The Magnificent Seven on Saturday

The time is about now last year, and there's Don having a blast at the Griffith Observatory and a candid shot of Richard II and a shot of Don right before the show, even more fitting tonight since we just saw Henry V Part 1 tonight for the second time, complete with a funny Shakespeare improv beforehand, revolving around lava and a big nose. Also above, I discuss Space travel with Major Don himself. Pretty cool.

Now, thematically in line, it's a space flick.

Sunshine (2007) - This looked pretty incredible at the Arclight, nice fear-filled depiction of the void that is outer space, nice attention to scientific detail too. Cillian Murphy is the lead, as a band of scientists venture out in an attempt to restart our dying sun. A little too serious, I think, its tense vibe giving way to obvious action scenes. A bit of a letdown as horror too, very on-the-nose and silly at the end, as if someone demanded a "battle to the death" at the end.
Grade: B-

Rosebud (1975) - OK, the digital cable pulled an old school freeze fritz at 2 AM or whenever this hard-to-see Otto Preminger thriller aired. It was Otto's penultimate film, with Peter O'Toole no less as an asskicking spy assigned to rescue the daughters of millionaires who have been kidnapped by terrorists. Kim Cattrall is one of the young babes, and the awkward fight scenes are unconvincing at best. But it's loads of fun, Peter Lawford, Raf Vallone, and Richard Attenborough as a Brit gone Middle Eastern.
Grade: C+

Vacancy (2007) - Good little B horror, with Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale giving solid performances as a bickering couple who pick the wrong place to stay for the night. Frank Whaley and Ethan Embry provide the menace, and talented director Nimrod Antal knows how to turn the screws.
Grade: B+

Ratatouille (2007) - Pixar strikes again and it's too surprise that this Paris-set kitchen tale is great fun. Lacking in set pieces of action, it's more of a gentle comic souffle that hits the perfect height and stays there. Patton Oswalt is perfect as the lead, Remy a mouse who wants to be a chef. Peter O'Toole is amazing as Anton Ego, the critic with secrets of his own.
Grade: A+

Woman on the Beach (1947) - A snoozer from acclaimed director Jean Renoir, who never was known for his American works. Robert Ryan, Joan Bennett and Charles Bickford are the bizarre love triangle in this heavy-handed melo-noir. Ryan is great in the leading man slot though.
Grade: C+

The Simpsons Movie (2007) - Are we sure this isn't just an extended TV episode? Not bad but not too memorable either. Zeitgeist-wise, this is at least 6 years late, about the same distance as the recent-now X-Files flick. A hit but don't count on a sequel. Great branding work at 7-11 though.
Grade: C+

Superbad (2007) - Judd Apatow really ascended to power in Hollywood following this beloved comedy starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as awkward teens dealing with growth as they get ready to graduate. Sweet and funny, with a nice crude streak, but the cops played by Seth Rogan and Bill Hader tilt things in a too-wacky unbelievable direction for a while. Nice perfs by the leads, lots of laughs overall, nice to see the R rated comedy make a triumphant return.
Grade: B

CP