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No Country for Old Men
I haven't been into going to the movies lately, but my brother called me last night and said, "Did you see this movie? I want to have an intelligent discussion with someone about it." So I obliged him and went to see it.
This movie was easy to admire but hard to enjoy. The other ladies in the bathroom really hated it for being a bummer. But even though it took awhile for me to see where it was going, and I got a little antsy after a certain character died and the rest of the movie was speech-ifying, I couldn't help but look back upon it well. The cast was astounding, especially Javier Bardem as Anton the serial killer, who was a character unlike any I've seen -- and I include Hannibal Lecter in that assessment. And the cinematography was so brilliant and entrancing. Whoever thought the movie should have nearly no score was an absolute genius. There's no Psycho-esque chords, just the sound of turns and twists of metal and wood leading to your IMPENDING DOOM!
I also forgot when I went in that the Coen Brothers directed it. Yet as I was watching I couldn't help but think of Fargo in the way it lays out its story and shows the character of the citizens. I think, despite being Cormac McCarthy-inspired, it's really Fargo's hardened, nihilistic brother. Being more hopeful, I like Fargo better, but this movie was an achievement.
Darby O'Gill and the Little People
This was the third movie Chris insisted on me watching. If you're scratching your head wondering what the hell this is, it's an uber-cute Disney movie about an alcoholic Irishman whose drinking and inability to work does not lead to an Angela's Ashes-like flea-ridden, baby-dying poverty but constant jousts with the King of the Leprechauns and a bloodless set up between two modestly attractive guys over who gets his job. The good guy is Sean Connery, the bad guy is a bastard. And Darby has a daughter, who is cute and very clean. Guess who gets her?
I was really sleepy through most of this movie, so I don't remember much. Other than that it's cute and sometimes funny and clever. And the song, "My Darling Irish Girl" had me humming it. Oh, and the special effects for the Banshee (yeah, there's a Banshee) were good for it's time. Watch it if you have a little kid or have to babysit one. Or a friend who's still harboring a crush on the female lead.
Bruce Almighty
Chris insisted I watch this, despite my whines, and my complaints and my "But I'm a SNOB!" cries. Even after watching it I still don't like it too much, even if Morgan Freeman was a very good God (of course, I said that when I saw the trailers -- it was the concept and how it looked overall that I really disliked) and one part of the movie made me cry ("No! Stop! Won't cry at bad movie! [sob sob]".
Of course, by expecting the worst it turned out to be better than I thought. The script's not bad. It actually SHOWS the effects of some of Bruce's stupider actions, and takes talking about God fairly seriously for a dumb movie. Also, made me cry. [sigh]
That doesn't change the fact that Jim Carrey mugs the camera like the world will end if it shows affection to anything else. ("Hi Steve Carrel! Want to head sequel?" Actually, he's not that inspiring either.) And his character is outright insufferable for the first 20 minutes. Chris told me this was supposed to be that way, but I wasn't so sure. I always thought if it stars someone like Jim Carrey, it implies that you're supposed to like him automatically. Celebrity identification and all that ... oh well.
So yeah, still don't like it. Or still am difficult to please.
2 more reviews later.
I haven't been into going to the movies lately, but my brother called me last night and said, "Did you see this movie? I want to have an intelligent discussion with someone about it." So I obliged him and went to see it.
This movie was easy to admire but hard to enjoy. The other ladies in the bathroom really hated it for being a bummer. But even though it took awhile for me to see where it was going, and I got a little antsy after a certain character died and the rest of the movie was speech-ifying, I couldn't help but look back upon it well. The cast was astounding, especially Javier Bardem as Anton the serial killer, who was a character unlike any I've seen -- and I include Hannibal Lecter in that assessment. And the cinematography was so brilliant and entrancing. Whoever thought the movie should have nearly no score was an absolute genius. There's no Psycho-esque chords, just the sound of turns and twists of metal and wood leading to your IMPENDING DOOM!
I also forgot when I went in that the Coen Brothers directed it. Yet as I was watching I couldn't help but think of Fargo in the way it lays out its story and shows the character of the citizens. I think, despite being Cormac McCarthy-inspired, it's really Fargo's hardened, nihilistic brother. Being more hopeful, I like Fargo better, but this movie was an achievement.
Darby O'Gill and the Little People
This was the third movie Chris insisted on me watching. If you're scratching your head wondering what the hell this is, it's an uber-cute Disney movie about an alcoholic Irishman whose drinking and inability to work does not lead to an Angela's Ashes-like flea-ridden, baby-dying poverty but constant jousts with the King of the Leprechauns and a bloodless set up between two modestly attractive guys over who gets his job. The good guy is Sean Connery, the bad guy is a bastard. And Darby has a daughter, who is cute and very clean. Guess who gets her?
I was really sleepy through most of this movie, so I don't remember much. Other than that it's cute and sometimes funny and clever. And the song, "My Darling Irish Girl" had me humming it. Oh, and the special effects for the Banshee (yeah, there's a Banshee) were good for it's time. Watch it if you have a little kid or have to babysit one. Or a friend who's still harboring a crush on the female lead.
Bruce Almighty
Chris insisted I watch this, despite my whines, and my complaints and my "But I'm a SNOB!" cries. Even after watching it I still don't like it too much, even if Morgan Freeman was a very good God (of course, I said that when I saw the trailers -- it was the concept and how it looked overall that I really disliked) and one part of the movie made me cry ("No! Stop! Won't cry at bad movie! [sob sob]".
Of course, by expecting the worst it turned out to be better than I thought. The script's not bad. It actually SHOWS the effects of some of Bruce's stupider actions, and takes talking about God fairly seriously for a dumb movie. Also, made me cry. [sigh]
That doesn't change the fact that Jim Carrey mugs the camera like the world will end if it shows affection to anything else. ("Hi Steve Carrel! Want to head sequel?" Actually, he's not that inspiring either.) And his character is outright insufferable for the first 20 minutes. Chris told me this was supposed to be that way, but I wasn't so sure. I always thought if it stars someone like Jim Carrey, it implies that you're supposed to like him automatically. Celebrity identification and all that ... oh well.
So yeah, still don't like it. Or still am difficult to please.
2 more reviews later.
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Best picture, though?
If you want to be spoilery about it, you can always drop me some thoughts. :3 (I think as far as artistry goes, I secretly prefer to listen to anyone other than my brother, who automatically attaches religious connotations to everything and then refuses to see it any other way. @__@)
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Re: Best picture, though?
[reads your review] Ai-yi-yi. I thought I could have a smart conversation with my brother, but all of that made me feel like an idiot. I'll read it again and see if I have something to say ...
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no subject