Wonderful Short Film

Watch this! http://foreversnotsolong.com/.

I really don't want to die alone, and this really played into those fears for me. But it was great.

The Cryptic Canvas Movie Game

Click here to to go to their website and play this AWESOME movie game. There are clues to the titles of 50 recent movies (most within the past 20 years). See if you can find all 50.

Another AMAZING movie!

I absolutely loved The Reader. It is erotic, moving, disturbing, touching. I appreciate movies that make me literally feel the emotion welling up inside me.

Kate Winslet is one of my top-5 favorite actresses. It's her turn!

B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T Movie!

"Slumdog Millionaire"

Please go see this movie!

Such a creative and compelling story about destiny and overcoming the odds to build a life for yourself when the world seems to be stacking the cards against you!

"RENT Live" Movie Trailer

Martin's Monday Morning Movie Musings

Lars and the Real Girl- Wow! I loved this movie on so many levels. It is absolutely NOT what you expect from the summary, quoted here from Netflix:

"Ryan Gosling plays the title character in this oddball comedy about a delusional young man who buys a life-size sex doll over the Internet -- and then falls in love with her. When the besotted young man starts telling people that the doll is his girlfriend, his brother and sister-in-law decide it's time to intervene in this film co-starring Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Kelli Garner and Paul Schneider."

It is not raunchy, dirty, or even remotely risque, despite the "sex doll" plot element. It is a film about family, loss, coping, mental illness, and above all, compassion that extends beyond simple interpersonal relationships to the community level.

Ryan Gosling is probably the most under-rated actor of his generation, and I like Patricia Clarkson more and more every time I see her!

A real "gem." I watched it twice!

Dumbo- Everyone knows the story, so no need to recap the plot. However, I do have two comments:

1) I miss my Mommy!

2) The film was made in 1941? I woudl have guessed square in the 60's. You can't tell me that "Pink Elephants on Parade" is not the result of an acid or mushroom trip! Maybe opium?

Martin's Monday Morning Movie Musings

Lions for Lambs- Thought provoking, frustrating, overly simplistic in its analysis of the issues. But it made me think a little more about our approach to "the war on terror."

I found myself thinking that this movie must have been a stage play that was not translating so well on to the big screen, but it wasn't--I checked the credits. I was picturing how powerful the staging could be transitioning from one scene to the next, each of three involving a different look at the modern world, all occuring simultaneously over a 90 minute period on opposite ends of the world: 1) A college professor and his star student debate the role of higher education in shaping the minds of our future leaders, and how youngsters seem to be becoming more and more apathetic and unengaged; 2) A powerful GOP polititian meets with a journalist who is frustrated with the advent of entertainment schlock as news to provide an exclusive on a "new initiative" in Afghanistan. The scene explores the relationship between the media and politics/politicians, and how journalism has become more of a codependant relationship with its subjects thereby creating a self-sustaining circle of propaganda at the expense of 'truth'; and 3) the military's attempts to carry out their orders without the best intelligence or technology to support the mission.

Into the Wild- (Title info from Netflix): Sean Penn directs this feature based on best-selling author Jon Krakauer's true story of a young man who gives up everything to lead a solitary life in the wild. Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a middle-class college graduate, abandons his safe existence to trek across the harsh yet beautiful terrain of Alaska. William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden co-star, along with Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook (in an Oscar-nominated role).

Loved it. Long and slow moving, but in a meaningful way, not boring. A strong statement about being disollusioned with the material excesses of the world, and literally giving it all up to follow your true bliss, and the wonderful characters you may meet along the journey.

MASH- I'm a huge fan of the TV show, and I'm a huge fan of Robert Altman (especially Short Cuts, and The Player), but I wasn't particulary fond of this movie.

I can see where it was a "masterpiece of 70's cinema" and I respect its position on many "best ever" lists, but it's not for me.

(Note: Click on the titles to go to the Netflix page for each movie.)

It was a Netflix weekend

"Gone Baby Gone"
Casey Afleck is about to bust out as the next big thing! Based on a book by the same author as "Mystic River," GBG forces you to make some tough decisions about what you would do in the same situation. The answers aren't easy because what seems "right" may not line up with the law.

Great cast, great performances.



"Across the Universe"
1960's unrest set to Beatle's music-- not exactly surprising, but still entertaining. Thinly veiled comparison to modern issues in Iraq urging the people to rise up and start a revolution against a government which continues to stubbornly "stay the course" in an unpopular war. Clearly set during the Vietnam era, but with just enough modernization in hair and costume to remind us that this COULD be today. Well crafted movie, even if the historical comparison was a little (a lot?) heavy-handed. Loved the innovative choreography and the trippy visuals.

"Undertaking Betty"

How did I miss this one in the theaters? Brenda Blethyn is always brilliant, but who knew that Christopher Walken as an undertaker that wants to put some pizazz in the form of song-and-dance into the art of funerals would be so entertaining?!
Silly little plot but great playful script and sassy performances.

I hit big with three total winners all at once-- I'd definitely recommend all of these if you're looking for something to add to your queue. :)

Peace on Earth

I went to see a few movies on Christmas day. This sign hangs in the foyer of the theatre-- what a world we live in!

Of course, I have to say, it's probably a good thing. There are times I would like to pull a gun (a toy of course, but it would look real enough in the dark) and scare the pants off some inconsiderate ASS that can't shut up for 2 hours and has to chat through the movie. Not that I could actually shoot them-- but woudln't it be fun to see the look on their face?!

"Atonement" - WONDERFUL! Highly recommend!

"Kite Runner" - Pretty good adaptation, but read the book instead. It's astonishing! The movie doens't capture the raw emotion of the book.

Mo Film

"Mo" is having it's premiere at the Malibu International Film Festival this weekend on April 14th. You can find out more abotu the project at www.mofilm.net. If the movie catches on, it has the potential to do a lot for Marfan syndrome awareness (my job).

"Mo"

I got an email this morning that a trailer for the feature film "Mo" is now on the film's website at www.mofilm.net. I posted about it previously here. Please check out their site and the trailer.

Ellen with Clint Eastwood at the 79th Annual Oscars 2007

My favorite "Ellen" Moment at the Oscars. The show wouldn't have been so friggen boring if there had been more Ellen being Ellen, and less clip montages like the one featuring Foreign Languiage film winners through the ages.... ZZzzzzzzzzz.....

(Again, the embedded video disappeared... Here it is on YouTube.)

And The Oscar goes to...Melissa Etheridge

My favorite Oscar Moment last night. "I have to thank my incredible wife Tammy!" Her whole speech was wonderful -- I LOVE this woman!!!

(For some reason, the embeded video disappeared-- here'e the link to it on YouTube)

Holy NAKED WIZARDS, Batman!

Kids will never see this play anyway. It is one of my personal favorites, and I always had dreams of playing this part, but I wonder if he can handle it.... I wonder if they're exploiting the "Harry Potter Naked" thing to cover for his limited range?

Movie Report

Saw "The Fountain" today.

Bottom line: Liked it a lot, though not one I would recommend to people who like linear plots.

Visually an incredible film!

I cried.

ADDENDUM:

I just read a review of the movie in Entertainment Weekly that I think captures how I felt. It's not a perfect movie-- it was difficult to follow at times, but giving myself up to the filmmakers vision and "going with it" allowed me to really enjoy it. Here's the review by Lisa Schwarzbaum at EW.