Ion Cannon

2011 Early Year Marker and end of an era

2011-10-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

I consider 2011 a very weak year. Very few movies to mention and cutting it all short in September...more on that later. Only four films for honorable mention:

The Kids are All Right
Never Let Me Go
True Grit
The King's Speech

Now about the short season...you probably guessed it...with the changes Netflix made I made the decision to stop DVD service and just keep the streaming service, which honestly I don't know how long I can keep.

Uncertain at this point how Ion Cannon will proceed.

207 - Super

2011-09-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Kick Ass probably overshadowed this film. It had its moments but story just felt too thin.

206 - Blue in the Face

2011-09-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

I love slice-of-life films with that somewhat village focus...this one looks at Brooklyn. It's got a great list of characters...or cast...Harvey Keitel, Victor Argo, Jim Jarmusch, Roseanne, Madonna (yes, brief sing-a-telegram cameo)....

205 - The King's Speech

2011-08-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Colin Firth was very derserving of the accolades for his performance in this film. Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush provided excellent support...both get a lion's share of the best lines in the film. My personal favorite was Lionel's "...vulgar...but fluent...."

204 - Rango

2011-07-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

In these days of Pixar-dominated animation, it's hard not to be measured against the Emeryville heavyweights. Sadly, Rango falls short. The story doesn't have much depth and I couldn't get passed the scaling of objects. Still, the dialogue and voiceover work was entertaining and I did enjoy watching it...but this dvd wouldn't be in my collection any time soon.

203 - 13 Assassins

2011-07-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Divide and conquer...that is the war strategy. I love the cinematography and raw approach of Takashi Miike, but I felt a bit let down. I think this is because a lot has changed recently in samurai films. A lot of directors have emerged with films that have more depth, especially Yoji Yamada's trilogy....of which I am still in awe.

202 - True Grit

2011-07-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

The dude can really play the drunk cowboy :). Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld turned in very strong performances. As you'd expect from the Coen brothers, there's well-placed humor all over.

201 - The Company Men

2011-06-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

The script made up for the directing in this film. It also had a boost from having Chris Cooper, Craig T. Nelson, and Mr. Jones (of course). Having been through the same experiences, I know the pain of being let go and that unique pressure that you get when you're trying to get back into employment. The film had a lot going for it...exposing the shame, showing what happens to everyone around the characters, and sharing the humiliation. I really liked Rosemarie DeWitt's performance, as well as Kevin Costner's bit part.

Marker - 200 films

2011-06-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

I started with disc 101 back in March of 2008. Running through the titles, I noticed a clear pattern: Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Ellen Page, Amy Adams, and Kate Winslet.

I also followed Yoji Yamada's work. The Twilight Samurai had a big impact on me and so I pursued the rest of the films in the trilogy, namely 'Love and Honor' and 'The Hidden Blade'. I found a new appreciation for Samurai films with these stories.

One film I can't forget from this batch is 'I am Love'. It's simply beautiful and powerful.

Keep watching.

200 - Tron Legacy

2011-06-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Graphics, Yes. Cinematography, Yes. Quorra, Yes. Gem, Yes Yes. The Flynnster and Tronski, awesome. other than that, though....I have to say the film missed it.

199 - Tron

2011-06-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

It's been so long I couldn't remember much of 1982 Tron (other than the visual effects, of course), so I just had to refresh before I saw 2010 Tron. I'm glad the disc had a feature about how the original truly was ahead of its time...and to think it had heavy hitters behind the production in Syd Mead, Moebius Girard, and Wendy Carlos. Like a lot of people, I have more appreciation for this film now than when it first came out.

198 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

2011-05-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

As this series comes to a close soon, cable has been running the previous films back-to-back, and you can't help but marvel at how the actors grew up on-screen. Daniel did get better as he got older. Rupert and Emma were wornderful from the beginning.

197 - Blue Valentine

2011-05-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

It's interesting how scarred and miserable characters attract Michelle Williams. And she plays them really well. Blue Valentine was an honest observation of a relationship that sadly is all too common in today's society.

196 - Hereafter

2011-05-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

Clint Eastwood weaved the different stories very well. However, the ending felt rather abrupt.

195 - The Tourist

2011-04-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

This movie was...elegant, and I didn't lose interest watching it.... However it still felt like reading a book and skipping some chapters. I was never a big fan of Angelina...but can't help notice....she was really beautiful in this film.

194 - Never Let Me Go

2011-04-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Helplessness is a terrible thing. While we commonly find ourselves in the situation through our own means, there is a very specific pain when it is brought to you with deception, betrayal, and deprivation. I really liked how Ishiguro wrote this story. Its very subtle weave of science fiction didn' take away from the heart of the matter. One thing that I couldn't help myself thinking though, was temptation every time I saw Kathy in her car, whether it be with Ruth and Tommy, or by herself...to keep driving....and drive away. While that would have lead to an uncertain future...the way the story ended wasn't at all too different.

193 - Cyrus

2011-04-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

About a third through the film I was wondering what the twist was going to be...so far it looked like everyone was acting as civil as can be...and that of course lead me to realize...well, this can't be?....then Cyrus began to unravel and the turn finally came. It's the subtleness of this film that I think took a while for me to appreciate. The dialogue was real and I think that was a risk considering how people sometimes go for accentuation.

192 - The American

2011-03-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

I like the story, but I just don't see George Clooney filling the contract assassin mold. I enjoyed the Italian location and the supporting cast featured two strong women (Violante Placido and Thekla Reuten) and priest (Paolo Bonacelli).

191 - The Kids are All Right

2011-02-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

All families are dysfunctional no matter how they get formed. Nuff said about that. Let me tell ya, Julianne Moore can really carry those aviators! I can't remember the last time I really saw a film where the crying was so true. Mia Wasikowska's was best...and saved for last...that really caught me.

190 - Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

2011-01-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

Ok let's get this out of the way first...I had been waiting to see where Bud Fox would make an appearance and it wasn't were I would have hoped it to be....and to assume that Gekko never knew what Bud did while he was in prison (while knowing about everything else) didn't make sense to me. I was wishing for a few more cameos...perhaps Marvin (John C. McGinley) or Harold (Saul Rubinek), but I guess that's wishing too much. Anyway, the film was ok, but a but too predictable. The little bit of closure in the end was actually nice. I'm not sure why they decided to kill Rudy's character...he would have been a nice character to see surface in this sequel in some way...but I guess Shia's character needed his Darryl Hannah :).

189 - The Statement

2011-01-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

It took two reported disc problems but I think I finally saw most of it (yes, the second replacement was defective as well). The story is a little flat.....but quite a cast with Michael Caine, Tilda Swinton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Northan, and Ciaran Hinds.

188 - Predators

2010-12-13T09:15:00.000-08:00

Plucking scum from the earth and plopping them on an alien game reserve planet. I like the idea. The movie was entertaining, but there wasn't much going for it...I don't know if its because of the saturation of Predator movies...or just the holes in the plot.

187 - The Road

2010-12-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

While the miserable journey into what's left of the world was believable, the film was a bit of a drag and it just felt like there was nothing worth pursuing. Technically, though, I liked the cinematography.

186 - Winter's Bone

2010-11-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

That calm yet tough demeanor that perhaps is a native southern characteristic was what made Jennifer Lawrence's performance truly worth watching. John Hawkes also shines in this film and I think it is well deserved after many years playing weak characters....he gets to turn it up this time.

185 - Chloe

2010-11-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

I wondered if I was distracted by the casting. I love Julianne Moore but didnt think she fit the way her character was written in this film. Amanda Seyfried looks like she may have potential, but this movie is not the one that brings it out. Transitioning through different emotions or states still come out flat. For now, she does have those glassy eyes going for her...certainly dangerous.

184 - I Am Love

2010-10-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Magnificent. This is a film that will endure for a long time. You can watch it so many times and each time can focus on something different and be absolutely pleased. It's that rich. The Netflix description refers to it as an "atmospheric"...one observation worthy for one to explore, especially in the beginning of the film. One can also see layers of capitalism or class society. And, of course, you see love in all its forms, both good and bad...and its many tones. My favorite scene was the last minute or so...no dialogue, all expressions, and orchestral waterfall...watch it once and you feel numb...watch it a second time and a tear just might fall from your cheeks. Watch it a third time? I leave that to you.

182/183 - Orlando / Teknolust

2010-10-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

It was a Tilda Swinton mini-marathon weekend...ok ok, I was not thrilled about Teknolust and couldnt write about it...so I guess bundling it with Orlando might do the trick. If there was anything I could say about Teknolust, it would have to be admiration for how Tilda inhabited and played with her characters. Orlando, while not comparable, also plays Tilda in different characters in its own way. The pauses to speak to the viewers in Orlando are what I enjoyed the most. Tilda simply has this haunting quality...and you can't turn away. If she were a vampire, I'd been bitten dry already ;).

181 - Harry Brown

2010-09-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

Michael Caine can certainly pull it off as Clint Eastwood did in Gran Torino :).

180 - Greenburg

2010-09-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

While I was able to finish watching this film, there was just something missing in Ben Stiller's performance. He had done serious turns before (Permanent Midnight is a personal favorite), but I just could not see him delivering on this one. Following up The Squid and the Whale was a tall order for Noah Baumbach and it continues to be a struggle from what I see.

179 - Green Zone

2010-08-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ridley Scott just doesn't get enough credit....ever since he did Black Hawk Down everyone's tried to do some variation or form to get the same magic. Sadly, I think this whole thing has already become too saturated and I just couldn't enjoy it as much anymore. I think casting was off with Greg Kinnear. Anyway, it was nice to see Amy Ryan and Mad Eye Moody....er....I mean....Brendan Gleeson :).

178 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2010-08-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

This film shows so much about life that it's sad to watch. I would say this is a rather interesting choice for David Fincher...perhaps one of his most wholesome? Anyway, it was an opportunity I couldn't miss....with Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett...I'd be a lunatic to miss it :).

177 - Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye

2010-08-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

It is simply inspiring to look at Henri Bresson's photos in this documentary. He shrugs off his genius with simplicity, luck, and persistence, but there is so much more to appreciate in his work.

176 - The Fantastic Mr. Fox

2010-08-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's classic Wes Anderson and you feel it the minute it starts and you hear the xylophone. George Clooney and Meryl Streep are supported by Anderson's regular crew, with amusing performances by Willem Dafoe and Bill Murray.

175 - Crazy Heart

2010-07-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

The formula was similar to The Wrestler, but this film had Jeff Bridges going for it and that was the difference maker. But lost a bit in all the fireworks is Colin Farrell who actually did a great job as well. The country songs were really good and I can see why this film easily gets your attention.

174 - Peacock

2010-07-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

This film would not have gone that much further without Cillian Murphy. It was hard to not wonder why people could not see the same person in Emma and John, but Cillian's performance deserves credit.

173 - The Devil's Backbone

2010-06-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

One of Guillermo Del Toro's first films, The Devil's Backbone is a very unique and well-crafted story. It's a very rich mix and while the ghost story plays an integral part, the film is rich in characters, history, and concept. I also particularly liked the cinematography.

172 - Spirited Away

2010-06-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Miyazaki's Spirited Away is visually rich and I think that's what I enjoyed the most. Chichiro, for some reason, reminds me of Radical Ed (from Cowboy Bebop)...I guess if Ed ever played a straight-up role Chichiro would be it :).

171 - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2010-06-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's sad to think that Heath Ledger is gone. This film really exposes a talent that was obviously beginning to flourish. It was a nice touch to have Johnny Depp, Jude law, and Colin Farrell fill in for some of his scenes, as if it were meant to be that way. I particularly liked how straight-up a character was given to Verne Troyer. As for Terry Gilliam's imaginarium...no one better to do this one.

170 - Finding Nemo

2010-05-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have given special mention to Finding Nemo in Pixar's portfolio. Its a great movie, no doubt, and in the same caliber as all the Pixar productions so far, but I have to say it doesn't stand out for me as much as Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, and Wall-E. That's not to take away the excellence in development. Watching the special features always gives you a lot of appreciation for the hard work. With such a creative and intense environment, Pixar can do no wrong.

2009 Marker (yes, its that late!)

2010-05-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

This has gotta change. Over the years my year end marker has been drifting late into the following year. Anyway, on to what was 2009!

2009 was a downturn in my Netflix journey...its not for lack of interest, just lack of time. Plus, I've been enjoying Netflix on my Roku, so there is a big chunk of streaming that is not documented here in Ion Cannon. Among them include The Office, Lost (not yet done ;) ), and a few TV episodes and movies here and there....so I guess the journey has just changed, that's all.

Still, the selection this year was not as great as 2008. That explains the short honor roll. Or maybe I just made too many bad choices.

Kate the Great - she had a number of films out, but The Reader is my personal favorite. She really brings a lot of tension to a character and that really draws you to the story.

Amy Amy! - it was also a great year for Amy Adams. Here fragile characters in Doubt and Sunshine Cleaning....those suffering eyes....how could you not melt with compassion?

The Steven-O experience- Steven Soderbergh's experiments should really get more acclaim (like 2005's Bubble) and his work on The Girlfriend Experience was a great immersion into one of society's dark alleys.

Jarmusch is still God - well, to me anyway :). Not everyone liked The Limits of Control. And that's fine. It was a journey I very much enjoyed.

Rie Miyazawa - just had to seek her out, and that lead to some nice discoveries like Hana and Tony Takitani.

Le Honor Roll

Doubt
The Reader
Waltz with Bashir
Sunshine Cleaning
The Girlfriend Experience
The Limits of Control
The Wackness
Religulous
Hana
Wendy and Lucy
Tony Takitani

169 - Up in the Air

2010-05-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

In the "cold-hearted-gets-conscience" mold (like Jerry Maguire), Up in the Air is a very good film. I particularly like Vera Farmiga's character. I also liked the twist near the end. This would very much be also aligned to Bruce Willis' character in "The Kid", but that was a Disney movie so you can pretty much expect a fairy tale ending....not so with this one. 'First time I've ever seen Anna Kendrick and she was very good, too!

168 - An Education

2010-04-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

I had been waiting to finally see this film. I won't deny that I very much like Carey Mulligan. If I had to isolate one trait, it would be her low voice. Its perfect for blunt delivery. But the film, I think, is not enitrely a success because of her alone. The unsung heroes for me are Alfred Molina and her friends (Amanda Fairbank-Hynes and Ellie Kendrick). If you watch the deleted scenes from the DVD, there so much more to enjoy from he ensemble cast's performance. I had initially thought this film would rival Adrian Lynne's Lolita (which I really love and would be very tough to beat) but it possesses its own character.

167 - Sid and Nancy

2010-04-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

It's gritty...it's punk....its rough....and it's a love story. Gary Oldman's Sid Vicious is not necessarily a study in self-destruction...actually a bit on the side of passiveness. I see there was a template to Gary Oldman's drug-infested characters in later films.

166 - Whip It

2010-03-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

There are no surprises in this feel-good story directed by Drew Barrymore. Not much of a stretch for Ellen Page, but a really good turn for Kristen Wiig. Nice to see Juliette Lewis, too.

165 - Gran Torino

2010-02-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

How does an aging Clint Eastwood flex his inner Dirty Harry? By acting his age...and using his wits instead. Well, he does get to point a gun at people :)....but his imaginary one really is the killer.

164 - The Hurt Locker

2010-01-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

I have to say I think I'm a bit saturated with modern warfare films, and I feel it on this one....but it's worth noting that this film is well done. It follows in the same path of adrenaline as Black Hawk Down. And does prove a point...to be a bomb tech takes mental slant...you just can't do it if you're not one crazy 'mother ;).

p.s. some very nice "Executive-Decision like-Segal" cameos...Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes ;)

163 - The Night Porter

2010-01-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

Other than her bit parts, I've only really known Charlotte Rampling in Swimming Pool. Having finally seen The Night Porter, I feel sad to have missed out on a lot of her work. If by any chance you've seen Maggie and James in Secretary, I say you have to see Charlotte and Dirk Bogarde in The Night Porter.

162 - Love and Honor

2010-01-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

As tender and elegant as Twilight Samurai, Love and Honor left me speechless. It's beautifully crafted and truly worthy of its title....which can easily be taken for granted. Again, Yoji Yamada has shed light into other sides of Samurai life that are truly worth noting, and admiring. The story of Mimura and Karo is not unusual, but the delivery and minimalism of dialogue highlights the creative precision of this great film.

161 - The Limits of Control

2009-12-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

A Jim Jarmusch film is a journey, not a destination. I enjoyed travelling with the lone man, meeting a bunch of odd characters (among them Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, and Gael Garcia Bernal). The Limits of Control is a photographer's delight. Every five seconds or so you will spot a great shot.

160 - 47 Ronin

2009-11-30T23:39:00.000-08:00

It's been done so many times and referenced in many different ways.....but I wanted to see it again. Kon Ichikawa's version is truly magnificent. The attention to detail in Japanese architecture kept me glued to the screen and the way in which the story was told made me truly feel like I was watching a legendary manga novel live. It doesn't hurt to see Rie Miyazawa, as well, such a welcome face :).

159 - Away We Go

2009-11-08T23:26:00.000-08:00

Having seen The Office....I honestly feel like I'm watching a Jim Halpert movie :). It's a great story and I like how it was written to treat each stop in their trip as stories in themselves, and yet feature in the background the perseverence of the couple.

158 - Local Color

2009-10-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

I think there really was a great story that was the basis for the film, but the presentation fell somewhat short.

Armin Mueller-Stahl felt like good casting, but either the script needed more interpretation or directing may have kept it too tight, I honestly don't know. Perhaps in order to preserve moments that inspired the film, a lot of the storylines or dialogue took a back seat. Trevor Morgan, in a role that would be a good fit for either Tobey Maguire or Elijah Wood, doesn't really bring that much to the character. I'm biased about Samantha Mathis, but here again it feels like the script has kept her from doing anything meaningful.

The film does have its merits in its commentary about art, which I found both amusing (way to go Ron Perlman ;) ) and insightful.

157 - Blade of the Immortal

2009-10-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

I've followed the graphic novels for quite some time and while the artwork is faithful to the original, watching it was somewhat weird when you've gotten used to following the story in comic form. I think I'll stick to the graphic novels.

156 - The Girlfriend Experience

2009-10-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

I admire Steven Soderbergh's explorations or turns in his filmmaking profession (like "Bubble"). In The Girlfriend Experience, he uses a semi-documentary style mixed with a wild card casting of Sasha Grey...who, in real life parallels the lead. My curiosity in Sasha Grey lead me to a little bit of her porn resume, and believe me, dumb prey she is not (submissive prey you are, if you dare). I like the details Steven highlights in the film, such as Sasha's high-maintenance and repetition (and patience) with clients. But what I appreciated most was that unseen effect that goes on between Sasha and her clients. It's that undescribable air that can probably be seen as nervousness most times. It just manifests differently depending on the person. The fact that Sasha's life does have its sad turns wouldn't surprise anyone, but it's her toughness that cracks a little at some point that actually brings some normalcy, believe it or not.

155 - The Piano Teacher

2009-09-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

Let me get this out of the way first.....Isabelle Huppert reminds me of Amy Madigan. It's that serious pout. Anyway, the film is a very interesting observation of a deprived or denied emotion.....and sadly, the consequences. Isabelle simplifies it in the interviews as an examination between love and seduction or loss of control, but I saw much more of its complexity on screen.

154 - Sunshine Cleaning

2009-09-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

Depending on how your adolescent years went, there is a part of you that either wants to hang on or completely look away to what once was.... You continue to move on, but mostly in directions that probably were never in the "master plan". Amy Adams really projects a lot of that...evertime she's not smiling. Emily Blunt supports well...and her character is realistic. Adding Adam Arkin and Jason Spevack kinda looks formulaic, but they are more part of the background than anything.

153 - Julia

2009-09-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Tilda Swinton morphs from ice queen to drunk rat flawlessly :). The film drags a bit though, and I think there would have been more "efficient" ways to tell the story.

152 - Ashura

2009-08-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

While this film has the usual elements of asian fantasy, it also comes with some very interesting segments such as the kabuki theater. I like the sense of humor and how the story incorporates the scribe (or screenwriter) and how he sees events unfold and will later depict the story for theater.

151 - Anamorph

2009-08-17T08:53:00.001-07:00

It's Willem Dafoe's Davinci hairstyle, I guess :).....I like the unique concept of anamorphosis as used in the story. I wonder if this had been made a little darker (if say.....given to Jonathan Demme, Alfonso Cuaron, or.......David Lynch ;) ).

150 - Religilous

2009-08-09T22:47:00.001-07:00

When you try to cross scientific fact with religion, you set yourself up for trouble. And that's pretty much how all of Bill's "victims" fall to his inquiry.....mostly to those who really take religion to its extreme. And if you're in that "extreme", this film will not make you happy. Otherwise, it's very informative and funny(!).

149 - The International

2009-08-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

The scene above is where Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) gets run over by an escaping suspect...which is one of those moments that made me pause a bit. I mean......usually the lead is able to jump out of the way....but here she actually gets run over (she's ok by the way). Anyway, I think there wasn't enough in the film to support Eleanor or Louis' (Clive Owen) reputations. While Tom Tykwer presented action well like he did before (Run Lola Run), I think there was a lack of depth in the story. A bonus is seeing much of the Autostadt (quite a treat) that was used for the bank's headquarters.

148 - The Wackness

2009-07-27T08:26:00.001-07:00

Squires and Shapiro, that's a funny tandem especially when you see that it's Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck......oh, and my apologies, Sir Ben Kingsley. He really pulls it off, hits his spots, and just has the facial expressions and nuances to match. The story is in the neighborhood of Wonder Boys....where in place of the mentor and student you have the shrink and the patient. The dynamic between Squires and Shapiro are both funny and geniune.

147 - The Go Getter

2009-07-21T19:39:00.001-07:00

The story had promise and it had a supporting cast that can really carry it with Zooey, Jena, Maura, and Bill (Duke).....but the film falls short. Lead Lou Taylor Pucci has the innocent face, but just does not seem to be able to bring the character needed for the story.

146 - Comedy Central Roast: Denis Leary

2009-07-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

I do actually like Denis Leary's film and tv work more than his standup.....despite the opposite of which was a common punch line in the roast.....but this was comedy central so that shouldn't be a surprise. While some film choices I'm sure were more for fun, I think he was good in films like Ref and his supporting roles in Suicide Kings and Ice Age (as Diego)...and what more can be said about The Job and Rescue Me? This roast was funny and entertaining and being on DVD was uncensored and you get a lot of surprises.

145 - Waltz with Bashir

2009-07-05T22:01:00.001-07:00

This may be beginning of an era where animation is used instead of live action to tell a story. At first it feels like the film was a rotoscope like A Scanner Darkly, but it isn't. It was wonderfully done and the story was very compelling.

144 - Hana

2009-06-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ok ok let me put this out first that I primarily got this to feed my Rie Miyazawa hunger. The story is actually in the same path as her other film (The Twilight Samurai), that of a reluctant Samurai. This film offers a lot and you appreciate the supporting characters, the life in the row houses, and the people that inhabit them.

143 - Tigrero

2009-06-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

I follow Jim Jarmusch as much as I can and watching him with one of his influences (Sam Fuller) was a treat to witness. Jim came with Sam to revisit the location in Brazil for Tigrero, a film that never saw the light of day because the studio couldn't get it insured. There's a lot to be learned in the discussions between Jim and Sam. One discussion that sticks for me is Jim asking Sam about shooting on location and where Sam talks about what you don't plan for that you might see when you're on location. Happy accidents. Priceless.

142 - Fishing with John

2009-06-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

"fishiiiinnng......with John...." is the hypnotic opening track from each of John Lurie's episodes. It's a neat collection of what I'd consider vacation videos with friends...not your usual friends of course, as they include Tom Waits, Jim Jarmusch, Willem Dafoe, Matt Dillon, and Dennis Hopper. The casual talk is fun to listen to and using a "National Geographic"-like narrator (Rob Webb) makes it even more amusing (and funny).

141 - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2009-05-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

Initially, I thought my attention would have been following Cristina. But Vicky was a bit more interesting and I think its because of the conflict she had to go through. Woody Allen has written dialogue that is very smart and fun to follow. His use of the narrator here actually helps fill in a lot in the story.

140 - Wendy and Lucy

2009-05-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

There wasn't a lot said about what triggered this journey or what life was before, but I think the little clues in conversations tell a lot about what she's been through and who she is. I particularly liked that Michelle Williams didnt portray this character as an obnoxious rat driven to succeed (or something like that anyway) that would have been the trap that some actors have taken before. She plays Wendy realistically as a troubled, yet balanced person. That there was nothing extraordinary in this story is what makes it work.

139 - Body of Lies

2009-05-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

It's somewhat like Spy Game (Redford & Pitt).....though this time with Crowe and DiCaprio. One performance that stands out though is Mark Strong, who portrayed Hani Salaam. Quite a cool character.

138 - Tony Takitani

2009-05-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Memories of Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa) has lead me to this film. There is something in her eyes that had the same special quality she had in Twilight Samurai. Maybe its a reflection of being lost and helpless. Issei Ogata (Tony) was equally as impressive. Murakami's story was truly introspective. Social beings lean on a support group to cope. When one is the opposite, what happens to him?

137 - Doubt

2009-04-25T21:40:00.001-07:00

Just listening to how Philip Seymour Hoffman's Father Flynn delivers his sermons reminds me how messages can never come through to people unless they are brought down by someone who can articulate them well. The "Gossip" sermon was particularly entertaining. Meryl Streep was great, but in this movie Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman shined much brighter.

136 - The Reader

2009-04-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Stephen Daldry and the cast did a magnificent job keeping afloat the underlying emotions in this film. Once you realize that you're seeking past the obvious stimuli such as eroticism and wartime historical references, you know someone has found a way to keep you in pain....or guilt....or hope.

All the pieces blend in very well. Every memory, side story, or detail. They all have meaning. Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes were perfect for this project. Both have such great skill with their physical actions and facial expressions.

135 - Let the Right One In

2009-04-12T21:01:00.001-07:00

I admire filmmakers who are able to approach a common theme and find another way to express it. Let The Right One In is one such film taken out of the vampire genre. Stripping the concept to its bare blood-thirsty, light-sensitive core and projecting it through the eyes of two young chracters gave this film a depth that I hardly want to consider this a horror film at all.

134 - Synedoche, New York

2009-03-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

The roster made me really want to see this film: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis, Michelle Williams, and Samantha Morton....actors who by themselves would merit consideration to see a film as far as I'm concerned.....but all them together?.....that will always be a gamble.

Sometimes we try to find a parellel that can help us understand something in our lives. And sometimes we do actually discover what we really were looking at and find relief. But most of the time, I think we either get distracted or, in this film's case, continue to be lost, and at worst, be consumed by it.

2008 Marker

2009-02-16T16:19:00.001-08:00

It just wouldn't be right to have entered 2009 this far without looking back to 2008.

28 movies in 2008. It looks like a drop, but only because it does not count the Battlestar Galactica series discs in between. Of the 2008 films, notable notes:

The Hunger - sometimes you just have to have more of em...so with Ellen Page, after Juno (and for me, after Hard Candy, really) the hunger was to see her again in The Tracey Fragments and An American Crime. Same goes for Cate Blanchett in Charlotte Gray and I'm Not There, Catalina Sandino Moreno in Maria Full of Grace and The Hottest State, and Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood.

The Sparrow - Edith Piaf's life story through La Vie En Rose really brought a lot of attention to Marion Cotillard and I really admired her performance in the film. It felt rewarding to see her win the Oscar for the part.

Grace is Gone - It was a great turn for John Cusack to show he does have range.

The Jodie Factor - when Jodie Foster gets pushed in the corner, she turns into a banshee...its pretty much what surprises you when entering The Brave One with low expectations. Never underestimate someone whose good friend happens to be a guy named Hannibal.

Le Honor Roll

Tropic Thunder
My Blueberry Nights
Hard Eight
An American Crime
The Tracey Fragments
Charlotte Gray
Grace is Gone
I'm Not There
The Savages
There Will Be Blood
The Brave One
Sweeney Todd
Michael Clayton
Gone Baby Gone
Maria Full of Grace
King of California
La Vie En Rose
Waitress

Now back to 2009!...............

132 -133 - Zack and Miri Make a Porno

2009-02-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

Going through the deleted scenes, it's amazing how much good stuff was cut. Like all Kevin Smith movies, it's not for everyone. If you love his films, you'll enjoy the dialogue and the familiar cast members (Mewes!). I enjoyed his casting of Katie Morgan and Traci Lords.....both of which I have to admit I recognize :).....loved Traci's bubble scene ;)

132 - Battlestar Galactica Season 3 Disc 4

131 - Melvin Goes to Dinner

2009-01-21T21:19:00.000-08:00

131 Melvin Goes to Dinner - I really didn't see it coming but after watching so many Progressive Insurance commercials I found myself getting really fond of Flo (a.k.a. Stephanie Courtney) and so I just had to see if she's done work outside of these commercials and sure enough I found this one. It's a really good independent film that follows a group of.....well friends and acquaintances in their conversations at a restaurant. It was also a pleasant surprise to see some guest actors making appearances, like Melora Walters, Maura Tierney, and David Cross.

128,129,130 - Battlestar Galactica Discs 1,2,3

127 Burn After Reading

2009-01-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

That punch John Malkovich inflicted on Brad Pitt was as crisp as the one Tommy Lee Jones smacked on Will Smith (in MIB 2) and was the personal highlight for me. It's quite a cast with John and Brad, plus Frances McDormand, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and JK Simmons! And the Coens are probably one of the few who could assemble these folks and make them portray these middle-aged clowns in a story that can never be serious because there's a stupid turn at every corner and you just find yourself shaking your head in laughter.

125 - 126 Tropic Thunder

2008-11-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

126 - Tropic Thunder

It's pretty much already the talk of the town that Robert Downey Jr.'s character was the best with this crew. It movie was probably too stocked with names (Black, Stiller, Nolte) but it still came out ok. Oh.....and Tom Cruise's Len Grossman.......nah I still have displeasure watching him.

125 - Battlestar Galactica 2.5 Disc 3

124 - My Blueberry Nights

2008-11-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

Wong Kar Wai's movies deal a lot with introspection and My Blueberry Nights follows the same path. Have you ever turned away or displaced yourself from a situation, only to find your way back in its shadow in some other form? These things are usually meant to show us who we are, but sometimes it is simply to ask us to look again. Does it mean you should turn back? Perhaps its a question of perspective...instinct...or just simply time. Norah Jones was an unusual but great pick for the role and pairing her with Jude Law works. Natalie Portman showed a lot of confidence with dialogue (and accent), but I somehow feel this character was still amiss for her. It was a wonderful surprise to see Chan Marshall (in pic above).

121 - 123 Hard Eight

2008-10-07T14:08:00.001-07:00

123 - Hard Eight
Hard Eight is a well-crafted film by Paul Thomas Anderson and had that very calculated amount of mystery and dialogue that keeps you glued to the screen. The desire to figure out Philip Baker Hall's intentions or hope to see John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow's characters redeem themselves was intoxicating. Throwing in Sam Jackson and Philip Seymour Hoffman for spice was a great touch as well.....and Philip Baker Hall's last acts remind me of Terrence Stamp's monk revenge in The Limey.

121, 122 - Battlestar Galactica 2.0 Disc 2 & 3

119 - 120 - An American Crime

2008-09-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

It's disturbing to watch this with the awareness that it was based on actual events or a case in the 60's. Cathy Keener plays the part well, but the story I think lacks depth in exposing more of what was behind that misdirection or insanity (or maybe I just don't fully understand the misguided ways religion has been used or what struggling single mothers really go through....). For those who've always though of Ellen Page as this waifishly annoying brat, this will give you something different to look at.....

(119 - Battlestar Galactica Season 2 Disc 1)

117 - 118 - The Hottest State

2008-08-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

118 - The Hottest State - You'd probably agree that in some lost chapter in your life you've acted foolishly to the point that you can't fathom why you had acted that way. Well, that "chapter" is what happens in this story. The dialogue does appear to be all straight up and sometimes when you think a key message is about to come out, it doesn't. Still, the movie is a really good exploration of coming to terms with one's emotions and personality.

(117 - Battlestar Galactica Disc 5)

115 - 116 The Tracey Fragments

2008-07-28T11:45:00.003-07:00

116 - The Tracey Fragments - I could have enjoyed this film had it been edited straight-up. The split screens or "fragmentation", usually 5 or more, was really distracting and exhausting to the eyes. Still, the story and characters and delivery of Ellen Page were compelling enough that I was able to finish it.

While a lot of films in the mainstream cover the effects of sexual abuse, this film focuses on other sociological factors and shows how these can easily lead a young soul astray.

115 - Battlestar Galactica Disc 4 ;)

114 - Charlotte Gray

2008-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

I wonder if this movie helped make it an easy choice to cast Cate in The Good German. I really admire her ability to elegantly portray a loving and emotional feminine character that can easily and convincingly summon courage and toughness.

112 - 113 New Rose Hotel

2008-06-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

113 - New Rose Hotel - I was dissapointed at how this film didn't have the same punch as Abel's King of New York. It felt like one long drunken binge and hangover all at once. I think Walken, Dafoe, and Argento could have done more given the right environment.

(112 - Battlestar Galactica Disc 3) :)

111 - Battlestar Galactica Disc 2

2008-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

To help feed my BG craving, I got disc 2 (after watching a used disc 1). Like the first disc, it's good stuff. And Richard Hatch returns! (well......as an exiled radicalist) I really like the haunting and drum-heavy soundtrack.

110 - Boarding Gate

2008-06-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

There is this fearless quality that just draws me to Asia Argento. That, and the pairing with Michael Madsen was quite odd. The film is a mix of that french eroticism and bits of asian reckless scenes (and not simply because the second half was in China). I wasn't that happy with it, honestly, but wasn't bored watching Asia crawl her way in and out of trouble.

109 - Grace is Gone

2008-06-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

I could never have watched this film at your local theater. I was just tearing-up constantly with the outstanding performances by John Cusack and young Shelan O'Keefe. I was pleased to not see any initial scenes meant to show the love the family shared before their mother's deployment. When a daughter tells you she loves her mom very much, you don't ask her to prove it. This film has put to perspective what it is to grieve for loss. It will never be the same for anyone, but the time that needs to pass will always be long, numbing, and painful.

108 - I'm Not There

2008-05-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

Trying to decipher Bob Dylan was probably an impossible task, but this was a good effort to try and give people somewhere to start (or not). Personally, I think this made me realize that he really didn't want to represent or be represented. Dylan bounced off ideas or expressed what was there...he couldn't care less what it meant or how it could be absorbed by the listener.

I enjoyed Michelle Williams' turn as Coco and Bruce Greenwood's Keenan Jones. David Cross as Allen Ginsberg though....that felt weird.

Not much to say about Cate (just bow your head and pay your respects!)

107 - The Savages

2008-05-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Tamara Jenkins said it best when she explained how she preferred to allow the dark comedy be viewed by the audience as an observer and not something that had to be rammed down one's throat. And the whole film really is presented from an observer's point of view. Just watching Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney bounce lines off of each other is very satisfying. And Philip Bosco's performance (as their father) was golden. I was hoping this film would remain true and not deliver this wonderful redemptive ending (that could potentially spoil it), but I was very pleased with Tamara's approach. It's not a sugar-coated one. It was genuine and in the hands of Laura and Phil, just cannot be delivered any better.

106 - There Will Be Blood

2008-05-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Daniel Plainview is a cold-blooded bastard :)

Dillon Freasier, who portrayed H.W., could very well be a really great actor in the making....should he choose the profession....he clearly picked up from Daniel and presented a cold facade that can be quite scary if he ever stared at you. While he was under the shadow of his father's retched ways, I think we was merely an observer.....untainted.

Paul Dano was very good, as well, but I had to get used to him having all that dialogue, as the last time I saw him (or remember him clearly) was in Little Miss Sunshine.

105 - The Brave One

2008-05-02T01:05:00.000-07:00

The role of Erica Bain required somebody who had a hard face and a masculine stance and I think Jodie Foster was a good choice. I was most caught by this scene where Erica returns to her radio show and after seconds of pause, transforms from this island of fear to rugged terrain. Her words of realization was a turning point in the story. Terrence Howard was another good choice. He's a tempered version of Denzel Washington (a better version, I think).

Now could someone please give Jodie her dog back.......

104 - Sweeney Todd

2008-04-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

I rarely watch musicals and Ithink the last one I really liked was......All that Jazz? But with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, and Helena Bonham Carter coming together for Sweeney Todd, I guess it was worth watching.....and I did like it. I was most impressed by Ed Sanders (who portrayed Toby). And to consider that none of the actors were really singers by trade, I think the whole cast did a great job.

103 - Margot at the Wedding

2008-04-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Riding on high with admiration for Noah Baumbach's "The Squid and the Whale", I watched Margot at the Wedding with somewhat of an expectation, even though this was a different film. Noah used more dialog this time, which I think must have been because he had Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh running the shop. Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels had more depth in their delivery with shorter dialog and silent queues. Nicole and Jennifer used more dialog and emotional expression to reach the same level.

Still, I think this film deserves credit for exploring dysfunctional relationships between siblings and all the nearby relationships it impacts. I don't think it was that much of a stretch for Jack Black. Ciaran Hinds was actually more refreshing to watch in a role that is low key compared to his previous characters.

102 - Into the Wild

2008-04-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Wild" being the location here really isn't confined to the great outdoors (or great outdoors probably doesn't necessarily mean mountains and forests), but everywhere else, including cities, towns, and middle-of-nowhere's. I couldn't help but thinking that this film is really more about life as a floater more than this strong principle of non-materialism and nature love. Emile Hirsch did give the role a good shot, but I think he was overshadowed by the cinematography and Eddie Vedder (you could probably remove all the sound and just play the movie with Eddie's soundtrack and you'd still be able to appreciate this film).

Sean got a great supporting cast with Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker, Jena Malone, and Vince Vaughn. Kristen Stewart looked familiar but I couldn't really pin down where I've seen her before 'till I looked her up in IMDB and finally found that she was Jodie Foster's daughter in Panic Room (i knew those droopy eyes looked familiar :) ).

101 - Michael Clayton

2008-03-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

I think either Tom Wilkinson or George Clooney could have received an Oscar for their performance in this movie. Tilda Swinton's performance was also great...but I somehow couldn't justify its Oscar-worthiness. Perhaps the judges wanted to award Tilda Swinton, the actress, and not necessarily Tilda Swinton of Michael Clayton....now that I can accept.

Marker - 100 films

2008-03-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

A hundred films in three years. That sounds like a long time to reach such a milestone...and I thought I was spending too much time watching movies....but let me remind you, this is just for my Netflix account! Anyway......after a hundred films on Netflix.....my personal favorites.......

from 2006
03 Dead Man
04 The Matador
14The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
24 Little Fish
32 Croupier
33 A Clockwork Orange

from 2007
39 Little Miss Sunshine
63 Casino Royale
56 Fast Food Nation
60 A Scanner Darkly
67 Breach
68 Black Snake Moan
69 Dr. Strangelove
73 Pan's Labyrinth
81 Red Road
84 Down By Law
88 Night on Earth
89 Mystery Train

from 2008
91 Eastern Promises
92 Waitress
93 La Vie En Rose
95 King of California
97 Maria Full of Grace
98 Gone Baby Gone

Amen.