104 - Sweeney Todd

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

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

"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

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

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.

100 - Home of the Brave

This can't be my 100th entry. It's really sad that it is...anyway...
Here's the bottom line: I couldn't finish this film and thought it best to just mail it back right away so I can get the next one (hopefully Michael Clayton). And it's not that its awful. Maybe just bad timing that my life's been so busy I have such a short patience. Maybe.

But there just wasn't enough in the beginning to provide that base for all the different stories. There are some movies that leave a certain amount of assumptions for the audience to make and this one just felt like it wanted you to fill in too much of the blanks to render it without much emotional journey to discover. I don't know. Like I said, maybe its just me right now. I guess its also sad that this movie comes under the shadow of Black Hawk Down....maybe just bad timing.

99 - Goya's Ghosts

I think Stellan Skarsgard did a great job and I enjoyed watching him portray Francisco Goya. Even more interesting was how they showed the old process of print-press (of lineart?). I'm not sure what made them choose Randy Quaid and that really felt odd. Natalie Portman I think, despite an admirable performance in the first part (as Ines), was miscast. She does not deliver the same effect Scarlett Johansson had in Girl with a Pearl Earing (funny how they finally found their way together now in The Other Boleyn Girl...wonder who will have more of an effect over the other...)

Javier Bardem, of course, was equally enjoyable to watch as a man of the cloth...though I have to admit I was waiting for him to break character and utter "friend-o" :)

The movie though, fell off after the first act, and was not the same after that....

98 - Gone Baby Gone

I had some weird reservations by watching a film directed by Ben Affleck, probably because it's a quick turn to direct. That pretty much stopped once the film started. I think he's drawn quite well from directors he has worked with and has safely kept his venture towards what's close to his familiarity with Boston culture.

The score was beautiful and moving and I admire the strength of Michelle Monaghan's and Amy Ryan's characters. Even the supporting and background cast (who Ben recruited from the streets of Boston -- a brave and good move) looked very much believable. The loudest boom in this film, however, is the ambiguity of the underlying questions about children.

What would you have done?

97 - Maria Full of Grace

Trust. That's the first thought in my mind when I think about Catalina Sandino Moreno. There is this sense of calm and reassurance when you look at her face. The "immigrant story" has been such a successful approach in storytelling, but here I like how it takes on an uncommon face, what I would describe as accidental or incidental. Maria never really makes this firm determination to come to America as an absolute goal in her life. For her, it just happened to be part of the job being a "mule" from Colombia. Even the notion of staying for the sake of her unborn child came as a discovery from her friend's sister. I've really grown fond of her and was equally impressed by her performance in Fast Food Nation (and soon....The Hotest State....currently in my queue).

96 - Balls of Fury

Christopher Walken was really serious when he said he just simply loved the work and, pretty much like Michael Caine, is willing to try pretty much anything. This film is just another example of how much he means it :). The movie is funny, though I was rather disappointed to not find that much beyond all the clips and trailers that preceded this movie. I think this is the third film that I've seen with Maggie Q and have a feeling I'll be seeing her more. Terry Crews also makes an appearance!....really funny....though I fear for this career....looks like he's getting typecasted!...but then how could you not want that pulsating chest, strutting, and gigantic smile :)

95 - King of California

There is this scene where Evan Rachel Wood confronts Michael Douglas in her car and...in a moment of pause, surrenders, "I can't stop you, can I?"...and as the scene turns to Michael Douglas' face -- heavily bearded, wearing a hoodie like the unabomer, eyes beaming like he's on a quadruple dose of espresso, shakes in head in agreement. That, I think, is one of the key moments that summarize the father-daughter relationship that exists in the film.

There was a bit of a lull in the middle of the film during where I think they glossed over what could have been Michael douglas' character earning his daughter's interest in his quest. Sadly, a "music video" approach was used instead.

Nevertheless, the film did pick-up later on and I really admire how fresh it is to see a father-daughter adventure this time.

By the way, did you ever wonder how California got its name? :)

94 - Heaven

I don't think there was enough in the film to support the bond between the characters Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi portrayed. Perhaps there could have been more that happened prior to her escape...and all the events after didn't seem to blend into the premise. 'Loved the shaved head Cate supported for the latter part of the film, though... :)

93 - La Vie En Rose

Just simply outstanding. I now understand why everyone has pretty much given an automatic award nomination for Marion Cotillard. Both she and Olivier Dahan deserve a lot of credit for creating such a powerful film about Edith Piaf.

I have to say that after watching this film, I was a bit of an emotional wreck and......just simply devastated. It really felt like Edith Piaf was carrying a cross throughout her life.

92 - Waitress

In a way, I'm really glad that Adrienne Shelley was able to complete this film before her death. The film was a personal statement and beautifully written with so many great messages.

I personally enjoyed Andy Griffith's character. His echoing message was at the heart of the story: start fresh.

91 - Eastern Promises

Ah yes, what better way to start the year than watch Viggo Mortensen fight two angry brothers in a bath house with nothing more than the tattoos on his skin :). He certainly did his homework and was a very believable Russian character. Armin Mueller-Stahl may be too tame for his role, but it didn't take away anything from the film.

2007 year marker

53 movies...that's the stat for 07.....about a 15% or so increase from last year.

This year also marked somewhat a beginning of obsessive stalking of director work...most notably Jim Jarmusch. I saw five of his films as recorded here (Stranger than Paradise, Down by Law, Permanent Vacation, Night on Earth, and Mystery Train), but I've also been watching on-and-off of netflix movies by Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, and films based on Philip K. Dick's work, with A Scanner Darkly being a personal favorite (besides Blade Runner, of course).

As I was weeding through the films and trimming the list, there were individual performances that really stood out and worthy of praise:

• Mia Kirshner in her role as Elizabeth Short in The Black Dahlia
  
• Daniel Craig for playing a more agent-worthy portrayal in Casino Royale
  
• Michael Caine's hippee as can be in Children of Men (pull my finger :))

This year's "classic" honor belongs to Dr. Strangelove. Like all of Stanley Kubrick's movies, it is timeless and so masterfully done that you can watch it repeatedly without degradation.

Le Honor Roll :)

1. Breach
2. Black Snake Moan
3. A Scanner Darkly
4. Fast Food Nation
5. Little Miss Sunshine
6. Red Road
7. Dr Strangelove
8. Stranger than Paradise
9. Down by Law
10. Permanent Vacation
11. Night on Earth
12. Mystery Train

90 - Salvador

It certainly did feel like Salvador was the first attempt for Oliver Stone before Platoon, but it certainly has its merits. For one, James Woods maintains the persistent, manipulative, and foul-mouthed character that he easily brings to a lot of his characters. John Savage also makes a more courageous turn as a seasoned war photographer (and Bob Capa fan :) ).

While I am pleased to see the Canon F-1 on the cover, I have to admit that Nikon was the dominant gear at the time. John Savage even uses a rangefinder (a Leica most likely) in quite a number of scenes. I'm not sure what he meant when he said his 120 was busted...I didn't see him carrying a Rolleiflex or something....anyway ;)

89 - Mystery Train

I remember Jim mentioning in one of his documentaries how he watches foreign movies with no subtitles and from there be able to discover how good the film has been made. That was the case for how I watched the first segment of Mystery Train. Just watch the facial expressions of Masatoshi Nagase and Youki Kudoh and you can't miss the emotion or context of what they were saying, despite the language barrier. In it's own weird way, it felt like watching R2D2 and C-3PO :)

It's great to have the gang back.....with Tom Waits on the radio, Nicoletta Braschi (from Down by Law), and John Lurie's background music. It was great to watch Steve Buscemi as well....anything he does with the Coen Brothers and Jim Jarmusch just can't go wrong.

88 - Night on Earth

Back on the Jim Jarmusch track :)

Wonderful slices of life....and truly are slices of stories and it doesn't really matter where it starts. Jim is just able to keep you watching and if you watch the extras, you appreciate how he creates his films on instinct. Choosing a taxi cab as a setting, this might have been a pre-cursor to those HBO taxicab confessions series.

Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Giancarlo Esposito

I loved the episodes by Giancarlo Esposito, Armin Mueller Stahl, and of course, Roberto Benigni! I enjoyed Jim describing working with Roberto as being so easy you just have to point a camera at his face and let him do his thing :)

And Isaach De Bankolé!......I really didn't recoginze him until Jim mentions him in the extras (he was the ice cream man in Ghost Dog!)

The extras include audio clips of Jim responding to email Q&As....another welcome treat.

One last thing about Roberto......I don't think I'll look at pumpkins and sheep the same way again :)

87 - Paris, je t'aime

With a cast that included Steve Buscemi, Natalie Portman, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Emily Mortimer, I definitley wanted to try this "buffet" :)

With a string of 20 stories though.....it did feel a little exhausting....even though the whole thing altogether lasted as much as a regular movie. I guess if you think about it....if you watch something from Inarritu (Amores Perros, Babel) or Soderbergh (Traffic), you get really focused on anywhere from 4 to 5 stories or plots......how about 20? Even though it was just a sequence of one after another, the format is probably what I wasn't used to......but hey, I aint complanin' :)

The common thread is the location of Paris, but this collection of stories really explores anything and everything about affection.

86 - Permanent Vacation

Ok ok...back to the Jim Jarmusch track. This movie has the same feel as Stranger Than Paradise...but in color....and like STP, you just can't help but enjoy the "stills" possible with the scenes Jim created for this story. John Lurie only has a small part and I have to admit I've gotten really used to him that I wished he had a bigger role somehow.

Plus....I get to see Barney (Frankie Faison) in a small but critical role :)

85 - Spun

I just can't seem to find the uniqueness in this film. You can certainly do a lot to expose the lives of drug addicts and everything around them, like Requiem for a Dream or Permanent Midnight, but it does not seem to work for me in this one. The only actor who seemed to be able to carry his character was Mickey Rourke....everyone else looked as if they were playing a fantasy.....I mean, unless you can run with the craziness like Benicio Del Toro and Johnny Depp did in Fearing and Loathing in Las Vegas or Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting, you're not really depicting a drug addict (I think). Even all the mixed elements felt stolen (addict spins, animation, 70s cops...)

84 - Down by Law

I've reached a point of addiction and now seeking out all of Jim Jarmusch's work. Down by Law is another excellent piece of work in black and white. Tom Waits' DJ riffs were amazing and John Lurie complemented him really well. And let's not forget the third "stooge": Roberto Benigni! I love how Jim used his struggle with english to amplify subliminal messages.

83 - Stranger than Paradise

Anyone who has an affinity for black and white photogaphy will enjoy watching this film. It's as if Jim Jarmusch had all these photographs and breathed life into them. If you love photography, you will have moments in this film where you will just admire the composition. The contrast is just beautiful.

82 - The Bad Sleep Well

I was curious about Akira Kurosawa's "non-feudal Japan" work and wondered how his approach translated to a modern setting. Seeing his usual cast of actors has really become a welcome treat and I can see why a lot of directors have done the same thing. The story can easily be tied to a Ronin tale, as it is all about patience in revenge. The twist, of course, is that not everything goes as planned all the time. I didn't really notice Toshiro Mifune until maybe halfway into the movie. He's so restrained in this film.

81 - Red Road

Jackie's obsession fueled her courage to not only stalk an ex-con, but drive her to the edge. In the end, closure still found its way.....and like Terrence Stamp's Wilson character (in The Limey), the final face-off, having subdued your enemy, and accomplishing all that had taken so much out of you.......you let go......and find your peace.

80 - Junebug

Sometimes people fall into relationships for very specific reasons....those that can blind pretty much everything else. Amy Adams' and Embeth Davidz' characters live totally different lives, but have the same state or relationship......one that does not stand on completely knowing each other, but sharing one specific event (or moments) that seem to keep the status quo. The insight into a southern family was very interesting.

79 - The Parallax View

This story could have been a prequel to The Manchurian Candidate. It examines the process behind recruiting, conditioning, and execution of potential "candidates" (or drones, if I were to make an analogy). Warren Beatty plays the role of an investigative reporter who, in his efforts to infiltrate the program, is sucked into it.

This is has been a back-to-back run on 60's/70's movies for me (having just seen Antonioni's Blow-Up). I found it quite entertaining just noticing how much has changed over time.

78 - Blow Up

Ok, I confess...I picked this out just so I can watch old photographic equipment in action again :) But there was a fun surprise....the swinging 60's!

77 - Inland Empire

This is disappointing, but I have to honestly say that I did not get much of Inland Empire. While I was amazed at Laura Dern's performance, I just couldn't follow the film enough.

My only consolation prize is one of the opening scenes that gave me Seinfeld nostalgia with Grace Zabriskie (Mrs. Ross) and Ian Abercrombie (Mr. Pitt) :)

76 - Funny Ha Ha

I saw Andrew Bujalski's "Mutual Appreciation" on IFC and was curious about this movie as quite a number of references to it is made in discussions on the web. Like MA, Funny Ha Ha uses the same formula and follows the main character and captures a lot of what is really part of real life....awkward conversations, pauses, and senseless dribble....stuff that can easily get cut out in other movies.

75 - Sansho the Bailiff

It's been really rewarding to see all these movies that revolve around the time of the Samurai or feudal Japan. It gives that period depth and that human element that reminds us that there is so much behind all the fighting.

It was really heartbreaking to watch Anju's sacrifice, but that was probably my favorite scene. That long march through the forest, towards the end of the lake, and eventual sacrifice was the saddest point of the movie...but also the most peaceful.

74 - Renaissance

This movie was born out of the media for which it was conceived. In the documentary, the creators shared a lot of enthusiasm for mixing motion capture with traditional and animation-based development. The story came somewhere in the middle. It's easy to see that there was inspiration from Blade Runner (and is mentioned in the featurette).....the plot.....about the quest for immortality....does share a similar desire by the replicants of Blade Runner.

The high contrast does take a bit getting used to....but your eyes eventually adjust.

73 - Pan's Labyrinth

It was really refreshing to see a production of this level of quality done outside of the United States.

Brilliantly set in the backdrop of war and a distressed family, the fantasy of Ofelia's world blended really well.

Tapping into old ruins and myths gave the fantasy credibility and Ivana Baquero, the center of it all, came through and had a really outstanding expression of curiosity, wisdom, and courage.

72 - The Eyes of Laura Mars

I remember seeing this movie on afternoon TV a long time ago and was just amused at all the cameras Ms. Mars used......she used a Nikon, Hasselblad, Leica, and even a Polaroid Land Camera. Sadly, the movie really had the feel of an afternoon TV program and the story was weak.

71 - Kicking and Screaming

I really liked The Squid and the Whale and so I was curious to watch Noah Baumbach's other movies. Kicking and Screaming certainly had the same attention to dialogue. I honestly didn't realize the flashbacks until midway through the movie.

Can't miss an independent movie without Parker Posey (she must be in like one in every five!)

70 - The Stars of Star Wars

I have no idea why this landed on my queue :) ...."Honestly, its not mine!".....hahahahha I guess Star Wars still has such a grip on me.

That or I was a victim of a jedi mind trick!

;)

69 - Dr. Strangelove

Stanley Kubrick's insights come through really clear in his work...especially in Dr. Strangelove. It may have been done so many years ago, but the fears can easily be applied today. There appears to be no hope, we are doomed to destroy ourselves. All it takes is one mistake.

All the military procedures give me some memories of The Day After and War Games. How complex everything has become....mechanisms, politics, strategy.

With help somehow from above, I hope we are able to survive.

68 - Black Snake Moan

Let's face it. Christina Ricci was smoking hot in this movie! I had to light up a cigarette after watching it (lol). Seriously though, I liked the way this movie unfolded. There clearly was a connection between Laz and Rae, but the beauty of it was that in the end you realize that it was, in its true form, fatherly love.

67 - Breach

There are lots of stories (and movies) on espionage, but Breach takes a "Donnie Brasco" approach in telling it from the counterintelligence angle. Chris Cooper absolutely delivers on this film, as well as a strong supporting cast that includes Laura Linney, Denis Haysbert, and Kathleen Quinlan.

66 - Smokin Aces

This movie has potential....but I just couldn't appreciate it enough. It had a lot of interesing characters, but maybe too much for the creators...too many storylines...I think a director who is used to his type of treatment could have done it differently....like perhaps Steven Soderbergh or Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu....

65 - The Osterman Weekend

This is one of those "residual movies" in my mind......movies I remember watching several times a long time ago....but never the whole thing. I never did understand what it was about....all that staying in my memory were Rutger Hauer and John Hurt in that last scene (which happened to be the only scene I always saw when I landed on a channel that was showing this movie). So when it finally came up in one my searches, I just had to get to finally put to rest my lingering curiosity.

It seemed like Peckinpah was too fond of slow motion...sometimes it worked...and sometimes it just looked odd, but amusing altogether. Meg Foster's eyes are really scary :)

64 - Champion

This documentary is not as bad as some have described it to be, though a lot of the feedback is mainly for the production...and rightfully so....Danny Trejo is a subject that can really stand by itself. In fact, even without the fancy production, just following Danny, ala reality show, and letting him speak would probably have worked as well.

Danny has always been fun to watch on film. And hearing more about the person behind the actor is very interesting and admirable.

Steve Buscemi, Val Kilmer, and Robert Rodriguez offer funny stories and remarks.

63 - The Good German

I enjoyed watching this movie in its black and white format, but honestly, the only person who really blended in or was clearly fit for the medium was Cate Blanchett. I know I'm biased, but her scenes were the only ones that transported me to that era.

62 - The Good Shepherd

It's the stillness that makes Matt Damon's character so cold. You just can't tell what he's feeling or what's on his mind...pretty much like a great poker player. His performance reminds me of Gene Hackman in The Conversation.

As expected, great supporting roles by John Turturro and Alec Baldwin.

61 - Children of Men

This is a scary proposition on what the decay of human society can bring upon all of us. And this really goes beyond the story. The dvd inlcudes a documentary with several statements by historians, sociologists, and other experts on how close to reality we are to the dangers pointed out in the movie. This is a really crucial time for the human race.

One has to note Michael Caine's terrific performance as a hippie......pull my finger :)

60 - A Scanner Darkly

Paranoia.
It takes all shapes and forms.
The mind is a powerful thing.
Use it well, and it serves you well.
Abuse it, and it abuses you.
Reality?
Be careful.

59 - The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio took some rather odd turns as members of the clergy in this coming-of-age movie. Kieran Culkin has really done a better job with his career (compared to Macaulay). He is able to channel emotions really well, showing a range that will no doubt be developed in time.

The fascination with comics and superheroes is a dominant part of adolescent life and cleverly used in this film to present all the mixed emotions and experiences that come with the age. It was explained convincingly in the dvd documentaries, where the animation was intended to not give life to drawings but the thoughts left unexpressed in real life.

58 - Notes on a Scandal

Judi Dench was terrifyingly effective. Her performance reminds me of Ellen Burstyn's performance in Requiem for a Dream. I confess that I was as infatuated as her character as she narrated through the early parts of the story, admiring Sheba. Cate Blanchett is intoxicating and Bill Nighy's supporting character was impressive.

57 - Sleeping Dogs Lie

Bobcat Goldthwait wrote and directly a really honest and insightful film. Everyone's got secrets. And a lot of them really will stay hidden because they are probably the most outrageous and embarassing acts or thoughts known to...well, you :). And what about all the typical advice people give 'ya?...Honesty is the best policy, true relationships are build on complete trust, the truth shall set you free...? This film will make you ponder about it. Want some music to help you out? How about Hall and Oats' "Some things are better left unsaid"?

56 - Fast Food Nation

I'm not sure I can ever look at a fast food burger the same way again. This film exposes the industry for what it is, and I think that's what makes it very effective. It gives you enough to think about, and the life stories certainly give you a lot of points for reflection. Catalina Moreno, Wilmer Valderrama, and Ana Talancon really delivered.

The bit parts by Luis Guzman and Bruce Willis were equaly as good. Kris Kristofferson's narrative voice is just plain respectable and solid.

It's a film that's also filled with transformation. Following Greg Kinnear's character from the upbeat executive to the defeated trasient in the end is perhaps the end goal for this movie. It will make you reconsider, and be affected by it.

In one of the films most powerful moments, Catalina Moreno is forced to work in the kill floor of the meat plant. What she witnesses is terrifying and I would definitely have reacted the same way...tear up uncontrollably, trying to come to grips with all the different emotions and realizations of the moment.

55 - Prozac Nation

The story is predictable, but the abrasive character Christina Ricci brings to the picture is impressive, with the exception of the scenes where she had to shed a tear. It really looks like she's trying hard to be a normal person and cry just like everyone else, when she really doesn't have to...hopefully in the future she learns to let go and express the sadness in her own way.