Carrie (2/5)
I know I should respect this film for cultural and historical reasons, but I don't have to like it. I still love you De Palma, it was the cheap, late 70s.
Valkyrie (4/5)
As a fan of the World War II genre, this high budget, well cast film directed by a Hollywood elite was good cat nip for me. I can see why the concept didn't fly as high as it could have though, it is a downer sell from the onset. How do you pitch a film based on a failed coup attempt? Titanic could have certainly failed with its inevitable ending, but the fictional love-against-odds story easily superseded the demise of the ship, and the heroine ...
Coraline (3/5)
Staying true to the lesson learned from my previous Little Brother date (Transformers 2), I made sure we watched a well made film with a good premise and moral. To my wonderful surprise the film told a rich, fantastic, complicated family story and is one of my Little's favorite films now. Tried to watch it in 3D at home and the results were a bit lacking--the room has to be really dark and the screen should be a good size. Wished I had seen this ...
Duplicity (3/5)
A fine production with fine acting and a decent script. Whenever Julia Roberts tries to be funny, it almost always falls flat. I am a Clive fan though, and he carried the scenes well enough.
Things We Lost In The Fire (1/5)
What a waste of two great actors--really though, is Berry a great actor. We have the "no makeup life must be bad" look, and the, "wearing makeup life is now good" look.
Synecdoche, New York (DNF)
I had high hopes for Kaufman's directorial debut, with an a-list cast and yet another genius concept. The first act never left the launchpad and the second act was treading in my least favorite subject matter--adultery. I shut if off and went to bed.
The Breakfast Club (4/5)
A classic, indeed, but I can't call this a perfect film anymore. I am not convinced that the Princess and the Criminal hook-up by the last scene--he confronts her with some of the most intense judgments possible and ten minutes later she breaks into the office so they can make-out. Oh ya, the Jock does a floor routine and shatters a glass door by screaming at it.
Knowing (2/5)
Somehow, someway, Nic Cage puts butts in seats. He is a guilty pleasure, I must admit, and his camp-faux-acting is as irresistible as Canoe Reeve. Like all good trash, they do require a descent script to chew through though--Ghost Rider and Constantine were pleasureless dreck (perhaps I needed more drink). And really, giving these films an honest review and score is like grading a staple--no not that kind of staple, the kind you use to bind ...
Pretty In Pink (2/5)
Hadn't seen this film in probably twenty years and don't expect to see it for a hundred-twenty more. My least favorite of the Hughes/Ringwald films. At least it has a parent who isn't a total idiot as is the base of nearly every other Hughes' script, the Dad is just down on his luck this go around. And whoever said they like who she ends up with in the end has some explaining to do. Duckie 4ever.
Night At The Museum (2/5)
Meh. Nice to see Mickey Rooney on his feet... to crib Dana Carvey's impersonation: "I was the greatest actor--bang--hooooooop--in the wooooorld!"