2006 - Juno

This film is now seven or so years old.  Damn.  I'm sure I've reviewed this film a few times on here, but it never hurts to remind people it's worth checking out a damn fine film :)  I'll admit that some of the dialogue borders along the overly quirky for me, but by and large I love this film.  I love its heart, its characters, its characters.  We make less and less films like this inside of the hollywood system that it falls upon us indie peeps to pick up the mantle.  If you haven't seen or heard about this film you're likely living under a bit of a rock - but for those who missed it, come on now - make it so.  Watch this film, let it sink into your life :)

1861 - Juno

I've written about this several times on here, I'm sure.  I've been listening to the soundtrack for this film all day as I've been doing some writing so I decided to get it another look over tonight.  It's such a solid film all the way through - I've often felt that the first act is tonally a bit different but it bothers me a little less and less each time I watch it.  I can let it go.  The cast is perfect, the script is top notch, and the directing choices are so goddamn solid.  This is the kind of film that could so easily be a movie-of-the-week is lesser hands, instead it's already a classic and I hope that it doesn't get lost in this heap of content that's constantly being churned out.  We do still make great films and this is an excellent example.  There's some people who bag on this film - and that's because they're dead inside.  That's right.  I said it.
If you haven't seen this film, shame on you.  Make it happen.

1816 - No Strings Attached

This is the second time checking this one out.  I'm a fan of Elizabeth Meriwether's New Girl, and I forgot that Jake M Johnson was in this.  I think he's pretty goddamn great.  I like this film despite the fact that it falls into the usual rom-com plot tropes.  The cast is pretty stellar and is full of a lot of people I like.  The characters are all solid and unique, the dialogue catchy.  It's not the kind of flick that's going to change your life, but it's pretty solid popcorn romantic entertainment.  It's on netflix and well worth the time.  Boyfriends, you'll enjoy this along with the girlfriends.  Portman is pretty delightful here and Kutcher ain't too bad himself.  Lake Bell is sexy/funny as well.  Man, I really could just laundry list this entire cast... I won't - just watch the damn thing!

1555 - No Strings Attached

This is a film that I've been tracking for quite some time.  It was on the 2008 Black List (a list of favourite unproduced scripts) with it's original title "Fuckbuddies" and it was one of those scripts where you read it in one sitting and can't believe that any time had past at all.  It was the kind of script that made you jealous as shit that you hadn't written it - at least for me who is a relationship film nerd.
So given that I was so in love with the original script, how did it compare?  I have to say that it took me longer to get into it than I thought it would.  It is not a great first act and I don't know why - I think that that's probably what feels the most different from that beloved script, although that shouldn't matter - I think it just feels weird and awkward but not for any particular reason.  Clunky, maybe.  But when it starts to cook, it starts to cook and it turns into a really lovely little film.  It makes me especially happy for someone like Natalie Portman who has a film like this and Black Swan happening at the same time - lets us know that she's not going to take herself so uber seriously or just go after the kinds of films that she's "supposed" to make.  Ashton Kutcher is probably at his career best and I thought that the two worked off each other especially well.  It's a film filled with great writing and really lovely performances including one of my new favorites - Greta Gerwig, and someone I hadn't noticed before - Lake Bell.  And of course the always kick-ass Olivia Thirlby. 
If you like films about relationships this will be up your alley - it's not a raunch fest either - it's actually a really smart and sweet film that doesn't feel bad about being a little naughty as well.  Give it a shot, I say!
No Strings AttachedNo Strings Attached (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

1520 - Breaking Upwards

Another film randomly found through the beauty that is netflix.  Something makes me think that I saw the trailer at some point though.  Who knows.
So this is a dramedy about "A young New York couple intricately strategize their own break up."  They're very mature about it (at first), and they even make a list about the things that they need and compare them (to which the young guy crosses off 'see other people' when he notices that it's also not on her list.  It's a kind of like a bizarre game of Scrabble).
The film is beautifully shot, and romantically colorized.  I think I saw somewhere in their production notes that they made it for $15,000, which is no small feat, especially given the talent that they got involved in the film. 
It's quite a nice film and has a lot of funny and poignant moments.  I think my issue with the film is that while I really quite like Zoe Lister Jones and Daryl Wein - they're charming and charismatic and have good chemistry I'm not sure that I found myself rooting for them at any point.  I think I needed to see just a touch more vulnerability from them to help me connect.  That being said, this really is a little treasure of a film and if you like your relationship films then this one is work checking out for sure.  And if Wein could make something this good on such a small budget I can't wait to see when he's got an actual budget!
Breaking Upwards  Breaking Upwards: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack