Here's what I like best so far (and yes, it's just my opinion) - and if you ask me, it's the year of the Latino director:
Volver - (reviewed this a few blogs ago) Very nice character-driven Almodovar film. Penelope Cruz is wonderful.
Pan's Labyrinth - An all at once wildly creative and brutally violent fairytale. We watched this through our fingers. Exquisite storytelling by director Guillermo del Toro.
Children of Men - They say it's the new Blade Runner. A dark, chilling, futuristic tale that is deftly directed by Alfonso Cuaron. OK, jeez, it's the new Blade Runner.
Blood Diamond - Didn't know much about this film except that it got some decent reviews. Ed "30Something" Zwick delivers a totally accessible vision of the atrocities that are committed so that newly engaged women and most of the rap community can sport the bling. DiCaprio, Hounsou and supporting cast are excellent.
Casino Royale - Who doesn't love a good martini? This one was shaken, just right. Highlight - the new Bond is hot.
Dreamgirls To be honest, I am not a big fan of the whole musical genre - but usually go to see what all the hoopla's about. In this case the hoopla is about Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson's performances. Highlight - putting 5'9" Hudson in flats so she won't tower over Jamie Foxx.
The Queen - Helen Mirren should win all awards across the board for this performance, as well a special psychic medium award for literally channeling Her HIGHness. Very interesting docudrama. Highlight: the guy who plays Tony Blair looks like him - he is also in "Blood Diamond" and I couldn't get past his Tony Blairness. Typecast, anyone?
We Are Marshall If you have to see one sports movie a year - this is the one. No surprises here, it's what you expect, right down to the last minute on the scoreboard. And yet, it has heart. Highlight - Matthew McConaughey's hair.
Stranger Than Fiction Thoroughly enjoyable and highly original script is fleshed out by nice performances. Highlight - Will Ferrell is a GOOD actor!
Still wanna see Notes on A Scandal, Babel, The Good Shepard and The Departed . But I need to take a breather from the violent visual imagery as of late, so next I might see a cartoon or that Ben Stiller thing to kind of cleanse my mental palette.
*Note* Since I've managed to theater hop all around town in the last several weeks - I have decided to boycott the money-hungry Mann Theater chain from now on. You can spend nearly a whole paycheck on a movie, popcorn and a drink. I am convinced their objective is to mock you ("I'd like a small drink" - "You mean a child's size?") while draining you of your last dime. Instead, in 2007 I will support the indie theaters as much as possible and avoid paying the Mann.
2 comments:
good gracious, that's a lot of movies. and yes, mann blows. 5.75 for red vines? usually if i'm going to get screwed, i like the food and movie first.
I can't wait to see Pan's Labyrinth. I have seen Children of Men, Casino Royale, and Stranger Than Fiction. I will have to check some of those others out.
Post a Comment