Mid-August Lunch (12/10/11)

It's a cliche, but this was a delicious little Italian film. Only 1 hour and 9 minutes long, it tells the story of how a bachelor living with his elderly mother has to suddenly take in three more old ladies and make them all happy.

Although the plot was a little ridiculous, I enjoyed that about it. And watching the son prepare all this delicious Italian food made me wish I hadn't chosen to make teriyaki stir fry for dinner!

The Searchers (9/13/11)

Finally watched the Western that seems to be referenced the most as one of "the greatest westerns of all time" (not sure who called it that, but I'm sure it has been called that).

It was pretty good. I suppose it was quite good compared to the vast majority of westerns out there (I've only seen a handful), and if they'd just cut a bunch of the corny music and melodramatic acting out, I suppose it would have been really quite good.  But as it was, I found it fairly enjoyable.

I have to admit I did feel kind of like an idiot. During the whole second half of the film I kept thinking, "who's the actress? I recognize her from something!" and I was really proud for at least recognizing an actress from an old film. Then I looked her up and it was...Natalie Wood. The fact that I didn't recognize HER is a little embarrassing.

Ah well.

Rating: 3/4 stars

Band of Outsiders (9/12/11)

Saw Godard's Band of Outsiders at Film Forum today. So good! I was a little worried it would be rambling and plotless and pointless. But no, charmingly rambling and sweet and so fresh. "Fresh" is a cliched term to use to describe film, but really, that is the word that came to my mind at the end. I mean, it came out in 1964, but feels so much more youthful and exciting and funny than so many Hollywood movies you'd see today.
But I guess that's not saying anything surprising, really. 

Highlights:

• Old man vaguely fondling the English teacher's butt (and the English teacher not seeming to care at all).
• Dancing at the bar, with Anna Karina talking at the end and it looking very unscripted
• The flashing of all the actors' faces at the beginning title sequence
• Odile "French kissing" Arthur
• Running through the Louvre

Rating: 3.5/4

Also: I felt the girl in this film, Odile (Anna Karina) was totally an iconic hipster in terms of both her personality and her style. 

The Guard (8/28/11)

Went to see The Guard today with Anja and Ari, as a way to get out the house after being stuck in it all day yesterday due to the hurricane. It was pretty good--Brendan Gleason and Don Cheadle are always solid and reliable actors. The plot was violent, but fairly funny (some parts were a bit cliched). In Bruges was better! (And also had B.G.)

Rating: 3/4

Cedar Rapids (8/24/11)

Sheesh! Four movies in four days. I guess I'm trying to catch as many as possible before school starts in 2 weeks.

Tonight, we watched Cedar Rapids, courtesy of my new free trial Netflix account. A good palate cleanser after the White Ribbon, as it's a short, fast-paced, fun little comedy with good actors (John C. Reilly, always reliable, Ed Helms, and Anne Heche were all solid).

Rating: 3/4 stars

The White Ribbon (8/23/11)

Finally! A movie I really liked. Albeit a disturbing and 2+ hour-long movie. Watched The White Ribbon today on DVD rented from the library.

This is the second time I've rented the DVD; the first time I rented it I couldn't bring myself to watch such a serious, heavy film. But once I started it tonight, I was pretty much enthralled by the story, despite the fact that it is quite deliberately paced. But not boring! Never boring. Michael Haneke, you have impressed me again with your twisted realism. After Funny Games and The Piano Teacher, I have to say this one was more palatable, and I think better overall.

Rating: 3.5/4

Crime d'Amour

Saw a free showing of a "thriller" at the IFC Center yesterday, courtesy of Ari's random membership at the theater.

All I can say is, I'm glad it was free. And that there wasn't really much violence at all, despite a murder taking place. Fairly predictable story line, and as Ari pointed out, Kristin Scott Thomas was really the only interesting character (who eventually gets killed, so...).

Score: 1.5/4 stars

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Saw The Wild Bunch today (8/22) as part of the continuing Robert Ryan retrospective at Film Forum. It's a famous movie, right? Ari and I had definitely heard of the title before. And it got a starred review in TimeOut, so I figured it'd be a safe bet.

Unfortunately, this movie did not hold up so well for me (or Ari). Unless we were missing something. 134 minutes long...lots of shoot outs with lots of ridiculously red fake blood, and lots of people behaving badly. I can only guess perhaps this film was reflective of the uncertain times, with the government, the bounty hunters, and the outlaws all looking pretty bad all the way through. Not really any protagonist to relate to.

So... let's see. 2.5/4 stars.

At Home

Rented Last Days of Disco from the NYPL because I love Chloe Sevigny (from Big Love). And I like watching movies about the glamorous "club scene," I suppose because it lets me live vicariously (as all movies do).

Not so great. Interesting dialogue here and there, but Kate Beckinsdale had trouble controlling her British accent as she tried to play an American. Oddly pointless plot.

But I still love the Sevigny.

Rating: 2/4 stars

Film Forum - 8/14/11

Film Forum Double Feature: Robert Ryan

1. The Naked Spur (Starring Jimmy Stewart and Janet Leigh along with RR)
Psychological Western: 3/4 stars

2. Bad Day at Black Rock (Starring Spencer Tracey)
First Hollywood film to deal with mistreatment of Japanese-Americans: 2.5/4 stars