Tuesday

Looking to get this done today. Catch up on the old list in a few hours...hahahahaha.

No seriously. At least I'm in 2007 now.

Oh, wait, it's 2008?

Shit. Back to it. Only like 250 to go...

Edmond (2005) - David Mamet meets Stuart Gordon and neither one can see a damned thing in this murky story of one man's dark night of the soul. Or William H. Macy down on the wrong side of the tracks. Don't know the play but the familiar Mamet tropes (and troupe) are out in full force here. A wallow I wasn't in the mood for - but it seems true to the source. Meh.
Grade: C+

The Return (2006) - Carnival of Souls-ish horror with Sarah Michelle Gellar, a deserted town and weird happenings. Not bad chiller delivers the goods: not the most surprising thing in the world but not bad either. Gellar is typically invested and that carries this one most of the way.
Grade: B

BORAT (2006) - I had to see what they were all laughing about and it's not bad really. Seems like a logical extension of the Borat TV character and this feels very much like a very special big screen edition of a show, naturally spotty in spots but damn, Sasha Baron Cohen really does have a clear vision and he gets the most out of it. A few shots are a little too easy but it is the South. Like shooting catfish in a barrel.
Grade: B+

Zathura (2005) - Jon Favreau directed Iron Man this year and I loved it. This one, not so much. Not really the director's fault though, this is just another tiresome Jumanji-style "thrill ride" with lots and lots of noise and some thickly ladeled sentimentality. Blech.
Grade: C

All That Jazz (1979) - I want to see those jazz hands everybody! Man, Roy Scheider is so great in this as director Bob Fosse (here called Joe Gideon) - I mean, the guy pulls off one of the great dancer/choreographers of all time and he barely dances a step on film! Sublime work and T and I caught it live on cable and watched it all without a pause.
Grade: A

Zodiac (2007) - HEY! The first movie of 2007 as seen live and in a theatre! At the Vista I think and man, I loved this one. Sweeping, scary, intriguing, with Mark Ruffalo, Jake G. and Robert Downey Jr. and David Fincher directing. He has complete control of this sprawling work, and the many threads he follows, finding the right tone, making it all satisfying and a complete meal even when the truth doesn't help you out. But it is a filling experience, one to think about, remember, study. It's impressive, visually and emotionally. Fine, maybe I'll even look at Fight Club again.
Grade: A

CP