Taper Madness

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

...have you seen any good movies lately? It seems that it's been fairly bleak for the last couple of months, although I did see Crazy Heart twice more, on airplanes. That was a high point. But I also saw Valentine's Day and that Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant abomination (something with Morgans in the name), so I'd say a big net thumbs down for the airline offerings.

We saw Harry Brown a couple of weeks ago after seeing some critical acclaim for it, and found nothing redeeming about it at all. I love Michael Caine, but this was just an ugly, dark movie. But last Saturday made up for it: Toy Story 3. Who knew? Maybe I am regressing. One of the movies I liked best last year was the animated film "Up", and now I think "Toy Story 3" is the best I've seen in the theatres this year. Go figure.

What have I missed that is worth catching?
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EatDrinkRunWoman · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 632 Location: Seattle

We just watched "The Illusionist" through Netflix; I really enjoyed it.
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Andy · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Arizona

I think Harry Brown was supposed to be an ugly dark movie - didn't you think that Michale Caine's performance was a redeeming feature?

You might try "Exit Through the Gift Shop" with Banksy showing he can make films to the same standard that he can decorate buildings.

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Thanks, Jimmy.

I had forgotten about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Saw it a while ago with The Doctor, and can't add much to what you say about it. The Doctor saw The Secret in their Eyes when I was gone one week; I had forgotten about it. He liked it so much when he saw it that he said he would definitely see it again, just to make sure that I catch it. Haven't yet done that, so I need to see if it's still around or available yet on DVD.

I really don't have any interest in Banksy, either. Exit Through the Gift Shop sure has stuck around a long time, though.

I've also been wanting to see Please Give, but our timing has been off. In fact, the night we went to see it, there were tickets available, but only a few seats left, so we saw Harry Brown instead. I just saw a listing for it at a couple of second-run theatres here, so maybe I'll catch it in the next few days.

Hot Tub Time Machine? Oh lord. But too raunchy? Hmmmm. Hard to say. I loved The Hangover, but thought a bunch of others (Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, etc.) not worth the time. Which camp is that one in?
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"Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." - Steve Martin

Marathon Maniac #835. Check out my 50 states progress at: MarathonGeeks

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Andy · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Arizona

Just got back from seeing Knight and Day - I was in the mood for a mindless movie but unfortunately it didn't even rise to that level.

T. Musacchio · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 879 Location: The U.S. of A.

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

I have a tough time differentiating between a lot of the comedies mentioned, like Hangover, I Love You, Man, Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, Superbad, (didn't see Greek) and finally, Hot Tub Time Machine. They were all raunchy & mindless, but really funny and I liked them all. What makes some of them stand out over the others are either really great, unusual characters, like Zach Galifianikas in The Hangover, or the McLovin character in Superbad, or the soft side of Sarah Marshall, or the bonus vampire musical scene that Tracy mentioned.

What I really liked about HTTM was that even they made fun of the stupid concept, ( a hot tub that's a time machine?) plus it had great characters/performances by people like Craig Robinson, and Rob Corddry in particular. Those guys left John Cusack standing in their dust. And then it had that great 80's soundtrack to boot. So, what's not to like? Yeah, it's dumb and mindless, but at least you leave the theater smiling.

A few films I'm looking forward to seeing over the next few weeks are: Restrepo, the Sebastian Junger (the Perfect Storm) movie about the Afghan war, The Kids are All Right, staring Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo, and one of my all-time favorites, Julieanne Moore. I think it opens next week. Also due out soon is Chris Nolan's Inception, with an all star cast featuring Leo DiCaprio, Ellen Page (Juno), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Michael Caine (in everything), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Marion Cotillard (Edith Piaf in La vie en Rose), Pete Postlethwaite (Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects) and Cilian Murphy (he's also in everything). For this venture, I hope Nolan was inspired more by Memento, than Batman, the Dark Knight.

Also receiving rave reviews is Tilda Swinton in the Italian movie I am Love. And I'm really looking forward to taking Stella to Toy Story 3. I should have bought stock in Pixar Studios years ago. They seem incapable of doing anything wrong.

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Jimmy - if you haven't managed it yet this weekend, *do* go see Cyrus. What a surprise treasure! I hadn't heard of it until your post, but then saw it listed at my local Landmark theatre, so I put it on my schedule today. It's just a nice quirkly little film with a small but superb cast (I'll let you fill in the details for anyone else - you're the reviewer around here). I hope you like/liked it as much as I did.
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"Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." - Steve Martin

Marathon Maniac #835. Check out my 50 states progress at: MarathonGeeks

Current Tally:
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40 States, 1 Province, 2 Countries, 1 Continent

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Nice call on The Secret in Their Eyes! What a nice and thought-provoking movie. I'm actually wondering how they pulled off the dual ages of those two main characters? The husband was easier to see, but the other two were really convincingly portrayed. Good stuff.

No, I didn't see Greenberg, but I saw the previews for it enough times that I probably saw the entire movie at least three times over. The Doctor had no interest. I was intrigued, but didn't really see any good reviews of it, so it slipped in and out of town without me seeing it.

I missed Margot at the Wedding. Wasn't that released sometime in the same timeframe as Rachel Getting Married? I really didn't like the Rachel movie (too transparent, too many whiny characters, too much kitchiness for the sake of trying to be quirky but just actually being annoying), and I think I kind of combined the two in my mind. Sounds like I didn't miss anything.
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"Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." - Steve Martin

Marathon Maniac #835. Check out my 50 states progress at: MarathonGeeks

Current Tally:
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40 States, 1 Province, 2 Countries, 1 Continent

goober · Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 78 Location: Columbus OH

With two young children I regret that I can't add too much to the grown-up discussion (the last grown-up movie we watched was The Hurt Locker, through NetFlix). I can however, say without equivocation, that I hated The Karate Kid (The Jaden Smith version). Jackie Chan did an admirable job of trying to re-create the Pat Morita/Mr. Miyagi character, but Jaden Smith is no Ralph Macchio (think about that for awhile). Also, the attempt at re-creating the Ralph Macchio/Elizabeth Shue romance with two kids who appeared to be all of 11 just kinda creeped me out. If Ralph Macchio were dead (he isn't, is he?) he would be spinning in his grave.

Toy Story 3 is probably next on our list, and I hear it is excellent!
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1L · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 7590 Location: Hotlanta, GA!

Toy Story 3 was fun and I really enjoyed it as did the 5 teenagers that I brought with me.

I just saw An Education the other night, and I liked it as well. You won't get an eloquent review from me as my command of the English language is that of an engineer, but it was well done and entertaining. I think it is available on DVD.
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Maniac #795

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Julie Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 4152 Location: Chicago, IL

goober · Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 78 Location: Columbus OH

Did anyone see "A Serious Man" (start to finish that is)? Mrs Goober and I couldn't make it all the way through. I think she lasted a little longer than I who gave up and began to read the newspaper less than half way through, but both of us felt like we had spent an hour+ that we could have been doing something more satisfying like re-grouting the tub. Having a Best Picture nomination, we thought it would at least hold our attention. If I'm just too pedestrian would someone please enlighten me, I'd be willing to give it another chance if I had a clue where the hell it was taking me.
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"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." -- William James

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Doctor F · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 8495 Location: The Empire State

Jimmy, please put a spoiler alert before your description of Cyrus. Sad

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ksimkoid · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Boise, Idaho

Late to this party a bit, but can I enjoy and follow Toy Story 3 if I haven't seen 1 or 2? It's on the short list for a movie date with the granddaughter this weekend after a half marathon on Saturday - Despicable Me is the other one under consideration.
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Carpe Diem!

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Just saw Inception today. It's outstanding. We walked out of the theater with the same feeling we had after seeing Memento a few years back: totally blown away by it's originality.

Best movie of the year, so far.

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Here's another good one (finally! - maybe the tide is turning): The Kids Are All Right. Just saw it tonight, and it's a really solid film. How can you not like Mark Ruffalo? I saw an interview with him the other day, and even if he plays the same role a bit often, he's so good at it. I have never much cared for Annette Bening, but I love her in this movie. The story is, well, a 2000's kind of story, about two teenage kids of a lesbian couple who go looking for their sperm donor, and how that experience affects the lives of the five main characters. It's funny, but it's also touching and dramatic, too. There are some mixed moralizing messages in the film, but there are also some great observations on relationships. And even if you end up not liking the film much, you can at least enjoy a great soundtrack.
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"Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." - Steve Martin

Marathon Maniac #835. Check out my 50 states progress at: MarathonGeeks

Current Tally:
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40 States, 1 Province, 2 Countries, 1 Continent

tom · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 2027 Location: Northwest Indiana

I average less than 1 movie per year, and the last two I've seen have been children's movies. We saw Toy Story 3 last weekend and I would second Jimmy's post 100%. All four of my kids (ages 3 to 12) loved it and both Alison and I enjoyed it too. I really enjoyed the nostalgia of many of the toys that I recognized but had not thought of in many years. Very nicely done.[/quote]

kent · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject:

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Tom & Kent (and other kids at heart) for family entertainment, these are a few of my favorites;

Fly Away Home http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116329/

October Sky http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/

And one of the most beautifully shot films ever (the first half is absolutely gorgeous) The Black Stallion http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078872/

And Judy, The Kids are All Right is the next movie we plan on seeing. Glad you enjoyed it.

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Trent · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198 Location: Deep Wells, TN

What about Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim?
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Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

We saw Inception a week or so ago. Essentially, I liked it and thought it a good movie. What was good was the multi-layered story and all the complexities that it invoked, not least of which was the ending. Real or dream? No matter what you think, it's thought-provoking.

What I didn't like was all the shoot-em-up stuff. Criminy, the gunfire never ended. It wasn't that it was ultra gory (for all the shooting, there's really very little blood and guts), but it was just loud and obnoxious and distracting. It seemed that they put in the shooting and absurd chase scenes just to sell the film to 20-something boys.

Definitely well worth seeing, and definitely memorable. Best of the year? I hope not! ...but it's been a pretty slow year....
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"Through the years, I have learned that there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration." - Steve Martin

Marathon Maniac #835. Check out my 50 states progress at: MarathonGeeks

Current Tally:
52 Marathons, 2 Ultras
40 States, 1 Province, 2 Countries, 1 Continent

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

Jimmy Jam · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1688 Location: Evanston, IL

Get Low.

We saw it tonight and we both really liked it. It stars Robert Duvall as a crotchety old hermit named Felix Bush, who decides to throw a funeral party for himself. Only the twist is that he wants to be in attendance. As in alive. He also wants to invite many guests, the more the merrier in fact. The only catch is that they all have to tell a story about Felix, and you sense that not too many have good stories to tell.

Now if this were all there was to the plot, then the movie would still be ok. In fact all of what I just told you about the movie, you gather from seeing the previews. You might even sense that Felix himself has a story to tell. But what that story is, and how that story unfolds is what makes this film special. Well that, and the exceptional performances by Duvall, Sissy Spacek as a former love interest (great to see her on screen again) and a wonderfully droll Bill Murray as the funeral director. Murray has elevated deadpan humor into an art form. He's great.

Make no mistake, however, as this is Duvall's film. From Boo Radley to the Lonesome Dove, he's one of the best we have, and it's his finest work since his Oscar nominating performance in The Apostle. It wouldn't surprise me to see he, Murray and Sissy all receive nominations.

Director Aaron Schneider's background is in cinematography, and it shows in this film. His beautiful shots immerse you in 1930's rural America, and the bluegrass soundtrack only adds to the experience.

Get out to see Get Low. It's a good movie.

Doctor F · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 8495 Location: The Empire State