list/discuss/rate - your recently watched movies

All Is Lost

Quiet human drama as Robert Redford faces a sinking sailboat and dire conditions in a physical performance with almost zero dialog.   Not much happens in All Is Lost but the smallness and aloneness of humanity is explored well.

Blue Jasmine - Great performance by Cate Blanchett but I felt Woody Allen failed dismally here with the plot/story and his musical score for the film was completely out of whack. A bit like walking into a chinese restaurant with Indian music playing. What a crap ending too.

The Summit

Uneven though sometimes fascinating blend of dramatization and documentary on the international group in 2008 who climb K2 but face disaster on the way down, as eleven of the eighteen die in a variety of different accidents.   These were highly experienced mountaineers who unaccountably succumbed to the most dangerous part of a big climb: the descent. 

The worst thing is that from what I've read, the premise of Gamer sounds very interesting. Maybe the problem is just that of the people behind Crank trying their hand at something more serious?

Earlier this week I gave this one a rewatch:


It's interesting how the script being a completely standard action movie plot constantly draws attention to how inventive the visual storytelling is: Every single aspect of the narrative structure is handled in a completely different way than usual for the genre. Something I didn't notice as much upon the first viewing as on this re-watch, though, is how much stereotypical American aesthetic imagery the entire visual aesthetic side uses while placing it in a very different context of taking place entirely on the margins of society. It's the kind of look at LA that could only have come from a filmmaker outside the US.

This week, while I've been out of work from hernia surgery, I've watched tons of movies with not much else to do:

The Wash - Seemingly low budget comedy starring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.  Considering how bad the acting and how unoriginal the plot is, this was actually pretty decent.  Probably because I went into it with that mind set.  Dumb, enjoyable comedy.

This Is The End - Comedy about the end of the world (duh!) starring Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill and James Franco.  I had heard that this was a really funny movie and I wasn't disappointed at all.  Everyone in the movie plays themselves at a party in LA while the apocalypse begins and hilarity ensues.  If you like anything with any of these guys, you'll like this.

Blue Jasmine - Watched this with my wife.  A drama about a socialite trying to pick herself back up after her husband was accused of stealing a lot of people's money and proceeded to commit suicide while in prison.  Very strange with not a whole lot going on.  Some enjoyable moments, but with an ending that resolves nothing, we ended up not enjoying this one as much, although Cate Blanchett's performance as the leading lady was well done.

The Internship - Another one watched with my wife.  A typical buddy comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson and in it, these two get (you guessed it!) internships at Google where they get the chance to become employees if their team wins an overall competition with other interns.  Again, if you go in not expecting a whole lot of originality and just want a fun flick to laugh at, you'll enjoy this one.

The Talented Mr. Ripley - A thriller starring Matt Damon and Jude Law.  Tom Ripley (Damon) is sent to Europe to try and convince a wealthy businessman's son (Law) to come home to America.  Instead of doing so, both become good friends, pretty much to the point where Mr. Ripley tries to emulate the rich son's lifestyle and ways.  I won't say what happens, but while it was a good movie with a good story, great actors and a decent ending, I felt unfulfilled afterward.  For what ends up happening, I never felt creeped out like I should have.  The atmosphere never really felt as it should.

MillsLayne wrote: The Talented Mr. Ripley -    while it was a good movie with a good story, great actors and a decent ending, I felt unfulfilled afterward.  For what ends up happening, I never felt creeped out like I should have.  The atmosphere never really felt as it should.

This one may grow on you, it does have a very different kind of European pace and feel.   Ripley's Game very good also.

I'm holding off watching any of the movies about Mr. Ripley until I've read the books.

Atavachron wrote: MillsLayne wrote: The Talented Mr. Ripley -    while it was a good movie with a good story, great actors and a decent ending, I felt unfulfilled afterward.  For what ends up happening, I never felt creeped out like I should have.  The atmosphere never really felt as it should. This one may grow on you, it does have a very different kind of European pace and feel.   Ripley's Game very good also.

I might try it again to see.  It wasn't bad, but I just didn't feel that great about it afterward.  Maybe I read too many great reviews on it before watching.  I tend to do that.

I recently watched Vanilla Sky for the first time.  Very interesting sci-fi/thriller/romantic film with Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz about a guy who has everything in life until an accident causes things to fall apart and get real weird.  Pretty much to the point where he (nor I) knows if it's real or not.  Okay movie with a stellar soundtrack.  If not for the movie, at least check it out for the soundtrack, including a Paul McCartney song I had no idea about that I've been listening to non-stop for the past couple of days.  My wife hates it now.

Shaolin Warrior  (2013)

Just don't.