I watched a bunch of 2-year-old movies when I was home sick yesterday.
Waitress - Sweet, quirky romantic comedy that I really enjoyed, starring Kerri Russell and my boy Nathan Fillion. Sad footnote: Adrienne Shelley, who wrote, directed and co-starred in the film, was murdered before it was released.
Death At A Funeral - I haven't been so disappointed in a movie in a very long time. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know I have a healthy appreciation for British humor, but this movie? Not funny. I actually almost turned it off halfway through, and I NEVER do that.
Dan In Real Life - Another family/romantic comedy, no new ground covered here, but very enjoyable. I think Juliette Binoche as the love interest helped to elevate things, and of course I love Steve Carrell.
Showing posts with label drive_thru_review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drive_thru_review. Show all posts
10.28.2009
10.06.2009
Drive Thru Reviews: Multi-Media Edition
Role Models - Really funny and actually kind of sweet. The kids are the best part. And Jane Lynch, of course.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - I know, I know! There was nothing else on and we were being lazy and...there's no excuse, I know. Bad movie, don't bother.
Lush Life by Richard Price - A book about a mugging gone wrong in the Lower East Side and how that incident affects the people involved. Great characters, great dialogue, and it ended better than I thought it would. Best book I have read in a while.
I watched the second episode of ABC's Modern Family last night, and liked it better than the first.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - I know, I know! There was nothing else on and we were being lazy and...there's no excuse, I know. Bad movie, don't bother.
Lush Life by Richard Price - A book about a mugging gone wrong in the Lower East Side and how that incident affects the people involved. Great characters, great dialogue, and it ended better than I thought it would. Best book I have read in a while.
I watched the second episode of ABC's Modern Family last night, and liked it better than the first.
8.18.2009
Drive Thru Reviews
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Hands down, my favorite of the Potter movies. Maybe it's because they're older, and the story deals with more mature themes? Possibly. I just know that I was brought to tears more than once while watching HBP, and that has never happened to me during a HP movie. Highly recommend.
Watchmen - This is a tough one. There were parts of the story - or should I say, thematic elements - that I enjoyed, but overall, I thought it was a bit of a mess. And very violent. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone unless they are a fan of the source material (which I haven't read).
Run, Fat Boy, Run - Saw this, at last! Not as funny as Shaun of the Dead, or Hot Fuzz even, but more of a sweet-ish romantic comedy mixed with your typical underdog in a sports competition movie, and I think it works.
Ghost Town - Nothing new under the sun here, but I would still recommend it. Ricky Gervais is perfect as Bertram Pincus, the nebbishy, perpetually annoyed dentist who falls in love with the widow (Tea Leoni) of a ghost (Greg Kinnear) who has asked him to break up her engagement to the perfect man. There are a few scenes - including one with a great dane, and another where Pincus has to answer some pre-op questions - that are downright hilarious. I definitely recommend.
Watchmen - This is a tough one. There were parts of the story - or should I say, thematic elements - that I enjoyed, but overall, I thought it was a bit of a mess. And very violent. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone unless they are a fan of the source material (which I haven't read).
Run, Fat Boy, Run - Saw this, at last! Not as funny as Shaun of the Dead, or Hot Fuzz even, but more of a sweet-ish romantic comedy mixed with your typical underdog in a sports competition movie, and I think it works.
Ghost Town - Nothing new under the sun here, but I would still recommend it. Ricky Gervais is perfect as Bertram Pincus, the nebbishy, perpetually annoyed dentist who falls in love with the widow (Tea Leoni) of a ghost (Greg Kinnear) who has asked him to break up her engagement to the perfect man. There are a few scenes - including one with a great dane, and another where Pincus has to answer some pre-op questions - that are downright hilarious. I definitely recommend.
10.23.2008
Drive Through Review
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal SkullI have seen this movie at last!
Because of the mediocre reviews it got I didn't make an effort to see it in the theater, and I was a bit apprehensive when I sat down to watch it the other night; but you know what? I kinda liked it.
Some of the stunts stretched the bounds of plausibility, even for Indiana Jones (a refrigerator as escape from a nuclear blast? really?), and the Amazon chase scene went on WAY too long, but it certainly was a fun movie. I preferred the first half to the second, wish there was more Marion and thought the "inter-dimensional beings" were a little too out there, but seeing Indy in action again, with all the sly winks at the previous movies, and hearing that great music again...all made this movie a lot of fun to watch. And I'm looking forward to seeing it again.
9.09.2008
Drive-Thru Reviews
Superbad - Wow, I knew I was way out of the demographic for this movie, but I didn't realize HOW far out. I really like Michael Cera, and 40-Year-Old Virgin is one of my favorite comedies, ever, but this one? Ew. I just didn't think it was very funny at all, Jonah Hill is an annoying little assh*le and I felt assaulted by the incessant vulgarity. Wow, I am OLD.
Cloverfield - You might need a dramamine while you watch this, but I really liked it. It's a fast-paced, edge of your seat thrill ride. I watched with fists clenched, hands over my eyes, all the while imploring the people on screen to "Run, dammit! RUN!!"
Eastern Promises - One of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Viggo Mortensen's Oscar nomination was well-deserved. He is amazing as the chillingly stoic yet oddly charming Russian gangster. He even gets naked in the film. Unfortunately, it's during one of the most horrifying fight scenes I have ever seen in the movies - a knife fight in a bath house. Word of caution: this is a David Cronenberg film, so whatever violence is in it is graphic and intense. Still, I highly recommend the movie. It's a great story.
Cloverfield - You might need a dramamine while you watch this, but I really liked it. It's a fast-paced, edge of your seat thrill ride. I watched with fists clenched, hands over my eyes, all the while imploring the people on screen to "Run, dammit! RUN!!"
Eastern Promises - One of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Viggo Mortensen's Oscar nomination was well-deserved. He is amazing as the chillingly stoic yet oddly charming Russian gangster. He even gets naked in the film. Unfortunately, it's during one of the most horrifying fight scenes I have ever seen in the movies - a knife fight in a bath house. Word of caution: this is a David Cronenberg film, so whatever violence is in it is graphic and intense. Still, I highly recommend the movie. It's a great story.
6.02.2008
Drive-Thru Review
Stardust - I was disappointed when I heard some mixed reviews on this when it first came out, but I am happy to report that they were all wrong and I really enjoyed it. Think, "Princess Bride", only with a little more drama. And bigger name stars. Some of them were odd choices - DeNiro, especially - but I thought overall it worked. I recommend it.
4.28.2008
Drive Thru Reviews
28 Weeks Later - Definitely tense, definitely scary. And definitely one of the bloodiest, most gruesome movies I have ever seen. And I liked 28 Days Later. One scene in particular, involving helicopter rotor blades and some Benny Hana style chopping had me and Sheila screaming our heads off.
No Country for Old Men - I have always enjoyed the Coen Brothers' movies - Raizing Arizona being about the only movie in which I can stand Nicholas Cage - and this one was no exception. I can't say whether or not this movie deserved its Oscars more than the other films nominated because I haven't seen any of them, but I can say that this one was Oscar-worthy. A great morality tale and a story about men in a world on the cusp of change, and the harbinger of that change is Anton Chigurgh. It was another violent movie, but after 28 Weeks Later, this one was a cake walk. Can you say "de-sensitized"? Anyway, I'd like to rewatch this some day to pick up on all the threads of the metaphor and get a better sense of what the Coen Brothers were trying to say.
No Country for Old Men - I have always enjoyed the Coen Brothers' movies - Raizing Arizona being about the only movie in which I can stand Nicholas Cage - and this one was no exception. I can't say whether or not this movie deserved its Oscars more than the other films nominated because I haven't seen any of them, but I can say that this one was Oscar-worthy. A great morality tale and a story about men in a world on the cusp of change, and the harbinger of that change is Anton Chigurgh. It was another violent movie, but after 28 Weeks Later, this one was a cake walk. Can you say "de-sensitized"? Anyway, I'd like to rewatch this some day to pick up on all the threads of the metaphor and get a better sense of what the Coen Brothers were trying to say.
3.17.2008
Drive Thru Reviews
Stranger Than Fiction - Except for Elf, I'm not a big fan of Will Ferrell movies, mostly because of the whole "one note performance" sort of thing. But this was different for him and I liked it. I have only one gripe: the ending was a cop out. I mean, I understand their point, but I still think it would have been a better movie with a different ending. Sorry for being so cryptic, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
The Good German - I was disappointed in this one. I appreciate the effort to make the film appear to have been made during the time period in which it takes place, but I think overall they failed. It felt incredibly disjointed and George Clooney was barely present in his scenes. I read most of the book and still I was confused by the way they told the story. In fact, I'm pretty sure they made some significant changes. Anyway, I don't recommend it.
The Good German - I was disappointed in this one. I appreciate the effort to make the film appear to have been made during the time period in which it takes place, but I think overall they failed. It felt incredibly disjointed and George Clooney was barely present in his scenes. I read most of the book and still I was confused by the way they told the story. In fact, I'm pretty sure they made some significant changes. Anyway, I don't recommend it.
12.03.2007
Drive Thru Review
300 - I'm not sure whether I liked this or not. The violence was almost pornographic in nature, not to mention the preponderance of bare-chested, panty-wearing men. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I'm just saying...I wonder if I wouldn't have enjoyed this movie more if I was a gay man?
Bender's Big Score - He's back, baby! I had so much fun watching this. And it's not just because I've been starving for new Futurama content, either. It really is good. I think you could enjoy it even if you haven't seen any of the TV show, but I would recommend that you watch the show on DVD first. A lot of the jokes will work better if you do. I wanted to see more of Zap Branigan, Kiff and Nibbler, and maybe a little less of the nude scammer aliens, but that's alright. There are 3 more movies coming!
Bender's Big Score - He's back, baby! I had so much fun watching this. And it's not just because I've been starving for new Futurama content, either. It really is good. I think you could enjoy it even if you haven't seen any of the TV show, but I would recommend that you watch the show on DVD first. A lot of the jokes will work better if you do. I wanted to see more of Zap Branigan, Kiff and Nibbler, and maybe a little less of the nude scammer aliens, but that's alright. There are 3 more movies coming!
11.27.2007
Drive Thru Reviews
I've seen quite a few movies lately. Here are some thoughts on them.
Ratatouille - This felt more like a regular, live action film than an animated one. And the animation was extraordinary, especially the "sets". If the rats weren't talking I would have sworn the locations were real!
Night at the Museum - I wanted to see this even though Ben Stiller is in it, because it looked kind of funny. And it was. It's a fun family film.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend - This was horrifyingly BAD. Don't even bother.
Chinatown - I've seen this movie a few times and it never disappoints. A convergence of the perfect screenplay, director, writer and actors make this one of the best movies, ever.
Grey Gardens - I can't believe I'd never heard of this movie before. It's a documentary from 1975 about an eccentric mother and daughter (Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, aunt and cousin to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) who were living in virtual squalor in their dilapidated mansion in the Hamptons (the titular "Grey Gardens"). It is absolutely fascinating. Imagine if Charles Dickens wrote Sunset Boulevard and you'd have a pretty good idea of what Grey Gardens is like. As a side note: I work with a woman who is one bump on the head away from being Little Edie, I swear. Anyway, try to see this one if you can!
Ratatouille - This felt more like a regular, live action film than an animated one. And the animation was extraordinary, especially the "sets". If the rats weren't talking I would have sworn the locations were real!
Night at the Museum - I wanted to see this even though Ben Stiller is in it, because it looked kind of funny. And it was. It's a fun family film.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend - This was horrifyingly BAD. Don't even bother.
Chinatown - I've seen this movie a few times and it never disappoints. A convergence of the perfect screenplay, director, writer and actors make this one of the best movies, ever.
Grey Gardens - I can't believe I'd never heard of this movie before. It's a documentary from 1975 about an eccentric mother and daughter (Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, aunt and cousin to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) who were living in virtual squalor in their dilapidated mansion in the Hamptons (the titular "Grey Gardens"). It is absolutely fascinating. Imagine if Charles Dickens wrote Sunset Boulevard and you'd have a pretty good idea of what Grey Gardens is like. As a side note: I work with a woman who is one bump on the head away from being Little Edie, I swear. Anyway, try to see this one if you can!
2.26.2007
Drive Thru Reviews
Little Miss Sunshine - I finally got to this movie this weekend, and I really liked it. All of the actors were really good, but I especially enjoyed Steve Carrell and Abigail Breslin.
The Da Vinci Code - I went into this one with low expectations and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As a movie it was a little too slow, but I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold. The one person I thought was miscast: Tom Hanks. He was barely present and was the least memorable part of the movie.
The Fabulous Baker Boys - I loved this movie when it first came out - and I just about wore out my cassette of the soundtrack - and after watching it again on Sunday, I think it holds up. When the movie first came out, all anyone talked about was Michelle Pfeiffer's torch singer and how she sang all of the songs herself, but I think the best parts are the scenes between the brothers, Jeff and Beau Bridges.
The Da Vinci Code - I went into this one with low expectations and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As a movie it was a little too slow, but I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold. The one person I thought was miscast: Tom Hanks. He was barely present and was the least memorable part of the movie.
The Fabulous Baker Boys - I loved this movie when it first came out - and I just about wore out my cassette of the soundtrack - and after watching it again on Sunday, I think it holds up. When the movie first came out, all anyone talked about was Michelle Pfeiffer's torch singer and how she sang all of the songs herself, but I think the best parts are the scenes between the brothers, Jeff and Beau Bridges.
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