Away We Go

Decent movie with wonderful acting by Maya Rudolph. The movie is a little too earnest at times, kinda like an indie folk song that tries hard to be hip, subtle, funny and serious at the same time.

It is very funny though. The scene skewering the new age couple (aka awful parents) is really funny. The couple is against sugar and strollers which says it all. They're morons and our main couple calls them out appropriately.

Up

The best word for this film is "darling." Wonderful entertainment on many levels.

Star Trek

Loved it. I think it succeeds on action alone but mixes some predictable and surprise elements in the plot and characterizations to keep a long-time fan entertained. I actually left the theater in a good mood. It's also the first film in a while that hasn't made me check my watch mid-film.

Sunshine Cleaning

The story of how a missing component affects lives: missing mother, missing arm, etc.

The art of the deal escapes Alan Arkin's character as he disposes of gobs of shrimp. Why? Board of Health ruins his plan. Also, the Cleaning Company needs to get certified to get insurance. It seems the direct path to entrepreneurial success is burdened by bureaucracy.

Are these characters growing up? High school affair remains in force. Everybody knows. Even the wife.

This movie is full of life but subtle.

Two Lovers

This dark and downmarket Woody Allen ripoff got worse and worse as the film progressed (or better, regressed). Pass.

Duplicity

I saw this movie starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen a week ago and can't remember anything about it except is was forgettable.

It was all plot driven and very complicated resulting in...not much.

Adventureland

Finally, a good film! It occurred to me that this is the type of film where many scenes left this wannabe director thinking "I wish I had thought of that".

Random thoughts:

A moving scene shows a silent car ride to "Pale Blue Eyes". It's a beautiful scene. The bridge structure overhead floats by.

References to Lou Reed permeate the film.

Ryan Reynolds brings back memories of the Matthew McConaughey character in "Dazed and Confused".

Good soundtrack effectively used.

Funny as hell. "Strong-ish" is the response when the nerd saves a drunk girl from falling. The delay between syllables is perfect.

The lights outside the bus in New York resemble the lights of Adventureland; the next adventure starts in New York.

I might even see this one a second time.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Cute but ultimately futile.

I Love You Man

The story of two unlikeable characters who form a friendship so one can have the other as best man. If you're interested so far, see it. If not, you win what's behind door #2: $6.50 and two hours of life.

Honestly, are they not even trying to make good films anymore?

Paul Blart, Mall Cop

The preview looked like it might be funny but it was infantile and predictable and pretty much lame.

Milk

This film is fabulous in many respects. Gus Van Sant makes two hours fly by packaging a lot of history that moves and is moving. Must see. Sean Penn inhabits the role of Harvey Milk.

Four Christmases

Four too many. Godawful.

Quantum of Solace

Action packed. Great chase scenes. Not much else. I liked it.

Religulous

Bill Maher might be the funniest agnostic on Earth. That's why "Religulous" is a scream: it mixes the deepest existential question of God's existence with belly laughs.

Rachel Getting Married

2 hours of unrelenting, exhausting torture made worse by a hand held camera. Where was my Dramamine? I felt like my late grandparents were cinematographers with their 50's Super 8: jiggling the shots and not counting to "10". What was Jonathan Demme thinking? Recommend this film to someone you dislike.

Burn After Reading

Another example of how overrated the Coen Brothers are.

Recent films on DVD

All good!

I Shot Andy Warhol Lili Taylor shines as does Stephen Dorff.

Harold & Maude Classic. I never tire of it. Great Cat Stevens soundtrack, too.

Brokeback Mountain Even better with subtitles. Holds up on repeated viewings. It really is a masterpiece.

L.A. Story Hilarious, again.

Grey Gardens Cinema verite by the Maysles brothers. Crazy cousins of Jackie O living in filth. It's fascinating like watching a train wreck.