Summer movies

So I decided that since I’ve been watching a lot of movies lately, I’d make a little list of the movies I’ve watched and maybe a couple of words as some helpful advice (if anyone needs it). I also am TOTALLY into the fact that most of the McDonald’s in Norman now are participating in Redbox, which allows you to rent a movie for just $1 a night! Woot! So without further ado, the movies that I remember watching (in no particular order)….

  • The Black Dahlia Two stars - While the movie has a great cast with Hillary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johannsen and Josh Hartnett, the story itself is at many times weak and confusing. There are random names thrown about that it’s easy to lose sight of who the murder victim is, and the countless suspects. After a while, you tend not to care, and even though there’s a certain sense of satisfaction in actually reaching the conclusion, the final scenes seem more or less contrived and artificial. But there is to note- the cinematography is wonderfully sharp and rich and truly takes you to 1946 Hollywood.
  • Sling Blade Four stars - While it takes a good while to get used to the very slow pace of this movie, if you can brave through the first 30 minutes and allow the cadence to sink in, Sling Blade more than delivers. Directed, written, and starring Billy Bob Thornton in his Oscar-winning role (Best Screenplay), the film has so many layers to conceive and relish even after the original viewing. Definitely watch this movie.
  • The Bourne Identity Four stars - A friend of mine told me, “Yeah guys get a hard-on watching that movie.” After I watched it, I realized why: It’s brilliant. And it shouldn’t just apply to men– it’s to both sexes. Jason Bourne is a Black-Ops assassin and loses his memory, while people try to kill him, and so on and so forth. Weirdly, he can remember certain things, like martial arts, how long he can run at a certain altitude, but unforunately, not his name. The story’s basic strength is the same reason why I remember loving Superman with Christopher Reeve– it makes every kid feel like he has super powers and should run around in underpants and a towel. In the same vein, women could easily replace that idea with Snow White, and how every girl dreams that in reality, she’s a princess. Add to that brilliant fights, awesome action, and slick visuals, and you’ve got a sure-fire winner.
  • The Bourne Supremacy Two stars - Umm.. just not as good?
  • Black Snake Moan Four stars - A film so well conceived and fleshed out that it definitely needs to win an Oscar somewhere. Brilliant performances by Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson, and a surprisingly sensitive performance by Justin Timberlake. Set against the blues of Tennessee, the story revolves around personal demons, redemption, and love. Spectacular, even though the material is definitely adult in nature.
  • Sicko Three stars - Michael Moore’s documentary on the American healthcare system will definitely spark chatter and make you think about the reasons why our healthcare is so messed up. (One word: Republicans.) It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and it’ll make you think. What else would a documentary need? Well how about the opposing view? That may be the only ‘fault’ of this piece, and a slight bone to pick with Michael Moore in general– his work is definitely one-sided. Still though, it is a must watch.
  • Mistress of Spices Two stars - Now, two stars may be a little harsh for this movie, because to be honest, it was enjoyable, with mystical and magical elements sprinkled heavily. The cinematography is impeccable, the colors are vibrant, and Dylan McDermott puts in a strong performance. The only weakness? The lead actress– Aishwarya Rai. She still sticks adamantly to the Bollywood acting style which, even in such magical context, sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the naturalistic acting style of the rest of the cast. If it weren’t for her, we’d have a true 3-4 star movie here.
  • My Left Foot Four stars - Daniel Day Lewis’s win for Best Actor in 1989 (against heavy favorite Tom Cruise in Born on the Fourth of July) is a powerhouse performance that will leave you floored. I’ve always believed that there’s ONE scene for every Oscar that wins it. Here, it’s Lewis as Christy Brown, an artist and writer in 1930s Ireland who has cerebral palsy, trying to tell a woman that he loves her, only to learn that she’s engaged. It made my skin crawl out of its sheer power and caused gooseflesh. Wow.
  • Grosse Pointe Blank Three stars - A funny, irreverant and light hearted comedy with John Cusack as a hitman who ends up going to his high school graduation, and meets up with his former love, Minnie Driver. A kicking 80’s soundtrack and great lines make this one move fast and keep it fun.
  • Transformers Three stars - Considering that the movie is based on an 80’s kids’ cartoon with not much plot, you really shouldn’t expect much from this one. However, with all the Michael Bay megablockbusters that are out there, you inevitably get a little buzzed considering the options. Add to that the fact that the original actor who played Optimus Prime in the cartoon is doing the voice work in the current movie, and yes, you go in excited. Special effects- mind blowing. I’m pretty good (I’d like to think) at finding the seams where CGI meets a blue or green screen, and I didn’t see anything in this movie. Literally a work of art in that manner. Add to that some witty banter, some inside jokes (one guy yells in a scene, “Whoa this is SO MUCH COOLER than Armageddon!”– a Michael Bay film) and even a slight tip of the hat to “More Than Meets the Eye” and you’ve got a thoroughly enjoyable summer movie with great action and visuals. Shia LaBeouf is especially charming as the requisite bewildered teenage male and Megan Fox is… well.. pardon the pun… a FOX. (Too bad she’s engaged to 90210’s Brian Austin Green… ick!) If you’re looking for a popcorn-munching, drink-slurping crowd pleaser, this should do just fine.
  • Knocked Up Four stars - Easily one of the best comedies to come out in years. Knocked Up manages to be uproariously funny at points and even sweet. It’s got the same magic as There’s Something About Mary, with a little more sensibility and maturity. Sure there are fart and sex jokes, but in the end you’ll end up with a feeling of “Aww” more than anything else.
  • Hannibal Rising One star - While it seeks to provide the reason why AFI’s Greatest Movie Villain of all time is the way he is, it instead ends up giving a terribly one-dimensional performance by Gaspard Ulliel , who thinks ‘evil’ means giving strange long creepy glances at the camera. The reason why Anthony Hopkins was so brilliant on the other hand was that you never could quite “place” him, except knowing that he gave you the shudders. Hannibal Rising, while a good vehicle for actress Gong Li , doesn’t do well at maintaining suspense either.
  • The God that Didn’t Exist Two stars - An interesting documentary detailing the case against the existence of Jesus Christ. Although it has received rave reviews from Newsweek and the like, I found the logic and proof to be a bit lacking. It was clear that the documentarian’s bias against Christianity was the fuel for the fire, and while it could make for some lively discussion, I expected more hard evidence. Still, if you’re open minded I’d recommend giving it a shot.
  • Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Zero stars - Weak. All around weak and stupid. Don’t even bother renting it. Unless you have a serious fetish for girls and guys in skimpy 70’s clothes being torn to shreds.
  • The Queen Four stars - While Helen Mirren won an Oscar (and numerous other acting accolades) for this role, I didn’t quite see what it was for. Perhaps it was the level of self-control and restraint that was so hard to pull off. I don’t know… I just know that I had been putting off watching this movie for a while because hearing stuffy Brits talk on for hours usually doesn’t sound fun. Instead I thoroughly enjoyed it. The actor playing Tony Blair was especially good.
  • Employee of the Month Zero stars - Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shepard. Sounds like a winner, right? As a certain Kazakhistani reporter would say, “NOT!” This movie is so formulaic and not funny that even though I managed to struggle through 1:26 of it, I couldn’t handle watching for another 22 minutes and switched it off. Yes, it’s that bad.
  • Half-Nelson Four stars - A powerful movie with a strong message. I felt like it needed a more capable director, because the writing was superb, as was the acting, yet some of the imagery and overall ‘feel’ was lacking. Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for this film, and while he does give a strong performance, playing stoned and in turmoil convincingly shouldn’t necessarily be enough for a golden statuette.
  • Hostel One star - Yeah yeah, I know it’s already two years old, but I just got around to watching it. I think the basic premise is an intriguing one, and could make to be a good Twilight Zone episode. But the excessive gore and gratuitous nudity was purely to sell tickets. But hey, it worked– enough so that the sequel was made. *Those girls were super-hot, too*
  • The Ringer Three stars - I hate Johnny Knoxville. So who would’ve thunk that a movie that he was in would actually turn out to be pretty good? The basic idea is that there are a lot of jokes regarding mentally retarded people (and the Special Olympics in particular), but the movie is actually a bit smarter than it seems. Sure a lot of the jokes are asinine. But The Ringer actually manages to knock on those who are so politically correct that they can’t laugh at themselves, and if you get that, then you’ll enjoy the movie.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Three stars - Pretty good movie, I thought. After a while everything gets a little jumbled and you’re not quite sure who’s conning who, but still it’s a fun pirate movie with great action. Definitely not as good as the first, but also not as much of a disappointment as The Matrix sequels. However, I must admit that Johnny Depp got overexposed in this one, even though I adore him.
  • Spiderman 3 Two stars - Awesome special effects, but dreadfully slow pace, and scenes that definitely need to have been deleted. Topher Grace does a pretty good job as Venom, and Thomas Haden Church was clearly underutilized. The person that surprised me though was Kirsten Dunst, whom I normally despise. In this one, I just…. didn’t hate her as much.

Note:
Zero stars = zero stars