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

New Movie

Saw an advanced screening of Sweeney Todd last night - thought
it was pretty good; nice film adaptation of the Broadway musical and think
it'll be nominated for at least a few Golden Globe Awards (e.g., best musical,
best actor, best costume/makeup, best visual editing, best cinematography,
etc.) Would recommend it if you're fan of the musical and/or open to the dark,
bizarre type of movie typical of director Tim Burton (e.g., Edward
Scissorhands, The Nightmare before X-mas, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Planet of
the Apes, Corpse Bride, etc.). And think I'll be taking a pass on Golden Compass - pretty much always agree with the Rocky Mountain News and they give it a C-.

New or Recent Releases

Finally saw a decent movie today - 3:10 to Yuma. Although it had some silly moments (e.g., Crowe's character having to wear the handcuffs almost the entire movie), overall thought it was a good film that nicely showed what it meant to be a man in the ol' west and the respect he gained from a train robber for his pride and convictions. Before today, don't think I've seen a movie I really liked since Sicko and that's hard to compare to a fictional drama of course. Didn't like many movies that were hyped - e.g., Golden Age, Valley to Elah, etc. Valley started well, but pretty much disintegrated about halfway through after a hollywood chase scene, and Golden Age never really had a chance - just an opportunity for the studio to make more money after the great original movie - Elizabeth. Probably only really looking forward to Gangster of NY although Gone, Baby, Gone may be decent since it's based on a novel by the same author as Mystic River which of course should have won the Best Movie Oscar that year, but for the undeserving hero worship for Peter Jackson and his adventure movies. And then made the mistake of hooking Eastwood up the next year by giving the movie, him, and his cast probably undeserving awards for Million Dollar Baby (with the exception of Hilary Swank).