1920 - A Mighty Wind

Re-watched this film for research on a project I'm getting ready for.  I have to be honest in that this isn't my favourite Guest film.  I love the musical aspect of it, but I just feel like it's missing a point to the whole thing.  I'm not quite sure why we're following these people or what Guest is trying to get at with the idea of following these folk stars around - the themes and whatnot.  I love a lot of the performances here, but mostly Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara, who are fantastic and somewhat heartbreaking.  Everyone else just feels like they're coming out to do something fun - which it is.  There's some characters here that I just downright don't enjoy at all - but it's no fun obsessing over that :)
It's a very welcome additional to Guest's work, but no where close to my favorite.

1786 - Dazed & Confused

Good goddamn I forgot just how perfect this film in.  I was in the mood for a solid ensemble film with a great soundtrack and there are few that are on the level of this one.  It's interesting though, when you see great ensemble films often the music takes a large role as well. 
If this film isn't part of your lexicon it's a damn shame - it's one of the best coming of age stories and all the better because of it's wife variety of tales.  It's the last day of school for a bunch of kids in a small Texas town.  Some about to become seniors, the others about to become freshmen - but all of them are on the cusp of change large and small.  It also features a pretty impressive cast of up-and-comers and even the delightful Richard Linklater couldn't have predicted how big many of them would become.
If you're looking to pick this up you'll probably want to spring for the Criterion Collection edition (I have the usual) as I'm sure it's worth the extra $$$.
This is easily one of the best films of the ninties and of it's genre, one of the best in general.  If you were every a teenager in high school I just can't imagine how this wouldn't resonate with you somehow.

1652 - The Big C: season two

The first season ended on quite the gut-punch that could have easily been a finale - it was ridiculously strong and made me weep like a child with a skinned knee.  This season ended on a different kind of kick to the gut - but I'll get to that.  And, clearly, here's your SPOILER warning up front. 

I think this show has improved quite a bit.  The first season was good, but this one really stepped it up a notch.  I like that their relationships are moving in new directions and that they don't just keep beating the same horse.  The stuff with the brother and the baby was solid and heartbreaking.  Wonder if we'll see the lovely Cynthia Nixon again.  I like her a lot.  I loved that we saw Cathy dealing with her cancer and getting involved in other patients.  I loved her relationship with her son and husband.  I was meh on the son's sexual issues and felt like the Parker Posey storyline died way too fast.  But the worst storyline, or worst two, come off of the same new character - Mick.  The storyline with Andrea was clearly obvious from the get-go and she was a smarter person than that for it to have never come up.  And the cocaine thing just didn't feel like it fit at all... In fact, if they really have decided to kill Oliver Platt off then they've made a seriously bizarre choice.  He's a great actor and addition to the cast.  Although it would create an interesting dynamic - everyone has been working to mentally prepare for Cathy's death, but it's a death that they weren't expecting that they have to deal with - that I think is quite interesting.  They've renewed the series for another go-around so I suppose we'll get to see how they play it out.  I'll be there. 

All in all a solid season for a show that continues to improve.  Give it a whirl - both seasons are on Netflix.

1525 - Party Girl

 When I first started learning more about independent cinema back in high school this film was mentioned several times however I never got a chance to see it.  Years ago I found a VHS of it in a random used video store place but by the time I got around to watching it I'd found that the tape didn't work and I couldn't recall where I'd gotten it.  Needless to say, I've been meaning to watch this for a long ass time.
The story is pretty by the numbers - it's about a party girl who grows the hell up.  And that party girl in question is played wonderfully by Parker Posey.  I know that there are people out there that dislike her for her voice - it's got a nasel thing going on - it's never bothered me.  The film itself is by no means perfect however through her charm Parker Posey makes it work - I care about her character and I want to spend time with her.  She's charming, funny, and pretty damn beautiful here.  It's no surprise that this is one of those films that helped launch her career.
A fun little film, but by no means is it the kind of film that you absolutely have to watch.  If you like coming-of-age tales and Posey in general, then this is probably going to be right up your alley - otherwise you might just find it a bit on the overtly-quirky side.
Party Girl 

1260 - Henry Fool

I can't recall how this came to be on my ziplist, but here it is. Could be that I was on a Parker Posey kick as I'm not a big enough Hal Hartley fan to rent it for that alone. A film that's intended to be a bit pretentious (I can only assume), while I never cared deeply enough about the characters, I was still curious enough to keep watching. And because it's Parker Posey I'm actually even slightly intrigued by the sequel Fay Grim. Perhaps one day. So all in all, if you're a fan of introspective indies, this will be up your alley, otherwise steer clear.

1067 - The Oh in Ohio

I was blown away by how much I liked this movie. I was honestly just expecting to like it, but it's a great great little film. It's a sex comedy that's about.... wait for it... sex. Not in the way other films like to pretend that they are about sex. This one actually deals with some sexual issues, but in a very light, but enjoyable way.

The cast is stellar. Paul Rudd, whom I always like, is really great here as a biology teacher in need of a shake up, and then finds a student who wants to 'save him'.

Danny DeVito has this great part as an unlikely love interest who I dare women not to fall in love with. I've always like him, and he's a charming little bastard here. Hell, if I was a woman, I'd 'swim in his pool'.

And then there's Parker Posey, who is just great in almost everything she does, but brings a real human element to moments that could just go way over the top. She knows when to go for it and when to hold back.

The highlight of this film though is the story. It's really smart and well crafted. It's engaging and keeps you going. I highly recommend it. There feels like there's a scene missing from one of the sub-plot stories, but other than that it's practically a perfect little film. Liked it a lot.