eagle vs shark

this quirky little new zealand indie about two losers could have been kind of cute if the guy wasn't such a truly horrible person. the rest of the characters are fine but he's just relentlessly awful - so how do you make a credible movie about a sweet nerdy girl who's in love with him? you probably shouldn't have.

interview

this is a remake of a Dutch film which I haven't seen but will assume was better. I liked the intimacy of the film but Sienna Miller was just a little too hysterical and Steve Buscemi, although I am always at least slightly charmed by him, wasn't at his best. maybe the writing/directing/lead acting thing just doesn't suit him. remember Trees Lounge?

hard candy

this movie is tricky and suspenseful and interesting. Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson are great, and even Sandra Oh's cameo adds a lot to the film. I put off seeing it because I heard it was about torture, but I understand now why it can't be properly described - saying anything would just give too much away.

lost

I just watched the first three seasons of lost in three weeks, and it's been one hell of a ride. this show is complex - part action, supernatural thriller, medical drama, and fascinating character study. it'a so nice to see really smart television where you don't just feel like they're making it up as they go along.

the great debaters

I love how Denzels' eyes flash this moral ambiguity and suddenly you believe he is anyone - a famous gangster, an inspirational teacher, whoever. he works his magic here, and the movie is formulaic but enjoyable. one of those inspiring true stories that resonates, and still feels timely even though the events took place in the 1930s. Nate Parker and Forest Whitaker were also excellent.

mad money

it's hard not to like movies about women stealing lots of cash from 'the man,' but this one would be a bit more compelling if the whole scheme weren't masterminded by an overprivileged white woman seeking to maintain her excessive lifestyle. the movie also provides no explanation for Katie Holmes' manic dancing. re-watch Set It Off instead.

ps I love you

although I can't call this a good movie, I can say that it was much more watchable than I thought it would be, in spite of its excessive length and the fact that all of the supporting characters, who are played by good actors, have absolutely nothing to do in the film. also, Hilary Swank was quite annoying and hard to care about. nonetheless, I kind of liked it. maybe after all the Osacr fare, it was enjoyable to watch a complete piece of fluff.

the golden compass

this is a pretty movie adapted from excellent books that doesn't quite translate into a cohesive film. it's fun to watch, especially with beautiful stars like Eva Green, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig, but it ends abruptly as only a film setting up a sequel can do. only problem is, there may not be a sequel....oh well.

sweeney todd

good things: gorgeous settings, great actors, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter look like creepy incest siblings. bad things: disgusting bloody throat cutting, too many boring songs. overall, a very pretty Tim Burton movie, in that ugly, bleak sort of way.

2007 top ten

1. away from her
2. the hunting party
3. gone baby gone
4. la vie en rose
5. sicko
6. knocked up
7. the assassination of jesse james
8. american gangster
9. a mighty heart
10. juno/we own the night/zodiac

and the lives of others, even though it officially came out in 2006

walk hard

very silly movie with not too many laughs, but one hilarious scene with Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Jason Schwartzman and Justin Long as the Beatles, and of course, any movie with Martin Starr in it is a winner in my books.

the kite runner

of course, the book is better than the movie. but the movie's pretty good - better if you don't read any reviews or plot descriptions first. there are three distinct parts, the California one being the least interesting. what is interesting, however, is watching this movie after seeing Charlie Wilson's War - it offers a completely different perspective on the same political events. kudos to Marc Forster for not just having his actors speak English.

bella

the problem with this movie about a confused pregnant woman and a traumatized ex soccer star is that the woman is incredibly annoying and unbelievable. watching Tammy Blanchard 'act' is painful. on the other hand, watching Eduardo Verastegui is pure pleasure. hopefully he'll be in a better film soon.

charlie wilson's war

this movie has good writing, good acting, and an interesting true story. it also glorifies war and glosses over the damage caused by the US' intervention in Afghanistan. it's morally ambiguous and entertaining. I like Julia Roberts as an ultra conservative and Philip Seymour Hoffman with a moustache.