I've Been Going to the...MOOOOvies

[Jahfin]

I didn't think it was all that bad but it was prime evidence of the old adage about not being able to go home again. Nearly 20 years between movies is a very long stretch to try to pick up on the same magic again and it shows here.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Jahfin

[Strider]

I rented "The Lovely Bones" the other day. Anyone seen this movie? It was a real trip.

I read and liked the book, or at least "liked" as much you can any book about a difficult subject as the rape and murder of a 14-year old girl. But the way the book is structured, and how the author Alece Sebold handles the characters and the transitions between the corporeal and the ethereal, the book is a more enjoyable and easy read than the plot would lead you to believe.

If you are in any way skeptical of religion or the supernatural, the idea of a girl narrating the story from heaven might seem too precious and put you off, and I admit some of the spiritual sentiments come across as new-age mumbo-jumbo, but that didn't detract from the main thrust of the book for me: the affect of a brutal crime on a family and what happens in the aftermath.

Alice Sebold had previously written a memoir called "Lucky", about her rape and recovery, but "Lovely Bones" exploded on the scene when it was published. Given its popularity it was only a matter of time before Hollywood tried to adapt it, and I had my doubts whether a film adaptation could work.

But when Peter Jackson announed that he was going to direct "Lovely Bones", my hopes improved. After all, "Heavenly Creatures" was brilliant, and if he could pull off that story's mix of murder and fantasy, maybe he could do the same for "Lovely Bones".

Alas, when the movie came out, it was a big disappointment to me...it just laid there, and the spiritual, heaven parts were even more cloyingly _ new-agey and goopier than the book. Plus, large sections of the plot were cut or changed, and not for the better. Character motivations often seemed bizarre because of the edits of the plot.

The girl, Saoiran, or something like that was okay, I suppose; she was in another "great book turned into lousy movie" adaptation, "Atonement".

The sole reason, IMO, for watching Lovely Bones is Stanley Tucci as the killer...he's excellent as always.

So yes, this is another case of read the book instead of seeing the movie.

Meanwhile, I have spent 24 hours watching time go by.

Some of you may be familiar with the artist Christian Marclay, a visual and audio montage specialist. In fact, he's regarded by some as the father of "turntable-ism".

Well, LACMA just staged a free screening of his latest work, "The Clock", a 24-hour montage of clips dealing with clocks and the passage of time. It has previously been shown in London last year, and earlier this year in New York.

LACMA's screening ran from 11am Monday to 11am today(Tuesday), and I stayed awake for all 24 hours.

Id like to say more, but I've gotta get some sleep before going to the Mitch Hedburg tribute tonight at the Steve Allen Theatre.

But you can just google Christian Marclay The Clock if you're interested.

[Magic Fills the Air]

I rented "The Lovely Bones" the other day. Anyone seen this movie? It was a real trip.

I saw if a few months back, and really enjoyed it. Yes, the heaven sequences are rather 'surreal'.

I finally got around to seeing The King's Speech last night. It was as good, if not better than I was expecting. A great screenplay and first-rate acting from the entire cast. It makes me mourn the loss of the UK Film Council even more.

[Silver Rider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhPu5AHDMHM

[TypeO]

Saw it last night.

The epic-osity of this movie has not been overstated.

To be fair, it would almost be impossible to be funnier than the original, but it's as funny, and even more insane.

Best of all, it puts you right back in the same "feel" of the first movie.

Without getting into spoiler territory, suffice it to say Mr. Chow is fucking hilarious, and Stu still so rocks.

Oh, there will be plenty of complainers and people who don't like it (again, it requires spoilers to discuss), but for me it was everything I hoped for, and then some.

Side note - I remember reading that Bill Clinton filmed a cameo for this movie, but apparently he didn't make the final cut.

From the outrageousness of the movie, it might have been by his own request. lulz

[Magic Fills the Air]

I've been wanting to see this for time now, I finally got around to seeing it last night and it didn't disappoint. I think it's one of those films that you'll either love or hate.

[Virginia]

I watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding again last night; that's one of my favorites. LOVE the Windex stuff!

[Jahfin]

It's been a long while since I saw the first Hulk movie but if my memory serves, this one is a vast improvement on it.

[Strider]

It's been a long while since I saw the first Hulk movie but if my memory serves, this one is a vast improvement on it.

Unfortunately not by much...you're better off renting the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno 70's TV show.

Or just reading the original comics.

[BUCK'EYE' DOC]

I just saw the new X-Men movie, "X-Men First Class". I really liked it, even though this type of movie is usually not my cup of tea. Now I understand the characters of the earlier X-Men movies since I have been unfamiliar with the comics.

[redrum]

I wouldn't call Geraldo Rivera a "journalist" per se...he's more of a ham.

'The Hormel Kid' and probably still looking for Al Capone's lost treasure.

[TypeO]

Recently watched this on HBO.

Actually a pretty funny movie.

Especially appealing with all the music references.

Russell Brand nails the burn-out British rocker stereotype perfectly.

P Diddy plays an awesome role, he's funny as hell.

And Jonah Hill is a pretty funny guy.

One of my favorite lines from the movie...

Stuck in traffic in London and late for a flight, Jonah Hill's character Aaron Green asks the limo driver if he can speed it up -

Limousine Driver in London: Would you like me to take the Chiswick roundabout through Hounslow and Staines?

Aaron Green: What is this, fucking Middle Earth? Just take us to the airport, okay?

Definitely worth watching, a real rock 'n roll kinda movie.

[Silver Rider]

Limousine Driver in London: Would you like me to take the Chiswick roundabout through Hounslow and Staines?

Aaron Green: What is this, fucking Middle Earth? Just take us to the airport, okay?

Sounds like culture shock.

[Jahfin]

I really enjoyed this and from the looks of it, there will be a sequel. If you look closely, there's a nice shout out to the Drive-By Truckers in one scene via a poster for their The Big To-Do album.

[Jahfin]

I was put off from seeing this for so long because of the negative reviews I'd read of it. Turns out, the movie is actually pretty good (at least I thought so). I think the shortcomings the reviewers were referring to have more to do with the movie being based on Cherie Currie's Neon Angel novel than anything else, thus the focus on Cherie and Joan Jett over the other members of the band. That said, during the update at the end it seemed downright cruel to leave out the others. The only ones mentioned were Jett, Currie and manager Kim Fowley. Even though I kept up with The Runaways back in the 70s thanks to frequent coverage in the likes of Circus and Creem it wasn't until years later that I actually heard any of their music. In fact, I don't recall them getting any airplay in my area. Of course, when Joan Jett's solo career took off, "I Love Rock n' Roll" was nearly inescapable back in the early 80s so I'm much more familiar with her work than I am with anything by The Runaways. That said, my unfamiliarity with their work didn't get in the way of enjoying the movie at all. So many movies about rock n' roll tend to get it all wrong but that isn't the case at all here. Kirsten Stewart's portrayal of Joan Jett is uncanny. Dakota Fanning also does an excellent job of playing Cherie Currie but it's Stewart that steals the show.

[silvermedalist]

Looks like Red Box and Netflix along with Direct Tv packages and the on demand channels have finally blown Blockbuster out of the water? The pricks were giving out a good deal and then had to get greedy. One dollar and 24 hrs on a new release and two days on older ones. Then they jacked the prices again. Well, they are closing in my neck of the woods in numbers. If you want to go rent an old movie, harder to find. I know a couple places but you are better off buying it online at Amazon than paying $3 to rent a movie that came out in 1939.

[Jahfin]

The local Blockbuster stores are running a Customer Appreciation deal here through July 4th. You rent one "Blue Dot" movie (selected movies from the New Releases section) for $3. Once you return it you can rent any movie in the store (except for the Blue Dot ones) for free through the 4th. They've also marked down everything but the new releases to 99 cents. I'm sure it's their reaction to Redbox but I agree, it's too little too late. I imagine Blockbuster will be out of business sooner rather than later. Redbox has countered with a "Rent One-Get Two Free" offer but unless you can watch three movies in one night, it's really not much of a deal as you're going to end up paying late fees. I'm sure Netflix is probably the best way to go but I haven't signed up yet.

[manderlyh]

^Hah. We haven't had Blockbuster here in YEARS, sadly.

I saw Kung Fu Panda 2 today. In 3-D. It was a cute one.

[Jahfin]

I recall the reviews for this being less than favorable but it really wasn't that bad. Aside from just a couple of scenes, I thought it was on a par with the other Spiderman movies.

[Bingo]

Grateful Dead, I'm jumping around from 73-76.

http://www.archive.org/browse.php?collection=GratefulDead&field=year

[Jahfin]

[TypeO]

You saw Super 8?

What did you think? [no spoilers]

Is it as good as it looked in the previews?

This has been bouncing around on my mental must-see list for a long time.

Looks like an ADD to my Netflix queue.

[Jahfin]

You saw Super 8?

What did you think? [no spoilers]

Is it as good as it looked in the previews?

I really liked it but it's hard to say anything about it without giving too much away. Portions of it made me flashback to my youth, painting models and filming my own Super 8 movies. Someday I hope to upload at least a couple of 'em to the YouTubes.

This has been bouncing around on my mental must-see list for a long time.

Looks like an ADD to my Netflix queue.

Even though I grew up reading Rolling Stone, I can't say I'm exactly well-versed in all things Hunter S. Thompson but at least I am somewhat familiar with his work. The only other film I've seen about him was Where The Buffalo Roam starring Bill Murray but it's been so long ago since I last saw it that I don't really remember much about it. This newer movie is a very surrealistic trip (as you might imagine). From what I've read, the movie was difficult to get completed but one very major factor they had in their favor was the participation of Terry Gilliam. Next, I'm looking forward to watching the documentary, Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.

[TypeO]

Me and my wife went out for our 16th anniversary last night, dinner and a movie (the $1.99 theater, the NOT new releases), and we saw Limitless with Bradley Cooper.

I had seen the trailers for this at other movies, and wanted to see it, and was not disappointed.

Fairly cool premise, a lot of suspense and action.

Would watch again.

On a side note, Robert DeNiro is looking OLD!

[Walter]

Congrats on your 16th anniversary. We are planning taking my 7 year old and some friends to Cars 2 next week. Just hope it is shorter than the first one!