I know I've been slacking. I'm a bit tired but here are a few mini-reviews because I want to.

Love Me If You Dare

A French movie that I recently watched off a recommendation. An interesting concept of kids obsessed with a game of dare, in which the other cannot refuse. They take turns, and the story begins with things such as cursing in class and peeing their pants as kids, but evolves into things such as saying 'No' at their wedding or avoiding each other for ten years.

Now, the two main characters love each other, we see this. They share an uncommon bond, this desire to live dangerously and have momentary power over each other completely. But the problem is that it stretches a little too far for believability, and not far enough to push surrealism. I can't imagine any real person wishing to put themselves through so much anguish, and while the movie was enjoyable, ultimately a bit of a letdown.

Rating: 4/7

2 Days in Paris

I love a good romantic comedy, even the most formulaic of them. But here we get a romantic comedy with a nice mix of quirky mannerisms and some vulgar humor. A great mix for me, personally.

Marion and Jack are in a long relationship, and after somewhat of a European tour, they decide to spend the last two days in Paris, where Marion grew up. They stay in a bedroom above Marion's parents, and throughout the story Jack meets a lot of Marion's friends, and ex-lovers. Naturally it irks him that she has so many old flames around this town, as it would most people.

Where the movie succeeds is in Marion (played by writer/director Julie Delpy), who while not being perfect, is perfectly lovable. At one point she has an emotional breakdown because she reads women use twice as much toilet paper as men since they wipe when they pee, and that means they kill more trees. Whereas Jack can't sleep so he stays up at nights watching 'M' on his laptop.

The movie ended a little too quick for me, but still has one great last line that I won't ruin by quoting.

Rating: 6/7

Eastern Promises

I love the end of the year because that's when all the 'artsy' movies come out. Eastern Promises is really the first of the season -- or at least that I've seen.

This is the story of the Russian mafia in London. The story of a nurse who finds a journal of a woman who died in childbirth. And how the child and journal bring her into contact with the Russians.

I'm not going to spoil because to reveal much more than I said above would ruin the threading of the movie, how it plays out so craftily that it seems like clockwork.

Again, a problem with this movie I have is the ending. There is an inconclusiveness that seemed a bit too open-ended for me. This movie could have been 150 hours instead of 100 minutes, but the team made a decision. Let's just say I would've liked 50 more minutes.

Either way though, still a great movie all around and this is one of my first recommendations of the season.

Rating: 6.5/7

The Game Plan

Okay, I saw this for free.

First, we've all seen this formula a thousand times and all know how it's going to end.

Secondly, 110 minutes? Seriously? Oh, and an agonizing 110 minutes it was. But I have to say, honestly, if the movie had been 90 minutes it could've been decent.

My last major gripe is that for an eight year-old the kid was way, way too smart. Even a gifted precocious kid couldn't have made some of those jokes.

I never thought I would say this, but... even Dwayne Johnson ("The Rock") couldn't save this movie. But he was easily the best part. I'm eagerly waiting for 'Southland Tales' where we can possibly see him outside of his stereotype. We'll see.

Rating: 2/7

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Since I haven't done a post in a while, here's something moderately big. I'll call it a '4th Quarter Preview,' though it will partially encompass the end of September. These are movies you should keep an eye on and why you should do so. This is partially geared toward Oscar-worthy movies, or generally 'artsy' movies. I love when the summer blockbuster season comes to an end.

September 14th

Eastern Promises - Trailer

A gangster flick with Viggo Mortenson and the beautiful Naomi Watts. Also, David Cronenberg has made some good movies, plus it's getting great early reviews.

In the Valley of Elah - Trailer

I have no real desire to see this one, but the last few years Paul Haggis has been a big name in the Oscar business (writer: Million Dollar Baby, Crash, Letters from Iwo Jima), so I can't ignore it. Also Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. IMDb plot outline: "A career officer (Jones) and his wife (Sarandon) work with a police detective (Theron) to uncover the truth behind their son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq."

September 21st

Into the Wild - Trailer

Another one I'm not rushing to see, but Sean Penn directs and there was some great buzz from the film festivals.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Trailer

Maybe my favorite so far. Brad Pitt seems to be straying into some uncharted waters the last few years, taking serious roles in movies that look good. Could be good. As with almost all movies on this list, good early buzz.

Lust, Caution - Trailer

I posted about this before, but here it is. Ang Lee's next directorial effort, and it looks intense/seductive/coy enough to be worthwhile.

September 29th

The Darjeeling Limited

Owen/Luke Wilson. Wes Anderson. Can't go wrong. Though I haven't heard anything about this movie yet.

October 12th

Elizabeth: The Golden Age - Trailer

I really love Cate Blanchett, even if she's played Elizabeth in like 50 different movies. The other 'Elizabeth' movie was all right. This one looks a lot better.

November 2nd

American Gangster - Trailer

Also posted about this one before. I'm pretty excited and sad that it's so far away. Even though Russell Crowe is an enormous asshole, he's still a good actor. Denzel is always good. Plus Ridley Scott. Best line-up yet? I think so.

November 9th

No Country for Old Men - Trailer

The Coen brothers, even at their worst, still make good movies. I'm so excited for this one since it looks like Fargo goes out West. I want to give this a 10/10 without seeing it. Also great early reviews.

Lions for Lambs - Trailer

Robert Redford has done some decent directing before (obvious understatement), and this time we have Meryl Streep. Tom Cruise, well... maybe he's back in good form. Wait for reviews on this one.

November 16th

Beowulf - Trailer

Doubt it'll be too great, but the special effects should be pretty solid. I'm going to see it unless it bombs with early reviews.

I'm Not There - Trailer

Doubt I'll see this one, but obviously all Bob Dylan fans will. Plus I think it's hilarious/awesome that Cate Blanchett is one of the six actors portraying him.

Margot at the Wedding - Trailer

After some success on his own, Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) is out front again. This time he has Nicole Kidman, who can hopefully nullify the awfulness of Jack Black. We'll see.

Atonement - Trailer

Don't know how I feel about this one, but early reviews are all raves. James McAvoy praise, and Keira Knightly isn't bad either.

November 30th

Cassandra's Dream

New Woody Allen movie. Always worth seeing, cause even bad Woody Allen is still pretty good.

December 14th

Youth Without Youth

Coming out of what may have been a retirement, Francis Ford Coppola is making a new movie about a man who finds a way to restore his youth. I have no doubt that this will be at least somewhat of a hit, even if it's for the indie crowds. But I mean it's Coppola, so it can't be too indie.

December 21st

Sweeney Todd

I'm actually really excited for this one. Tim Burton doing a musical? That's live action? No way. Of course it has Johnny Depp and HBC, but whatever. Unless he butchers the original material I see good things.

December 25th

Charlie Wilson's War

Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, and Mike Nichols directing. I don't know too much about this one, but I'm sure it will be a flick to watch.

December 26th

There Will be Blood - Trailer

Oil and war seem to be the popular topics in today's film. Paul Thomas Anderson, of Magnolia and Boogie Nights fame, comes again with a new flick. The trailer didn't strike me too well (wow that pun was amazing), but we'll see.


I think I hit all the main movies for this Oscar season. I'll edit this later if I missed one, or let me know.

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It's been a while so I feel obligated to post something. I've been pretty busy.

I've hit 90 movies on my quest to see all of AFI's 100 Movies. Getting close.

Also been writing quite a bit and forming plot ideas in my head. Not reading as much as I need to, but hey, whatever....

Yesterday I watched Swing Time, which was great. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are about as good as it gets. But then today in my History of Motion Pictures class we watched Singin' in the Rain, so now I'm really uppity and want to dance everywhere I go. Of course that won't happen outside the privacy of my own home, but it's fun to think about.

I ordered Purple Rose of Cairo online today because I couldn't find it anywhere. I also need to buy, Match Point, It Happened One Night, Children of Men, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and 2001. If only I was rich.

Marlon Brando is the greatest actor of all time, but Jimmy Stewart is still my favorite.

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