Early January is when I provide unhelpful mini-reviews of every movie I watched last year, except for the ones I forgot to write down. Also, when I say "movie" I also mean TV shows on DVD or documentaries, or whatever. It's not a science.
In 2007 I watched 50 movies, a further giant step down from previous years. I missed the Philadelphia Film Festival due to my own wedding, of all the nerve. I am teetering on the resolution to watch a movie a week in 2008 to bring that up, but I feel myself not quite devoted enough to pull it off.
Remember: I am inconsiderate about spoilers.
Ice Age 2
I thought frozen crap wouldn’t stink.
Signs
I think I liked this movie more on rewatching, once my expectations were properly calibrated.
Waiting for Guffman
An Open Letter to Everybody:
Dear Everybody,
Waiting for Guffman is not as good as you keep telling me it is. I’ve seen it twice now. We can still be friends, but really, it’s not that funny. Those guys have coasted on Spinal Tap cred long enough.
Sincerely,
Jeff
P.S. Parker Posey is lovely, yes, you’re right about that.
Little Miss Sunshine
I didn’t like this as well as I thought I would.
The Incredibles
Brad Bird, I like. The ‘60s vibe didn’t fit this movie as well though. It’s sure likable. But government regulation and unhapiness with day-to-day life are ‘80s and ‘00s story tropes. The ginchy ‘60s spy vibe doesn’t fit that. But a good movie.
300
I sure did like looking at this. This movie was good for looking.
Spider-Man 3
- I’m sure there’s a MORAL to this movie... if only I could... if only someone would tell me what it is....
- I would like to point out to all move makers that one antagonist is plenty.
- The evil Peter Parker was a great part of this movie, even if it had a completely different mood than the rest of the flick.
- Eddie Brock’s prayer was my favorite moment.
- Still not enough airtime for J. Jonah Jameson, who was played as slightly more of a buffoon and less of an unpredictable tyrant, which the first movie captured with succinct beauty.
The Family Stone
You knew how this movie was going to turn out perilously close to the beginning, and the family was just so fucking PRECIOUS. But it had moments. Poignant moments.
The Fountain
Well whoa, that was weird. Something to talk about later, that’s for sure.
Grosse Point Blank
This is the third year in a row I’ve watched this movie. I thought I’d get tired of it this time, or would have seen it all, but still no. I picked up new little things this time too. Gross Pointe is full of witty people. The movie is just a smidge too unexplained... they expect the viewer to do too much work. It’s not impossible, but you don’t know that you’re supposed to give it enough of a chance, really.
This time, I noted that this movie has in common with High Fidelity the idea of a detached man seeking a mending of relationship with women. May be something Cusak’s working out in his own life.
4 comments:
Dear Jeff,
Yes it is. Watch harder.
--Everybody.
Wow. I guess I didn't expect everybody to have such a strong opinion about that.
I'm with monte on this one. clearly you aren't watching it well. maybe you didn't do enough small town "theatre."
have you seen *Stardust*? We watched it with no expectations and found it sweet in a Princess Bride but not really sort of way.
Have you seen *Saved* or *Sweet Land*? Okay, so the first isn't remotely recent. I'm curious to hear what you thought about it. I had a mixed reaction. The second was again, thoughtful in a not-too-edgy independent film sort of way and really sweet.
-littledj
also chiming in on guffman. I can certainly understand the problem of over-hype, as that's ruined some border-line coulda-been-good-if-I-saw-it-before-everyone-told-me-to movies for me, too. I have to say I didn't love Guffman the first time I saw. My sis, who loves the flick, was with me and pointing out all the funny spots in advance. However, over time, I have come to appreciate the movie, too. I have done my share of baaad community theater, so many of the scenes ring true for me. Also, I have now seen "Remains of the Day", so the lunchbox makes more sense, now, too.
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