mixedmedia

A quick rundown of movies I have watched lately:

Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale 6.5/10
A documentary about a man who lived with a tribe of cannibals in Peru in the late '60s. A not-very-well-made documentary that could have been better.

I Am Legend 2/10
You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Charlie Wilson's War 7/10
An engaging portrayal of an interesting story that plays big on the 'American ingenuity' card and little on the 'harrowing implications' card. I can't really slight Mike Nichols for making this film, it was a good film, but I won't pat him on the back and say he topped The Graduate, either.

Lars and the Real Girl 10/10
I loved this film. And I can't remember another movie in which people so consistently did the right thing in a believable, non-saccharine way. Kudos to Ryan Gosling.

All the King's Men 7/10
I never thought I'd say this, but, Sean Penn overdid it in this one. Hopefully he just saw the role as a challenge and not as an attempt to outdo Daniel Day Lewis as a...Thespian. I much prefer him in quieter, less bombastic roles. Not to say that he was bad...I just don't think he's well-suited to this kind of character.
This movie, as well, contributes to my growing theory that I cannot love a film with Jude Law in it. Although, later on here, you will see there is one exception.
I much preferred the first movie version with Broderick Crawford...I've not read the book.

Closer 2/10
I may have rated this one already. But I hated it.
No, despised it.

The Orphanage...pretty sure I already posted this one. It was very good.

Gia 4/10
A movie of the week with a soft core scene thrown in. Angelina Jolie is very good, but that's about it. Very sad story, though.
Oh, and if you ever thought you might want to see Juliet from Lost all nekkid and rubbing up on Angelina, this is your movie.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley 10/10
Excellent Ken Loach film about Irish resistance to British oppression in the 1920's and the subsequent political turnabout that pits brother against brother as only politics can do. Heartbreaking and beautiful film. I recommend it highly.

Casa de los Babys 2/10
Totally forgettable John Sayles movie. So forgettable I forgot to finish watching it. I hate it when movie heroes lose their touch...

Sweeney Todd 6.5/10
Did I review this once before? Can't remember. It was exquisitely alright, lol. Loved the look of it. Pretty good performances. But kind of clumsy. And I don't think it had to be that bloody for chrissakes. Anybody else think that Johnny Depp was doing a Bowie impression this time?

Welcome to the Dollhouse 10/10
I love this movie. Re-watched it with Phillip because I wanted him to see it. If you haven't seen it, just get it. Precious.

Once Upon a Time in America 10/10
I've seen this one a million times, but I got a nice dvd edition of it from my swapping club so I watched it with Phillip last weekend. He'd never seen it. Excellent film, even if some elements are dated. The epic story of a group of young hoodlums growing up in the Jewish ghetto of NYC who become gangsters during the Prohibition era.

The Road to Perdition 10/10
After watching the movie above, Phillip suggested we watch this one because I had not seen it. I LOVED it. Gorgeous film. And proves to be the exception to my Jude Law law, lol.

Well, there are others, but I can't think of them right now...and it's getting late. I suppose that's enough for now...

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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce