Watched: Me and You and Everyone We Know

Thoughtful. Twee. Perhaps surprising, at moments. I enjoyed this, despite the extreme case of Manic Pixie Dream Girl on display. I thought it had some genuine moments of understanding for what it is to be human, flawed, and lonely. I also thought the cinematography (it was filmed with a high def digital cam) was really lovely. Although some parts of the film come across as sort of sinister or creepy, an attribute I think is helped by the eerie musical cues and the similarity of some camera tricks to those used in Lynch's behemoth, Inland Empire. IE actually came out a year after MaYaEWK and I wonder if he was at all influenced by Miranda July's use of a digital camera, or conversely if she was inspired by his often strange or seemingly non-sequitur storytelling. Undoubtedly this film is, at its heart, much more lighthearted and optimistic than IE and also does not delve into the surreal or play with reality quite like IE does, but I guess I can't help comparing them anyway because of their shared medium, their parallel themes, and their equally unsettling and compelling nature.

Is it bad...

when your Scott Pilgrim avatar is cooler than you?

Watched: Fahrenheit 451

Dystopia. Julie Christie. Book People. I liked that the credits were spoken instead of text, it definitely grabs your attention. I know this is kind of anemic, but I was not that interested in this movie, honestly. I like Truffaut better when he does Truffaut.

Watched: KILLER WAVE

Or: How You Know You're Watching a Made-For-TV Disaster Movie

1. The most recognizable face is a character actor, you know, one of the "that guy" class of actors. Bonus points if he plays a corporate executive of dubious moral fiber. Hey Tom Skerritt, playing the very rich head of Cramtrell (or something) Corporation TM!

2. The "hero" is a cheap version of another, perhaps more talented star. In this case, Angus Macfayden is obviously filling in for the Gerard Butler, and is about as good at masking his Scottish accent. MacFayden has been in... um, stuff? Lots of tv and direct-to-video stuff with this guy. And why make him American, I wonder? Would it be so detrimental to just let him be a Scottish oceanographer? Anyway, MacFayden had roles on Alias and Californication, and apparently was in Divinely Stupid Titles of the Ya-Ya Idiots. Oh and he played Robert the Bruce in Braveheart! So yeah. BUDGET.

VERY BUDGET.
3. In 180-ish minutes of television, you only show two super-awesomely cheesetastic big fuckin' waves. Nonexistent readers, you may not know this about me, but I am something of an afficionado about the big wave. I will see any movie that features it. ANY. I fucking love a big fucking CGI wave, okay? 2012? Yes. The Perfect Storm? Of course. Deep Impact, The Day After Tomorrow, Poseidon, Titanic, Armageddon? I was there. If there is even the possibility that a movie might have a big ol' CGI wave in it, I am in. And, I mean, this series is called KILLER WAVE. Let me repeat that for emphasis: KILLER WAVE. With only two waves worth mentioning? For shame. In any case, here they are, in all their fake-looking glory:

Valley o' waves!

Yeah, this is from the scene where MacFayden and Female Protagonist, through a convoluted and stupid series of events somehow manage to find themselves on the coast of Maine when a KILLER WAVE is coming and thus decide to drive the boat (that they found? stole? hotwired? It's not entirely clear, nor does it seem to be particularly important) up and over this huge tidal wave and thus survive unharmed. If this isn't ridiculous enough in and of itself, there's actually an amazing shot after they have boated to safety, when they pull back into the decimated harbor, where MacFayden is inexplicably shirtless. Why? Female Protagonist is soaked but her clothes are all still on her person. Where did his shirt go? He then pulls on the glorious red garment (pictured above). Where did it come from? Why it is so thin/low cut? I thought about screencapping the moment but the shirtless MacFayden situation is... not good. So I thought it best to just relate the hilarity of this weird editing/wardrobe choice.

4. Even the comic relief/deus ex machina are budget, budget, budget. These two goons play the FBI employees tasked with following MacFayden and later proving his innocence when he's accused of causing the big waves (... I know.) while bantering inanely. These guys. These guys look like diet Kevin Savage and diet Sam Elliott. Points for effort, KILLER WAVE. Next time try for the real thing.

5. There is an evil corporation. Maybe there are two. They are somehow responsible for the series of disasters. What is a dumb movie without an easy identifiable culprit?

Bonus points if the supposedly well-funded, highly connected organization has a sign that could be purchased at Kinko's.

6. Stupid editing tricks are added to try to add interest to what are otherwise extremely uninspired, cliched scenes. Case-in-point: multiple screens display the chase scene occurring on a boring country road from different perspectives! Not at all necessary but at least we know that the filmmakers know their way around Final Cut! Except that the whole chase scene is totally pointless because MacFayden, at this point, already knows that the FBI goons have been assigned to follow him around. So why does he run from th... no, better not. Don't overthink it.

7. A big meeting of "important figures" is held in an otherwise unremarkable room. Only about 5 attendees are seen. Bonus points if an intricately designed table makes an appearance for no discernible reason.

8. Jersey is involved.

Watched: Tron

Silly. Outdated. Extremely forced allegory. And yet... it's got a sort of Wizard of Oz retelling, kitschy retro junk appeal to it that may have just left me entertained and amused. Of course, all things otherwise scorn-worthy are made better by the appearance of Jeff Bridges. I've gotta admit, I'm pretty excited for Tron: Legacy.

Watched: Murder on the Orient Express

So, Murder on the Orient Express. Pretty nifty little film. It's got a LOT of old school celebrities in it which is cool. The style of filmmaking reminds me of Murder By Death, which isn't really one of my favorites, and Clue, which really is. This makes sense though since -> Murder on the Orient Express is based the on story of the same name by Agatha Christie -> Murder By Death is a parody of Agatha Christie stories and was filmed 2 years after MotOE -> the film Clue was influenced by Murder By Death. The circle is complete! Good for Sidney Lumet. Okay, movie stars!

Yep.

I'll just stay awake 'til the morning with makeup all over my face...

This is where I'm at right now.

Watched: The Men Who Stare at Goats

I remember being really excited for this the first time I saw the trailer, but then there was a lot of online advertising for it and by the time it was released I was pretty busy and never bothered to go see it in theaters, which I think is fine really since this doesn't seem to be a film that requires a theater viewing. It's okay, in that its got some funny bits and lots of noteworthy actors just kind of hanging out. But that seems to be kind of the problem: a lot of the film is flashback, exposition and although that is a story unto itself it leaves the framing device feeling sort of irrelevant. The times when the focus returns to present day Clooney and McGregor are far less interesting than the flashbacks. I dunno. This just felt a little... aimless. It took itself just a bit too seriously to be a great comedy but not quite seriously enough to leave any impression.

Watched: Peacock

Y'know, this movie does have something to say about the emotional and psychological scars of parental abuse and how they can shape our lives, especially for truly sensitive introverts like Cillian Murphy's character. It's an interesting subject that gets expressed through his playing surrogate mother for himself once his own mother passes away, and the strange mental dichotomy he maintains between himself, an emotionally stunted bank employee and this maternal figure. It's a little eerie at times, and perhaps a bit slow at others.

But mostly, this is the second movie where I've seen Cillian in drag and I have to say... he makes a really beautiful woman. I'm a little jealous.

Watched: Bolt

I think it is a testament to my dog-obsession that I spent the first half of Bolt trying to figure out what breed of dog Bolt is supposed to be. He's definitely a Spitz-type, he's got that little wolfy snout and fluffy tail. My guess is he's either supposed to be a kishu or indian spitz. Yeah I'm a nerd. This is what I did with my Friday afternoon: watched half of Bolt and then spent about 2 hours reading about dog breeds.

Banner moment.

Anyway, Bolt. It was cute. Maybe even adorable. Definitely feel manipulated. I'm not gonna say I cried at the ending, but I'm not gonna say I didn't cry at the ending either, y'know?

Watched: Whip It

Bildungsroman. Women, being awesome. Roller derby. Alia Shawkat getting work, YAY! Speaking of people it's nice to see, Ari Graynor (Caroline from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) plays Eva Destruction-possibly my favorite of the derby names, Juliette Lewis plays a bad-ass, Andrew Wilson (the lost Wilson!) pops up, like a fine blend of the best parts of Luke and Owen, and Kristen Wiig continues to be the just about one of the best parts of anything she's involved in. Oh, and, Austin, word up!