More Movie reviews

Ok, what is the deal with The Golden Compass? Libraries are banning it (the book), previews are everywhere, IMDB has gone crazy! I've never seen the site change like that for any movie. I'm dling it now, but seriously. What gives?

A Beautiful Mind: What can I say? While I was disappointed there was less math in it than I expected (he might not be the father of game theory, but he contributed greatly to it and economics), in the end it makes sense. not many people want to watch movies about mathematicians. They want movies about people. And that's definitely what they gave us. While it's not entirely correct (for example, he and his wife were actually divorced for a great length of time), it brings his struggles into focus and was beautiful storytelling. I don't like Russell Crowe, but he's perfect in this movie. By the end I was bawling, not really because it was sad, but because it was so beautiful. Great movie. HIGHLY recommended.

Eastern Promises: It didn't turn out the way I expected from various previews, but it was an excellent movie. A little gorier than I usually like, but not overly (as in, there wasn't more blood than necessary for storytelling). It was in-your-face Russian mafia and brilliantly done. I loved how it all played out, and that a hunch I had at the beginning was correct. Also, not only is Viggo HOTTER THAN HELL (tattoos, completely ripped), but his acting is spot on in this movie. I love him.

Michael Clayton: This movie gets one big YAWN from me. Seriously. I haven't made it through the thing in one shot, yet. I've fallen asleep every time. Normally, movies like this, I like them. North Country? Fucking loved it. I even liked The INsider and I don't like Russell Crowe. Ok, Erin Brockovich not so much. But I've watched a lot of documentaries on this kind of thing and I've never been so bored. Clooney, good acting and all, and the top partner makes some interesting comments in his seeming madness but in general, don't bother.

The Bee Movie: Cute and silly. The best part? Ken being jealous of the bee. LOL I've seen both better and funnier animated films, but it wasn't bad.

The Man From Earth: This is a philosophical gem! It's one of those dialouge based movies so if you're looking for action, not so much. But if you want a somewhat sweet movie that'll get your mind spinning, this is it. Well done, well acted. The best part? "I'm leery of labs. Afraid I might go in and stay for a thousand years whilst cigarette-smoking men try to figure me out." Bwah! And all the more genius because at least two of the actors were in The X-Files.

The Mist: OMG, you know a movie is bad if it's classified under horror and I'm LAUGHING. Seriously, one of the worst plots ever. Or it just played out badly. Like the kid? Whoever the little boy was should never have been cast. He was awful. I couldn't stop cringing whenever he opened his mouth. Also, spiders? And maybe it's just because I am so used to Stargate and XF where science is everything and/or solves the problem, but literally, we get a two sentence explanation of what happened. LAME. The military men were lame and utterly useless. Crazy religious lady? The sad thing is in the end she was one of the best parts. There were a few things I liked. One, that the lead man and woman were both married and did not get together. Two, the ending. While I saw it coming about ten minutes before it happened (I kept yelling, wait, you moron!), the fact that it did end the way it did instead of copping out was brilliant. So...it sucked until the end. But seriously. So bad it was funny.

Don't forget to check out my own version of Netflix. I'm giving you utnil right before I go on vacation to let me know if you want a movie (which means they'll get uploaded right before Christmas).