Very few films this week because I have become hooked on the TV show "NCIS" which began in 2003 starring Mark Harmon. The USA network is playing 3 hours of the show each day, and on Sat. 11/22, had a marathon 9 hours of shows from 2005. Great cast make the formula of the show fresh almost every episode. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364845/
Diving Bell & The Butterfly/Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007-French) True story of a writer for Elle who has a stroke and is paralyzed except he can blink one eye. Very slow, but interesting. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/
Definitely, Maybe (2008) Abigail Breslin is a doll. The usual romantic comedy stuff, but the hook is the young daughter is trying to find out about the three women her father has talked about having known. The adult cast is passable. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0832266/
We are going into the deep freeze this week - 3 straight nights down in the 20s. Fireplace, wine and favorite shows and movies. That's a plan!
November 24, 2008
November 17, 2008
This week-----
---I watched a few films, but mainly was catching up on series TV. Watched a lot of NCIS reruns on the USA channel. Very good cast and interesting characters. Also, a few episodes of loopy Monk. Very funny at times. And, of course, Law & Order and all its' spin offs. Lots of talent on all these shows.
The few films I watched:
Phenomenon (1996) John Travolta and Kyra Sedgwick. A small town guy gets a bolt from the blue and seems to be able to learn & master any number of subjects. Enjoyable paranormal story. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117333/
The Queen (2007) Helen Mirren IS Queen Elizabeth II. Michael Sheen and Helen McCrory, as Tony and Cherie Blair, are also standouts. The story concentrates on the days just preceding and the day of Princess Diana's death and what the Royals did and didn't do. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436697/
Failure To Launch (2006) Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew McConaughey. Such a lame story to waste the leads in, let alone Kathy Bates. Zooey Deschanel steals every scene she is in and if the story was about her character, we might have something worth watching. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/
Another rather cold, damp week predicted, with just one day with full sunshine and warm enough to finish getting the garden tools cleaned and back in the garage; and do some final cleanup of frosted plants. Then it is on to getting the holiday decorations out and up before it gets too cold to bother. So the fire and some movies, etc. on the agenda.
The few films I watched:
Phenomenon (1996) John Travolta and Kyra Sedgwick. A small town guy gets a bolt from the blue and seems to be able to learn & master any number of subjects. Enjoyable paranormal story. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117333/
The Queen (2007) Helen Mirren IS Queen Elizabeth II. Michael Sheen and Helen McCrory, as Tony and Cherie Blair, are also standouts. The story concentrates on the days just preceding and the day of Princess Diana's death and what the Royals did and didn't do. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436697/
Failure To Launch (2006) Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew McConaughey. Such a lame story to waste the leads in, let alone Kathy Bates. Zooey Deschanel steals every scene she is in and if the story was about her character, we might have something worth watching. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/
Another rather cold, damp week predicted, with just one day with full sunshine and warm enough to finish getting the garden tools cleaned and back in the garage; and do some final cleanup of frosted plants. Then it is on to getting the holiday decorations out and up before it gets too cold to bother. So the fire and some movies, etc. on the agenda.
November 13, 2008
Guy Richie's RockNRolla------
A few comments about RockNRolla. I love gangster/mob films (Hong Kong over-the-top stylized violence), if they are not too bloody and not too much nasty language. So I was expecting RnR to be what it is - a gangster film with lots of cussin' and shootin' etc. Actually, I was surprised it was shot in such a way that some of the mayhem is off screen and you just hear it or the others are talking about it. There is a lot to be said for quick cuts.
The cast are all so good it is a pleasure to watch them morph into these mobsters, lowlifes and druggies. Gerard Butler is One-Two, the leader of The Wild Bunch, and is full of doofus charm.. The character isn't brilliant, but he is good-hearted to his mates. His dancing scene with Stella (Thandie Newton) the crooked bookkeeper for the Russian mobster, is very funny. He is either a good dancer and playing an awkward one; or really a bit awkward. Anyway, it is very cute and he and Thandie are darling together.
Idris Elba (Mumbles) & Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) are the rest of The Wild Bunch. The encounter between One-Two and Handsome Bob is funny and sweet and even though One-two is shocked at first, he handles it so well and the two actors are just very good. Nice script writing. Or did the actors improvise some? Then One-Twos conversation with Mumbles about Bob is so funny and puts a human face on these violent criminals.
Other acting standouts are Toby Kebbell as Johnnie Quid (the RockNRolla) as the druggie step-son of Tom Wilkinsons mob boss (although I did get tired of Tom acting at the top of his voice), and his right-hand man Archie played by Mark Stong, who is a violent man, but Stong's expressions as things take crazy twists and turns are priceless. Another good performance.
The Russian mob after The Wild Bunch, who have stolen from them, is the funniest chase in a long time, which just ends because they all are so tired they can't run anymore. Oh, and the McGuffin priceless painting, which we never see except from the back, which is stolen many times, ends up at Stella's place. The Russian kingpin is not happy when he sees it (originally it belonged to him and he wants it back.) Will he have Stella killed? He's just asked her to marry him - but now, here's his painting - what's a billionaire mobster to do? We'll have to wait for RnR2 "The Real RockNRolla," to find out.
Since this is an ensemble film, no one is featured more than The Wild Bunch, I like that. I love The Wild Bunch, and hope they get to make 2 more films, writer/director Guy Richie has already written. They're cooool, just not as cool as they think they are. And when they ramp up the music near the end, it is a like a jolt of caffeine to the brain. WOW! Once around again!
8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/
The cast are all so good it is a pleasure to watch them morph into these mobsters, lowlifes and druggies. Gerard Butler is One-Two, the leader of The Wild Bunch, and is full of doofus charm.. The character isn't brilliant, but he is good-hearted to his mates. His dancing scene with Stella (Thandie Newton) the crooked bookkeeper for the Russian mobster, is very funny. He is either a good dancer and playing an awkward one; or really a bit awkward. Anyway, it is very cute and he and Thandie are darling together.
Idris Elba (Mumbles) & Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) are the rest of The Wild Bunch. The encounter between One-Two and Handsome Bob is funny and sweet and even though One-two is shocked at first, he handles it so well and the two actors are just very good. Nice script writing. Or did the actors improvise some? Then One-Twos conversation with Mumbles about Bob is so funny and puts a human face on these violent criminals.
Other acting standouts are Toby Kebbell as Johnnie Quid (the RockNRolla) as the druggie step-son of Tom Wilkinsons mob boss (although I did get tired of Tom acting at the top of his voice), and his right-hand man Archie played by Mark Stong, who is a violent man, but Stong's expressions as things take crazy twists and turns are priceless. Another good performance.
The Russian mob after The Wild Bunch, who have stolen from them, is the funniest chase in a long time, which just ends because they all are so tired they can't run anymore. Oh, and the McGuffin priceless painting, which we never see except from the back, which is stolen many times, ends up at Stella's place. The Russian kingpin is not happy when he sees it (originally it belonged to him and he wants it back.) Will he have Stella killed? He's just asked her to marry him - but now, here's his painting - what's a billionaire mobster to do? We'll have to wait for RnR2 "The Real RockNRolla," to find out.
Since this is an ensemble film, no one is featured more than The Wild Bunch, I like that. I love The Wild Bunch, and hope they get to make 2 more films, writer/director Guy Richie has already written. They're cooool, just not as cool as they think they are. And when they ramp up the music near the end, it is a like a jolt of caffeine to the brain. WOW! Once around again!
8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/
November 09, 2008
Election Day makes slow film week----
I was so surprised and happy on election night I stayed up and watched all the celebrations from Chicagos Grant Park to New York City's Times Square to Washington D.C. in front of the White House. I was in tears just like the folks at the parties.
So it has been a week when the TV news was on most of the time but I finally got around to seeing a couple of films too:
Open Range (2003) Kevin Costner directs and stars. With Robert Duvall and Annette Benning. The opening shots of the beautiful scenery; and the great gunfight for the finale are topnotch movie making. The sound in this film is the most realistic for a gunfight I have ever heard. One of my favorite westerns of the last 25 years. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316356/
Inside Man (2006) Denzel Washington, Clive Owen & Jodie Foster in a caper film. Confused and confusing film. I've seen it twice and I'm still not sure what's going on. But Denzel is fine as the policeman trying to negotiate for the many hostages holed up in a bank with some crazy theives, who all are masked through most of the film so we don't get to feel anything for them. Jodie Forster and Christopher Plummer are good in strange roles - almost cameos - that almost could be from another film. All these stars do what stars do - keep you watching because they are so charismatic. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454848/
We are having frosty days and very cold nights. I've had my gas logs in the fireplace on the last 2 days to take the chill off the living room and my viewing chair. Dug up and brought in the canna bulbs and some other tender plants. Gardening is over for this year.
So it has been a week when the TV news was on most of the time but I finally got around to seeing a couple of films too:
Open Range (2003) Kevin Costner directs and stars. With Robert Duvall and Annette Benning. The opening shots of the beautiful scenery; and the great gunfight for the finale are topnotch movie making. The sound in this film is the most realistic for a gunfight I have ever heard. One of my favorite westerns of the last 25 years. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316356/
Inside Man (2006) Denzel Washington, Clive Owen & Jodie Foster in a caper film. Confused and confusing film. I've seen it twice and I'm still not sure what's going on. But Denzel is fine as the policeman trying to negotiate for the many hostages holed up in a bank with some crazy theives, who all are masked through most of the film so we don't get to feel anything for them. Jodie Forster and Christopher Plummer are good in strange roles - almost cameos - that almost could be from another film. All these stars do what stars do - keep you watching because they are so charismatic. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454848/
We are having frosty days and very cold nights. I've had my gas logs in the fireplace on the last 2 days to take the chill off the living room and my viewing chair. Dug up and brought in the canna bulbs and some other tender plants. Gardening is over for this year.
November 02, 2008
Two week report....
Over the last two weeks, while the weather was nice, I spent a lot of time outdoors. But I did watch these films:
Private Life Of Henry VIII (1933) Charles Laughton IS The King! And Elsa Lancaster as Anne Of Cleves is a match. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024473/
Dracula 2000 Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer. Over the top, with way too many starletts and wannabe's during the first 30 minutes. Then it settles down to a new take on the Drac legend and with a mesmerizing Gerard Butler as the title character, becomes a worthy entry in the list of films about the undead one. Great for Halloween - with all things that go *bump* in the night.......8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219653/
Pearl Harbor (2001) A love triangle between two flyboys and a nurse and Hawaii is bombed by the Japanese. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213149/
Confessions Of A Dangersous Mind (2002) This dangerous mind couldn't get into it - it is very weird. No rating. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270288/
V For Vendetta (2005) Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. A strange film. Is it a romance, a horror, or ... what? Interesting. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/
Babel (2006) Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett on a trip to Morocco when suddenly the bus window breaks and she discovers she has been shot. Many entwining stories start from this incident and it is soon so muddled it becomes boring. I really didn't care about the two yuppies and felt sorry for most of the rest of the characters. But by the end I was just glad it was over. What a mess! 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449467/
The DaVinci Code (2006) Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen. I saw this in theater when it was first released and was disappointed. Decided to give it another try. I was completely bored and went to sleep. Maybe I should read the book? 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008) Enchanting fable about a beautiful girl, Delysia (Amy Adams) who has a few too many lovers. But it is Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew, a nanny who has been fired, and a lingerie manufacturer Joe, (Ciaran Hinds) who find each other in this magical day, that are the great joys. Their scenes together are just perfect and very romantic. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/
RockNRolla (2008) Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong. Guy Ritchie film about the criminals in merry ole England. Wonderful ensemble cast of pros brings to life the scoundrels and theives and violent thugs of the "new" and "old" school of gangsters. Lenny and Archie (Tom Wilkinson and Mark Strong) are the old school; One-two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob (Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy) The Wild Bunch, are for hire; and Stella (Thandie Newton) the accountant who is up to no good. The Russian mobsters are "the new school" and have no rules. Toby Kebbell is Johnny Quid - the RocknRolla - and is a standout. The plot revolves around a painting that goes missing; along with some serious money. Chases and mayhem ensue. But it is the droll byplay between the Wild Bunch and between Stella and One Two that are the highlights. And a dance scene, the shortest sex scene ever in movies, and a chase scene that will have you laughing a lot. A very funny film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/
Well, I did it - I voted at election headquarters because I can't stand for very long and ask to vote early. However it turns out, I know one thing. Our presidential elections are too long. It becomes a joke for our comedians to mock.
See you at the movies.
Private Life Of Henry VIII (1933) Charles Laughton IS The King! And Elsa Lancaster as Anne Of Cleves is a match. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024473/
Dracula 2000 Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer. Over the top, with way too many starletts and wannabe's during the first 30 minutes. Then it settles down to a new take on the Drac legend and with a mesmerizing Gerard Butler as the title character, becomes a worthy entry in the list of films about the undead one. Great for Halloween - with all things that go *bump* in the night.......8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219653/
Pearl Harbor (2001) A love triangle between two flyboys and a nurse and Hawaii is bombed by the Japanese. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213149/
Confessions Of A Dangersous Mind (2002) This dangerous mind couldn't get into it - it is very weird. No rating. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270288/
V For Vendetta (2005) Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. A strange film. Is it a romance, a horror, or ... what? Interesting. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/
Babel (2006) Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett on a trip to Morocco when suddenly the bus window breaks and she discovers she has been shot. Many entwining stories start from this incident and it is soon so muddled it becomes boring. I really didn't care about the two yuppies and felt sorry for most of the rest of the characters. But by the end I was just glad it was over. What a mess! 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449467/
The DaVinci Code (2006) Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen. I saw this in theater when it was first released and was disappointed. Decided to give it another try. I was completely bored and went to sleep. Maybe I should read the book? 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008) Enchanting fable about a beautiful girl, Delysia (Amy Adams) who has a few too many lovers. But it is Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew, a nanny who has been fired, and a lingerie manufacturer Joe, (Ciaran Hinds) who find each other in this magical day, that are the great joys. Their scenes together are just perfect and very romantic. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/
RockNRolla (2008) Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong. Guy Ritchie film about the criminals in merry ole England. Wonderful ensemble cast of pros brings to life the scoundrels and theives and violent thugs of the "new" and "old" school of gangsters. Lenny and Archie (Tom Wilkinson and Mark Strong) are the old school; One-two, Mumbles and Handsome Bob (Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy) The Wild Bunch, are for hire; and Stella (Thandie Newton) the accountant who is up to no good. The Russian mobsters are "the new school" and have no rules. Toby Kebbell is Johnny Quid - the RocknRolla - and is a standout. The plot revolves around a painting that goes missing; along with some serious money. Chases and mayhem ensue. But it is the droll byplay between the Wild Bunch and between Stella and One Two that are the highlights. And a dance scene, the shortest sex scene ever in movies, and a chase scene that will have you laughing a lot. A very funny film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/
Well, I did it - I voted at election headquarters because I can't stand for very long and ask to vote early. However it turns out, I know one thing. Our presidential elections are too long. It becomes a joke for our comedians to mock.
See you at the movies.
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