2009 - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

I love this film, and welcome any chance to revisit it.  It's funny, a conversation about this film has come up a few times over the last week or so so I really wanted to check it out.  Also, anything Kaufman related is worth spending time in.  I love any kind of film that has an element of mystery to it with an unreliable narrator, and this is one of the tops.  For those who don't know it's a bio pic about Chuck Barris who was a television game show producer who wrote an autobiography about having been an assassin for the CIA - in reality no one knows if it's true or not, and this film is an adaptation of that book.  It's so fucking good.  Sam Rockwell is one of my favorite actors, and he's surrounded by pure talent in this film.  If you haven't ever seen this it's a shame and should be rectified.  I love it so hard.

2004 - From Dusk Till Dawn

I wanted to re-watch this since I’ve been watching the TV series (which isn’t great but somewhat addictive).  This film is such a ride.  It’s one of the best genre-mash-ups - I doubt you could get away with a film nowadays that takes such a hard left turn half-way through, that in and of itself is quite the feat.  This film features one of my favourite George Clooney performances, and Tarantino in an acting role that works quite well.  This film is edging in on 20 years, which is crazy to me - especially seeing Juliette Lewis so young.  It’s a vampire flick that’s fun and unpredictable.  If you’ve never seen it then do yourself the pleasure, it’s on Netflix.  And if you’re curious what they’d do with a vastly expanded version of this film than check out the tv series, also on netflix.  Very different from this.  I’ve also never checked out the sequels, which I might try to get my hands on.  Anyway, check it out, it’s a blast!

1903 - Gravity

We've seen Cast Away, Open Water, Frozen, Gerry, lots of great Dude With a Problem films that throw someone against the elements and demand that they survive and often laugh in their face for even trying to do so.  But, correct me if I'm wrong here, never has it happened in space - and if it has - I can't imagine it's been done so epically and so beautifully.
I'm not a 3D nerd, but this is the first film in the last dirge of them that I've seen where I absolutely understand why the medium exists.  It truly did add a layer to the film (pun only marginally intended).  Sandra Bullock doesn't give the performance of a lifetime or anything, but she easily carries the bulk of the film on her shoulders along with some amazing technical wizards.  I heard some people had story issues but I was just along for the ride and happy to be there.  This will be sweeping the multiplexes soon enough and I give it my solid approval.  And it's absolutely a film that needs to be seen in as beautiful a theatre as you can muster.

1361 - Up in the Air

When I saw this in the theatre I remember sitting there a bit in awe as the credits began to roll. I had no idea what to expect, and I was just really really happy with the journey I'd just been on, and I was really surprised, in the following weeks, to see how split people were on this film. And I think it comes down to this - it's a film about a lifestyle choice, and depending on your views on solidarity Vs. family, etc... I think it effects you differently, and rightfully so. I think it's so interesting that a lot of people leave this film thinking that Ryan is the same person he was at the beginning. I think it's in a way subtle, but I personally think he's gone through an amazing change. He'll never be the same for better or worse. Reitman does an interesting thing in his films and it's been consistent throughout - he makes films about questionable heroes, and he pairs them up with lovely people, and then, just when you start to wonder how much you like the hero, he does a shift, and the lovely person is revealed to be, in some way, morally bankrupt. *SPOILER ALERT*, in "Thank You For Smoking" it's Katie Holmes, in "Juno" it's Jason Bateman, and here... well I won't say, despite the spoiler alert, 'cause if you've seen the film you know the slap-in-the-face I'm talking about.

I still really enjoy this film, and wait in anticipation to see what's next for Jason Reitman.

1295 - Up in the Air

Jason Reitman could just be my biggest inspiration/influence in terms of newer filmmakers. He's a force. With each film he gets more refined. To the point where we have this, which is, for all intent and purposes, pretty much flawless from where I stand. From a technical standpoint it's just beautiful. The cinematography is elegant and homemade when it needs to be. Teaming up with the production design it creates a world that looks very familiar to us, eerily so. In my opinion this film is an absolute triumph for all involved and you should see it as soon as humanly possible. In a time where I often wait for films to be on the cheap used rack at Blockbuster, I'll pay full price for this one the day that it's released.
It's a film full of honesty and heart. Subtle humor and great pathos. See it. Please. Please. Please. Please.

1292 - Leatherheads

This film had a wonderful charm about it. Clooney clearly loves screwball comedies, and as a director he owns it. Zellweger absolutely owns every moment of her fast-talking-reporter. John Krasinski shows that he's more than just the guy from The Office here. There's a few features he's been in recently that I need to catch up on.

With a charming score from Randy Newman this film is a delight from beginning to end. A great little story that holds everything together. I highly recommend this.

1133 - Burn After Reading

I've been excited for this film for quite some time. The story idea sounded wonderful, especially with the promise of the Coen's doing the execution. The early set pictures of Pitt in a bike helmet and suit were confusing in the way that makes you geek-giddy about what it could possibly mean.

I like the Coens. However I also believe that they're the kind of filmmakers who could care less about what their audience wants and expects. They make movies for themselves and if we like them too, that's just icing on their cake. That being said I found myself bored with this. None of the characters were that likable in any way that made me want to root for them. There's some shocks, but they're carefully planted. Sure we get our big starts playing goofy over-the-top characters, but as we learned with their 'The Ladykillers' that doesn't always make for a good film.

A disappointment for sure. I can't even recommend a rental on this unfortunately.

1131 - Intolerable Cruelty

I've been looking for love/rivalry reference films and I forgot how much I enjoyed this one. It's not perfect, no, but I think it's greatly undervalued by many Coen fans who dismiss it as a simple romantic comedy, which I suppose it can be labelled as, but it's more of a screwball comedy, and with it's cast of fantastic character it's a solid one.

Clooney is Cary Grant, and Zeta-Jones doesn't make you wonder for a second how this man could possibly fall under her spell. With some fantastic back-and-forth banter you've got to pay attention to catch all the wonder jokes in here. Some questionable plot points, but entertaining nonetheless. Really really dying to see 'Burn After Reading' now.

1093 - Michael Clayton

Finally I got around to seeing this film. It could be because I watched it late and I was tired, but it didn't do a whole hell of a lot for me. It kind of meandered and felt a bit contrived. The environmental thriller is becoming a bit of a cliché these days. I should give this another viewing when I'm not so tired, just to be fair to it.