Movies
Watching Sweet Land.
Just got back from watching Casino Royale
Star Wars III
Tammy and I went to Star Wars Episode III today. We made a point to go to the DLP theater at the Eden Prairie AMC. The theater did a really great job with the entirely digital movie.
I liked the movie more than I expected. I figured it would be good, but it exceeded my expectations. The Star Wars crowd did not let down either, the nerd ratio was definitely on the high-end. The story was great. Perhaps my only negative, and it’s minor, was that I didn’t care much for the idea behind the droid general, although his saber moves were pretty impressive.
So the second arc of the Star Wars saga is concluded. I’m left really hoping that Lucas takes a stab at the final third arc with episodes seven through nine. We’ll see!
I’m looking forward to the War of the Worlds and the Chronicles of Narnia series to come to the theater.
Million Dollar Baby
Tammy and I went to see Million Dollar Baby at the late matinee today. You would have to live under a rock to not have heard some of the publicity surrounding this movie, but I really didn’t know much about the plot. It’s a great story about a woman that is extremely persistant and gives everything to realize her dream as a boxer.
The movie is a real tear jerker. There were no dry eyes at the end of it. Tammy said that pregnant women should beware. She said she was on the verge of bawling! Nonetheless, it’s a great movie.
Team America
This Tuesday we got the opportunity (Thanks Chad!) to go and see a sneak preview of Team America. This is the newest movie from the creators of South Park. The schtick for this is that the entire thing is filmed using puppets. I have to admit that I found the fight seens with puppets banging against each other and strings clearly visible was pretty funny.
Don’t go to this expecting any cerebral entertainment. If you went to anything from the creators of South Park expecting something other than just mindless chuckles you are sadly confused. It’s a funny movie, and the political overtones are humorous. However, I may wait and catch this one on video rather than shell out hard earned dollars for it.
Napolean Dynamite
Tammy and I went to Napolean Dynamite this evening. I have to admit right off that this movie did not endear me in any way at all. I generally thought it was stupid, without any interesting characters and even the couple of laughs were minor at best. I’m sure my experience wasn’t helped by the fact that the theatre was crowded with young teenagers.
What is it with groups of young teenagers!? They all have cell phones. They take calls in the movie and yack on their phone right in the middle of everything. Grrr! Tammy turned and told the three particularly moronic girls behind us to “shut up and turn off your phone”. Didn’t do a lot of good though.
Anyway, the movie reminded me of the film equivalent of a Ween album. However, unlike Ween which I find a little interesting, Napolean Dynamite just went on, and on, and on… 90 minutes of meandering nothingness.
Tammy didn’t dislike this as much as I did. Aside from the teens in the theatre, she thought it was an OK movie. Seems the critics also side more with her than I. Your milage may vary.
The Forgotten
Last night Tammy and I went to The Forgotten. The movie was moderately entertaining, however I certainly wouldn’t make a huge effort to see it. Renting the DVD would probably be fine. The theme of the movie reminded me a bit of Dark City. The movie successfully provides a number of shocking adrenaline scenes that will definitely make you jump in your seat. The rest of the time it takes an eerie, 3rd party perspective for the camera. If you’re bored and looking for something pretty simple but exciting, check it out.
Manchurian [Haliburton] Candidate
Tammy and I went to see the new version of the Manchurian Candidate last night. Much more suspenseful than the original, however lacking Frank Sinatra. Maybe it’s just my particular political views but the concept of the movie seemed a little closer to home than I would like.
Garden State
Tonight Tammy and I took it easy and went to a movie. We decided to check out Garden State. I really liked the movie. If you enjoyed movies like Lost in Translation or Niagara, Niagara, I’m almost positive that you will like Garden State. I left the movie also thinking that it reminded me a lot of The Graduate, even though I couldn’t figure out why.
It took me a moment to get over Zach Braff. Braff wrote, directed and starred in this. I’m not that big of a fan of Scrubs, and while this movie has nothing to do with Scrubs I kept on thinking about it with him on the screen in front of me. However, given the quality of this movie and that it was his deal, I left with much more respect for him.
I’m tempted to get the soundtrack. The music in the film was perfect.
Bourne Supremacy
Tammy and I went to The Bourne Supremacy last night. Fun movie with a lot of action and suspense. Lacked the excitement of The Bourne Identity in part because Identity was all new and we knew what to expect in Supremacy to an extent. Still very fun to watch. I did note that it seemed like most of the movie was filmed handheld or something. If you get motion sick easily (like me), watch out.
The Stepford Wives
Oh boy, we did it again, went to yet another movie in Paris. This time the Stepford Wives. Fun movie, probably better to rent. This time the theatre had air conditioning, what a plus!
Spiderman Deux
Tammy and I went and saw Spiderman 2 this evening in Paris. I always think it sounds kind of wierd to go to a movie when you are on vacation, but it’s always a lot of fun. Anyway, movie was very good, better than the first. Luckily it was in english with french subtitles. The theater had no air conditioning and was rather a dump, and the tickets were only €9.50! Ouch! Paris is not a cheap city.
The Terminal
Tammy and I went to The Terminal tonight. I gotta admit that I liked this movie a lot more than I expected I would.
You start with Tom Hanks. Granted he’s one of the best actors alive today. He’s right up there with the greats, but he is Tom Hanks and for some reason I don’t have the desire to see him in a movie like I do Al Pacino, or Marlon Brando or even William H. Macey! But every time I do see him in a movie I really enjoy it. Spielberg is also a great director but falls unfortunately into a similar category as Hanks.
Anyway, the plot sounds really boring, a guy stuck in an international airport terminal, however it is really fun and enjoyable. You leave the movie feeling good and happy, which is sometimes exactly what you want a movie to do.
Dodgeball!
We went and saw Dodgeball tonight and I have to admit that while it’s a pretty stupid movie it is really funny. Don’t go expected any type of intellectual experience, this is chewing gum for the brain, but fine chewing gum it is.
Just got back from seeing Super Size Me! Should be a wake up call to everyone. Also saw a preview for The Corporation which looks very good.