New at the cinema (subjective spoilers/one word reviews)

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Fed Up - engrossing documentary about the American food industry and how it has altered our diets and habits. While there is a call for political action, the film also underscores the need for individuals to think and act for themselves.

Ida - a black and white Polish drama, similar to last year's Philomena. An 18 year old novice is preparing to take her vows to become a nun, when she discovers her family and her past.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Three recent total shitfest viewings:

Godzilla - too many cliches in the plot and action, and too little screen time of Ms. Binoche and the Big Lizard himself.

Young and Beautiful (Jeune & Jolie) - French coming of age nymphomaniac, and a pointless plot.

Palo Alto - just when one thought James Franco's narcissism couldn't become more prominent, comes this sex-crazed teen flick that also goes nowhere. At least Val Kilmer's son makes a decent film debut.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Bears - cute, Alaskan "March of the Penguins" type documentary.

The Immigrants - powerful performances from Marion and Joaquin. Old fashioned WWI era Ellis Island story.

half-n-half
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Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 2:31 am

Post by half-n-half »

pdg wrote:Locke - genius, original, outstanding directing, storytelling and acting. Thomas Hardy plays Ivan Locke, the only character filmed. Ivan is on an overnight drive and a series of phone calls fill in the extra characters. In between is an intense story, both between the characters and within Locke. I haven't stopped thinking about this since the credits rolled.
Dang.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Locke - genius, original, outstanding directing, storytelling and acting. Thomas Hardy plays Ivan Locke, the only character filmed. Ivan is on an overnight drive and a series of phone calls fill in the extra characters. In between is an intense story, both between the characters and within Locke. I haven't stopped thinking about this since the credits rolled.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Neighbors - some very hilarious scenes sadly attempt to bolster an otherwise formulaic, non-realistic, and over-Seth-Rogen'd comedy.

Captain America 2 - a million plot twists liberally borrowed from other blockbusters, mixed with some quasi bromance scenes. Oh captain, not my captain.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Finding Vivian Maier - another strong documentary featuring a fascinating person in history. This film is about a socially awkward woman who took over 150,000 amazing photographs, which were only discovered after her passing.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Dancing In Jaffa - engaging and inspiring documentary about Arab and Jewish kids in Israel learning to dance together.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Under the Skin - very odd sci fi film, that reminded me of Terminator mixed with Taxi Driver. Lots of curves - on the road, in the plot, and with Scarlett.

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

I'm wanting to see Under the Skin, thanks for the review. :)


Watermark - visually stunning documentary about Earth, water, humankind's dependency on water, and future possibilities with climate change.

half-n-half
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Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 2:31 am

Post by half-n-half »

Under the Skin - Unusual, quiet, sci-fi movie, set in Glasgow, with a brunette Scarlett Johansson. On a quest to find out what color/brand lipstick she wore.

xo

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq - a documentary similar to Ken Burns' style about a former world-class ballet dancer, her relationship with her choreographer, and her tragic experience with polio.

half-n-half
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Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 2:31 am

Post by half-n-half »

pdg wrote:Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa - very funny, outlandish British comedy. The normally irritating Steve Coogan played well.
yeah he's really irritating. I wanted to go see Philomena but well ya know...

pdg
Posts: 399
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:37 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by pdg »

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa - very funny, outlandish British comedy. The normally irritating Steve Coogan played well.

half-n-half
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 2:31 am

Post by half-n-half »

Nympho 2. Dang Jamie Bell. No math.

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