182: Persepolis

Persepolis (PG-13) - 2007 - Runtime: 96 minutes
Voiced by: Sean Penn, Iggy Pop, Gena Rowlands
Director: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi

Ahh, what a refreshing tale. I was suggested this by my sister-in-law, who has good taste, so I couldn't refuse. She lent Maggie a copy of the graphic novel the movie is based on, you can read her review here. It's a quirky comedy that takes on a lot of serious issues, but it does it so well that at times your laughing and other times your tearing up just a bit. It's a fun movie, but has layers to it, also. It's a story about growing up and never forgetting your heritage.

Marji is growing up in the late 70s in Iran. She watches as the Iranian Revolution takes over her country. In place of a ruling dictator, Iran's government has now been taken over by Islamic Fundamentalists. Marji soon moves away from Iran, only to be drawn back in because she can never abandon her cultural identity. I have always found the Middle East to be a confusing mess of culture, religion and politics and have never really delved too deep into its history. But here's a movie that's very open and honest about Iran and its own culture - and it was very engaging and informative. And although the movie has a modern, western idealism to it, it's never condescending of Iran and it never talks down to the audience, either. But as much as I loved the information, I absolutely loved Marji. She's such a conflicted character and, much like another animated foreign picture, Waltz With Bashir, she can never forget her past and family.

The movie is funny, too! Marji is cute as a little kid whose ideals about modern culture are clashing with the new regime. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a more substantial comedy than just dick and fart jokes!

Rating: Rent It!

182: Gran Torino

Gran Torino (R) - 2008 - Runtime: 116 minutes
Starring: Clint Eastwood
Director: Clint Eastwood

I will admit that I'm not a huge Eastwood fan. I don't get a raging boner whenever I hear news of his new movie that seems to come out every year. Seriously, this guy is the Bob Barker of directors. But when your dad recommends a movie, you are kind of obligated to watch it. Unless your dad has a proven track record of having bad taste - which I won't say that about my dad. But his choice in movies, is ummm, well, unique. So with much hesitation (I rented this three times before actually sitting down to watch it!), I popped this one in. And while it wasn't as depressing or awful as I thought, it still wasn't as good a movie as I heard practically every customer rave when it came out last year.

Walt is an old man. A veteran of the Korean war and has just seen the passing of his old lady. He hates everyone and his only companion is an old mangy dog and his mint condition Gran Torino. Of course, some Asian immigrants move in next door and cause all sorts of ruckus and soon, Walt finds his cold little heart melting just a tad. I will admit, the story did get to me at the end - I teared up a bit. But man, some of the dialogue and acting was just plain awful! The worst example was the priest, barely pushing 14? Well, he looked not much older than that. His lines were delivered so dead pan and flat that I wondered if he had trouble memorizing the lines and was solely just concentrating on the next word, instead of ya know, acting! It was so bad - and the dialogue! Dreadful! Let me give you an example: [Walt's smoking] "You should quit. Those things are bad for you. "
Walt Kowalski: "Yeah? So's being in a gang." And Walt is almost too racist to exist, it's like Eastwood is daring us to call him out on it. But of course, the man's just a sweetie pie in the end and it shows. But to me, that's the worst part about the movie - it ends up parodying itself in the end. The characters aren't worth a damn and they don't seem believable.

I don't consider myself an authority about Eastwood, but from what I gather he seems to be playing the same character over and over again! It's too bad, because he's a good actor, I just don't see much range. Oh well, just skip this one!

Rating: Not Worth Paying For!

182: Bull Durham

Bull Durham (R) - 1988 - Runtime: 108 minutes
Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Surandon, Tim Robbins
Director: Ron Shelton

Maggie and I had went down to Durham for her sister's wedding and we were told by our now brother-in-law that we should see this movie. He said it was a good romance, but not just a chick flick. So of course we had to see this movie and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. I wouldn't say it's a great movie, but it's a fun little flick that works as a good date movie.

Crash Davis comes back to Durham to catch for the Bulls, Durham's own minor league team. But that's not all he's there to do - he's supposed to mentor the hot shot ace pitcher, Ebby LaLoosh (played by the very young and affable Tim Robbins). They soon take the team from the dumps to number one. But there's a love triangle going on between Crash, Ebby and the local superfan, Annie Savoy. Although the story isn't exactly the greatest, the humor and characters are the best part of the movie. I don't really like Surandon in this role. She's all sexed up and I just don't find her attractive at all. I just didn't really "get" her at all - she's obsessed with baseball, but she's also a loose women. She takes it upon herself to sleep with a new player every year - helping them become a better player (or so she says). I definitely enjoyed the relationship between Crash and LaLoosh more than anything else in the movie.

I wasn't expecting the movie to be so funny and rated R. There's some great jokes and I thought Costner was pretty good as Crash. Even better was Robbins as the rookie. He was like a baby duck throughout - all wide-eyed and wondering. It was pretty comical and you do get drawn into their budding relationship and the team's success. But there was definitely a few too many sex scenes involving Surandon that I couldn't stomach.

But Bull Durham has a lot of heart and it's not really a baseball movie, but it's not really a romantic comedy, either. I can't really explain it. I had a lot of fun watching the movie with Maggie, but at times we both thought the movie dragged on a bit. Maggie asked me at the end of the movie "Why is it called Bull Durham?" I had no answer for it - I had always thought that was the actual nick name of Costner's character, but not so! Oh well, maybe that's a question for my brother-in-law to answer.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Happy Feet

Happy Feet (PG) - 2006 - Runtime: 108 minutes
Voiced by: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman
Director: George Miller, Warren Coleman

I was suggested this movie by one of my old co-workers who absolutely thought this was a must see. I can unequivocally state that this is by far a must avoid. I understand that penguins are cute and dancing penguins are even cuter. But this movie is just plain awful! I can't imagine torturing my eyeballs and ears again if I ever come across this movie again!

The movie starts out insanely weird - that the great mother of the universe has a song to sing and the penguins need to sing their love song or some such nonsense. It's all just an excuse to put in as much music as possible. I don't mind that - I think music and movies go hand in hand, but this movie seemed to reach levels of exploitation of the music. There's at least a new song every five minutes and they start a new one before the last one is even finished. But I digress! Mumble is born with a defect: he can't sing. And that's important in the penguin world because the only way you can get a soul mate is by singing. It's just how it is, so deal, Mumbles! And so Mumbles has to find out about living your way is the best way and in the mean time, he has to save his village from starvation! The plot itself reaches insanity levels when Mumbles gets captured by humans. I was at a loss for words as to why the movie went where it did, but you can't have a movie without conflict and apparently Mumble's own struggles weren't enough.

It's a terrible movie and one that I can't believe people love. The main plot boils down to sex. I mean the first lyrics of the movie open up like this: "You don't have to be beautiful, to turn me on. I just need your body, baby, from dusk 'til dawn. You don't need experience, to turn me on. You just leave it all up to me..." Seriously! I feel like a prude by taking a stand against these lyrics, but it seriously is all about sex. And the movie keeps hammering this theme throughout. I guess I wouldn't have minded if the movie had been fun and entertaining, but it's just not exciting or great. Even the music that they do use is pretty lame - there's a few solid numbers (I Wish), but nothing too exciting or memorable.

The message of the movie is nice and all - staying true to one's self - but it just seems such a half-assed attempt to provide the kids with a lesson. I say if you have to see penguins, you might be better off watching them surf in the movie Surf's Up. Or March of the Penguins, that's a good one. But dear god, stay away from this one, it's toxic!

Rating: Avoid Like the Plague!

182: They Live

They Live (R) - 1988 - Runtime: 98 minutes
Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David
Director: John Carpenter

Holy cow this movie was pretty fantastic! I was recommended this by one of my old co-workers. It's very much a B-movie, but it has a lot of heart and isn't afraid to lay on the cheese. I thought I would end up rolling my eyes, but I was laughing all along and enjoying Carpenter's diatribe on censorship, conformity and consumerism.

Roddy Piper (yes "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, the wrestler!) plays George Nada, a down on his luck drifter who travels to LA to look for some work. Luckily, he meets Frank Armitage (played by the always reliable Keith David. Seriously, if you need a villain? Keith David's got it. If you need somebody for a comedy? You got it. Veteran video game voice over man? Oh, David's got it. This man is one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood. He has 11 movies in production right now! Maggie said he's the obscure Samuel L. Jackson. Very apt). But Nada starts to wonder about what's happening around him - the police seem to break up any group activity and he finally figures out what's happening when he stumbles upon a pair of sunglasses that reveal the truth. Most of the elite, upper class white citizens are really aliens who are controlling every single facet of human life. It's all done through subliminal advertising and every single product has some sort of OBEY message. This is all done to great effect - when he puts on the sunglasses, the movie turns to black and white and every thing is so sterile and plain with simple messages like "Marry and Reproduce" and money says "This is Your God." And of course the aliens look as hideous as they do on the poster.

Of course this an action B-movie starring a wrestler, so Nada takes it upon himself to right what is wrong the only way he can: with his fists. There is a somewhat unintentionally hilarious fight scene where Piper fights Keith David in order so he can force the glasses on him. It's like a ten minute fight scene, no joke! They keep falling down and then getting up - it's exactly like a wrestling match, but the end result is the dude has to put the glasses on. It's great! That one scene sums up the rest of the movie - it does take itself seriously when it comes to the message of consumerism and censorship, but it's all portrayed by this everyman drifter who only knows how to fight. I have to say, Carpenter mixes it up pretty well for a very entertaining movie. It does start out awful slow - it's takes about a half hour before Nada realizes what's happening around him. But it's a minor quibble to an otherwise great sci-fi B-movie!

Rating: Rent It!

182: Rain Man

Rain Man (R) - 1988 - Runtime: 133 minutes
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise
Director: Barry Levinson

Another suggestion, this time from a co-worker. She was absolutely flabbergasted that I had not seen this movie. It's just that it was never on my radar, but I'm glad I finally checked it out - it's a great movie.

Tom Cruise is Charlie Babbitt, a fast-dealing salesman who's father has just passed away. And the only thing that Charlie gets in his father's will? A fancy old car and the knowledge he has an older brother, Raymond - one who is autistic, but quite literally a genius. Charlie takes it upon himself to steal Raymond away from the hospital he's staying at to selfishly get his father's inheritance. It's a great road trip movie - but not exactly a typical one, either. I thought Hoffman was brilliant and much deserving of his Oscar win. Cruise is good, but once again, he's playing that same character over again!

The movie has aged very well - it's still as fresh and fun now as it probably was back then. It's just got a good combination of laughs and drama that works so well. I don't know what else to say except that if you haven't seen it, it's worthy of your time!

Rating: Rent It!

182: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (PG-13) - 2007 - Runtime: 112 minutes
Starring: Mathieu Amalric
Director: Julian Schnabel

My cousin had suggested this movie to me on facebook when I first started, but I've been putting off my suggestions for a while. I wish I hadn't, because this is one of the most beautiful and poetic movies I've seen in a long time.

The movie opens up with the viewpoint of Jean-Do who has just come out of a coma. He can barely see and for the first twenty or so minutes, the movie is limited to his two eyes (one of which isn't in good shape and eventually gets sewn up). It's a very different approach to the movie - it's actually great because it makes you feel so claustrophobic and you at least get an inkling of what Jean-Do was experiencing. Jean-Do had it all - a great job as editor of Elle magazine, a wife and two kids, even a mistress. But one day he suffers from a stroke that leaves him completely paralyzed except for his eyes. And with that, the movie opens about his struggles to cope with his new life and trying to communicate only by blinking.

When I say it's poetic, I'd have to say the way the film is shot. The movie is very pretty and the way the camera is basically Jean-Do's eye is very effective. There's a lot of inner dialogue coming from Jean-Do and it's all quite sad. But gradually, he learns to cope and see his life as a fresh start after all the mean and hurtful things he's done. It's a truly moving and emotional story that is well-shot and is perfectly made with some great music. It's amazing that with the help of a therapist, he was able to write his own memoir and this was the inspiration for the movie. I loved every minute of it!

Rating: Own It!

182: Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles (PG/R) - 1984 - Runtime: 93 minutes
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling
Director: John Hughes

Yeah, I've only caught bits and pieces of this movie on TV and when I told Maggie that I haven't actually seen this movie, she freaked! In fact, we've been sharing a long running joke about how our mothers don't think we're dorks. She thought I knew the reference, but in actuality I didn't. I was a liar and she called me out on it. So we had to go and pick this one up. I'd have to say it's pretty awesome!

It's Samantha Baker's sixteenth birthday, but no one seems to notice, even her family. It's her sister's wedding that weekend and she's become invisible to everyone, except for Jake Ryan, the school stud. Needless to say, it's a fun, teen comedy/romance that everyone should watch. John Hughes is a master at showcasing teenage high school life in all its ups and downs. Molly Ringwald is pitch perfect in the role as the awkward teenager and Anthony Michael Hall is great as the geek. There's a lot of funny stuff, including Long Duk Dong, the foreign exchange student who has a thing for macho ladies. And despite its apparent 80s influence on fashion, the movie actually isn't at all that dated. The same themes of teenage angst, loneliness and rebellion still resonate today. This is a timeless classic!

The movie was great - and I'd have to say it's worth owning. However, the DVD says PG, but there is definitely boobies in this movie! The movie got an original R rating, but after an appeal, it was awarded a PG! But the DVD doesn't actually take out the nudity. It's all a bit confusing, so if you don't mind boobies (and who doesn't?) this is a great addition to your collection!

Rating: Own It!

182: Two Weeks Notice

Two Weeks Notice (PG-13) - 2002 - Runtime: 101 minutes
Starring: Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock
Director: Marc Lawrence

Before Grant was sucking it up with SJP in Did You Hear About the Crappy Morgan's Movie They Made and before Sandra Bullock lathered on a sloppy southern accent to win an undeserved Oscar (yes, I'm still bitter), they actually made a decent romantic comedy! Believe it or not, I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies. And I'm pretty confident that this one pretty much nailed it.

You have a perfect formula: Hugh Grant, playing, well Hugh Grant, and Sandra Bullock playing the highly geeky, but nevertheless charming, opposite who both find they cannot possibly live without each other in their lives. It's pretty easy to see where this is going: Bullock finds herself landing a job for the evil Hugh Grant, who owns a terrible big corporation who doesn't like the environment. And after a few years, she finally gives her two weeks notice because she can't take anymore of Grant's shenanigans. So romance and comedy collide. It's an unstoppable force for me - and as much as I over dramatized the plot, it's good and quite funny at times. The characters work and there is some good chemistry with the two leads. It's a great little rom-com that I found myself really enjoying - if it was playing on TV I'd probably sit down and watch it.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition (R) - 2002 - Runtime: 117 minutes
Starring: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig
Director: Sam Mendes

This one was a suggestion by someone whom I don't fully trust their judgment on movies, so I was very hesitant to watch this one. I'll admit, gangster movies are not my cup of tea - they have to be really, really good for me to enjoy. And while the movie has a few strong points (namely the atmosphere), it was entirely a forgettable experience.

Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan, a lackey for a mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman), who treats him like a second son. When Michael's son witnesses a man being dispatched by Michael and his partner, Connor Rooney, the son of John, it sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. The movie starts off interesting, I was immediately drawn into the tone and atmosphere - it's no wonder this movie won an Oscar for best cinematography - it's simply a visually stunning movie. But as far as the story goes and where it leads? Eh, I found myself checking the time on the DVD player so I could get on with the rest of the day. There's very little character development - lots of stares and long looks between Michael and his son. It's all very heavy-handed and not at all interesting. It's seems like the movie is trying to force upon you the importance of the relationship between father and son. I get it! But c'mon! I don't need to hear the gangster version of Cats in the Cradle!

And as for Jude Law playing a sadistic assassin? He wasn't at all menacing and it seemed a bit odd. I never once felt afraid or feared that the Sullivan boys would end up dead. I mean, duh, that's the end of the movie if they're dead! But! You have to create a little bit of tension and fear! But this assassin felt completely flat and not at all interesting. In the end, the movie was not at all very climactic and a bit of a snooze. Lame! Sam Mendes wanted the last twenty minutes to have only around six lines of dialogue, which is fine. But, if you want to get all poetic and shit, you better have some compelling drama!

Go ahead and find the graphic novel this movie was based on - I'm sure it's ten times better! It goes without saying I will not be taking any more suggestions from this guy!

Rating: Not Worth Paying For!

182: Someone Like You

Someone Like You (PG-13) - 2001 - Runtime: 97 minutes

Starring: Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman
Director: Tony Goldwyn

I'm not gonna lie, the DVD cover just screams 90s (I know, I know - it came out in 2001, but give me a break). Maybe it's simply because Ashley Judd certainly was more of a 90s movie star than she has been this past decade. So I was a little hesitant when Maggie wanted to rent this movie because she had just finished reading the book the movie is based on, Animal Husbandry. But my fears were soon squashed after spending time with a fun romantic comedy. Hugh Jackman was surprisingly the best thing about this movie. And I was surprised how good Greg Kinnear can play an asshole.

Ashley Judd plays Jane who, after getting dumped by what seems to be the perfect man, decides to figure out why men are such jerks. She moves in with the jerkiest of jerks, Eddie, played by Jackman. It's as straightforward as you can get with romantic comedies. But the movie plays to its strengths: Jackman's charm and by-the-books pacing with some great side characters (Marisa Tomei and Ellen Barkin play their roles well). So, despite the predictability, this one's worth a rental. I liked the comedy and Judd and Jackman play off each other well.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Chocolat

Chocolat (PG-13) - 2000 - Runtime: 121 minutes
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss
Director: Lasse Hallström

To quote one of my favorite movies from this year, this movie was just delightful. It would have been only made better if I watched it with some wine and summer salad! But seriously, folks, it was a sweet and delightful movie. But don't let that movie poster fool y'alls - Johnny Depp really isn't a big part of the movie. Sure, he shows up (as a pirate! I bet this is where Bruckheimer saw his potential as flamboyant booty hunter) halfway through the movie, sashaying his way into Juliette Binoche's heart, but it's hardly a big role. But Depp is dreamy and he sells tickets, so whatevs.

For those who managed to skip this delight - Juliette Binoche plays Vianne, a somewhat mysterious and fantastical woman who opens up a chocolate shop in a small, conservative French village. It soon becomes apparent her concoctions are just what this sleepy town needed. Lots of people start living - L-I-V-I-N - living! But some people like to be oppressed, like the local minister (Alfred Molina - playing another nefarious villain - seriously, this is where Raimi decided Molina would make a good Doc Ock - I mean, the roles are practically interchangeable here), who takes charge to try and banish Vianne from his town that he used to have control over. It's a good movie - there's a bit of fantasy to the story and it's something that I really like. Vianne brings such magic and energy to the town and it's fun to see how she changes people's lives.

The performances are wonderful - especially Binoche. I wish she would do more American movies - she's a great actress and I loved her in The English Patient, too. She creates such a wonderful character that at times, is very enigmatic and at other times very honest and open. She balances those two traits wonderfully and when the love of her life shows up - a somewhat subdued Johnny Depp - she becomes a whole different person. And it's that struggle between who she's born to be and what she wants to be that is at the heart of this story.

Like I said, it's a delight and if you haven't been delighted in a while, you should really rent this one. Seriously, delightful.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Bridget Jones's Diary

Bridget Jones's Diary (R) - 2001 - Runtime: 97 minutes
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth
Director: Sharon Maguire

Let me set this straight. I honestly like chick flicks. I'm a big fan. I don't hide it - I'm shamelessly in love with movies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (and for some reason this is the gold standard for me. Don't ask me why, it just is) and The Proposal. Despite the fact that most romantic comedies pretty much follow the same formula, I still can really enjoy them, no matter what. And so I was kind of looking forward to watching BJD (I've shortened it to this acronym simply because I cannot type Jones's": - see? - without screwing up! Arrghh!) but I don't think I was really prepared for this one.

I'll give props where it's due - Zellweger is pretty good in this movie and I liked how it wasn't afraid to be ballsy and get an R rating (unlike The Ugly Truth, which on top of being awful, really didn't deserve an R rating). And despite that Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are very dreamy in this movie - I really didn't like it. And I've pretty much committed mortal sin and have failed to live up to expectations as a proper partner because of it. But I just didn't think it was funny and I felt after a half an hour that more than an hour had passed. But I was wrong! We still had an hour left! Maybe it was the British humor or the pace, I don't know, but I found myself becoming extremely bored.

I also made the unfortunate mistake of telling Maggie that I really didn't like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, either. Mainly because I didn't find that one funny at all. Well, if you're going to be honest, I guess be brutal, right? Maggie had mentioned something about how I might enjoy chick flicks/romantic comedies when the other part of the equation (mainly the guy) is more involved in the story. I think there's some truth to that. And to quote a Kevin Smith film, I guess I just need the cock (sorry to all those virgin ears!).

So I gave it a try and I just think this movie isn't for me. I can see why a lot of people love this movie - it's got a lot of heart and energy in it - it's just not aimed in my direction. So if your significant other asks you to see it, go ahead and make sure to smile and say it was good. Otherwise you might find yourself on the couch.

Rating: Not Worth Paying For

182: Notting Hill

Notting Hill (PG-13) - 1999 - Runtime: 124 minutes
Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant
Director: Roger Michell

There's nothing wrong with a grown man enjoying love stories with a comedic bent. I'm one of those guys that thoroughly enjoys a good chick flick. I mean, I really think How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is essential for any rom-com aficionado's library. So it's surprising that I missed this one - Hugh Grant is the quintessential leading man in almost every romantic comedy - but Julia Roberts is really not my cup of tea.

So color me surprised when I started to really enjoy this movie - and it was Roberts that had me falling for her. Although I will say the opening montage with different clips of her and the song, "She" playing was truly god awful and almost made me shut off the DVD player right there. Thankfully, it ended somewhat quickly and the movie got right into the plot. Grant is a travel book shop owner in Notting Hill (what? Just travel books? Obviously the movie points out the absurdity of this idea, so I guess kudos to the writer for knowing that he can't come up with relevant professions for his lead character) who encounters Julie Roberts (I mean, Anna Scott, who is a Julia Roberts, if Julia Roberts took the lead roles equivalent of Milla Jovovich, but instead of tanking at the box office, her movie actually made money. And she's a good actress) on a whim, not once but twice, the second involving spilled orange juice. And they soon can't be without each other, but obviously it takes two hours for this to happen.

So you know where it goes, is it worth actually going there? Yes and no. I was actually enjoying the first half of the movie, where, surprise to me, I forgot that I was watching Julia Roberts and actually watching Anna Scott. Her character was so coy and subtle, and Roberts plays her deftly. Hugh Grant was spectacular as usual (I mean, when is he not?). But after the halfway mark, there's a huge disruption in their relationship and Roberts rears her ugly head and to me, ruined part of her character. She completely does a 180 to what her character has done the whole movie. I wouldn't say that this surprise totally ruined the movie, but it did diminish it from being a great rom-com to just good.

And I had this discussion with Maggie after the movie where she asked me if I thought Anna Scott deserved Hugh Grant (I totally forgot his character's name. He's just Hugh Grant, okay?) and she thought that she was such a selfish bitch throughout the movie that, no, Anna Scott does not deserve to have Hugh Grant's love and undying devotion. And I would have to agree with that assumption. And that's probably the fatal flaw in this movie - the perfect couple isn't so perfect and you're left with a bitter taste that Hugh Grant is always going to be the bitch to Anna Scott throughout their life together.

But would I watch it again if I caught it on tv? Sure, just as long as I can skip past that awful song.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Sweet Home Alabama

Sweet Home Alabama (PG-13) - 2002 - Runtime: 108 minutes
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey
Director: Andy Tennant

There are about a dozen or so movies in my collection at home that I haven't watched. Mostly they're from Maggie, and Sweet Home Alabama is one of them. This was a movie I always wanted to watch but never got around to it. I thought I was pretty brave watching another romantic comedy in the same day. So when Maggie asked if I wanted to see it, I hesitated a bit, but finally decided to tackle this movie. I was at least hoping I could get The Ugly Truth's bad taste out of my mouth.

Reese Witherspoon (it's just such a good name to say and write) is Melanie, a fashion designer who has it all: the sexiest man alive (played by a very sexy Patrick Dempsey who doesn't have to stretch too much for this role - I mean that in a good way, ladies!) and a clothing line on the verge of success. But she does have skeletons in her closet: namely her first love whom she married right out of high school (played by another sexy playboy, Josh Lucas). A man whom she hasn't seen in seven years and has yet to get a divorce from. You can see the problems she's faced with when McDreamy proposes. So she has to go to Alabama - the sweet, sweet home that it is - to sort out the mess she left. And hijinks ensue.

While the movie has it's moments, it wasn't as special as I thought it might turn out to be. Maybe I just don't enjoy movies where a relationship has already been established. I like to learn how they fell in love, not how they reconnected. But there are some bright moments, mainly coming from Ethan Embry, who I think has gotten the shaft as an actor that came to mild stardom in the 90s (Can't Hardly Wait is probably my favorite teen comedy). There are some funny moments but some of them were either ruined by obnoxious stereotypes or Melanie being such a cantakerous bitch in the scene. Although there was a joke in the movie that had one of Maggie's friends in stitches. Near the end of the movie, we see a plane in the background with "Mo' Fishin" painted on the side. And one of Melanie's New York friends quips "Do we know...Mo?" And literally half a minute passes before Maggie's friend busts out laughing (quite loudly) in the theater. The joke worked for her, it just took some time for it to really sink in.

But the main problem in the movie is the south. Melanie absolutely hates the south from whence she came. And it shows because she talks about it constantly. Most of the people and places she runs into end up being stereotypically redneckish (although save a few, like Ethan Embry's character and Melanie's parents). The movie tries too hard to show the audience "Hey this is the South! Things are a bit different down here! They move a bit slower than your fancy pants New York Citay!" and it becomes too distracting.

About halfway through the movie I noticed I hadn't actually heard the song "Sweet Home Alabama" but thankfully, it's there. Just not by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Maybe they thought they would be misrepresented in the movie? Or the people in charge of securing licensing were too lazy? Either way, I was just a tad bit disappointed the original song wasn't in there. Man, I'm such a jerk, nitpicking on something like this. But I mean, c'mon! Amiright?

Although it's an enjoyable movie, I ultimately didn't get a strong connection with the lead characters enough to really like the movie. If Witherspoon (once again, great name) ever reads this, I hope she has her Oscar handy to wipe away her tears.

Rating: Catch it on TV!

182: Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda (PG-13) - 2004 - Runtime: 121 minutes
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte
Director: Terry George

This movie had been sitting in my Blockbuster queue for quite some time and it finally arrived (after watching a great TV show called Skins). This movie became of one of those movies. You know, where someone recommends it and you think about watching it but never get around to it. And then another person recommends it and another until you're so sick of hearing about how great this movie is that you've decided that you don't want to see it anymore. That's Hotel Rwanda for me. But I put in my queue because I've heard nothing but great things and I almost feel obligated to watch it simply because it might enlighten me on things I would otherwise be oblivious to.

The movie, if you don't already know, tells the tale of one man who decides to open up his hotel doors to refugees from one of the worst genocides in the past 20 years. It's a very moving story and full of suspense and lots of conflict. Don Cheadle was nominated for an Academy Award and so was Sophie Okoneda, who plays his wife. These were great performances by both.

It's a good movie and is perfect for understanding more about Africa and some of the problems happening over there. I learned a lot about what happened and how (which is too detailed for a review) and that some of the same things are happening right now in Darfur. This was an ethnic civil war that took place and a genocide of most likely a million people. And the western world pretty much ignored the events that took place (in 1998, Clinton offered a semi-apology to Rwanda for this fact).

I don't think I would watch the movie again simply because it's long and a downer. That sounds selfish, but I do believe this movie is important to watch because of it's powerful message. I imagine this movie might make it into high school classes someday.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Bullitt

Bullitt (PG) - 1968 - Runtime: 114 minutes
Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bissett
Director: Peter Yates

I have a really hard time with movies that were made before the 80s. I don't know if it's the style of the movies, the music or some other factor that prevents me from truly enjoying older movies, but I just can't fall in love with movies from before my time. I guess I grew up on the modern movie, the blockbuster. Don't get me wrong, there's some older movies I absolutely enjoy, 12 Angry Men and Double Indemnity to name just a few. So I watched Bullitt, a suggested movie from someone, with this in mind, trying to keep myself open to enjoy it.

The back of the box boasts that Bullitt "features one of cinema history's most memorable car chases." So I was excited, figuring I was in for a pretty good action flick (it was in the action section at Blockbuster). However, I soon realized this was a slow, slow boiler of a movie. There really isn't any action save for the car chase scene. Which is absolutely one of the better car chase scenes I've ever seen. Mainly because it's so visceral and real - the angles of the camera, the noise of the gear shift and the roller coaster ride of San Francisco's streets - all make for a very entertaining and believable car chase. I was amused that he was chasing two old dudes - the driver of the assassin's car looked like my grandfather when he was 60.

As for the plot, it's fairly straight-forward: Bullitt (yes, that's his name in the movie) is charged with protecting a key witness for a huge organized crime trial. Why he's in San Francisco when the trial is set in Chicago? Don't know, I guess San Fran is secluded and they probably thought the gays may scare off any would-be assassins. Not so, by the end of the night the witness has been shot and Bullitt is determined to find the hitmen. And from there things get...very...slow.

Bullitt himself has very few lines in the movie. He speaks with his gun and his eyes. Oh, those eyes. If you counted how many minutes McQueen just stares (looking a bit dead behind the eyes), you'd have half the movie right there. That's the main problem with the movie (much like, as Maggie pointed out, MTV's The Hills - a show filled with long stares and dramatic pauses): there's just too many unnecessarily long shots. Getting in and out of cars takes a full half minute, there's a shot of an airplane pulling up to the terminal that lasts about a minute. And Bullitt seems to be comtemplating his situation way too much. It was so jarring at times. There's a particular scene in which Bullitt is chasing the hitman through the hospital. He's walking into a room without even having his gun out and ready. Either that takes balls (and we're supposed to believe Bullitt has some huge cajones and possibly a stick up his ass), or he's incredibly stupid or someone just forgot to give McQueen stage directions. But I can't help feel that Jack Bauer still holds the crown for the ballsiest badass on screen (I've said balls a lot in this review, haven't I? And in different languages!).

As for the good parts, the aforementioned car chase is awesome. And the cinematography - mainly the camera angles, are really cool. But that's about it, I really kept waiting for McQueen to unleash the beast and start kicking some ass, but we just get this sappy sidestory with his girlfriend about how he's so disattached from the real world. He can't switch off, as Nick Angel would say. I wish I could say the same about this movie. Zing!

Rating: Not Worth Paying For

182: Mr. Brooks

Mr. Brooks (R) - 2007 - Runtime: 120 minutes
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Starring: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook

Maggie had recorded this movie on our DVR a week or so ago and she watched it on her own and really liked it. So I decided to give it a shot. I had wanted to see it when it came out on DVD, but I just never got around to it.

Costner plays a well-known business man who's addicted to killing couples. He's been clean for two years until one night he needs a fix and makes one crucial mistake. That mistake leads him to meet Dane Cook's character: Mr. Smith, who knows about Mr. Brook's dirty deeds. And from there it gets rather interesting.

I was very surprised by this movie. The one word I would use is slick. Mr. Brooks is a very careful serial killer, making sure his killings are CSI-proof (which is funny because Marg Helgenberger plays Mrs. Brooks). So it was rather cool to see him unleash his inner Hurt and kill a couple (who obviously had it coming - I mean they screw with the curtains open, c'mon!). I enjoyed that we didn't get to know Mr. Brooks too well. The movie's primary focus was his new complications with Mr. Smith and dealing with a dumbass daughter who couldn't practice safe sex. Demi Moore plays the detective trying to find Mr. Brooks and I'm glad we didn't get too much of her, otherwise this would turn into Double Jeopardy. Thank God Tommy Lee Jones didn't show up as head of the FBI in this movie, otherwise I would have turned it off. I also wish Dane Cook would take more roles like this instead of his one-note characters in Good Luck Chuck and My Best Friend's Girl. He was good, but he's no William Hurt, who was pretty devious in his role as Mr. Brooks' alter-ego, Marshall.

If you haven't seen it and could go for a good thriller, Mr. Brooks is definitely worth renting.

Rating: Rent It