Elegy, Dark Knight, and other movies

Oh well - can't highly recommend "Elegy" unless you're a big Ben Kingsley and/or Penelope Cruz fan - smile! Saw an advanced screening last night. Think this was the movie with the infamous nudity scene - believe me - wasn't worth the hype :-). Seems like many of these movies are again trying to pretend to be something their not and fool folks - but of course can't fool me like the rest of the masses :-). Basically masquerades as some hot love affair between Kingsley (well-respected literature professor) and one of his graduate students (Cruz), when really it's a movie about growing old - had some great scenes/dialog with Dennis Hopper and Peter Sarsgaard - other than that, not much too it.

But look forward to seeing "Brick Lane" this weekend - about a young Bangladeshi girl (forced into an arranged marriage) and suddenly off to London with the older British guy - and believe ends up having an affair. Also, believe "Towelhead" is coming out soon (basically an Arab-American version of "American Beauty"). As well as the Spirit of course.

Also, Dark Knight was as awesome as advertised (saw it twice over the 1st weekend) - just got the essence of Gotham and Batman down right - great acting by the 4 characters - Dent, Batman/Wayne, Commission Gordon, and the Joker - and great plot with not overmuch, over-the-top special effects - just a nice, human, gritty crime drama. With great philosophical debate throughout by the Joker - definitely an Oscar nomination for Ledger is well-deserved.

Summer Movies

Well, probably unlike most folks and especially the reviewers, I'd say "Speed Racer" was the best summer movie I've seen - with Iron Man a rather close second. Just thought they did a great job getting the essence of Speedy - racing, the clothes, family, dialog, Racer X and the car gadgets of course, along with a nice vision quest type of story (similar to Star Wars) and showing the dirty side of racing or organized sports. And yes, going to see Sex and the City :-) (have to admit I'm curious to see how Hudson adds some spice to it); and look forward to the Hulk and Dark Knight.

movies, tv shows

Probably will check out the Counterfeiters and Funny Games this weekend :-). Also, checked out Horton hears a who - didn't think it was all that - kind of overly silly - but guess the families love it. Also, finally checked out "Chinatown" earlier this week - definitely a classic, but such a morose ending - sheesh! And Target has a great DVD sale going on - just picked up "West Side Story" for $7.50. Also, finally started watching my collection of the first 2 episodes of "The Incredible Hulk" - definitely such a depressing pilot episode - tears still well up when I watch it - the story, the music, the tragic ending, etc - definitely the writers did a good job with it.

New movies

Well, finally saw a few movies I liked in the last 2 weeks - saw the Bank Job and The Other Boleyn Girl. Thought the Bank Job did a good job coming up with a story for the gag order issued regarding a mysterious bank job years ago in London that made off with around 5 million dollars and no arrests. Also, despite the bad reviews, thought the Other Boleyn Girl nicely fictionalized the story of Anne's sister, Mary, and both of their relationships with King Henry VIII. Would recommend both. Also, will be checking out "City of Men" tomorrow - supposed to be a sequel to "City of God" so look forward to it.

Oscars

Well, thought the oscars was boring as expected yesterday, but wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be (who cares about No Country - has to be one of the most overrated movies of all time). Liked about 3 aspects of the show: 1) nice to see the black choral group performing one of the nominated songs including the 11-yr. old girl, 2) nice to see Stewart and the young girl playing interactive tennis after the break, and 3) nice to see the montage of all the previous 79 years of Best Picture winners introduced by Jack Nicholson. Although thought there were some real stinkers in the group (e.g., Rocky, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, etc.), but some nice surprises (e.g., Kramer v. Kramer, Best Years of Our Lives, Oliver, etc.). And didn't realize Godfather won twice - sheesh - guess everyone loves the wise guy movies. Probably will have to track down some of the past winners. And can we please get rid of Stewart as the host - sheesh - and just stick to people we like and/or funny (e.g., Ellen, Robin Williams, Crystal, Whoopie, etc.). Actually, the D-list chick (Kathy Griffin) would probably be perfect, but I guess probably too loud-mouthed, and liable to do something really stupid :-).

And I don't recommend Vantage point unless you want mindless violence/action with entirely no connection to reality - had some good action moments, but the premise is just too unbelievable to me. But look forward to the Other Boleyn Girl this weekend.

2008 oscar nominations

Well, here are the oscar nominations - seems like a very, very weak field this year. Guess I have to check out Eastern Promises and/or Michael Clayton even though I'm not a fan of Clooney or the guy who did Eastern Promises. Can't believe Blanchette is nominated for Elizabeth - that movie was very, very bad. Honestly, would vote for Depp for Best Actor, Bardem for Best Supporting, and really don't care about the rest. Think Sweeney Todd should have been nominated for Best Picture, but guess you have to pick Blood in that weak field. Don't think these awards deserved to be televised so hope the writers' strike continues :-) Can't believe Gone Baby Gone, Sweeney Todd, or 3:10 to Yuma wasn't nominated - don't think I'm watching this telecast - hopefully the SAG awards, Independent Film series awards, or the British film awards are better than this woeful field.

Clint

Golden Globes

Well, definitely a very lame Golden Globes telecast as expected - who were those wannabe sophisticates pontificating about films - sheesh! But nice to see Piven, Day-Lewis, Sweeney Todd, Depp, and Javier Bardem win for their respective roles and movies; as well as Ratatouille. Not sure what the hype is about Atonement or No Country for Old Men (although Bardem was great); and thought Bonham-Carter should have won for Sweeney Todd - fell asleep watching La Vie En Rose on DVD - didn't think her performance was all that really nor the movie. Really been disappointed in the latest movies I've seen - think the only thing I really liked in the past few months has been Gone Baby Gone and Sweeney Todd. But look forward to the new Woody Allen film (Cassandra's Dream), Vantage Point, and Grace is Gone (although kind of weird it was advertised last week as coming out this past Fri. in the DC area, but so far no sign of it).

Clint