"The chief difference between horror fans and science fiction fans lies in why they won't walk backwards. A horror fan won't walk backwards because he knows he'll be knifed by a madman. A science fiction fan won't walk backwards because he knows he'll step on the cat." ~Aaron Allston
Watchmen (2009) - I feel like this is a good companion to the graphic novel, but it didn't reach the depths the novel was able to find. It was also VERY long, and I wasn't crazy about actress who played Laurie, or the changes made to the ending - apparently, I'm one of the few who actually thought the original ending was good as it is. There were lots of good moments, however, and I was happy to hear much of the dialogue from the novel unchanged. But still, VERY long.
Dark Matter (2007) - Tragic story about a brilliant young Chinese student at an American university whose dreams are crushed when his work is dismissed. It's an interesting look at the politics involved in the university system, and features the fabulous Meryl Streep, which is why I rented it in the first place. Very good.
Sunshine Cleaning (2008) - a single mom tries to pay for private school for her overly-imaginative son by opening a biohazard removal service with her irresponsible sister. The performances by Amy Adams and Emily Blunt were fantastic - this is a very dark comedy, but smart and well written - ultimately a hopeful movie. Movies like this are why I love watching independent cinema.
Duplicity (2009) - Oh Julia Roberts, your grin still gets me. However, I think I might the only women on the planet who doesn't swoon at the sight of Clive Owen, so the romancy parts of the movie didn't really work for me. Also, this seemed overly complex, even for a spy movie. Not going to be on my list of favorites.
Adventureland (2009) - you know, I don't think Kristen Stewart actually acts - I think she's just herself in every movie she's in. I couldn't tell any difference between Emily in this movie, and Bella in Twilight. This was a nice movie, more intelligent than I expected.
Rudo y Cursi (2008) - Spanish-language film about two brothers with dreams of becoming stars. I love the Diego Luna/Gael Garcia Bernal acting combo, and they were wonderful again in this movie. Recommended if you like foreign films, and can handle some rough language.
My movie watching definitely suffered this month, with BBAW and season 4 of Supernatural to keep me busy. Hopefully I can make a bigger dent in my Netflix queue this month!
9 comments:
I watched Watchmen a few weekends ago and I wasn't impressed. It was good in the special effects and what not but I think I missed a few keypoints. Though I did think it was a bit better than I anticipated, just didn't blow me away.
We were also surprised by Adventureland ... it was better than it was billed to be.
On the other hand, I really did not like Sunshine Cleaning for plot reasons. Amy Adams character did nothing for herself -- not even take care of her own kid. I just kept getting more disappointed in her everytime she left her kid with someone or got bailed out of a bad situation that was entirely her own fault. I thought the acting was good but it was hard to root for any of the characters in the movie.
I love that quote.
Okay, I had to stop by your blog because of the title. I am ALWAYS in need of new bookshelves. In fact, there are teetering stacks of books all over my loft because I have run out of room for furniture. It's a problem. I've tried crazy re-arranging of the books on the shelves. I've tried curtailing my book buying (ha! that didn't work). So now I'm giving away a book on my blog and will possibly be doing it on a regular basis. *sighs*
Anyway, I just wanted to say Hi and that I really enjoyed your blog. Hope you don't mind that I'm following you now...
I very much enjoyed the graphic novel Watchmen and while I thought the changed ended was so-so, I still enjoyed the movie as well. I have been meaning to watch Sunshine Cleaning and now I just have to!
I agree with you on Watchmen -- I got sort of geeky excited every time I recognized dialogue from the book in the movie. And yes, Kristen Stewart really doesn't act much, just puts the same sort of look on her face and reads different dialogue. That said, I liked Adventureland a lot more than I thought I would, so I agree with you there too!
I am looking forward to watching Watchmen very soon. I don't have much to compare it to, because I haven't read the graphic novel, but I have been thinking about it. I think it would be interesting to experience both, and see how they differ.
I saw Duplicity and I'm with you on Clive Owen. I do really want to see Sunshine Cleaning.
Lol I swoon at Clive Owen. That said, "Duplicity" wasn't great. I have to admit I preferred him and Julia in this when compared to "Closer".
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