The Curious Case of Forrest Gump February 26, 2009
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Now I know why this film felt so unoriginal. Despite that, I actually did enjoy it. Some stories are worth retelling.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button February 21, 2009
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I liked this movie. However, I left the theatre feeling like what I had seen was not quite original. I think that if The Notebook and Big Fish spawned a movie, the result would be remarkably similar. Anyone else notice the parallels?
Little Miss Sunshine = A Faux-Indie September 22, 2006
Posted by Dustin in Movies.6 comments
Evan Burchfield makes a convincing argument. For the record, I could not help but to agree with his sentiment, and yet I still enjoyed my experience at the theatre that day.
Why Not June 25, 2006
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These are a few of my favorite movies:
Donnie Darko
Garden State
Boondock Saints
Resevoir Dogs
Rebel Without A Cause
City of God
Pulp Fiction
Fight Club
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Requiem for a Dream
Full Metal Jacket
Oldboy
The Graduate
Abre Los Ojos
Big Fish
Edward Scissorhands
The Big Lebowski
Magnolia
Roman Holiday
Amelie
The Godfather
Chinatown
Forrest Gump
Breakfast At Tiffany's
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Risky Business
Being John Malkovich
Dangerous Liasons
This post in no way proves my superior taste in cinema (although a strong case could be made). If you have some down time this summer and you have yet to experience any of the above, your Blockbuster runs just got a whole lot easier.
Mission: Impossible III May 5, 2006
Posted by Dustin in Movies.10 comments
This movie was quite remarkable. If what we require of this genre is a explosive yet clever American counterpart to James Bond, I suggest that J.J. Abrams has succeeded on all counts. The action commences en medias res (which is a Latin literary term for in the middle of things). Movies that contain such subtleties are generally worth watching and this one is no exception. However, subtleties alone rarely make make a movie. Perhaps the best element of the picture is the oft venerated acting of Philip Seymour Hoffman. If you look at his filmography, it is easy to understand how he lends credence to any production in which he is involved. In MI3, he transmutes the one-dimensional role of villain into a complex and enigmatic entity. In the end, facets of guile and allusion make for a compelling cinematic experience.
Loose Change: Second Edition April 27, 2006
Posted by Dustin in Movies.2 comments
Almost five years after the Septeber 11th tragedies, there remain an astounding number of peculiarities surrounding the events that transpired. Fortunately, this movie provides an adept summary and analyisis of a handful oddities that have been observed. While it is not without errors (it was actually a B-25 Mitchell and not a B-52 that flew into the Empire State Building), it is generally well researched and undeniably though provoking. Is it possible that the U.S. government was somehow involved? Given the number of statisical anomalies and the "party-line" secrecy, it appears probable. One caveat: Loose Change will challenge your assumptions and ignorance and at first that can be uncomfortable to parse. Moral dilemmas (e.g. the Holocaust) usually are. Consider it your patriotic duty.
Match Point April 26, 2006
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I never would have suspected that Woody Allen could write and direct such a timeless and engrossing tale. It was as if he distilled the best elements from Cruel Intentions and A Place In The Sun and synthesized them into a modern classic. The film revolves around the premise that a curious combination of luck and human neuroses play an undeniably impacting role in the course of human endeavors. I can't say any more about the film without the introduction of spoilers but I unabashedly recommend this work to all of my readers (especially fans of film noir).
Mysterious Skin April 8, 2006
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The other day I asked myself, "Self, whatever happened to Joseph Gordon-Levitt?" (of Third Rock From The Sun fame). The surprising answer came in the form of perhaps the best film I have seen in months. For me, this film really defines some of the better aspects that constitute a worthwhile indie production: powerful (yet disturbing) subject matter, forgotten actors and a killer score. I am not going to make a blanket recommendation of this film becuase it is not for everyone. However, I am certain that the discerning viewer will come away from this one with a renewed appreciation for the art of cinema.
Upset? I Think Not March 5, 2006
Posted by Dustin in Movies.2 comments
I fail to understand how Crash rounding out Brokeback Mountain for the best picture award constitutes an upset. The simple fact is that Crash is a far superior film. I applaud Hollywood for having the ability to recognize that there exist other, more sophisticated portrayals of homosexual subject matter.
