Movies Watched This Past Week:
Miller's Crossing: If I were to rank the Coen brothers' films I would safely put this near the top and not blink twice. I was really worried I wouldn't like it given my previous experiences with them, but they sure as hell delivered on this one.
Transformers Dark of the Moon: Well, at least this time around they did try. I can say that. Unfortunately for all their technical innovation they still haven't grasped the fundamental blocks that make up interesting characters and plot, which in turn build powerful tension. It's pretty too look at, but the action all feels lifeless because the emotion just isn't there.
Moneyball: Not as good as I wanted it to be, but a far cry from bad or mediocre. I really liked the concentration on characters. However, Sorkin and Miller really struggled to keep things fluid, leaving to a lot of strong disjointed scenes that don't build up to the ending so much as reach it.
For Your Consideration:
If you haven't been keeping up with Edgar Chaput's ongoing Shaw Brothers marathon over at Between the Seats than you've really been missing out. Be sure you check out his latest review on Golden Swallow!
Is the Manic Pixie Dream Girl an annoying caricature that undermines women or a romanticized version of the 'ideal' woman? Nick Prigge dives into the oft debated territory over at Anomalous Material and comes out wanting his own manic pixie dream girl.
I've been torn for some time now as to whether or not I think Ides of March is a theater film or DVD film. Well, this review from Yojimbo_5 over at Let's Not Talk About Movies may have just convinced me to stick with the DVD go of things after all.
For my money, The Shining is the best psychological horror-thrillers of all time. However, everyone else may not think so, and on his 60/60 journey Nick of Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob came out with positive but mixed feelings on the film.
Lastly, throwing some love out there for one of the best all around bloggers on the net - Alex J. Cavanaugh. The trailer for his second book, CassaFire, hit the interwebs last week and it's pretty sweet. Be sure you check it out and support this fellow movie buff!
Poll Update:
Look on the bright side, at least you're not being attacked by a koala.
Poll Results: Do You Buy Into a Film's Oscar Hype?
1. 7 votes: Sometimes, if it's a movie I'm interested in anyways (the power of reinforcing one's own preconceived notions ftw!)
2 (tie) 4 votes: Always, I live for Oscar hype (just be careful you don't step in the bullshit - killer SPR reference, if you got it that is) & Not until it's Oscar season (right with you there)
3. (tie) 3 votes: Never. Oscar Hype is a bane on cinema (I wouldn't go that far but too each their own) & Seldom, Oscar hype is a bit annoying (that it can be, especially when hype overwhelms content).
New Poll: With The Walking Dead coming back, I want to know - what is your favorite cinema apocalyptic scenario?
Soundtrack of the Week:
Upon my viewing of Miller's Crossing I was quite taken with Carter Burwell's beautiful score. Be sure and check it out below!
Have a great Monday everybody!
7 better thoughts:
I feel exactly the same way about Miller's Crossing. Saw it last night, loved it, and then I saw Sex, Lies and Videotape and loved that even more. I just can't seem to admire those Coens properly.
Btw, that is one scary poll for someone as paranoid as I am. I will only watch 2012 in 2013.
Wow. I put out one lousy review last week and it rates a mention from Univarn?
Honored, sir.
Thanks for the linkage Uni. I felt the same way about Moneyball. Nothing really standing out, just a competently made film that's pleasant enough throughout.
@Nikhat If you're paranoid about watching 2012, might I recommend checking out Dara O'Brien's standup routine on the film. After watching that you should be fine to watch 2012 safe in the knowledge that it's completely full of ****.
@Yojimbo_5 Don't put yourself down, was a great review!
@Castor Your welcome. I do wonder how different Sorkin's script was from the finished product.
I suspected you'd feel that way about MONEYBALL
Perhaps I should check out Miller's Crossing :D ?
Oooh I love the music in Miller's! Coen's do that so well.
Must've been an interesting contrast with such an innovative film as Miller's and Transformers3 though : - )
Thanks for the link. I can't help it. I do want my own MPDG. Sigh.
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