Movie Motherload: July - present
Mad Max - ★★☆☆
In a postapocalyptic future, jaded motorcycle cop Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) is ready to retire. But his world is shattered when a malicious gang murders his family as an act of retaliation, forcing a devastated Max to hit the open road seeking vengeance. As he travels the Australian outback's empty stretches of highway, he tours the bloodstained battlegrounds ruled by marauding bikers who feed on violence.
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Mel Gibson, you sexy beast. Please ditch the leather pants in future.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - ★★★★
Looking to make a bundle in a high-stakes poker game, a quartet of shiftless lads from London's East End instead finds themselves up to their eyeballs in debt to underworld porn king "Hatchet" Harry when the game turns out to be rigged. With only a week to repay Harry, the frantic foursome hits upon the notion of robbing a gang of reefer thieves. Nick Moran, Jason Flemyng and Jason Statham star in director Guy Ritchie's stylish big-screen debut.
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I wasn't sure what to expect. The plot summary didn't exactly thrill me, but I was (think it's safe to say "we were") very pleasantly surprised. This film was a great combination of comedy & action. Plus, the British influence means it's rife with dry wit and funny slang words.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare - ★★★★
Freddy's back … and he's badder than ever! Nancy (Heather Langenkamp), the historical nemesis of the man with the satanic snarl and pitchfork fingers, discovers that a new monstrous demon has taken on Freddy's persona. Can Nancy stop this new threat in time to save her son? Nightmare director Wes Craven and Langenkamp also play themselves in this final installment of a horror classic.
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Better than the original! And definitely better than all the lame sequels (though I suppose I shouldn't pass judgment without having seen them). Nancy's son = creepiest kid ever. Seriously, this kid beats the pants off takes the tricycle away from the kid in The Shining.
A Nightmare on Elm Street - ★★★☆
Years after being burned alive by a mob of angry parents, child murderer Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) returns to haunt the dreams -- and reality -- of local teenagers in Wes Craven's spine-chilling slasher classic. As the town's teens begin dropping like flies, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) and her boyfriend, Glen (Johnny Depp, in his big-screen debut), devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world.
Trainspotting - ★★★☆
Danny Boyle's explosive 1996 film tracks the misadventures of young men (played by a cast that includes Ewan MacGregor, Robert Carlyle and Jon Lee Miller) trying to find their way out of joblessness, aimless relationships and drug addiction. Some are successful, while others are hopelessly not. Based on Irvine Walsh's novel, Trainspotting melds grit with poetry, resulting in a film of harsh truths and stunning grace.
Seven - ★★★★
Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills (Brad Pitt), scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.
Control - ★★★★
In a blistering breakthrough performance, Sam Riley stars as Ian Curtis, the troubled Joy Division singer whose personal, professional and romantic battles ended in suicide at age 23. Rock photographer Anton Corbijn's directorial debut chronicles Curtis's life in stylish black-and-white, faithfully re-creating the mood of the British post-punk scene circa 1980. Samantha Morton co-stars as Curtis's wife, Debbie.
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Most of the time I spent watching this, I was thinking of Desmond since Joy Division is his favorite band of all time. Personally, I don't get it. I guess they were trailblazing in their way, but I've always found Ian Curtis's singing voice to be rather monotone and irritating. The music is catchy though.
As for the movie itself, it seems like a good adaptation of actual events. Heartbreaking and tragic actual events.
Once - ★★★★
In this charming contemporary musical helmed by John Carney, a street musician (Glen Hansard) in Dublin, Ireland, strikes up a friendship with a migrant street hawker (Markéta Irglová), and the duo ends up composing and recording a series of songs over the course of a week. The tunes mirror their burgeoning romance and help the young busker release his musical passions. The actors wrote the tunes they perform, winning an Oscar for their efforts.
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The music in this film is great. I created a station on Pandora called the Swell Season. It plays a lot of the songs from the movie. The ending though... I was so disappointed, but I don't wish that it had been different. Happy endings don't always make better endings.
Flight of the Conchords: Season 2 - ★★☆☆
Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie return for the sophomore season of HBO's acclaimed folk musical, which continues to follow the fictional travails of the Kiwi duo as they struggle to navigate the music industry and the singles scene in Manhattan. Captured with a handheld lens, the pair's musical outbursts and lyrical commentary about the absurd characters and situations they're forced to deal with make for some highly original television.
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This is probably one of Jason's favorite tv shows. It's funny, but I can only take it in small doses. I don't think the second season was a good as the first.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - ★★★★
A prequel to the first two Underworld films, this fantasy explains the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Aided by his secret love, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), courageous Lucian (Michael Sheen) leads the Lycans in battle against brutal Vampire king Viktor (Bill Nighy). Determined to break the king's enslavement of his people, Lucian faces off against the Death Dealer army in a bid for Lycan independence.
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The best of all three, if you ask me!
The Hiding Place - ★★★★
In World War II-era Holland, Corrie Ten Boom (Jeannette Clift, in a Golden Globe-nominated role) and her family of Christian watchmakers are quietly sheltering Jews in their small house. But when the Nazis discover the family's secret, it could mean certain death for everyone. Based on a true story, this gripping drama follows Corrie and her sister (Julie Harris) as they endure the horrors of a concentration camp and a true test of their faith.
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This is a classic, must-watch. Like Anne Frank or Schindler's List.
The Haunting [1999] - ★★★☆
In director Jan De Bont's remake of the original spine-tingling haunted house adventure, Dr. David Marrow (Liam Neeson) invites Nell Vance (Lili Taylor), Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Luke Sanderson (Owen Wilson) to the famous Hill House for a study in sleep disorders. The unfortunate guests discover that Marrow is far more interested in the sinister mansion itself -- and, soon, they see the true nature of its horror.
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Good, but not as good as the original. I mostly like this version because of Liam Neeson and the fact that Harlaxton was used for the exterior house shots. (Non-college friends: Harlaxton is in the UK. It's owned by the University of Evansville--where I went to college. I had the option of studying abroad there my sophomore or junior year, but, due to the cost, was unable to.)
The Haunting [1963] - ★★★★
Julie Harris, Ronald Adam, Claire Bloom, Lois Maxwell and Russ Tamblyn star in this 1963 classic horror flick based on The Haunting of Hill House, a novel by Shirley Jackson. Three people are recruited by a paranormal investigator to help uncover the secrets of Hill House, a mansion overwhelmed by spirits of its troubled former residents. As they delve deeper into this home's past, they're further seduced into its sinister web.
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The acting in this version is much better than the remake. Overall the movie is much creepier, since it relies more on atmosphere rather than special effects.
The Outsiders - ★★★☆
Francis Ford Coppola's drama about teen turmoil in rural Oklahoma features nearly every big name of 1980s cinema -- including Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Ralph Macchio and Patrick Swayze. In this faithful adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, the hardscrabble "Greasers" face off against the affluent "Socs," and the resulting conflict proves sad and deadly for these ultimately lovable delinquents.
Taken - ★★★☆
While vacationing with a friend in Paris, an American girl (Maggie Grace) is kidnapped by a gang of human traffickers intent on selling her into forced prostitution. Working against the clock, her ex-spy father (Liam Neeson) must pull out all the stops to save her. But with his best years possibly behind him, the job may be more than he can handle. Famke Janssen also stars in this relentless action-thriller from director Pierre Morel.
Doctor Zhivago - ★★★☆
This British miniseries created especially for television is a remake of the classic 1965 film. Hans Matheson plays the title role of the doctor trapped between the affections of his wife, Tonya (Alexandra Maria Lara), and feelings he has for his mistress, Lara (Keira Knightley). Throughout war and turmoil in their native Russia, the love triangle continues ... but soon, the beginning of the Russian Revolution will change their lives forever.
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Darn you, Keira Knightley. Must you be the weak link in every good movie you are in??
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - ★★★☆
Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) must face his prejudices when his sworn enemies the Klingons lurch perilously close to economic deprivation and environmental ruin. Obeying Star Fleet orders, Kirk reluctantly begins peace negotiations with Klingon chancellor Gorkon (David Warner). But peace has many foes: Gorkon is soon dead, and Kirk is imprisoned in a Klingon gulag as the galaxy edges toward all-out war.
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Apparently the only good Star Trek movies have even numbers. I fell asleep without even attempting to watch the odd numbers. All I have to say is this: Leonard Nimoy > William Shatner
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - ★★★☆
It's the 23rd century in director Leonard Nimoy's Oscar-nominated sci-fi adventure, and a mysterious power is threatening Earth by evaporating the oceans and destroying the atmosphere. To save mankind, Capt. Kirk (William Shatner), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) and the rest of the Starship Enterprise crew travel back in time to 1986 San Francisco, a world as alien to them as anything they've encountered in their travels through the galaxy.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - ★★★☆
To escape his desk job, Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) returns to the USS Enterprise, assisting Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in a training mission for Starfleet cadets. But the inexperienced crew is put to the test when escaped villain Khan (Ricardo Montalban) steals a powerful weapon and comes after the admiral seeking revenge. Now, Kirk must use all his wiles and whip the cadets into shape if they hope to defeat Khan's deadly traps.
Penelope - ★★★☆
Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci) is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soul mate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents (Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant) to keep her company? Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon co-produced this untraditional fairy tale about a girl who bucks convention to create her own happy ending.
Get Smart - ★★★☆
When the identities of secret agents from Control are compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) promotes hapless but eager analyst Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) and teams him with stylish, capable Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil plans of KAOS and its crafty operative (Terence Stamp)? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson co-stars in this comedy caper based on the classic television show.
The Departed - ★★★☆
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise in Martin Scorsese's multiple Oscar-winning crime thriller. While an undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) curries favor with the mob kingpin (Jack Nicholson), a career criminal (Matt Damon) rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
Green Lantern - ★★★★
While under the tutelage of senior Green Lantern member Sinestro (voiced by Victor Garber), test pilot Hal Jordan (Christopher Meloni) learns that key members of the intergalactic police squad are conspiring to destroy the organization from within. Despite his inexperience, Hal sets out to thwart the traitors and preserve the Lantern Corps' sanctity. Michael Madsen and Tricia Helfer also lend their voices to this animated sci-fi adventure.
Atonement - ★★★☆
When 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) discovers a lustful letter and witnesses a sexual encounter between her older sister (Keira Knightley) and a servant's son (James McAvoy), her confusion prompts her to finger the young man for a violent crime. Her half-truth changes their lives forever in this Oscar-nominated drama based on the critically acclaimed novel by Ian McEwan. Brenda Blethyn and Vanessa Redgrave co-star.
Watchmen - ★★★★
Zack Snyder directs this adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's graphic novel set in a parallel Earth in 1985, where superheroes are prohibited from using their powers despite the threat of nuclear war. When one of their number is murdered, however, the outlaw heroes -- including Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Silk Spectre (Carla Gugino), Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) and Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson) -- unite to defend themselves.
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I thought this was totally worth the wait. Alan Moore would probably hate it, but I think he might just be a little too full of himself. The variation from the book didn't really bother me. Who needs an alien? The movie feels complete without it.
Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter - ★★★★
This delectably dark animated short tells the gruesome tale of a shipwrecked sailor (voiced by Gerard Butler) forced to go to horrific lengths -- including building a raft of corpses -- to return home and warn his family of an imminent attack by an evil pirate ship. Based on a story within the graphic novel Watchmen, this release was originally part of the script for director Zack Snyder's 2009 live-action adaptation of the comic book.
Deep Sea: IMAX - ★★★☆
Narrated by Academy Award nominees Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet and produced by the makers of the IMAX movie "Into the Deep," this stunning film is an exploration of the world beneath the sea and its bizarre and exotic inhabitants. From translucent jellyfish to giant octopuses to scorpion fish, viewers will be introduced to a host of unique creatures, all completely dependent on one another for their survival.
Coraline - ★★★★
In this breathtaking stop-motion animation based on Neil Gaiman's novel, curious young Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) unlocks a door in her family's home and is transported to a universe that strangely resembles her own -- only better. But when her Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) doesn't want Coraline to return to reality, our heroine must summon an amazing amount of courage to go home and save her family.
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Whether in 3D or 2D, this movie is completely amazing. Way to go, old school stop-motion!!
A Clockwork Orange - ★★★★
In this Stanley Kubrick classic based on Anthony Burgess's novel, teenage miscreant Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) wanders aimlessly amid a bleak, futuristic urban landscape, drinking drugged milk and listening to Beethoven with his fellow “droogs." But he also spends his time stealing, raping and beating innocent people in nihilistic orgies of violence, all in an attempt to get his nightly kicks.
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Everyone should see this at least once. If it doesn't disturb you a little, then you should probably get some help.
Chasing Amy - ★★★☆
Soon after comic book artist Holden (Ben Affleck) falls in love with Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), he realizes things aren't as perfect as he once thought: Alyssa's gay. With no help from his best friend, Banky (Jason Lee), Holden attempts to make the relationship with Alyssa work. Although he knows Alyssa cares deeply about him, her past may conspire to come between them and ruin everything.
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I was able to tolerate Ben Affleck in a movie!! I'm so proud of myself. I hated his character though. What a selfish, insecure prick. I will say: this movie is not for sensitive types. There's a lot of crude sexual humor and droppage of f-bombs.
Send Me No Flowers - ★★☆☆
George Kimball (Rock Hudson) is a sweet husband, a respectable businessman … and a hopeless hypochondriac. He overhears his physician discussing another patient's terminal diagnosis and mistakes it for his own, prompting him to find a suitable husband for his wife, Judy (Doris Day). George's error leads to a whole sequence of hilarious mix-ups. Doris Day sings the title song in this Hudson-Day comedy classic.
Lover Come Back - ★☆☆☆
Jerry (Rock Hudson) is an advertising executive who's gleaned success through his smarmy actions. His rival Carol (Doris Day) can't stand Jerry's immoral tactics and tells the Ad Council. In response, Jerry sends a stunning female employee (Edie Adams) to appeal to the all-male council and puts her in fake commercials for a non-existent product. When the spots accidentally air, Jerry must scramble to create the product -- if Carol doesn't first.
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Talk about unoriginal. Rock & DD, you disappoint me. And what's with their movies not having ANYTHING to do with the title?? This one is a prime example.
Pillow Talk - ★★★☆
Womanizing songwriter Brad Allen (Rock Hudson) spends hours on the phone wooing his many women. Problem is, he shares a party line with prim interior decorator Jan Morrow (Doris Day), who's miffed because she can't get any calls. Then Brad gets a gander at Jan -- and it's lust at first sight. Realizing he's a goner if Jan learns his true identity, Brad concocts a Texas persona to seduce her. When the truth comes out, there's hell to pay.
For Me and My Gal - ★★★★
Judy Garland puts Gene Kelly (in his MGM screen debut) through his musical paces in this tuneful delight about a couple of vaudeville hoofers on the rise. But things go inconveniently dark when America enters World War I and Kelly gets his draft notice to report for duty. Will he dodge the draft now that stardom is just within reach? Includes the title tune (a great duet for Judy and Gene) and "Ballin' the Jack." Busby Berkeley directs.
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I'm not sure I've ever cried so much during one movie. I know I was on a considerable amount of pain meds when I watched this, but that doesn't explain the water works. It was just that good.
West Side Story - ★★☆☆
Winner of 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, this classic musical set among the tenements of New York City finds star-crossed lovers Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) caught in the midst of a turf war between rival street gangs. The modern Romeo and Juliet story features original choreography by Jerome Robbins, as adapted from the Broadway stage production. Oscar winners Rita Moreno and George Chakiris co-star.
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I am a horrible, horrible person. mr_j's been wanting me to see this for ages. It's his favorite musical. And I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I should have.
Benny & Joon - ★★★☆
Benny (Aidan Quinn) is the overprotective caretaker of his mentally ill -- but artistically talented -- sister, Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson). When the eccentric Sam (Johnny Depp), who looks and acts like a silent-movie comedian, falls for Joon, the siblings' frail bond is put to the test. Depp's performance in this offbeat, beautifully acted love story scored a Golden Globe nomination. Julianne Moore and Oliver Platt co-star.
Corpse Bride - ★★★☆
This animated Tim Burton tale set in 19th-century Europe centers on Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young man who, just as he's about to wed Victoria (Emily Watson), is sucked into the underworld by a Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter) who desires him for herself. Victor is fascinated by the Land of the Dead, but nothing can stop him from trying to return to his true living love. Albert Finney and Christopher Lee also lend their voices.
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Anything with Johnny Depp in it and Helena Bonham Carter AND directed by Tim Burton has got to be good. And this is.
But here are some of my 4-star picks, to entice you to read more. Would hate to feel I had wasted my time putting all this together.