You Can Count on Me...and I'm crying a little bit. Because it's beautiful and because I really think Mark Ruffalo has no idea what he's gotten himself into.
Bong Joon-Ho's "Mother". Just saw it the other night. I just love the tone of his films, including this one. He's in my top five directors at the moment.
De Sica's Two Women (La ciociara). The movie that gave Sophia Loren the oscar. TCM just showed it and it just made me realize how she's an actress with such level of depth.
I'll have to piggy back on Jason H., at least in mentioning Winter's Bone (perhaps #2 on my list for 2010 thus far).
I was instantly pleased that a movie could be such a delight without star actors (and their acclaim for PAST, unrelated projects) or a director self-promoting their "brand".
While a few changes from the book irked me, Jennifer Lawrence was a work of art and the movie was gritty and deeply dark...two things I enjoy seeing in indie films.
On another note, Step, have you read Never Let Me Go? I read it on a loooong flight this week and loved the genre...and hope it translates well into film.
Just finished reading something on Inception. Then right before I clicked to go to your blog, my mind wandered over to Scott Pilgrim and how excited I am to see it finally.
I was thinking of Pauline At The Beach, the French movie by Eric Rohmer. I watched it just last night.
What I love about Rohmer's films is that after two hours of, well, essentially just conversation, the perspective of everything shifts just a tiny bit. How like real life it is.
Except, in real life, not everyone walks around shirtless or in impossibly tight pants and bathing suits. Viva La France! ;-)
Dave -- ah yes. Pauline at hte Beach. it's a goodie.
Marvel Boy -- i think it's a combo of things. wrong projects. non prestige fare. bad timing. I remember thinking she was pretty great in SMOKE but it was essentially a cameo.
Short Cuts. I usually see the film once a year. This time I got the 2disc version, with the featurettes, which was educational and interesting, all of Raymond Carver's short stories rolled up in one movie. Lots of interviews. Every time I see the film it mkes me want to go backward and discover more Altman. Also it's real cool to see all these actors together in one movie. I'm sure many people that like the film have their favorite characters, and even though I'm fond of many, I can't help but get a kick out of Jennifer Jason Leigh talking about balls slapping up against her ass as a phone sex operator while she is doing housework.
With Afghanistan in the news so much as of late, just revisited Jarhead and had a running parallel on how that movie compared to The Hurt Locker. Wonder if there are any good recent Afghani movies addressing the ongoing conflict and war in that country?
2046 by Wong Kar Wai. I just bought the dvd and am hoping to see it tonight. However, other commitments may delay my viewing.
BTW, Nat, if you are still having a bit of a writer's block, why not consider writing about on screen dynamic acting duos/teams? My comment is sparked by reading that The Strait Times called Tony Leung Chi Wai and Maggie Cheung as the 'Bogart and Bacall' of Asia. Why not write a piece on great acting teams?
Anyway, just throwing that out there for you to consider.
Savage Grace. I love it, though none of the critics do. I'm kind of getting into an Eddie Redmayne thing after I saw him in The Pillars of the Earth...
I was thinking about Jackie Brown, and than about its contemporary Leonard adaptation, Out of Sight, aka Soderbergh's best movie. So charming, so sexy, so romantic, so funny. That's what entertainment is all about.
Come on, this movie should be a classic. It's the An Affair to Remember of the 90's, and it's better than An Affair to Remember!
Moulin Rouge. Do I ever think of any other? (Well, yes: When will The Kids are Alright come to a theater near me?)
@joe burns: a friend played Isadora for me a few years ago. I love Vanessa Redgrave (best actress in English language? Yes, including you, Meryl. Sorry.) but that movie was an experience I could have lived without. Part of the problem was tone - the director couldn't seem to decide if he wanted to be "experimental" or not, and sometimes was to great effect (Isadora's first sexual experience), sometimes to merely pretentious effect. On the other hand, there are scenes where I wished it had been more metaphorical, less literal - the close-up of isadora's with her eyes bulging as she's being strangled? Not necessary, but the image is now burned on my brain in a bad way.
blinking cursor -- not a bad idea. but the block was really an offsite thing. all fixed up now . i'll be back here shortly. probably by the weekend.
tess -- the second time i loved it more. i do think i'm trying a third soon. hope it gets even better.
janice -- from what i've heard it's going wide next weekend i believe? you should get it soon at any rate. it's doing really well so they're aggressively expanding.
Return of the Soldier-Alan Bates, Glenda Jackson, Ann-Margret and the magnificent Julie Christie, one of the best casts ever all giving great performances.
Never Let Me Go and Black Swan, I'm literally obsessed with them lol; just want to see Carey, Keira, Natalie and Mila's Performances in there films! :D
I just watched The Squid and the Whale and was completely blown away. The acting, the writing, the directing -- all of it was so spot on. (Jesse Eisenberg in particular, I thought, was outstanding -- makes me even more excited for The Social Network.) I felt like I had been punched in the gut after it was over... but in a good way?
I think it's interesting that people tend to view it -- and all of Baumbach's work, it seems (this was my first foray into his oeuvre) -- as being especially cruel, because I didn't see it that way at all. I think there's an enormous sympathy there towards the characters, but also a very realistic understanding that people are deeply flawed. He certainly doesn't sugarcoat things, but I don't think he really judges any of them, either, which I really like.
Dreamland, a stunning achievement of a film that I recently saw at Melbourne International Film Festival. It's making me want to be a better person, that's how powerful it was for me.
Rabbit Hole, because I'm so happy to hear that it's finally going to see the light of day (at Toronto) which means we'll finally see/hear some reactions and (hopefully) Oscar-talk!
John Adams (technically it's a miniseries but I consider all miniseries to be extended movies. In this case, a seven-hour movie). I had to see if after reading the recent New York Times piece on Laura Linney, and developed a ravenous curiosity after realizing that I had never seen this vital role of hers. The miniseries is kind of dry but strangely addicting.
Let the Right One In (the original, brilliant swedish movie, not the doubtful remake)
ReplyDeleteWinter's Bone. I finally saw it last night, and I'm just now getting around to writing about it.
ReplyDeleteI AM LOVE, since I saw it last night. So so great.
ReplyDeleteWaking Life
ReplyDeleteI love rotoscope.
Country Strong. The Return of Gwynnie!
ReplyDeletegainsbourg biopic, will I ever get to see it?
ReplyDeleteYou Can Count on Me...and I'm crying a little bit. Because it's beautiful and because I really think Mark Ruffalo has no idea what he's gotten himself into.
ReplyDeleteNever Let Me Go, is it September 15th yet?
ReplyDeleteBong Joon-Ho's "Mother". Just saw it the other night. I just love the tone of his films, including this one. He's in my top five directors at the moment.
ReplyDeleteDe Sica's Two Women (La ciociara). The movie that gave Sophia Loren the oscar. TCM just showed it and it just made me realize how she's an actress with such level of depth.
ReplyDeleteWinter's Bone for me too. Just saw it on Monday - fantastic!
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough ROBIN HOOD with Erol and Olivia. not sure why
ReplyDeleteSleeping With The Enemy. Awful movie. Great mustache.
ReplyDeleteBlack Swan.
ReplyDeleteNatalie. Winona. Mila. Darren.
CANNOT WAIT.
"The Kids Are All Right," which I still haven't seen.
ReplyDeletePossession with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lee Pace... I just watched it last night...
ReplyDeleteNetwork. Finally bought the DVD, watched it last night, was fasinating and horrifying simultaneously.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to piggy back on Jason H., at least in mentioning Winter's Bone (perhaps #2 on my list for 2010 thus far).
ReplyDeleteI was instantly pleased that a movie could be such a delight without star actors (and their acclaim for PAST, unrelated projects) or a director self-promoting their "brand".
While a few changes from the book irked me, Jennifer Lawrence was a work of art and the movie was gritty and deeply dark...two things I enjoy seeing in indie films.
On another note, Step, have you read Never Let Me Go? I read it on a loooong flight this week and loved the genre...and hope it translates well into film.
Short Cuts
ReplyDeletebought it yesterday at the sweet Criterion Sale that B&N's has going on.
Btw, 8 1/2...finally saw it, did not enjoy.
jason -- i was just thinking about that (the supporting performances in particular)
ReplyDeleteberightback -- i'm so glad this cult is spreading
sars -- ugh. i still need to see that.
Michele -- ooh, if you just read that, read my piece on it.
Country Strong - listening to Gwyneth Paltrow singing for this movie on Awards Daily. Not bad!
ReplyDeleteThis week I can only think about Happy-Go-Lucky (that's just my face!) and Never Let Me Go (dying to see it and the poster is amazing).
ReplyDelete"The Social Network" ...just read an article on the book by Mezrich.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading something on Inception. Then right before I clicked to go to your blog, my mind wandered over to Scott Pilgrim and how excited I am to see it finally.
ReplyDeleteGrindhouse and how Rose McGowan can look good with any hair color.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading about Never Let Me Go... so there it goes
ReplyDeleteThe Hours!
ReplyDeleteNathaniel, write about 1940`s star, Carmem Miranda, "the girl of tutifruit" hair.
Volver
ReplyDeleteBecause I read some articles about the Spanish Golden Girls remake with Carmen Maura
My Life (1993)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about High Crimes. I have one question how come ashley judd was never nominated for and oscar?
ReplyDeleteIsadora. I have to watch it today, for Redgrave's performance.
ReplyDeleteRaiders Of The Lost Ark. Most rewatchable movie ever?
ReplyDeleteTitus directed by Julie Taymor, cannot wait for The Tempest!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of Pauline At The Beach, the French movie by Eric Rohmer. I watched it just last night.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about Rohmer's films is that after two hours of, well, essentially just conversation, the perspective of everything shifts just a tiny bit. How like real life it is.
Except, in real life, not everyone walks around shirtless or in impossibly tight pants and bathing suits. Viva La France! ;-)
Dave -- ah yes. Pauline at hte Beach. it's a goodie.
ReplyDeleteMarvel Boy -- i think it's a combo of things. wrong projects. non prestige fare. bad timing. I remember thinking she was pretty great in SMOKE but it was essentially a cameo.
ZiZo -- wait. WHAT? Golden Girls spanish remake?
Life of Brian. No legitimate clue why.
ReplyDeleteCats and Dogs 2. Don't ask.
ReplyDeleteShort Cuts. I usually see the film once a year. This time I got the 2disc version, with the featurettes, which was educational and interesting, all of Raymond Carver's short stories rolled up in one movie. Lots of interviews. Every time I see the film it mkes me want to go backward and discover more Altman.
ReplyDeleteAlso it's real cool to see all these actors together in one movie. I'm sure many people that like the film have their favorite characters, and even though I'm fond of many, I can't help but get a kick out of Jennifer Jason Leigh talking about balls slapping up against her ass as a phone sex operator while she is doing housework.
With Afghanistan in the news so much as of late, just revisited Jarhead and had a running parallel on how that movie compared to The Hurt Locker. Wonder if there are any good recent Afghani movies addressing the ongoing conflict and war in that country?
ReplyDeleteMiami Vice. I saw it earlier today and I really can't get it out of my head. The cinematography, the style, Gong Li. Loved it.
ReplyDeletePaul Outlaw -- you couldn't make me ask.
ReplyDeleteNo Bad -- that is a funny scene but for me Short Cuts isn't a patch on the 70s stuff... i know many people feel differently though.
The Duchess.
ReplyDeleteThe Hours.
ReplyDeleteI want to put rocks in my pockets and go for a swim. It has been a rough day.
Desperately Seeking Susan.
ReplyDeleteI Am Love
ReplyDeleteCollateral.
ReplyDeleteI just can't get it out of my head. Digital cinematography of LA, brilliant soundtrack... STUNNING.
Billy -- BIG HUGS. i'm fond of you. put those rocks back where they belong.
ReplyDeleteVertical -- it so sucks that that movie couldn't manage a cinematography nomination.
2046 by Wong Kar Wai. I just bought the dvd and am hoping to see it tonight. However, other commitments may delay my viewing.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Nat, if you are still having a bit of a writer's block, why not consider writing about on screen dynamic acting duos/teams? My comment is sparked by reading that The Strait Times called Tony Leung Chi Wai and Maggie Cheung as the 'Bogart and Bacall' of Asia. Why not write a piece on great acting teams?
Anyway, just throwing that out there for you to consider.
Savage Grace. I love it, though none of the critics do. I'm kind of getting into an Eddie Redmayne thing after I saw him in The Pillars of the Earth...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about Jackie Brown, and than about its contemporary Leonard adaptation, Out of Sight, aka Soderbergh's best movie. So charming, so sexy, so romantic, so funny. That's what entertainment is all about.
ReplyDeleteCome on, this movie should be a classic. It's the An Affair to Remember of the 90's, and it's better than An Affair to Remember!
Moulin Rouge. Do I ever think of any other? (Well, yes: When will The Kids are Alright come to a theater near me?)
ReplyDelete@joe burns: a friend played Isadora for me a few years ago. I love Vanessa Redgrave (best actress in English language? Yes, including you, Meryl. Sorry.) but that movie was an experience I could have lived without. Part of the problem was tone - the director couldn't seem to decide if he wanted to be "experimental" or not, and sometimes was to great effect (Isadora's first sexual experience), sometimes to merely pretentious effect. On the other hand, there are scenes where I wished it had been more metaphorical, less literal - the close-up of isadora's with her eyes bulging as she's being strangled? Not necessary, but the image is now burned on my brain in a bad way.
Not that I'd dissuade you from seeing it.
The Kids Are All Right. Just saw it for the second time, and wow, it really grows with multiple viewings.
ReplyDeleteblinking cursor -- not a bad idea. but the block was really an offsite thing. all fixed up now . i'll be back here shortly. probably by the weekend.
ReplyDeletetess -- the second time i loved it more. i do think i'm trying a third soon. hope it gets even better.
janice -- from what i've heard it's going wide next weekend i believe? you should get it soon at any rate. it's doing really well so they're aggressively expanding.
Return of the Soldier-Alan Bates, Glenda Jackson, Ann-Margret and the magnificent Julie Christie, one of the best casts ever all giving great performances.
ReplyDeleteLost in Translation :(
ReplyDeleteThe Player And Short Cuts, each of which I saw last night for the first time, and in a theatre for $6 to boot!
ReplyDeleteThe Avengers, supposedly coming out in 2012, and how it could turn into the biggest disaster no superhero can save.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of Cries and Whispers, which is sitting in the little Netflix red envelope upstairs for me.
ReplyDeletenot a film, but a scene in a film; "Arwen's Ride" in The lord of the rings: the fellowship of the ring. Youtube "Arwen's Ride" to see. Gorgeous scene.
ReplyDeleteThe Horse Whisperer. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteNever Let Me Go and Black Swan, I'm literally obsessed with them lol; just want to see Carey, Keira, Natalie and Mila's Performances in there films! :D
ReplyDeleteInception... Only because I was just reading about Tom Hardy and his supposed bisexuality. MMMMMMMMmmmm, Tom Hardy...
ReplyDeleteNathaniel: Yes, LAS CHICAS DE ORO are coming, and Carmen Maura will play Rosa (Rose).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.variety.com/article/VR1118022225.html?categoryid=19=1&cs=1
and here you have a couple of pictures:
http://media.vertele.com/0000066500/0000066931.jpg
http://media.vertele.com/0000066500/0000066936.jpg
I just watched The Squid and the Whale and was completely blown away. The acting, the writing, the directing -- all of it was so spot on. (Jesse Eisenberg in particular, I thought, was outstanding -- makes me even more excited for The Social Network.) I felt like I had been punched in the gut after it was over... but in a good way?
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that people tend to view it -- and all of Baumbach's work, it seems (this was my first foray into his oeuvre) -- as being especially cruel, because I didn't see it that way at all. I think there's an enormous sympathy there towards the characters, but also a very realistic understanding that people are deeply flawed. He certainly doesn't sugarcoat things, but I don't think he really judges any of them, either, which I really like.
As I'm reading this, I'm thinking of Superman Returns.
ReplyDeletehenry - but why?
ReplyDeleteMorgan -- i mostly agree but i think that's his most generous film. Jeff Daniels is SO great in it, isn't he?
It's sitting there on the coffee table and I haven't moved the DVD since the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe Bridges of Madison County.
ReplyDeleteIt changed my life.
Dreamland, a stunning achievement of a film that I recently saw at Melbourne International Film Festival. It's making me want to be a better person, that's how powerful it was for me.
ReplyDeletePenny Serenade, just having the scene with the fortune cookie on the beach on my mind...
ReplyDeleteGrand Hotel and how I've had the DVD from netflix for the last two months. Sad and busy.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Beauty, I watched it last night for the first time and loved it.
ReplyDeleteAntichrist (and if I re-watch it will it ruin my day?)
ReplyDeleteChicago ," My sister and I had an act that couldn't flop"
ReplyDeleteRabbit Hole, because I'm so happy to hear that it's finally going to see the light of day (at Toronto) which means we'll finally see/hear some reactions and (hopefully) Oscar-talk!
ReplyDelete"Ordinary People"....."you lied every time you walked in that front door...POOR Beth...."
ReplyDeleteJohn Adams (technically it's a miniseries but I consider all miniseries to be extended movies. In this case, a seven-hour movie). I had to see if after reading the recent New York Times piece on Laura Linney, and developed a ravenous curiosity after realizing that I had never seen this vital role of hers. The miniseries is kind of dry but strangely addicting.
ReplyDeletebbats -- make time. GRAND HOTEL is so fun. (underrated too i think given it's weirdly blase rep)
ReplyDelete