Wendy and Lucy (2008)
Kelly Reichardt, who directed Old Joy, which I wrote an essay about, continued with a more focused but still naturalistic story. Very sad, the helplessness of the main character gives you a pit in your stomach the whole film.
Iron Man (2008)
Solid and entertaining.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Movie
STUCK (2007)
I could have seen this film at the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival, but decided an 11PM screening would be too past my bedtime. I also received a free ticket for a botched screening of an earlier movie, so I saw the same amount of movies, just not the selection I had originally chosen.
Anyway, finally I get to watch this, and a Blu-Ray version! But this is a great film in the tradition of B-movies, that would be even more suitable if they still released movies in used bargain bin VHS form.
It's not sleazy or cheap, just perfectly limited, with an incredibly compelling conflict that has natural tension. Some definite cringe-worthy moments from your grossest horror movie with some human moments from your best understated indie dramas.
I could have seen this film at the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival, but decided an 11PM screening would be too past my bedtime. I also received a free ticket for a botched screening of an earlier movie, so I saw the same amount of movies, just not the selection I had originally chosen.
Anyway, finally I get to watch this, and a Blu-Ray version! But this is a great film in the tradition of B-movies, that would be even more suitable if they still released movies in used bargain bin VHS form.
It's not sleazy or cheap, just perfectly limited, with an incredibly compelling conflict that has natural tension. Some definite cringe-worthy moments from your grossest horror movie with some human moments from your best understated indie dramas.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
ERASERHEAD (1977)
Interesting movie watching experience on this one. On Friday night I went out to some bars with some co-workers. Fun time and all, but the downside is that the most ideal block of movie-watching time was gone for the night. I got back about midnight and I thought I'd try Eraserhead, available in HD for free On Demand, because from its reputation it sounded like a great midnight movie. Well, an 8:00-5:00pm work schedule caught up with me and I had to go to bed. Then I got up earlier than expected on Saturday because I was hungry, and watched a little more of Eraserhead. My hunger subsiding, I then decided to catch up on more sleep, then finally finished up David Lynch's debut later in the morning.
Fortunately, being unconcious between the duration of the film is oddly appropriate for film that presents itself, without any restraint, as a complete terrifying nightmare. I would not recommend this movie as a group-watching experience, especially with a signficant other, unless you have seen at least 20 movies together and completely understand and appreciate your movie-watching partner's tastes. This movie, while completely innovative and mesmerizing, is also only appreciated by those that don't necessarily want to be entertained by a movie, but want to view something completely unique. It would be a "Film Snob Series" entry for sure if I had seen it sooner, but I wouldn't have been able to categorize it into anything broad as I have done my entires to this point. Other than David Lynch's other work (which looks SO much more inviting compared to this, with the possible exception of Twin Peaks' Black Lodge), there isn't a familiar context in which to describe this movie. Watch at your own risk.
Interesting movie watching experience on this one. On Friday night I went out to some bars with some co-workers. Fun time and all, but the downside is that the most ideal block of movie-watching time was gone for the night. I got back about midnight and I thought I'd try Eraserhead, available in HD for free On Demand, because from its reputation it sounded like a great midnight movie. Well, an 8:00-5:00pm work schedule caught up with me and I had to go to bed. Then I got up earlier than expected on Saturday because I was hungry, and watched a little more of Eraserhead. My hunger subsiding, I then decided to catch up on more sleep, then finally finished up David Lynch's debut later in the morning.
Fortunately, being unconcious between the duration of the film is oddly appropriate for film that presents itself, without any restraint, as a complete terrifying nightmare. I would not recommend this movie as a group-watching experience, especially with a signficant other, unless you have seen at least 20 movies together and completely understand and appreciate your movie-watching partner's tastes. This movie, while completely innovative and mesmerizing, is also only appreciated by those that don't necessarily want to be entertained by a movie, but want to view something completely unique. It would be a "Film Snob Series" entry for sure if I had seen it sooner, but I wouldn't have been able to categorize it into anything broad as I have done my entires to this point. Other than David Lynch's other work (which looks SO much more inviting compared to this, with the possible exception of Twin Peaks' Black Lodge), there isn't a familiar context in which to describe this movie. Watch at your own risk.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Never Forgotten Tuesday Report
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
A handful of genuine laugh-out moments, and all together amusing but not legendary comedy. For free on Comcast on-demand HD, definitely not a waste.
The Lives of Others (2006)
Incredible.
A handful of genuine laugh-out moments, and all together amusing but not legendary comedy. For free on Comcast on-demand HD, definitely not a waste.
The Lives of Others (2006)
Incredible.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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