This movie’s missing ingredient = A plot.
But Natalie Portman wears super cute outfits in it! So there’s that.
Plane: Lions for Lambs
I can see why this tanked at the box office. It’s really a three-part movie. The part with Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep? Pretty much sucked. The part with Robert Redford and the snotty stupid boy in his office? Also pretty much sucked. The part with the two hotties who became soldiers? (This one and this one). Fucking rocked. But sadly they didn’t get that much screen time; certainly not enough to save this movie from the suck pond. p.s. Peter Berg was hot but had even less screen time than they did.
DVD: The Descent.
Well. I may never sleep through the night again. Completely mind-twistingly scary and freaky and gross and OH HOLY SHIT! NO NO NO! RUNNNNN!!! RUNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Dad LOVED it. In his top five for last year. I am not quite as much a fan of the horror genre as he, although I do get just as scared (thanks for passing that one down the gene pool, pops). In fact, if you ever want to have a really good time laughing at other people, you should sit between the two of us at a horror film. And wear ear plugs.
Really well done. Strong performances from unknowns. Great great locations, well chosen. Totally creepy-ass filming. I’m getting shivers just thinking about it and it was over a week ago that I watched it. *SKEEVES*
DVD: Becoming Jane
While I know all the Austen fans are up in a flurry over this one, I thought it was charming and well done and really solid performances from both Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. My heart broke right along with hers.
My Dad really liked it too. In fact his constant refrain has been “Years from now, nobody’s going to be rewatching Michael Clayton but this movie is still going to be fresh and enjoyable.” I have to agree.
DVD: Lucky You
Too bad 90% of the dialogue sounds like it comes straight out of “Gambling for Dummies”.
New (to me) Singles from Recent Paste Samplers
From Paste 37, I’m diggin’:
- “The National Side” Romantica
- “I Love You, You Imbecile” Pelle Carlberg
- “Silver Dreams” Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
- “Luscious Life” Patrick Watson
- “Devil May Dance” A.J. Roach
- “New York Skyline” Giant Bear
If you like Regina Spektor and/or Ingrid Michaelson, try “Unmistakably Love” Stephanie’s ID.
If you like The Fray, try “Swim” Jeremy Larson.
(Old Friends also recommended: “Take Me to the Riot” Stars; “Gone Gone Gone” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss [I can’t listen to their album in one go, but I like it in individual songs].)
From Paste 38, I’m diggin’:
- “Foundations” Kate Nash
- “I’ll Follow You Tonight” Anna Terheim
- “Have to Have Everything” Milton & The Devils Party
- “The Cornflakes Song” (feat. Glen Phillips) Dick Prall
- “Days” She Is So Beautiful/She Is So Blonde
- “Brand New Love” Serena Ryder (minus the Jesus references)
I guess this one must’ve come out before Christmas since it ends with three Holiday songs. Doh. (I like “It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)” Mindy Smith.)
If you like The Fray and/or Five for Fighting, try “Do I Wake or Sleep?” Homer Hiccolm & The Rocketboys and “Wedding Crows” The Josh Davis Band.
If you like the Go-Gos, try “I Call on You” The TrolleyVox
(Old Friends also recommended: “100 Days, 100 Nights” Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings; “The Opposite of Hallelujah” Jens Lekman; “Second Chance” Liam Finn .)
Lyrics of the Day
I don’t need the whole bird, just a feather will do…
From you…
-Meg Hutchinson “Whole Bird” (from Come Up Full)
Lyrics of the Day
There’s only four seasons but these feelings are always here…
-Joe Purdy “Only Four Seasons” (from You Can Tell Georgia)
Mystery: “Drop Shot” by Harlan Coben
And another little break…
The second in the Myron Bolitar series. The fact that Myron is a sports agent and lawyer rather than your more typical PI or retired cop/military just soooo works for me in these books. But of course Win is my favorite character (Joe Pike but without conscience? Or questionable conscience?). I did figure out one part of the mystery a lot earlier than Myron, and not sure if I like being the one to figure it out, I am happy when the book fools me to the end sometimes. Still very enjoyable.
Mystery: “The Watchman” by Robert Crais
Taking a little break from the “big” book I am reading [I’ll do a “currently” post soon]…
Subtitled “A Joe Pike Novel” which makes me hope (HOPEHOPE) that implies an entire series focused on Pike.
I thought the Elvis Cole books were draggin’ a little, getting too caught up in Elvis’ personal life and not enough focus on the mysteries. This was a refreshing change; Pike is such an engimatic dude. The only comparable character for me is Jack Reacher and I would actually run off with Pike first if given the choice.
He’s fierce and fearless and smart and determined and crazy ass cool. I keep warning my dad I am soooo tempted to get matching deltoid arrows…