Movies

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:47 pm

There seem to be a lot of really good movies out right now, so I want to start a thread to get some feedback from people movies they have seen. My two most recent favorites:

"Good Night, and Good Luck." Very well done movie that everybody would be well-served to see. It is a good view into our own recent history, and highlights the problems that can arise when we start being governed by fear and choose to ignore the freedoms that made us the great country we are.

"Walk The Line." I am a big Johnny Cash fan to begin with, but this movie is great for even those who might not be as familiar with his career. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing as Cash (and does all of his own vocals), and Reese Witherspoon is also really good as June Carter Cash. After watching this movie, re-watch the "Hurt" video that Cash did right before he died. It really pulls it all together and makes a person take a long hard look at what is important in life. Anytime a film, music, etc., can do that, it is a keeper.

I also saw "Shop Girl" recently, and thought it was pretty lame.

I'm hoping to catch some other (I am hoping) good ones in the coming weeks, including:

"Brokeback Mountain," which is based on an Annie Prouxl short story (Wyoming author who always finds a jarring way to show the twisted and disturbing elements of rural life).

"Paradise Now." A film about two Palestinian men who are recuited to be suicide bombers. The trailer suggested a happy ending, so I'm hoping there is one of those positive revelations that occurs during the course of the film.

"Capote." Phillip Seymour Hoffman playing Truman Capote during the time he wrote "In Cold Blood," and the strange relationship he developed with the murderer.

"Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic." Every review I have read for this psuedo-standup comedy movie has been great. She is apparently the crudest comedian out there right now, and just happens to be really hot as well.

If anyone has seen any of these, or has any other recommendations, I'd love to hear about them.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:51 pm

Jarhead was gritty, but good.

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:04 pm

BAC every time I read one of your move reviews it makes me wish someone, anyone, would open up a Independant Film house in Billings. Maybe you should think about it. You may not get rich but it may be a fun way to burn 10 to 35 years of your life.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:04 pm

CelticCat wrote:Jarhead was gritty, but good.

Ah, that's one I forgot from my "to see" list. I've heard a lot of good things about it as well.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:07 pm

jagur1 wrote:BAC every time I read one of your move reviews it makes me wish someone, anyone, would open up a Independant Film house in Billings. Maybe you should think about it. You may not get rich but it may be a fun way to burn 10 to 35 years of your life.

That would be a dream job for me, jagur. Now that you've planted that idea in my head, I will probably be fanticizing about the thought for a week or so. Every town should have at least one really good indie film house. There are so many good films out there that fly below the big chain theater radar.

If only I could find someone to front me a lot of cash to open a theater, and wasn't too concerned about ever being paid back....

BWahlberg · Post by **BWahlberg** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:10 pm

With a newborn son I haven't had much time to make it to the theater, but I've rented a few good ones, and a few duds as well.

The new Batman movie is awesome

Crash, I really enjoyed this movie as well. For a while it almost makes you hate "people." Because it seems as if everyone in the world is racist. Its tough to watch, it makes you feel uncomfortable at times, but its a very powerful movie.

War of the Worlds is abosolute crap, almost as bad as Alexander, both movies are totally awful.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:13 pm

Re/Max Griz wrote:With a newborn son I haven't had much time to make it to the theater, but I've rented a few good ones, and a few duds as well.

The new Batman movie is awesome

Crash, I really enjoyed this movie as well. For a while it almost makes you hate "people." Because it seems as if everyone in the world is racist. Its tough to watch, it makes you feel uncomfortable at times, but its a very powerful movie.

War of the Worlds is abosolute crap, almost as bad as Alexander, both movies are totally awful.

I really like "Crash" as well. Although I had to give my friends from L.A. crap afterwards, because the theme of the movie leads one to believe that every single person in L.A. is a creepy racist in their own unique way.

The little girl and "magic cape" scene with her father is one of the most unfair uses of emotionally-charged footage ever put to film. Anyone who doesn't tear up at that scene isn't human.

grizband · Post by **grizband** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:15 pm

jagur1 wrote:BAC every time I read one of your move reviews it makes me wish someone, anyone, would open up a Independant Film house in Billings. Maybe you should think about it. You may not get rich but it may be a fun way to burn 10 to 35 years of your life.

The Wilma does an excellent job of getting moves in Missoula that I could never see when I lived in Billings. Does Bozeman have an indie movie theatre?

BWahlberg · Post by **BWahlberg** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:16 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote: The little girl and "magic cape" scene with her father is one of the most unfair uses of emotionally-charged footage ever put to film. Anyone who doesn't tear up at that scene isn't human.

oh yeah, hardest part of the movie to watch.

Ponycat · Post by **Ponycat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:42 pm

Although I really enjoyed Crash, I just had a hard time believing that racism could be that bad in L.A. or anywhere. Maybe I'm naive. I realize it was a movie and it made a great point but just can't believe it's that bad.

Kingdom of Heaven was a bit of a disappointment, but I did like the DVD extra's. The Longest Yard was terrible. The only people I heard that liked it were young kids that had never seen the original.

The DVD about to true story behind Deep Throat, (the movie not the Watergate guy) was pretty interesting.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:58 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote:
jagur1 wrote:BAC every time I read one of your move reviews it makes me wish someone, anyone, would open up a Independant Film house in Billings. Maybe you should think about it. You may not get rich but it may be a fun way to burn 10 to 35 years of your life.
That would be a dream job for me, jagur. Now that you've planted that idea in my head, I will probably be fanticizing about the thought for a week or so. Every town should have at least one really good indie film house. There are so many good films out there that fly below the big chain theater radar.

If only I could find someone to front me a lot of cash to open a theater, and wasn't too concerned about ever being paid back....

Why not use the Rialto or the Ellen????????????

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:10 pm

I think the Ellen is a indie theater right now (if I'm not mixing them up). Whenever I am through, I notice indie films on their marquee. I remember thinking it was really cool to see "Capturing the Friedmans" on the marquee one time I was in town.

As to Crash, it definitely does exaggerate the pervasiveness of racism in L.A., which is part of the reason I like to give my friends crap about it. I think it is more focused on pointing out the angles of racism from all sides of the spectrum, so all of the characters that happened to touch each other throughout the story are painted as having racist tendancies, even those that don't realize it. It's probably making a good point in that regard -- even though of us who don't hold any outwardly prejudiced ideas probably do have some deeper biases that make us see people in a way that isn't always right.

It's a bit over the top in some cases, but it almost has to be for effect.

Ponycat · Post by **Ponycat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:13 pm

The Rialto is/was the Indie theater in town, but I beleive I heard somewhere where it will no longer be a movie theater as they are turning it into somewhat of a playhouse.

briannell · Post by **briannell** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 6:17 pm

well, since I'm in the mom mode, we saw Chicken Little and it was really cute for a family flick. Haven't had the chance to bump up to movies rated over PG yet, however, I'd really like to see that new Redford Flick. Has anyone seen it?

As for DVDs those too are kid stuff, but Polar Express was a hit.

-rebecca

PS I need some grown up time

Post by **rtb** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 6:59 pm

CelticCat wrote:Jarhead was gritty, but good.

I saw Jarhead last night and it was excellent. Very gritty, but overall a good movie. We are going to "Walk the Line" or "Zorro" tonight. Anyone seen Zorro? Might be the better choice to watch something a little lighter after Jarhead last night.

Grizomatic · Post by **Grizomatic** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 8:16 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote: "Capote." Phillip Seymour Hoffman playing Truman Capote during the time he wrote "In Cold Blood," and the strange relationship he developed with the murderer.

This is the one I'm really looking forward to.

Kinda' hard to watch the "Hurt" video, as a big Cash fan. I got the feeling what he was really singing was "Put Me on The Train Home, Lord."

RyeCat · Post by **RyeCat** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:25 pm

I hear you, Rebecca. Chicken Little two weeks ago and Polar Express tonight. I can't stay awake to watch adult movies and we rarely use up a babysitter for just a night out at the movies.

Grizomatic · Post by **Grizomatic** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:09 pm

A movie I'd like to see made is one based on Ivan Doig's book, "This House of Sky".

Not sure how it would translate into a movie, but it's a great book, IMO, by a Montana author.

A pretty good job was done on "A River Runs Through It". Doig's book might make a descent movie if it was approached the same way.

'93HonoluluCat · Post by **'93HonoluluCat** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:16 am

Rented "National Treasure" the other day--gotta love Netflix--and it actually wasn't as bad as I had feared. Completely unbelievable, but entertaining nevertheless.

BAC wrote:
CelticCat wrote:Jarhead was gritty, but good.
Ah, that's one I forgot from my "to see" list. I've heard a lot of good things about it as well.

That's actually one from which I'm going to shy away. I've heard that while may be "gritty," it touches on many of the same themes as "Full Metal Jacket" without the avant garde approach that makes "Full Metal Jacket" the memorable film it is. In the end, "Jarhead," so it seems, is "Full Metal Jacket" without the character Kubrick brought to his film.

I am, however, looking forward to the film about Fallujah. Also, I had toyed with the idea of going to see the Wallace and Grommit flick--I'm a big fan of W&G--but I think I'll wait until it's a rental.

ChiOCat · Post by **ChiOCat** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:56 pm

Can't wait to see "Walk the Line." I've heard it's great, and the previews look great.

I haven't seen much recent stuff. We watch a lot during the summer, but have been busy with all the new CSI and Law and Orders of the fall. We only have about an hour a night to watch adult stuff.

I loved Spanglish. Adam Sandlar has definately grown up, and it is such a good mix of comedy, romance, and drama that my husband and I both loved it.

I also like Garden State. It took awhile, but as the movie progresses and you figure out why it's the way it it, it's a great, feel good type movie.

Didn't love National Treasure. But the third Star Wars was the best IMHO. I have watched all the others because, well, my husband was a boy in the 70's. But I was really engrosed in this one, I thought it was well done.

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