Better than Pirates 2, not quite as good as Pirates 1, but certainly enjoyable. The “many Johnnies” scenes were entertaining, but I could have done without them: they didn’t really lend anything to the plot (and certainly added to the overall length of an already long flick).
The ending was actually quite poetic and lovely. A half hour (or more) shorter and I would be wholeheartedly in favor.
Totally terrifying. Just as good as the first one.
I do get more scared in horror movies than the average person, however, so take it with a grain of salt.
But the best part? “Stringer Bell”* on the big screen. He is mighty, mighty fine to look at.
*the character he played on The Wire.
Just completely beautiful and entrancing. Jolie is wonderful (and understated) as Marianne Pearl, and Marianne’s humanist message comes through loud and clear. Great performances by many unknown actors as the various Pakistani policemen and other journalists. Totally heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, particularly since you know the outcome going in / you’re just waiting for the worst.
2nd best movie I’ve seen this year. Highly recommended. But bring kleenex!!
Yay! I’ve been trying to see these guys for ages and it’s just never worked out. They do quirky, melodius, good-natured pop with fun lyrics and great harmonies.
They put out 12 albums last year, a 4-song EP for every month except August, which had 13 live songs instead. And they were lots of fun in concert!
Are they playing near you? GOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Written and directed by, and starring, Amber Benson. Also starring James Marsters!! Has some very typical “first movie/low budget/indie amateur” effects: characters speak directly to the camera, the lighting is bizarre, timeline is the furthest from linear it could be, character development is touched on very lightly, etc. But there are a few charming moments, a couple sweet scenes. And the actors not only interact nicely, but the main two do a particularly good job of NOT being reminiscent at all of who you are expecting them to be together. Here’s a random (lengthy) online review if you’d like.
Yes, I must be on a “Tara” kick as I’ve been reading her writing as well: Totally sucked in by Ghosts of Albion!!
How could I have forgotten that I had seen this movie? Lots of lovely ballet, cheesy teenybop romances and soap operas. Anorexia! Injuries! Broken Hearts! And the battle against modern dance! All the highlights of any good ballet movie. Although there is a Russian among the dancers, the brash cocky American is really the one modeled on Baryshnikov. If only he were as good looking!! Particularly enjoyed the performance of Sascha Radetsky, who I’ve actually seen perform with the ABT. But, especially watching it now as opposed to when it came out, very hard to believe this didn’t come out until 1999/2000. Feels very ’80s/Flashdance/Footloose. Of course these ballet vs. dance movies never get old do they – Julie Stiles did one even more recently than this. 🙂
I remember my youthful days as a ballerina well. I would probably tear my Achilles or break an ankle were I to try any of those moves today!!
If you’re looking for recommendations on the “new generation” of African authors, the July issue of Vanity Fair profiles eight of the former “Lions” and 11 or so of the “new wave.” If you can’t find the issue, I’ll let you borrow it.
I, of course, am far more familiar with the old guard. I’ve never forgotten “Burger’s Daughter” (Nadine Gordimer) which I read many, many years ago and I’ve read a few books by J.M. Coetzee. Although one author I read recently is on the new wave list….
(This issue also contains a 1-pager by Bill Clinton on Mandela and their joint HIV efforts that brought tears to my eyes. And a very interesting expose on Diana [P. of W.].)
The song “Life is Beautiful” by Vega4 is lovely and heart-pounding and anthemic and a real pleasure to listen to BUT it …SOUNDS so much LIKE… Snow Patrol. And by “so much” I mean seriously, is this Snow Patrol just putting out a song under another name for kicks and giggles? Because if I were to find out that was the case, I would TOTALLY believe it!!!
My dad had a few days off this week. He went to the movies.
Waitress: He liked A LOT. But as we discussed how he liked it and I kinda didn’t, everything he mentioned he liked was a very specific Keri Russell moment. So maybe he liked the film because he liked her so much (and because he was on vacation, he felt that was a contributing factor) whereas I really liked her but was ultimately disappointed that the rest of the film didn’t live up to her level.
Pirates 3: He liked it better than the bad reviews (and hello the third movie of anything is going to get slammed, no?). He loved Pirates 1 but thought Pirates 2 was only OK. He said anyone who liked Pirates 1 will like this one as well, some fun stuff. And Keith Richards is great (he is KR’s biggest fan).
Mr. Brooks: It’s a mess of a movie, there are like seven different (and pretty much unconnected) plots. But there were enough things worth seeing in it that he thinks it’s a shame that probably no one will go to it because every review will say “this thing is a mess.” He said yes that’s true BUT he really enjoyed the Kevin Costner/William Hurt conversations, among other things, and that there are enough enjoyable things that you wouldn’t regret going to it.
We were also talking about our recent DVD watches and whether or not to watch the “extras” or “commentaries” and whether or not they’re stupid.
He recommends the extras on two specific movies:
Gosford Park: commentary by the screenwriter. Completely entertaining, gives ALL KINDS of extra information, etc. Talks alot about the screenwriter’s aunt who was living during that time of changeover from British “realm” to hello welcome to the real world, etc. Very cool.
A History of Violence: commentary by director Cronenberg. Said it was so interesting and compelling that it made you want to watch the movie again right away!
Does not recommend extras on:
Goodbye and Good Luck: commentary by director Clooney [and co-author?I think?]. Said it’s totally lame and laughable and doesn’t fit the tone of the movie AT ALL and makes you forget about how serious and welldone of a movie it was.
I’ve been trying to see this band for so long it’s not even funny. Once I was out of town, once I had to work, and once I got there 20 minutes late and they had already played! Waah! So it was great to finally see them and I was highly impressed. The bass player Wendy is the wife of Mike who is the brother of Nan, one of my best friends from New York. I went to the concert with Cathy and Paul: Paul who cuts my hair, who cuts everyone mentioned here’s hair (except Nan, but also Nan and Mike’s mom); Cathy who was one of Mike’s best friends growing up… Wendy’s sister is one of the lead vocals/guitarists…
Yeah, I was sort of predisposed to enjoy this concert, eh? They haven’t been a band that long, but they’re writing their own stuff, and I thought it was all quite fun, both musically and lyrically. They sounded polished and together and rocked the place out. Yay, the Pinks!!
