Children of Men

This is a great start to my 2007 film-going. I was totally sucked into this film right away and though the journey is a major downer it is very satisfying. The film evokes some of my favorite film moments: the office scenes in Terry Gilliam's "Brazil," combat sequences from a variety of war films, and of course the dying city with a bright advertising life via "Blade Runner." My favorite iconic scene portrayed a dining room with Guernica hanging on the wall and room size window overlooking London with a real life vision of a Pink Floyd album cover. I loved the audacity of this shot matched only by the audacity of Danny Houston's character explaining he didn't care to think about the world falling apart. The bleakness of the film is countered throughout by moments of humor and various well chosen songs. I didn't care that the Tomorrow Project was never fully explained because the journey was all that mattered.
Favorite Moment: The escape from the farmhouse. An amazing sequence in which Theo and Key try to escape from the farmhouse. Filled with tension and made even more tense by the soundtrack of the birds waking up at dawn.
Film #94

Apocalypto

Run Jaguar Paw run! This is a very good film surrounded by way too much crap. The director's drunken rant, his fixation on graphic violence and his choice to present the movie in Mayan with subtitles. Get past all that and the result is an adventure/thriller which had me on the edge of my seat. I got sucked straight into the film. Ok there are two too many deus ex machina to move the plot along but Mel knows how to set a scene and how to create a universe within a film. Like Children of Men he fully realizes the world he set out to create. Even without using graphic violence, he is able to tap into a feeling of nightmare at some points in the film. All the actors are true and the film introduces a new screen villain worthy of Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List. The chase sequence is absolutely amazing.
Favorite Moment: Jaguar Paw pausing to breathe during the chase.
Film #93

Dreamgirls

This film belongs to Jennifer Hudson all the way and everyone else (including the storyline) is just there for her. Amazing performance from someone who just a few years ago got voted off American Idol. The audience I saw it with actually applauded her showstopper number. The film as whole is ok. Can't say this musical appeals to me in general. Bill Condon's direction is solid but I could have used alot less of the 360 degree camera movement. It was nice to see Danny Glover again. Those damn movies he did with Mel Gibson were so annoying that I forgot how good an actor he is. Eddie Murphy is entertaining and can actually belt out a tune. I am bored with Jamie Foxx or he's boring. I'm not sure which. Great opening sequence and great closing credits.
Favorite moment: Effie's song.
Film # 92

Eragon

Not my favorite dragon movie but it serves its purpose as a children's tale. The film owes much to the cinematography of the Lord of the Rings. I dont; think there is an original landscape shot in this film. Jeremy Irons as the sensei character is the only real draw here though Robert Carlyle is creepily entertaining as the main villan and the sequel is sure to feature John Malkovich as he tries to get that dran Eragon and his dragon!
Favorite Moment: The obvious sequel teaser at the end.
Film # 91

Pirates of the Carribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Much better than the first one. I really enjoyed this film and the challenge set before the characters. Loved Davy Jones and his creepy crew. Johnny Depp continues to be amusing as Jack Sparrow and I am looking forward to the sequel. I did find some of the violence in this film as nasty as some of the violence in Apacalypto. Funny how no one seems bothered by having children see extreme violence in this film.
Favorite moment: Davy Jones playing his organ.
Film #90

For Your Consideration

Funny but forgettable. Catherine O'Hara is great in this film as are the special botox
effects she has at the end.
Favorite Moment: The "Entertainment Tonight" sequences.
Film # 89

Casino Royale

Daniel Craig is definitely my favorite new Bond. This is a very good origination story to reinvent the franchise with. I wish they had not replaced Baccarat with Texas Hold 'Em. It seemed to cheapen the story but it was well matched with a baser Bond.
Favorite moment: The opening chase sequence.
Film # 88

The Holiday

I should have hated this film but maybe I've lived in tiny town so long that my NYC sense has left me. I loved it and loved the corny story it told. It's no masterpiece but it was an enjoyable way to spend a few of my holiday hours.
Favorite moment: Any scene with Jude Law's children.
Film # 87

Happy Feet

I found this film extremely creepy which is odd since it is supposed to be a happy little children's film. Too many chefs tried to bring too many flavors to the table. It's a little children's film, it's an adult romance, it's a nature documentary, it's a warning about global warming, it's parody of other films. As if that wasn't schizophrenic enough for me, Robin Williams weighs in with multiple nutty characters. The animation is stunning, unfortunately it could not overcome the film's hundred other flaws. I checked out of the film early but the film hit bottom when our hero penguin goes insane after being placed in a zoo.
Favorite moment: The great huddle.
Film #86

The Good Shepard

Wow! This film is a true example of a work filled with great performances trapped in a weak film. I did not need the soap opera of Edward and Clover's marriage and the subplot involving the son. I wish both had been removed from the story and we had been given more of the birth of the CIA. More politics and intrigue and less crying please. Loved all the performances but especially Robert DeNiro who looked physically transformed.
Favorite moment: Michael Gambon's assassination
Film # 85

The Heartbreak Kid

Very very funny Neil Simon screenplay directed by Elaine May. Loved seeing 1970's NYC and Miami. Films made today very rarely have the feel of actually taking place in the real world. Or maybe it feels like a real world because I have no memory of life back then in those cities. Charles Grodin is great as the selfish newly wed who seems to love the chase but is clueless when it's time to settle down. Jeannie Berlin (Elaine May's daughter) is a standout as the clueless new wife. She evokes laughter and tears over the course of the film. Cybill Shepard and Eddie Albert are also great.
Favorite moment: Eddie Albert confronting Charles Grodin about his sincerity in pursuing Kelly.

Film #84

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

A very amusing and informative mocking documentary about the Motion Picture Association of America which has taken the responsibility to rate films. The director provides a nice overview of how the MPAA rates films and why they are accused of being prejudiced against some topics portrayed on film. They like violence but hate sex. Did you know that a Catholic and an Episcopal priest view every film screened by the MPAA. That's just messed up. Why do those mokes get to see all the films and probably get paid for it? Even more disturbing is the fact revealed here that the MPAA appeals board is made up of the major film exhibition companies. It's a wonder any of us get to see any independent films at all.
Favorite moment: The director delivering his film revealing the secrets of the MPAA to the MPAA for a rating.

Film # 83