View Date: 12/5/09
Many people think that running a marathon is either commendable or absurd. Some would say, “Why push the human body to those lengths?” Others are of the opinion, “It is amazing what those runners can do, but I can never push my body like that.” This movie takes any reaction one might have and multiplies it by thousands.
This movie is about a group of three runners who decide to undertake the challenge of running across the Sahara desert. It takes the runners over three months to make the trip with pitfalls along the way. There are the physical hardships of running that distance in the heat of the desert, but there are also issues as sandstorms, terrorist activity, and obtaining government permission to even enter certain countries.
The movie mainly focuses on the three runners and thoroughly explores their motivations and emotions towards this run. The viewer is also introduced to the families, crew, and support staff of the athletes. This was really nice to see being an athletic supporter of a distance runner myself.
There were times that I really wanted to hit the main organizer/runner of this trek. I understood that he was doing this for the experience and was of the mindset that it should keep going until the end no matter the costs. But his refusal to understand the need for people to leave before the end of the journey, even after being told that such things would happen if the trip ran long (which it did by about 20 days) really left a sour taste in my mouth. But in the end, things seemed to be smoothed over.
Would I recommend this movie to everyone? No. It was very well made and an amazing story, but I feel that many people would not truly become invested in the story. However, if you are or know a distance runner and understand the struggles they go through to complete a standard-length race, you will appreciate this film. There is some beautiful scenery, but the main focus of the film is the goal
10 words or less: Good movie for distance runners and their loved ones.
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Lincoln Assassination
View Date: 12/4/09
This history documentary provided an in-depth look into the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It explored the reasoning and planning of the culprits as well as the aftermath and how things may have turned out differently if Lincoln had not died.
I have watched many of these pieces. This one did not particularly stick out to me as either good or bad. It was pretty average in my book, with nothing really making it stick out from any other piece on this specific topic.
10 words or less: Average and forgettable.
This history documentary provided an in-depth look into the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It explored the reasoning and planning of the culprits as well as the aftermath and how things may have turned out differently if Lincoln had not died.
I have watched many of these pieces. This one did not particularly stick out to me as either good or bad. It was pretty average in my book, with nothing really making it stick out from any other piece on this specific topic.
10 words or less: Average and forgettable.
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
View Date: 11/30/09
This movie by Steven Soderbergh is the story of a sexually repressed woman who learns that her husband is having an affair with her sister. When an old friend of her husband comes to town, she is drawn to him and learns his secrets, particularly about a certain sexual fetish he has.
I realize that was a really poor summary for this interesting movie. One of the main things I noticed about it was the lack of background music. I felt that it heightened the acting and dialog, and made the movie a bit more unusual.
I had been told that this was one of James Spader’s creepiest roles before having seen it. I actually feel this was one of his least cruel roles he played early in his career. He was consistently known as a heel or bad guy, and still plays those characters well. But I kind of liked his character, and admired his conviction for telling the truth even when difficult.
Overall, I appreciated this movie. I don’t think I would have as much if I had seen this earlier in my life, but it sat well with me now. I saw the artistic value and recognize now just how different it was from the movies being made in the late 1990s.
10 words or less: Unique movie even now.
This movie by Steven Soderbergh is the story of a sexually repressed woman who learns that her husband is having an affair with her sister. When an old friend of her husband comes to town, she is drawn to him and learns his secrets, particularly about a certain sexual fetish he has.
I realize that was a really poor summary for this interesting movie. One of the main things I noticed about it was the lack of background music. I felt that it heightened the acting and dialog, and made the movie a bit more unusual.
I had been told that this was one of James Spader’s creepiest roles before having seen it. I actually feel this was one of his least cruel roles he played early in his career. He was consistently known as a heel or bad guy, and still plays those characters well. But I kind of liked his character, and admired his conviction for telling the truth even when difficult.
Overall, I appreciated this movie. I don’t think I would have as much if I had seen this earlier in my life, but it sat well with me now. I saw the artistic value and recognize now just how different it was from the movies being made in the late 1990s.
10 words or less: Unique movie even now.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Carolina
View Date: 11/27/09
This movie starring Julia Stiles and Shirley Maclaine is about three girls with an absent father who live with their eccentric grandmother. Stiles’ character has left home and established herself with a job and apartment, trying to have a normal life compared to the one in which she was raised. She is embarrassed when introducing her new boyfriend to her family, and then tries to mold her family to her idea of what a family is supposed to be. This, of course, leads to tension until she comes to realize through tragedy that she has a loving, caring family, no matter how crazy the situation might be.
I had never heard of this movie, but it came recommended to me by my mother so I decided to give it a shot. Of course there are the standard plot elements of family tension, and I could really feel for Carolina’s embarrassment by her relatives. But Shirley Maclaine’s presence and humor took this movie to a different level. She could have you laughing out loud with some of her antics, and even though they were scripted, no one could have pulled it off as perfectly as her. The tragedy I mentioned above really struck me and I had a hard time trying not to sob uncontrollably.
10 words or less: Recommended, even if you’ve never heard of it.
This movie starring Julia Stiles and Shirley Maclaine is about three girls with an absent father who live with their eccentric grandmother. Stiles’ character has left home and established herself with a job and apartment, trying to have a normal life compared to the one in which she was raised. She is embarrassed when introducing her new boyfriend to her family, and then tries to mold her family to her idea of what a family is supposed to be. This, of course, leads to tension until she comes to realize through tragedy that she has a loving, caring family, no matter how crazy the situation might be.
I had never heard of this movie, but it came recommended to me by my mother so I decided to give it a shot. Of course there are the standard plot elements of family tension, and I could really feel for Carolina’s embarrassment by her relatives. But Shirley Maclaine’s presence and humor took this movie to a different level. She could have you laughing out loud with some of her antics, and even though they were scripted, no one could have pulled it off as perfectly as her. The tragedy I mentioned above really struck me and I had a hard time trying not to sob uncontrollably.
10 words or less: Recommended, even if you’ve never heard of it.
Shorts
View Date: 11/25/09
Shorts is, as the name implies, a series of short stories wrapped together in one movie. They all center on a rainbow-colored rock that makes wishes come true for whoever is holding it. Things get fun, interesting, and a bit out of control when the kids of the neighborhood use it, but total chaos ensues when the adults get a hold of it.
I received this the day it was released on Netflix because my daughter had been asking to see it again for months. Even she thought it wasn’t that good when she rewatched it. It was really pretty bad, even for a cheesy kids movie. There is so much better out there. The trailer looked so good, but I was left utterly disappointed.
10 words or less: Ranks really low for recent kids releases.
Shorts is, as the name implies, a series of short stories wrapped together in one movie. They all center on a rainbow-colored rock that makes wishes come true for whoever is holding it. Things get fun, interesting, and a bit out of control when the kids of the neighborhood use it, but total chaos ensues when the adults get a hold of it.
I received this the day it was released on Netflix because my daughter had been asking to see it again for months. Even she thought it wasn’t that good when she rewatched it. It was really pretty bad, even for a cheesy kids movie. There is so much better out there. The trailer looked so good, but I was left utterly disappointed.
10 words or less: Ranks really low for recent kids releases.
The Shape of Things
View Date: 11/25/09
This movie, starring Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd, shows the stars playing college students who meet in an art museum. Weisz plays an art student who sets about cleaning up the loveable schlub presented by Rudd. He winds up losing weight, buying new clothes, and getting more active. His engaged best friend has some issues with the new girlfriend, but Rudd’s character is so blindly in love that he ignores any negative comments, believing that they are made just because of the dislike for her. In the end, he probably should have listened to his friend.
I picked this movie because I am a big fan of Paul Rudd. That being said, I will not likely watch this movie again. It was an OK story, but the characters were more like caricatures. The ending was a huge surprise, and totally threw me for a loop. I wanted to just jump through my screen and strangle pretty much each of the four main characters at least once throughout the course of the movie. I would normally classify that as a good movie, but something just rubbed me wrong about this one. Either way, I can say that I’ve seen it and I don’t have to see it again.
10 words or less: Definitely not my favorite Paul Rudd flick.
This movie, starring Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd, shows the stars playing college students who meet in an art museum. Weisz plays an art student who sets about cleaning up the loveable schlub presented by Rudd. He winds up losing weight, buying new clothes, and getting more active. His engaged best friend has some issues with the new girlfriend, but Rudd’s character is so blindly in love that he ignores any negative comments, believing that they are made just because of the dislike for her. In the end, he probably should have listened to his friend.
I picked this movie because I am a big fan of Paul Rudd. That being said, I will not likely watch this movie again. It was an OK story, but the characters were more like caricatures. The ending was a huge surprise, and totally threw me for a loop. I wanted to just jump through my screen and strangle pretty much each of the four main characters at least once throughout the course of the movie. I would normally classify that as a good movie, but something just rubbed me wrong about this one. Either way, I can say that I’ve seen it and I don’t have to see it again.
10 words or less: Definitely not my favorite Paul Rudd flick.
Step Up: 2 the Streets
View Date: 11/23/09
This sequel to the very good Step Up was essentially the reverse of the first movie. Two dancers from different sides of the tracks meet and develop both professional and romantic relationships. This time, however, the dancing is primarily street or hip hop as opposed to more classical forms.
This movie really surprised me with how enjoyable it was. I am a sucker for good dancing, but this was exceptionally well done. I went in thinking that this movie couldn’t live up to the first, but I was pleasantly mistaken. The story was a bit predictable but good nonetheless. And I could watch the dance scenes all day long. I turned this on thinking that it would be something that I could do other things while watching it, but I wound up not being able to tear my eyes away.
10 words or less: Love a surprisingly good movie, especially a sequel.
This sequel to the very good Step Up was essentially the reverse of the first movie. Two dancers from different sides of the tracks meet and develop both professional and romantic relationships. This time, however, the dancing is primarily street or hip hop as opposed to more classical forms.
This movie really surprised me with how enjoyable it was. I am a sucker for good dancing, but this was exceptionally well done. I went in thinking that this movie couldn’t live up to the first, but I was pleasantly mistaken. The story was a bit predictable but good nonetheless. And I could watch the dance scenes all day long. I turned this on thinking that it would be something that I could do other things while watching it, but I wound up not being able to tear my eyes away.
10 words or less: Love a surprisingly good movie, especially a sequel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)