This is just for me. I'm gonna keep track of movies I see, with a few comments on each so I can refresh my memory from time to time.

5 Centimeters Per Second (2007): Makoto Shinkai - Two people with extreme feelings for each other are separated by time and distance, years go by...

This is a really gloomy movie, maybe it's because I've felt the long distance pain.  Beautiful animation and soulful characters. Some really great scenery. The song at the end, while the lyrics fit, kind of kill the mood a bit. Anti-ending, cruel but affective.
It's a tragic, realistic, look at love, time, space and loneliness. It's also very good. Don't expect lots of action, expect a character study, and hey, it's only an hour long.
8/10


Blue in the Face (1995): Paul Auster and Wayne Wang - IMDB: Wayne Wang's follow-up movie to Smoke presents a series of improvisational situations strung together to form a pastiche of Brooklyn's diverse ethnicity, offbeat humor, and essential humanity. Many of the same characters inhabiting Auggie Wren's Brooklyn Cigar Store in Smoke return here to expound on their philosophy of smoking, relationships, baseball, New York, and Belgian Waffles. Most of all, this is a movie about living life, off-the-cuff.

There's some solid acting by everyone involved but I really liked Michael J. Fox and Harvey Keitel. The documentary style parts are pretty interesting, talking about life in Brooklyn. It's not a flashy movie and it's cool that it's mostly improv. There are some funny parts too but it's not overly hilarious.
It's a pretty good movie with a certain charm to it, definitely. Not a great movie but it's a solid...
7/10



Cat Soup (2001): Tatsuo Sato - Wikipedia: follows Nyātta, an anthropomorphic kitten, on his travel to the land of the dead and back in an effort to save his sister's soul.

It had some really inventive animation, which went from being really odd, to cute, to disturbing, to original. But it was also difficult to understand what was going on, since it's a surreal black comedy. It has really powerful music that fits the scenes really well.
The imagery and music is enough to recommend this, even though you probably won't understand the story. I didn't. I had to read about it.
9/10


Coffy (1973): Jack Hill - A woman becomes a vigilante and gets revenge on all those who have wronged her. It all starts with getting back the people who wronged her sister.

Blaxploitation film, with a strong female lead (which was rare at the time). It's what you'd expect from the genre. It's got some over the top violence (including someone being dragged by a car while he has a noose around his neck).  Entertaining kills.
It's not politically correct. It shows the scum in people (calling people niggers, black trash, etc). Pat Grier did a good job as Coffy and really embodies female empowerment.
The music is pure cheese which is good. You don't want a real moody orchestrated score for a movie like this, now THAT'D be lame.

I like this movie. I don't think it's worth seeing twice but I was entertained the entire time.
8/10

Daisies (1966): Vera Chytilova - Wikipedia says: it follows two sisters Jezinka and Jarmila, who throughout the film are always engaged in strange pranks as acts of rebellion against the world in which they find themselves living.

It's very odd. Uses different colour schemes (one part the screen will be tinted red, the next green etc). Has a lot of imagery. It's funny at times. Very fine artsy fartsy film making. Not that entertaining, though, but not boring either.
It's really daring and doesn't explain too much so you have to figure it out yourself. It's totally original and so hence, on those grounds, it is...
8.0/10


Dead Ringers (1988): David Cronenberg - IMDB: Twin gynecologists take full advantage of the fact that nobody can tell them apart, until their relationship begins to deteriorate over a woman.

Jeremy Irons does a great job playing the two brothers. Really passionate, convincing "man goes into insanity" stuff. He plays Beverly, a sincere sweet guy and Elliot, a more aggressive "player" type. Does both really well. Direction is solid, with some nice camera angles. Cinematography is nice as well, creating a kind of damp mood. Dark and depressing movie. Script is mostly okay, and there are a couple cringe-worthy scenes, such as one when Beverly used a new type of surgical instrument on a patient. The end was pretty touching as well.

Never seen a Cronenberg film (as of July 9, 2008) that I haven't liked, this is no different. I was entertained, I don't think it's as ambitious as some other films I've seen by him, though.
7.5/10


Get Smart (2008) Peter Segal - IMDB: Bungling secret agent Maxwell Smart, also known as Agent 86 for CONTROL, is on a mission to battle the forces of their evil crime nemesis known as KAOS with his more-competent partner Agent 99, (whose real name is never revealed) at his side.

Started off funny and i thought it might be the funniest movie of '08 (as of June), but then I didn't find it funny after the first 20 minutes, except for a few laughs here and there. Direction is solid, nothing amazing. Great theme song though. Action parts didn't excite me but they were well made. Casting was good, though.
It had a few moments and some good production but I just can't recommend it because it lost its way after a strong beginning. The gags become tiresome.
3.5/10


Ghost Dog (1999): Jim Jarmusch - A samurai-tinged crime/gangster film, based around Ghost Dog, who lives by the Code of the Samurai.

Well, it's an interesting mix and kind of shows the similarities between being a gangster and samurai. Funny at times. I like Rza a lot and he did the music and the music was oddly fitting, most of the time. Good script.
Jim Jarmusch makes films with interesting ideas and this is no different, so check it out.
7/10


Hancock (2008) Peter Berg: Super hero drinks and smashes things, nobody likes him.

I'm also a big superhero (fan) myself, and the "what if someone was the only superhero in the world?" question has always been cool. This movie is neat since it actually shows consequences of his actions, since it offers a more "realistic" look at the superhero dilemma. The script could use a little bit of work but the drama was pretty decent, as well. And I like Will Smith. He's impressed me with some of his roles, such as I Am Legend and The Pursuit of Happyness. He gives another solid performance in this one and I wish people would drop the stigma that's around him (or was, maybe I'm behind the times and they already have). When the movie starts trying to explain certain things, it gets a little "egh" but it's not a big deal, really. Special effects were good, the action was entertaining. The love plotline wasn't so much about love but it was used as a way for the characters to grow/a way to comment on self destructive relationships. Part during credits unnecessary.

Plot was a little wonky at times, but fuck it, it entertained me and there was some good laughs.
8/10


Images (1972): Robert Altman - A woman is schizo. Goes on a rampage and has a hard time separating reality from imagination.

My first Altman film. It's a psychological thriller.
Plot is kind of mediocre at this point, but it wasn't back in '72. Since then I've seen this same thing done better. It didn't give a lot of depth to the main character.
However, the acting was nice, the direction was pretty inspired and there were a few creepy scenes (like seeing the main character see herself naked on a bed. Odd but it worked).
The surrealism is okay. It's not up there with the giants of it but it's passable.

It's a solid movie that does enough to make me want to see some of his other movies, even though I hear they're quite different.
7/10


In A Year of 13 Moons (1978): Rainer Werner Fassbinder - A transvestite Elvira (Erwin before the sex change) who got the sex change to win the love of a man recounts her life, visiting places she worked and where she was born, days before she kills herself.

There was a scene that shows the brutality of a slaughterhouse, without sugar coating. It's a brutal and necessary scene. The direction is great... Fassbinder isn't flashy but it works. a great shot is the tracking shot with the nun. The mood is mostly depressing but there is some black comedy in there. The acting is superb. The script is too. Very personal film for Fassbinder... him dealing with the suicide of his lover. There's an excellent monologue about suicide. Wonderful choice of music. Awesome title.

Just a fantastic movie and my favourite Fassbinder for sure.
10/10


Jeremiah Johnson (1972): Sydney Pollack - Ex-soldier becomes a mountain man and things go sour after he, knowingly, violates an Indian burial ground.

First Sydney Pollack film I've seen. Amazing shots of nature. Explores man vs nature. Beautiful cinematography makes nature a character to be adored and feared. Starts with Overture, a still photo of Jeremiah in the mountains, accompanied by music (upbeat/heroic). Has an intermission. Entr'acte, a still photo of snow and trees, accompanied by music (tragic).

Great meditation on the Old American West with stunning shots, but I admired it more than I was entertained by it.
7/10


Lady in the Water (2006): M. Night Shyamalan - Cleveland Heep, a stuttering apartment superintendent, encounters a girl named Story swimming in the complex's pool. He soon learns that she comes from the Blue World, and has a message for mankind. Will he be able to help her complete her mission?

At least M. Night tries. I'm not as hard on him as other people seem to be and I'm not as hard on this movie either. It tries to be an interesting fairy tale and while some of it is wonky, it's really not as offensive as people think. Yes, he kills a critic and yes, he put himself as the character whos writing will inspired the world. But the direction is solid like almost always and the script is pretty bad or at most, mediocre. That's what he does usually. But I liked the beginning part and a few parts. The acting had its ups and downs.

I don't think this movie is good so much, but depending on my mood it's mediocre. If you choose to watch it, it won't offend you unless you have a vendetta against Shyamalan. You could do a lot worse than this guy because he's a talented director. Just not a good writer.
4/10


Opening Night (1977): John Cassavetes - IMDB: A young woman gets killed in an accident trying to meet her favorite actress Myrtle Gordon after a play. Then Myrtle Gordon felt responsible for the killing leading her down to an emotional crisis that interferes with her professional work as an actress.

I admire the work put into this and I admire the realistic drama. Cassavetes has made a very realistic, well made movie about theatre. It's very slow paced. Some good usage of minimal music, some good camera angles and some good performances by the actors.

It's slow paced to the point of sometimes being boring, however, I understand the author intent and if you're willing to sit through it it's a very affective drama. The ending however, left a little to be desired.
7/10


Pioneers In Ingolstadt (1970) Rainer Werner Fassbinder -  Soldiers are given the task to rebuild a bridge in a town.

I've seen a few of Fassbinder's films and this one is probably my least favourite so far.
It tackles sexism and how the military can ruin civilian lives, and some of the scenes are just downright cruel and left me with a disgusted feeling, which is something Fassbinder is always good at: making you feel what the characters are feeling. But I found some of the movie quite bland. The camera work was nothing more than basic and there weren't any shots that really left me in awe. The movie seems rough.
It's an okay movie. It's a shame, but hey, he made tons of movies and not everyone can be great... but if you want to watch some Fassbinder, go for it because it doesn't hurt to watch any of his movies.
6/10





Shogun Assassin (1980, restored): Robert Houston - Shogun decapitator, lone wolf, ronin. Travels with his son, Daigoro, in search of the Shogun that is paranoid of his skills.

Very violent in a cartoon-y way (blood sprays, people get cut open more than they should). Entertaining. New score is amusing and adds to the feel. Such great fight scenes, you never know how people are gonna die. Editing is amazing (took two short films and made one 85 min film out of it). Some of the shots are surprisingly beautiful, and the father/son relationship is pretty good too. Funny. Epic... so many stand still moments. Deserves its status as a classic.
It's just an entertaining movie with lots of death and blood and some great lines. How can you not enjoy a movie with a line like, "When cut across the neck, a sound like wailing winter winds is heard, they say. I'd always hoped to cut someone like that someday, to hear that sound. But to have it happen to my own neck is ridiculous."
8.5/10


Teen Witch (1989) Dorian Walker - IMDB: Louise is not very popular at her highschool. Then she learns that she's descended from the witches of Salem and has inherited their powers. At first she uses them to get back at the girls and teachers who teased her and to win the heart of the handsome footballer's captain. But soon she has doubts if it's right to 'cheat' her way to popularity.

Well, it's certainly not an astonishing display of direction but it's a comedy so as long as it's funny it's worth seeing. Is it funny? Well, sometimes. The rap /other musical scenes and a couple other scenes are funny or pretty hilarious but the jokes are too far away from each other.
I don't really buy into whatever drama is in this movie and as a coming of age tale it isn't very good. The acting isn't great but it makes the funny parts funnier.

But it has those crazy rap scenes which are awesome so I can't hate this movie but I won't give it a strong recommendation.
6/10


The Black Marble (1980): Harold Becker - A dude kidnaps a dog, a love affair happens.

It's not very affective as a romantic comedy or a drama. The romance is kind of boring. It only has a couple scenes that come close to a laugh. Story was boring, but not poorly written, just needed more to happen. Some decent direction, though.
It was a pretty slow movie, even by indie standards, only this time slow meant boring.
3/10


The Dark Knight (2008): Christopher Nolan - IMDB: Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.

Brilliant script, with some really amazing lines from everyone. It works really well as a Heat type of crime thriller, along with being a superhero drama. It has a lot of interesting twists and turns. It examines some complex ideas such as good and evil, chaos, order, love, paranoia, insanity, and it focuses quite a bit on the Joker/Batman dynamic (they're really similar). It ends on a note that could lead into a sequel but it's also a logical closure point as well. It wrestles with no one being afraid of Batman because he won't kill anyone (so he has to break his one rule) and also with him taking on a reputation he doesn't deserve -- so he can save Gotham -- because of it.
Acting is also amazing, with no one missing a beat. A lot has been said about Ledger, but Eckhart was welcome as Two-Face, along with more great performances by Caine, Bale, Freeman, Oldman and even Gyllenhaal.
Action was really intense and doesn't get boring. Chase scenes were exciting as well.
Direction/cinematography was impressive and it oozed atmosphere and there were a lot of really amazing scenes such as the conversation between Dawes and the Joker where the camera spins around them. There were plenty of scenes of that caliber.
The special FX were also great. A lot of work was put into it but it doesn't rely on them.
There are a few things you could nitpick here, such  as the sonar part at the end but the sonar part looked so nice and opened up the opportunity for a really intense scene (Batman not knowing where Joker is and then THERE HE IS) so despite it being kind of deus ex machina level convenience it worked for me.

Simply put, it's easily a top 5 movie for me (as of July 21, 2008) and it's very likely in the top 3 and maybe even my favourite movie. Time will tell, Stalker's a hard movie to beat.
10/10


The Fly (1986): David Cronenberg - A man figures out how to teleport and then something goes wrong.

 It builds a decent sense of tension, but isn't that scary. With that said, there are a few good, scary scenes but all in all it didn't terrify me. The makeup is superb. The acting is very strong. There are some cringe worthy, Cronenberg scenes (that's a good thing... guy does body horror amazingly). Good special effects for its time. Subtle about its "inevitability of death" message. Interesting script, as well, with some great lines (including at least one now-cliche).
Cronenberg really needs me attention and this is a film that shows why.
8.5/10


The Golden Age (1930): Luis Bunuel - IMDB: A man and a woman are passionately in love with one another, but their attempts to consummate that passion are constantly thwarted, by their families, the Church and bourgeois society.

Surreal. Excellent direction. Interesting beginning about scorpions. War cry against the bourgeois society. Script was good too. Don't expect to entirely understand the movie, it's surrealism.
Well, it's from the father of cinematic surrealism so that in itself makes it worth a watch. It's highly original (especially in 1930!) and if it doesn't seem so now (it should..) it's because Luis is one of the finest directors cinema has ever offered.
10/10


The Happening (2008): M. Night Shyamalan - Something happens... HA HA... okay I'll stop. It's about everyone dying mysteriously, though you probably already know why.

It's a bad title but it welcomes jokes so I guess that's okay. The direction (atmosphere) is what Shyamalan does best and this movie does look wonderful, especially the beginning. He manages to make the trees/wind/plants/etc really effective, reminded me a bit of Tropical Malady, being trapped by nature. He needs to just direct, not write because his writing hasn't been that good (or it's been downright awful) since Unbreakable (amazing movie). This script is mediocre at best with some awful lines but some touching scenes, and has some decent enough dialogue (and some laughs) and each actor/actress says at least one thing that took me out of the movie. Very up and down movie. Mark was decent though, for the most part. Good music. Old lady unnecessary.
Some scenes were fantastic, some were really awful. Very inconsistent movie which left me cold at the end (no closure, but I didn't appreciate the ending either). The ending will turn off a lot of people... I'm all for author intent and the ending does fit but it's just not that great. But because of the general direction of the movie it gets, despite the sometimes horrible script...
6/10



The Strangers (2008): Bryan Bertino - 3 people invade the house of a couple, horrors ensue.

 First movie by the director... so it shows a bit. Great atmosphere the entire time through. A few really great scares (like when the killers are first seen, and the use of music skipping) and a feeling of dread that built through the entire thing. However, the first half was really promising/great (I've used that a lot), but it got worse and worse. Iffy on the ending, might have cut the last 10 mins or so out. Couple did really stupid things. Overused some things until the effect was cheapened, such as people appearing. Acting was okay but not great. Lots of clichés, however, despite that, it's not entirely lame.
Despite having a generic plot, and the characters being dumb, and falling apart as it went on, I  enjoyed this movie because the atmosphere was impressive for a first time director. If it wouldn't have fell apart and used so many cliches, it coulda been great, one of my favourite horror movies.
5.5/10


The Wicker Man (2006): Neil Labute - Imdb: While recovering from a tragic accident on the road, the patrolman Edward Malus receives a letter from his former fiancée Willow, who left him years ago without any explanation, telling that her daughter Rowan is missing. Edward travels to the private island of Summerisle, where Willow lives in an odd community that plant fruits, and she reveals that Rowan is actually their daughter. Along his investigation with the hostile and unhelpful dwellers, Edward discloses that the locals are pagans, practicing old rituals to improve their harvest, and Rowan is probably alive and being prepared to be sacrificed. When he locates the girl, he finds also the dark truth about the wicker man.

There's really nothing special about this movie (but see later in this review anyways). The direction is bad, Nicolas Cage over acts through the last half especially. The script is laughable. It's not scary. The plot is pretty boring. The movie is just lame.
However! The last 30 minutes of so is seriously great unintentional comedy. Nicolas Cage yells at everybody -- including kids -- and he punches a bunch of girls and kicks another in the face. He yells everything ("MY EYES, THEY'RE IN MY EYES"). Funny stuff. So bad.

Because of the last half... I have to give it an extra point or two, so here's to you The Wicker Man, for all your unintentional comedy... at least you aren't To Die For or National Treasure 2 bad...
3/10


To Die For (1994) Peter Mackenzie Litten - Simon and Mark are in an open relationship, Mark dies from AIDS, he haunts Simon who seems unaffected by his death...

Feels like a lame 80s direct-to-tv movie, only worse. The music is poor, trying to add emotional weight to the scenes but failing horribly. Not to mention that some of the music is just badly placed, along with just being bad.

It's supposed to be a comedy/drama but it has neither comedy nor drama. The attempts at drama are forced and simple, amateurish, serving more to take us out of the movie than to bring us in. The comedy is forced and stupid. The people act dumb the entire time. Character development goes from Point A to B really quickly and their explanation doesn't do anything to help. The ending is one of the most wretched scenes I've ever seen, being so forced that I hoped that this movie was just satire or something.

This is a disgusting looking, feeling, with nothing to offer to cinema. It can't even cross over to be unintentionally funny, it only exists to bore us. I won't be sad if I forget this.
1/10

Three Colors: Blue (1993): Krzysztof Kieslowski - IMDB: Three Colors: Blue is the first part of Kieslowski's trilogy on France's national motto: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Blue is the story of Julie who loses her husband, an acclaimed European composer and her young daughter in a car accident. The film's theme of liberty is manifested in Julie's attempt to start life anew free of personal commitments, belongings grief and love. She intends to spiritually commit suicide by withdrawing from the world and live completely independently, anonymously and in solitude in the Parisian metropolis. Despite her intentions, people from her former and present life intrude with their own needs. However, the reality created by the people who need and care about her, a surprising discovery and the music around which the film revolves heals Julie and irresistably draws her back to the land of the living.

Wonderful music from Zbigniew Preisner. Blue shows up a bunch of times as symbolism (screens tinted blue, blue objects, etc). Also has great cinematography, that really showcases the symbolism. Loaded heavily with subtle metaphors for liberty and other things. Acting was great. Some adult material. Can be a little depressing however it is also uplifting in the way that music mends her. A careful meditation on art, such as music. Great pacing as well, every scene is loaded with reason/purpose.
It is really a great, pretty slow paced, meditative movie that everyone should see.
10/10


Wall-E (2008): Andrew Stanton - A robot is put on a trash infected earth to clean up. Other things arise.

Amazing animation, which includes - of course - Wall-E himself, being one of the cutest thing Pixar's ever done. Everything about the animation runs smoothly.
Dark. Darker than kids might want, but that lends itself to adults more, as well. The story itself works as a decent sci-fi story, as well. There's real emotion within it, even though it's mostly between robots. It tackles some environmental issues, consumerism, love and responsibility, and while they took a chance at making every human fat, I feel that the explanation made it less offensive than it coulda been.
Minimal dialogue but used perfectly. Humour mostly works.

It's my favourite movie of the year as of June 28, 2008. 'Nuf said.
10/10


Where The Green Ants Dream (1984): Werner Herzog - Wiki: It is set in the Australian desert and is about a land feud between a mining company and the native aborigines. The aborigines claim that an area the mining company wishes to work on is the place where green ants dream, and that disturbing them will destroy humanity.

Beautifully shot, the outback is wonderfully seen, many times. Not enough can be said about the direction. Good acting, excellent, interesting script. Not condescending to either side, treats them as human. Loaded with subtle symbolism. About religion, colonialism and the human desire to cling onto what you believe.

As of July 3, 2008, it's my favourite Herzog film, or at least tied with Even Dwarfs Started Small. And that says a lot.
10/10


Wild Strawberries (1957): Ingmar Bergman - B&W film. Old professor is on his way to Lund to accept an honorary degree from Lund University. He is haunted by nightmares, daydreams, old age and impending death so he is forced to re-evaluate his life.

Tragic, didn't cry but was filled with a sadness throughout the entire thing. Some great surreal, haunting moments in dreams. Great acting. At an hour and a half, it didn't overstay its welcome. Wonderful screenplay. The magic is in how Bergman studies loneliness. Good, but not flashy, camera work. Ends on a slightly happier note, with some chilling lines.

I couldn't find any glaring flaws with it, except for a personal one where it just didn't entertain me enough to absolutely love it. The camera work was solid but simple, yet I felt like that was what the movie was going for so it succeeded on that level. The symbols added depth, as well.
9/10


Venom and Eternity (1951): Jean Isidore Isou - B&W film. What little story is in this revolves around Daniel and multiple woman.

Really, though, it's an anti-film. Scratched up film stock, bleached it, put some of the images upside down, stops film to make you listen to Lettrist poetry (which means nothing and is just made for pure noise) while watching a black screen. Interrupts more of the movie to announce his manifesto on cinema. Draws faces. Uses music that doesn't fit the images on the screen. Separated into 3 chapters. Isou wanted to provoke you, to show you an alternative to film.

The film breaks a ton of film conventions, and is not entertaining in a "traditional" sense so it isn't for everyone. I was enthralled by it but I'm also a big fan of author intent, so it's a love or hate, but always fascinating film. Take that into consideration.
9/10


Young People Fucking (2008): Martin Gero - 5 people, 5 different unrelated stories about sex.

Admire the title for its bravery. Pretty funny the entire time through. Has some heart, and some solid direction.

It's not good enough to win the award it did, but it's still worth seeing.
7/10

Rough shit for the book. I wish I knew how to use headers well. Oh well.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NCHKH9OQ

Zach. I know you're going to read this eventually. So make more time to come online, even if it's just to post in your journal or reply to something in mine.

I miss you. I was looking at the old Team CBR site and it reminded me of how we used to be, and how you helped me through so many difficult times. We've grown apart and it's sad.

Mwahahaha and Bwahahaha. Team CBR forever!

KITCHENER WINS.
4-1
KITCHENER, OHL CHAMPS

Over the past few days I've seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Ironman, a few episodes of Everwood, an episode of The Decalogue and just now, Straw Dogs.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Maybe it's because it's fresh in my mind, but I think this is my favourite Apatow produced movie, followed by The 40 Year Old Virgin. It had tons of laughs and lots of heart.

The secondary characters were the funniest in the movie but the leads held it together really well (while having a few funny lines). Mila Kunis, who I'm not really such a fan of, was charming so that was surprising.

Just a great (but not classic) movie. I'll start making ratings (even though I'm never consistent):
8.5/10, judged against other comedies, not judged against all other movies, it would be lower then, but I didn't want to do it that injustice.

Ironman - I'm not even an Ironman fan. I am a Robert Downey Jr. fan, though. I liked this movie but can't understand how it's a 90+ on Rotten Tomatoes, unless they're pulling an Ebert and they're comparing it to other superhero movies. It is one of the best superhero movies and it's a good start to blockbusters we'll be getting.

Of course Downey was great. It's almost redundant to even say that.

I enjoyed the moral conflict of the movie, as well, and felt it was fitting in this day and age, where war is popular and making money off of war is even more so. When do you become accountable for what you're doing? When is "just doing your job" part of the problem? Or is it always? It's something I wrestle with everyday, well, when I have a job, but I'm not an arms manufacturer either, haha.

The CGI was nice. I was convinced by it and Ironman's suit was gorgeous.

Rating: 8/10. Where Batman Begins (and I'm sure the Dark Knight as well) is 10/10. Comparing it to other graphic novel/comic book movies, in which there has been some great ones, like Road to Perdition, V for Vendetta, Sin City, A History of Violence, etc. Still, an 8 is pretty great, given some of the competition. I'm trying to forget movies like The Fantastic Four and Daredevil.

Everwood - Started watching it cuz of Katy. Amazing theme song. The story has got me involved. I keep liking characters then disliking them later, then liking them again. I wouldn't say this is a classic tv show but it's underrated. I'm really enjoying it despite it not offering much we haven't seen before.
Rating: 7.0/10 but fuck it, I like it a lot anyways. It makes me sad and then makes me happy.

The Decalogue, however, is a classic tv show. I've seen 4 out of 10 episodes and they're all so crushing and so beautifully shot. They wrestle with a lot of moral questions and are based on the 10 Commandments in a really subtle way. Don't let that push you away if you're not religious, the creator himself is agnostic so it's not preachy and it's really poetic.
Rating: 10/10

Straw Dogs - A domestic drama known for one very specific scene that I won't mention. It comes around the middle though.

Dustin Hoffman stars as David, a pacifist who is brought into a world he hated, finding out things about himself that he didn't know. It's an exploration of violence that has been criticized as endorsement of it. It does ask a lot of its viewers but it's never boring. It's morally ambiguous, so it'll lead to some wonderful conversations, such as: is being a vigilante okay?

There are some nice shots, like the whole part at the end with the fog.

Rating: 9/10. I wrestled with the rating for a while. It's great but it's not the classic it's made out to be but you need to see it once. I would rate it lower if it wasn't for that. If that makes sense.


After all this I don't feel like typing anything else so forget what I was going to discuss, I forgot it anyways. And Katy just came bursting in my room so it's time to go.

Here is the beginning of my book.
http://download.yousendit.com/31457D471764CE9D

Don't mind the empty page at the end. There should be 4 pages with text on it. It's rough, and I'll probably edit it a lot before it's done but it's a start.

Be nice or I'll cry (or stab you... depends on how close a knife is). Constructive criticism welcome.




Oh, and a movie review. I finally saw my first movie at a theatre in Ontario. And that movie was Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was funny and had a steady share of laughs. It wasn't the funniest movie I've ever seen but I don't find any of these Apatow movies that funny. I like them. I think they are pretty great, and I'm really glad we got a steady cast of people who are making solid comedies with a lot of heart.

Yes, a lot of heart. Humour and heart is a sign of a great comedy. Forgetting Sarah Marshall had it. The secondary characters were definitely the funniest. Hell, they were hilarious.

The final act was really great.

It isn't a favourite movie but I do strongly recommend it, especially if you're sick of bullshit comedies that rely on cheap jokes. Because this movie doesn't do that.





Zombies are invading Ontario! If you don't understand, ask me.

So, last night Kitchener lost again so the series is 3-2. C'mon guys, win one fucking more game. It was so depressing. A 2-1 game and we almost scored right at the end.

But it got me thinking about when I used to play road hockey. Those were some of the best times of my life and I want to get goalie gear again and find people so we can play floor hockey (or hell, road) because I really do miss it.

So what other good times did I have? Well you aren't gonna see any typical "I got so drunk one weekend" memories because I don't have good drunk memories, really. Or they aren't anything worth talking about at least.

The backyard wrestling league is one. That was a blast for a few years, even though we sucked. We only have one tape remaining from it though which sucks because we had 3.  So many good memories from it though, like "I'm the champ, he's not the champ," and our plastic fake mic saying "UFL" (Ultimate Fighting League) even though the name was UWL (Ultimate Wrestling League). Or the time me and the other Tyler hit Justin in sync with each other with weapons, without planning it. Or me hitting Tyler with a bamboo torch. Or Justin doing that creepy finger/tongue thing. Or Justin rolling under the ropes instead of going over them (he was the big man of the league... I rolled under the ropes). The fact that the ropes were really cheap and you couldn't actually bounce off of them or you'd take the ring down. Tyler fixing the ropes in the middle of the match. Richard doing nothing but kicks (annoyed us at the time but hey, some of this stuff did). Hitting with boxes. So many.

Another memory was an online one, actually. The days when I met Zach and he put me in Team CBR. There was a real sense of community there and I don't know how we managed it so well back then and even though we have tried to bring CBR back, I know it could never be the same. 


A funny family memory I have is when Jacob walked out of the room and Jay was on the floor. Jacob said "Welcome to the witches kitchen!" and Jay hit him in the nuts. That was followed by Jacob going "oh..." and falling over. This was on a Halloween one year. 

And as time goes on, sometimes you realize who were actually your friends through the years and who weren't.

So there you go. I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis or something, haha. But now I have Katy around me and there's plenty of new memories to be made. Hell, over the past almost 2 years we've already made tons.

M by Fritz Lang.

It's Lang's first sound film and it's a thriller that lays the ground work for the film noir genre. It's about a child murderer, plot wise, and message wise, about parents watching their children.

Peter Lorre gives a convincing performance as the killer. He has a powerful monologue during the film and delivers it so well that you almost can feel bad for the guy.

Lang uses grey really well, and uses a leitmotif to great affect as well. The editing is superb in places and solid in others, especially a scene that goes back and forth between criminals and cops. On first viewings it's often hard to get everything from the experience but there are some great camera shots and some affective visual symbolism.

So uh, I like this movie, but that didn't need to be said, but I did it anyways! But but but.

Cya.

So, today me and my lovely wife Katy walked to Chapters so of course I bought like 3 books. She bought 2. Then we went to Tim Hortons for iced caps, and THEN Burger King because I was hungry. Then we went to The Beat Goes On, which is a used CD/Movie outlet, and I'm going to apply for their part time position. Yes, I was a consumer whore today. I'm always conflicted about that. I know I shouldn't go to places like Burger King but you know. I don't feel like thinking about it.

Now I'm sitting here watching TV with Katy. She likes TV a lot. She's also doing puzzle books.

I tried to make a top 20 movie list earlier but it was difficult. I might do a top 25 or top 30 later, so you 3 people who read this can be bored to death.

So until then, peace and fucking black flies.

I loved Archie comics growing up and I still read them nowadays if one's around but I can't shake the feeling that they're so dysfunctional. Archie and Reggie are constantly fighting over Veronica, who's a rich bitch, and poor Betty gets walked over by Archie all the time. Moose gets cheated on constantly because of Reggie. This whole thing is a soap opera!

Anyways, moving on. Penises get shown a lot in foreign movies. It's funny because seeing a dick in a movie in North America is such a big deal that I find myself applauding a movie that will take the chance and show it. It breaks the ridiculous sexual taboos we have here. Sex is a natural, healthy thing (unless of course you're sleeping with me and my many STDs) and making a big deal out of it is just causing more unnecessary problems.

Kitchener Rangers won last night! They're gonna sweeeeeeeeeeeeep The Bulls. But if they do then they'll win the OHL in Belleville, which kind of sucks but oh well. It's nice being into hockey again since I didn't pay much attention for a few years, for some reason.

I need to write more on my book. If I keep telling myself that maybe I'll actually do something.



And now it's time for my first MOVIE REVIEW of my live journal.

Angst essen Seele auf (Fear Eats the Soul) - I seem smarter if I use the non-English name of the movie! I'm cultured! So anyways, this is a movie directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It's my first experience with him (In A Year of 13 Moons is being mailed to me as we speak and I got a few of his other movies waiting for me, though)

It's a really affective look at prejudice. We have Emmi, an old woman, who falls in love with Ali, a Berber, who is also 20 years younger (roughly) than her. Ali speaks in broken German, and yeah, for anybody who knows German (I don't, I just read this somewheres), the title itself is broken German. Without giving away too much, the relationship between Emmi and Ali is full of contradictions, as they are both deeply flawed, and although there isn't tons of dialogue, there's a lot said. It was interesting watching them interact with each other (and how other people acted towards them) because of how different, yet... the same... they were.

The film is minimal, Fassbinder doesn't show off but it works. It shows its subject matter for what it is, some shots just lingering outside of the room, looking in, observing. I'll never know what it's like to feel what Ali feels, as I'm a white boy, but it really touched me, as all great movies should in some way.

I was entirely convinced by the actors/actresses, especially the woman who played Emmi, who crushed me whenever she looked sad. I also have a soft spot for movies that deal with senior citizens coping with their age (Rocky Balboa, though I love Rocky in general). Ali was played as distance, an enigma, really, until the end.

Speaking of the end, it's powerful stuff, but debatable. But from what I've read about Fassbinder, he was pretty debatable anyways. I don't want to say anymore than that.

So go get the movie. If anybody else has seen this, I'd love to talk about it with you.

 I can't review as well on the computer but I do it anyways to organize my thoughts about movies.


UNTIL NEXT TIME, have a slushie.