habah, here we come!