Thoughts: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

I really, really, really wanted to like this movie. I guess we just don't always get what we want. Watching it again tonight I was hoping that maybe since my expectations were lowered I would like it more. Nope. I was just bored.

I could rant for a while about this movie. I was considering doing that earlier. But now I'm just kind of tired and don't really feel like spending a lot of time on it. I guess, basically my major complaints are that the plot was silly, the development of everything was silly, the special effects were silly, pretty much everything was silly. I really hated what they did with Hyde, those effects were just ridiculous.

I feel bad for this movie. It could have been so cool. And it tried so hard. It's a darn shame. Really it is.

Thoughts: Suicide Club

Um... Huh?

I've watched a lot of movies, especially foreign horror, that make very little sense. This one was one of the, um, weirder maybe? I'm not really sure. I know part of it was shitty subtitles (a friend of mine who watched with me knows enough Japanese to be able to point that out). It was really hard to understand though, so if you're not keen on the Japanese horror films with subtitles to begin with, you might wanna stay away from this one.

It was definitely very, very bloody. Crazy Japanese school girls who are made of kool-aide... It was also really disturbing. I mean, it was lots of teenagers killing themselves. I guess I should have figured that it would be after reading the description on the box. Some of the scenes were creepy but others were just silly, like the guy in the hospital randomly running around in the dark when he could have just turned on the lights. The beginning was really good I though, in the really disturbing but well done sort of way.

So really, what I learned from this movie (as one of my friends so eloquently put it): cell phones, computers, and pop stars are all evil. Especially 12-year-old pop stars. Gotta watch out for them, they're tricky.

Ok, they started League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in the other room. Long rant possibly coming soon.

Thoughts: Finding Nemo

Hehehe... what a cute movie. I love cartoons. The animation in this one was pretty nice. I know a few people were complaining about halos around the characters but I personally didn't notice. I like the computer animation.

The movie was really enjoyable. I've been meaning to see it since it came out but just never got around to it. I'm glad I got to see it now. It was really clever too. I mean, some of it was obvious like mount wannahokaloogie or whatever their volcanoe thing was called. But it was fun and silly. And I loved the Hitchcock references. Oh and even more fantastic, did those seagulls look familiar to anyone else? Can we say Wallace and Gromit? Watch the Wrong Trousers and you'll see what I'm talking about. Aaaaand how about the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea reference? There's also moments/references from The Shining, Shrek, Scarface, and Monty Python (another one of my favorite references "Swim Away! Swim Away!"). I'm sure there are probably even more I didn't notice. Hehe, I'm all excited now.

Yeah, Finding Nemo definitely lived up to the hype. Sooo much fun! Woo! Hehe.

edit: I forgot to mention the Jaws references!!! Dude! only one of my favorite movies ever! I can't believe I forgot to mention the references to it. i fail. heh.

Thoughts: The Italian Job (2003)

I was told that it was a fun movie that I just HAD to watch. And so we rented it and I watched. And it was fun. So that's good. Yup.

Yeah, it was a fun movie. I enjoy actiony films with cool car chases. I could have done with a little more sexy, but that's probably just me being in a weird mood. It really is fun, it was done well, there was enough of a plot, the acting was decent, and the music was cool.

Oh, and the dvd, best easter egg ever. At least if you like seth green, which I really, really do.

Thoughts: Flesh For The Beast

Oh lord, there was gut vomiting. What a movie. It's an indie horror flick that blockbuster for some reason has. I rented it a couple of nights ago and tonight two friends and I watched it.

These indies are really something else. They're definitely a break from Hollywood, but they still have formulas and predictability. But that's ok, I wasn't expecting a masterpiece here. And it did have some really good moments. There are some shots that I really liked and the gore was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the buckets of blood that were present. Of course, I would.

And the gut vomiting. That itself is something special. Although it is most certainly not an indication of a good movie, as anyone who's seen Club Vampire can tell you. But gut vomiting is fun.

If you're interested in indie horror, check this one out. If you've never seen any indie horror, brace yourself, it really is something different. Oh, and there's lots of nudity. I thought I was watching Showtime at parts. Yeah, so if you like blood and nudity, enjoy! If you don't, you've been warned.

Thoughts: Cube

I actually watched this last night but my internet was down so I couldn't post about it. And I just forgot to earlier.

I liked it. It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen but it was pretty cool. The idea of it was interesting and well executed. I actually felt the claustrophobia of bein trapped in the cube while I was watching. The acting wasn't amazing but it was good, as was the character development. There wasn't much blood and gore but what was there was really cool.

I wouldn't call this movie scary, but it was definitely disturbing. And those were some crazy ass traps. Cool movie.

Thoughts: I Capture the Castle

I saw the trailer for this a while ago and thought it looked interesting so when I saw it in blockbuster I decided to rent it. It was ok. It's a love story, coming of age thing. Which is cool. It was just a bit too complicated I think. Or maybe it's just that my head hurts.

The scenery was nice. And I liked the actors. Yeah, I really think the plot was just a bit much. Everybody was in love with somebody but it wasn't the right somebody. Or they thought they were in love with somebody else. Or they were just being silly. I dunno. If I watch it when I feel better I may like it more, but I think I may leave it alone for now.

It's ok, it definitely has its funny parts, but you don't have to leave right this second to go find it, it's nothing vital.

Thoughts: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

It's great being home and having cable. They've been showing The Two Towers constantly since they premiered it on Saturday on Starz. I haven't seen it since the theaters so I'm glad it's been on. I really like the whole trilogy. The second one has much more action than the first, it's exciting and the battles are all so well done. Watching this one I also figured out why Liv Tyler was cast as Arwen. She and Viggo Mortensen have great chemistry, they work really well together.

I'm looking forward to getting the dvd. The Fellowships extended dvd is really nice, with all the features and everything. I'm sure the Two Twoers one is just as good.

Thoughts: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

I really wasn't all that excited about seeing this movie when it first came out. I mean, it was a Disney movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Not very promising. Happily, I was pleasantly surprised.

I think it's such a cool movie. It's pretty and stylish. And the effects with the pirates are really very cool. Plus, I probably don't need to say it but I will anyway, Johnny Depp is amazing. I really think he made the movie. It would have been an enjoyable movie otherwise, but now it's just fantastic.

I'm so in love with Johnny Depp. Definitely one of my favorite actors, if not my very favorite. He always has an amazing amount of energy. And he becomes characters, it's never just watching him say some different lines and make a few different expressions, he is the role. And god he's sexy.

Sexiest man alive indeed. I'm glad the rest of the world caught on to what I've known for years, heh. Go Pirates.

Thoughts: Dirty Dancing

Chick flick? Yes. Cheesy? Yes. Do I care? Not at all.

I have seriously always loved this movie. I remember way back in the day when my mom and dad used to watch it, my mom thought I was too young so she wouldn't let me see it. I would sneak out to the living room and watch from where they didn't notice.

I know a lot of people don't really care for this movie, guys especially, but there's just something about it. At the risk of sounding cheesy myself, I think it's just magical. And hot. MmmmmmmHmmmm. Very, very hot. Now this is a sexy movie. And with that dancing, how could it not be? Man I wish I could move like that.

There's just so much more to it than most of the chicky, coming-of-age flicks we get now. I feel like this movie just got it, understood it, and really brought it to life, rather than just mimicking it. If that makes any sense at all. Maybe it's just the age I'm at or something. Or that I grew up with it. Or that I'm female. Whatever. I love this movie.

Thoughts: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the The King Part II

Yes, I saw it again. It's one of those movies that my dad doesn't really want to see but my mom really does, so I went with her.

Anyways, a couple of thoughts. First of all, I liked the ending a lot more the second time around. When I wasn't expecting it to end after each transition it was easy to just sit back and enjoy it. Second, I really still like the part with Eowyn in the battle. I think it was well done, I know it was in the book, and I think the few complaints I've heard about it were idiotic.

I really enjoyed the hobbits in this one, I think they all did a great job and Pippin and Sam especially really made me happy. I also like that there was more singing. Singing is prominent in the books (or at least the parts I've read) and I'm glad there was more in this movie.

There was just so much that was so cool about this movie. And it was all just as enjoyable the second time around.

Thoughts: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the The King

Oh man was I excited about seeing this movie. I loved the first two and I'm just a really big Peter Jackson fan. His movies are so fun. He really knows how to tell a twisted story.

So this one's not really a twisted story, but he still tells it really well. I really enjoyed it a lot. My one complaint is that the end was really drawn out. Other than that it was great. It flowed really well, the battles were really cool, some crazy cool creatures, and it looked nice.

Now I honestly have yet to actually read the third book so I'm not sure about how close the movie stayed to it. I'm pretty sure it changed a few things, but I'll have to read to know for sure.

But yeah, I enjoyed it. I think it was good third movie for the trilogy. Well done Peter Jackson.

Thoughts: Maverick

So I should have been studying for exams or writing my paper or maybe sleeping. But I watched Maverick with my roommate and boyfriend instead. I know, I'm real smart.

Anyway, Maverick is a fun movie. It's a silly western poker movie, which is cool. Most things involving poker are. My favorite part is the part with Joseph. Joseph is awesome. Mel Gibson is also fun. And the Lethal Weapon reference, BRILLIANT. Seriously.

I know it's not the best movie ever, but when you're looking for something fun to do in the middle of finals week, Maverick is great.

Thoughts: The Burial Society

Tonight was the first night of the annual Peninsula Jewish Film Festival and they showed the Burial Society. The whole thing was a really nice set-up. The woman in charge introduced the film and the festival committee members. Then after the screening there was a dessert reception with free Ben & Jerry's, little pastry things, coffee, and a Klezmer band. I had a very nice time and I'm really glad I went.

As for the film, I really enjoyed it. The plot was really complex so it was a bit hard to follow, but I thought it was really well told. And the cinematography was beautiful. It was also just really humorous. The film is a Jewish Film Noir, which is just really cool, about this accountant who gets involved with these Jewish mobsters (yes, I said Jewish Mobsters) and ends up running away to this small town where he joins a burial society. I can't really say anything else without giving away the plot, but it really is good.

A very nice, interesting, well acted, well directed, and just all around well made film.

Thoughts: Manhattan Baby

Man that's a weird movie. I had no idea what was going on for almost two thirds of it. Once I figured it out, it made a lot more sense than some of the Fulci movies I've seen, but I still don't think it's as good. But that's ok. It is kind of cool and there are some really freaky moments. It doesn't have as much gore as I was expecting it to have, it being a Fulci movie and all. But it did have more special effects and according to the interview with the writer the focus was more on the effects than doing make-up. The interview was pretty interesting too. That made the movie make even more sense. I liked it but it's defintely not the best Fulci movie I've seen.

Thoughts: Chocolat

Yay for hanging out with the girls. Chocolat is such a great flick for a fun, chill evening. It's kind of like a chick flick, only much much better than that. I think it's pretty well done and I really enjoy the acting. Of course, Johnny Depp is in the movie, so I'm kind of partial. Oh, and that chocolate looks sooo good. This movie definitely makes me hungry. And makes me want to go to France. And makes me want to buy lots of chocolate. So yeah, I like this movie.

Thoughts: The Diamond Arm

We had to watch this movie in my Russian class this week. It's a comedy from the sixties I believe. I thought it was really funny. The director is pretty much just making fun of Stalinist Russian ideals. I've seen a lot of Russian movies so I'm kind of used to them but for someone who isn't familiar with Soviet history or cinema some of the jokes may be hard to get. It definitely helped having my Russian Professor there to explain some of the more obscure humor. I'm not sure how many people have seen this or have access to it, or are even interested in seeing it, but if you are, it's funny and enjoyable.

Thoughts: Gothika

I went to see it tonight with my mom. We were thinking about seeing Under the Tuscan Sun instead but we just saw a romantic comedy last night and i wasn't really in the mood for another. So Gothika it was. And it wasn't bad. I think they finally figured out that the other dark castle pictures were all a bit too much and they were more toned down with this one. They also got lucky with the actors. Halle Berry is obviously good, as is Penelope Cruz. And I think Robert Downy Jr is adorable, even with his drug problems. But yeah, it had its creepy moments. I have heard a lot of people comparing it to The Ring and I definitely understand why. I also thought there were a few moments that were very reminiscent of The Sixth Sense or The Eye. But it was stylish. The plot was ok, but way too predictable. So yeah, it was ok. Nothing wonderful but I had fun. I guess just dont go seeing it with really high expectations, just look for a good time, and you'll be ok.

Thoughts: Labyrinth

So I didn't actually watch this today, but I wanted to start with something. My mom and I watched this two nights ago after all of the Thanksgiving fun was over. I love this movie. I've watched it so many times. We still have an old vhs around somewhere from when I was who knows how old. I was excited when it came out on dvd. It's definitely classic. I think it's one of those movies that never gets old. It's kid friendly and adult friendly at the same time. The puppets are loveable and David Bowie is sexy. Plus Jennifer Connelly is lots of fun to watch. It's cool to see her so young, now that she's all well known and stuff. But yeah, Labyrinth is a fun movie. I don't really see myself ever getting tired of it.