alpha dog

there's no time to get bored in this captivating based-on-a-true-story movie. I knew I had to see it (and drove out to the suburbs, alone, to do so) when I read that the real-life subject of the movie, Jesse James Hollywood, was suing to try to prevent the film's release. it really was that good. Emile Hirsch was brilliant as always, Justin Timberlake pegged a sweet, misguided, teen perfectly, Ben Foster was unbelievable as a manic, criminal older brother - the entire cast seemed incredibly real. I credit Nick Cassavetes for the consistently excellent performances, and the movie's balanced pace. even though it's a true story, I don't want to give too much away - just go see it.

smokin aces

if you saw the preview, you have an excellent idea of what this movie is all about - flashy, senseless violence. there's also a 'surprise' ending tacked on, which would only actually have been surprising if (1) it made sense and (2) you cared. Common is hot and classy, Alicia Keys is very sexy and Taraji Henson is a great lesbian-bad-ass. mostly the movie's just gross and pointless, but fun for most of the (long running) time.

down in the valley

this is a slow, fish-out-of-water character study of a cowboy wooing a girl much too young for him. Edward Norton, Evan Rachel Wood and Rory Culkin are great, and the whole film is mesmerizing, if ultimately pointless. beautifully shot by a wonderful cinematographer, Enrique (Quique) Chediak and his trusty assistant, Aurelia Winborn.

the good shepherd

I had been warned that this movie was slow and long, so I picked a day to see it when there was absolutely nowhere else in the world I wanted to be. I settled back and watched as a very dull, stodgy Matt Damon somehow established himself as a whiz kid of US intelligence simply by being surly and quiet. Angelina Jolie was delightful and sexy as always even when she was pouting and whining about how Matt never paid any attention to her because he was always off killing people in other countries. it was fun seeing Billy Crudup and DeNiro do their little schtick but the movie was surprisingly uninteresting, considering the subject matter. oh well, cross one off the must-see oscar list.

oscar nominations

this is always a special day of the year, when I make a list of all the movies I need to see before the oscars. this year of course presents some very special challenges, but I'll do my best to see as many as I can before the big date, despite being on an island. little miss sunshine is this year's forrest gump: a completely undeserving movie receiving the highest accolades. even if it weren't offensive, it simply wasn't original or even funny. amusing at times I'll grant you but an oscar nominee? I guess life really is a box of chocolates. anyway if there are any upsets, I hope they're not directed at little miss indie. more thoughts: leonardo should not win for doing an accent. everyone nominated in the leading actress category deserves to win. cate blanchett will give jennifer hudson a run for her money but jennifer will win. I can't believe I have to watch united 93 now. ditto for black dahlia and apocalypto. I really hope pan's labyrinth plays with english subtitles here. I like the nod to borat but best screenplay? was there really anything written down? ok your turn.

step up

I was a little unnerved when I started mouthing the words of the dialogue along with the actors, even though I'd never seen the movie before. yes, it was that cliched. I also wondered why the star had to be a white boy from the projects, and why he just wasn't that good a dancer. I didn't really mind watching it, but I think I probably would have enjoyed watching save the last dance again instead. this movie suffered from its lack of recognizable actors (I'm not counting Rachel Griffiths, who did a horrible job as an uptight principal who turns around at the end for no good reason). I really wanted to like this one more. oh well.

accepted

this is a great little comedy about kids who just don't fit in anywhere coming together to form an institution of alternative higher learning. it's got all the classic silliness of a movie about young folks with the added bonus of a fairly legitimate message: the present educational system really is stifling and aimed at perpetuating the status quo. the lack of stars makes it even more fun/plausible, that is in an alternate universe where good, cool things really do happen.

top 10 list 2006

I'm sure the academy won't agree with me, but here it is:

inside man
running scared
ATL
district B13
quinceanera
the science of sleep
the last king of scotland
notes on a scandal
akeelah and the bee
john tucker must die

I thought block party was last year, but apparently it was 2005. it deserves an honorable mention anyway.

as always, please feel free to disagree and share your own favourites.

blood diamond

many disappointing elements in this one: Leonardo Di Caprio's accent; Jennifer Connelly's haircut; the lack of depth in Djimon Hounsou's character (fault of the writing, not the performance); the gratuitous slaughtering-of-Africans scenes; and the lack of chemistry needed to establish the 'love story'. but if anyone out there doesn't already know that conflict diamonds are bad, this is a serviceable expose.

volver

does Penelope Cruz deserve an oscar? absolutely. but so do Lola Duenas and Blanca Portillo. this is definitely an ensemble piece and a great one at that - an engaging story of mothers and daughters with all of the usual Almodovar flair.