because I said so

I was a little distracted watching this one with my eight-day old nephew, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't miss much, despite not hearing some of the witty repartee. I like Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Lauren Graham, and Piper Perabo, but none of them did anything even slightly resembling acting in this movie. yes, I should have known from the horrible reviews, but it was still a bit of a disappointment. even my new nephew Cooper thought so.

freedom writers

despite the annoying premise and formula of this movie - white teacher inspires poor, under-educated kids from the hood - it was actually pretty enjoyable. it didn't even drag at two hours. of course this movie portrays the true life story of the exception - most kids never, ever get a chance and still don't know what the Holocaust was, but it's comforting to know that once, a white liberal well-intentioned teacher made a difference. Patrick Dempsey was completely wasted in his role as the unsupportive husband.

spiderman 3

I liked how the message was 'the US health care system will turn you into a demonic monster' - kind of like John Q with a lot more sand. but this movie, with lame, unbelievable characters and a 'plot' that made no sense, definitely dragged. I would skip it, unless you live with someone who really wants to see it.

georgia rule

this movie is about incest, alcoholism and bad mothering. I liked Dermot Mulroney as a grieving veteranarian, but nothing much else about the film impressed me, except how thoroughly depressing it was. I really need to see a happy movie soon. do they still make those?

waitress

is there anything better than getting to see a long-awaited movie during it's opening weekend of a limited release in a movie theatre that shows 15 minutes of previews of indie films, and no commercials? nothing that comes to mind too quickly. although this movie was far more hokey than I expected, Keri Russell totally pulled off her essentially one-woman show about a pregnant waitress with a really bad husband. the movie was eminently likable. goodbye Adrienne Shelly, and thank you.

code name: the cleaner

thank you, continental airlines, for reminding me that people still actually make movies like this, that are ridiculous, unfunny, make no sense, and waste lots of talent. the only amusing part of the movie is the sequence of bloopers at the end, where cedric is his regular hilarious self. actually, deray davis has some pretty good scenes as a would-be rapper too. gee, I guess it wasn't that bad after all.

disturbia

I just learned a great way to make a scary movie scarier: watch it with a hundred schoolkids who shriek and stomp their feet when they get excited. this is kind of a modern, trashy rear window. interestingly, the title was translated into 'paranoia' in the spanish subtitles. if I say anything else, I'll ruin it.

fracture

Anthony Hopkins is typecast as a murderer and Ryan Gosling plays an ambitious young lawyer transitioning from the DA's office to the big firm - but not before he does ONE LAST PROSECUTION. oh sorry - does that sound cheesy? this movie should have been better. it wasn't boring, but the law in it was so dumb, it was distracting. who knew after leaving a career in the movie business, becoming a lawyer could ruin movies for me?

oldboy

I don't think Scorcese will be remaking this Korean film any time soon - it is way too twisted, sick, and imaginative for an American movie. I really don't want to give anything away because the delight is in the surprises, both whimsical and gross. some unwatchable scenes but overall a refreshing break from typical thrillers.