Director:
Todd Louiso
Stars:
I was meeting the writer the next day for a screenwriting workshop I was auditing, so I thought it was a good idea to watch his film. Let me just say, if you like movies that are a bit more depressing, you'll like this one. It's about the downward spiral a man's life takes after his wife commits suicide. It's a slow, quiet movie, but I enjoyed it.
_______________________________
The Trip (2010)
Director:
Michael Winterbottom
Stars:
Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and Paul PopplewellIf you like accents, you'll like this movie, but I strongly recommend subtitles. The movie was a road movie, a buddy movie, a food movie and kind of pointless in a way. The actors played themselves, but scripted to a storyline. It reminded me a bit of "Sideways" by Alexander Payne from (2004), where the friends mostly get on each others' nerves during a road trip. If you have a limited scope of understanding of pop history in the UK, you'll have a hard time with this movie, since it's highly referential.
__________________________
Director:
Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Stars:
Parker Posey, Omar Townsend and Anthony DeSandoThis movie is so ridiculous, it's fun. It's kitschy and goofy and if you're into that sort of thing, you'll enjoy it. I also picked it up at a grocery store for a few dollars. Fun times. The fashion is totally 90's and the story line is so ... special. Any one who has seen this before KNOWS what I mean. :) I'm pretty sure this is a cult classic. I knew I was going to love it when I saw Lady Bunny in the opening scene. Love me some drag queens!
_______________________
Director:
Brad PeytonI watched this movie with one of my nephews at the dollar theater. I happen to like several of the actors, so I enjoyed this flick about family and bonding and adventure and books. It was formulaic of course, but it was true to its genre of family friendly movie. You get what you expect. It's not completely hokey, and is watchable. :) P.S. I have NOT seen the first Journey movie, but I don't think that set me back at all. I'd be interested to watch that sometime too.
_________________________________
Yo, También/ Me Too (2009)
Stars:
Lola Dueñas, Pablo Pineda and Isabel García LorcaI really liked this movie a lot. I volunteer with special needs youth/adults so it was a movie close to my heart. The movie takes place in Spain and features the first adult with Down Syndrome to graduate with a Masters and his pursuit of a co-worker. The idea of special needs people and their desire for love is such a heavy topic and this film covers it well.
______________________________
Bartok the Magnificent (1999)
Writer:
Jay Lacopo
Stars:
Hank Azaria, Kelsey Grammer and Andrea MartinIf you remember Bartok from the film Anastasia (1997), and you wanted to see more of him, this film is for you. I actually did not watch this with any children, but it came on tv on one of my lazy days. I've always thought Bartok was cute, and I have a small Bartok toy from a kid's meal, so yes, I'm a fan. The movie was simple and cute. Obviously family friendly and more or less predictable. I enjoyed it, though I often like to turn off my brain, so if that suits you just fine, you can watch the FULL MOVIE here:
________________________________
Revenge of the Electric Car (2011)
Director:
Chris Paine
Stars:
Tim Robbins, Danny DeVito and Jon FavreauThis movie is a sequel but you'll do well enough without seeing the first movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?" (2006) as long as you are aware that the car industry killed the electric car, they made a documentary about how the drivers of those cars were devastated that their beloved electric cars were unnecessarily recalled and then this movie was released to show how carmakers stepped back up to the plate to work on electric car technology. A refresher would have been nice though, as I don't think the previous film or its content was sufficiently explained here. Otherwise it just looks like a documentary about how innovative people are being, when it's actually a doc about how the car industry is responding to pressure from films like the prequel to this film. I would recommend checking out the previous film, just to have all the information at hand. This film is pretty interesting on its own of course, but the more knowledge, the better.
_____________________________
TiMER (2009)
Director:
Jac Schaeffer
Writer:
Jac Schaeffer
Stars:
Emma Caulfield, John Patrick Amedori and Scott HolroydThis film is summed up as such: If a clock could count down to the moment you meet your soul mate, would you want to know?
I found the concept of this film to be super interesting and I thought it was very clever. You had two women with extreme timer situations, in a world where the technology existed in which a timer implanted on your wrist could tell you when you would meet your match. I really liked this movie as a fresh concept. It wasn't perfect but I liked it.
_________________________
Dark Shadows (2012)
Director:
Tim Burton
Stars:
Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva GreenIf you are a fan of Tim Burton and/or Johnny Depp, you probably don't need to be coaxed to see this movie. I am, and I enjoyed it. If you aren't a fan of Burton and Depp's style, you probably will find it irritating. I found it clever, fun and funny. I'm really interested in finding out more about the soap opera it was based on from back in the day and seeing how much of an improvement it is ;)
______________________________
Saved! (2004)
Director:
Brian Dannelly
Stars:
Jena Malone, Mandy Moore and Macaulay CulkinIt's been a long time since I saw this movie and I still love it. As a recovered Catholic, I can relate to this movie on a very scary level, having been in the crazy brainwashing system. This movie is sarcastic and biting, but it doesn't condemn completely. The characters and situations are really fun and interesting.
__________________________
27 Dresses (2008)
Director:
Anne Fletcher
Writer:
Aline Brosh McKenna
Stars:
Katherine Heigl, James Marsden and Malin AkermanI'm not a huge fan of weddings, so was in no rush to see this movie. Four years after its release, I finally did watch it, actually on the same day I attended a wedding that had zero bridesmaids! :) (That wedding was lovely, by the way!) This movie was formulaic at best but if you are looking for a mushy-gushy rom-com, go for it. James Marsden is pretty :)
_________________________
Win Win (2011)
Director:
Thomas McCarthy
Stars:
Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan and Jeffrey TamborI really enjoyed this film. I had seen information on it on IFC and put it on my list. Finally got it and wasn't disappointed. I take interest in geriatric care (grandparents) and I thought the dynamics were nice. The characters were interesting and multi-faceted.
