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Pirates of the Caribbean

Finally I got around to seeing Pirates of the Caribbean. It was as good as I was told it would be. You have to love the friendly, funny, and non-killing pirate.

Star Sightings

My first big star sighting: Sean Connery at the Pig N Whistle.

The Oscars

As I'm sure you all know, the Oscars are this Sunday. I live just a block away from the Kodak Theater where they are held. Hollywood Blvd. is closed down and there are security personal everywhere. I was walking through that area last night and in order to get through I had to walk through the Hollywood & Highland Complex. I was in there for a good while, I got lost, and I must have seen dozens of guards. I swear you would think the president was coming for a visit. It's been like that all week.

I'm wondering what it's going to be like on Sunday. How many people, that sorta thing. If I'm feeling frisky, I may even wander down there and take a few pictures.

I hear that there won't be a time limit to speeches this year. What were they thinking? This thing will be going until three in the morning.

I was going to pick which film I thought should win Best Picture, but it just occurred to me that I haven't seen any of the nominated films. This is the first year that I can remember where I haven't seen at least a couple of them. You should feel free to predict the winners though.

Deep Throat

I just got back from watching Deep Throat at a theater down the street from my work. WoW is making a documentary about it with Imagine films.

Something about a women with her clitoris in her throat that's just classic.

More something about working at a place where you watch porn with your coworkers.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Johnny Depp was very funny in Once Upon a Time in Mexico. The whole thing was rather great actually. I've never seen any of the other El Mariachi films. I guess it's time.

Netflix

What ever happened to Rick Moranis? His career really took a dive after My Blue Heaven. Maybe it was all those Honey I shrank the Kids movies.

Living in a new city and not knowing anyone has left me with a lot of free time after work. To help fill it I rejoined Netflix. I was a member several years ago when it was first getting off. Then you got 4 movies for $20/month. Now it's only 3, or 5 for $30. Still it's a good deal if watch a lot of movies, and you can't get much more convenient.

The problem is, I have a hard time filling my queue up. I know there are a million movies I want to see, but I can never seem to remember them when I go to add some to the queue. I need to start a list or something.

Terminator 3

I just finished watching Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Can I just say how completely and utterly unfulfilled it left me. I kind of liked it.

Roger & Me

While at Target the other day I was going to buy Bowling for Columbine but they didn't have it. I was a little disappointed and dead set on buying something by Michael Moore. So I bought Roger & Me instead. Why they had that and not Bowling for Columbine is beyond my understanding.

Anyway, it was as good as I remember it being. That is, not that great but worth watching. Not sure if I really want to own it, but it was really cheap.

Classics

Doc Hollywood

Now there is a good movie.

Matchstick Men

I completely forgot to mention that I saw Matchstick Men on Tuesday. Josh was kind enough to take me to a matinee. I thought it was fairly good, but predictable. I should have waited to see it on DVD, but there isn't much else out right now.

Whenever you see Sam Rockwell in a movie, you know he's going to turn out to be a bad guy. Never fails.

My Cousin Vinny

I haven't been watching a lot of movies latley, too busy doing nothing I guess. I did manage to break free long enough to catch My Cousin Vinny today though. I love this movie, as I think most people do. Marisa Tomei is hot, hot, hot. And come on, Ralph Macchio is in it.

Meet Joe Black

I just finished watching Meet Joe Black. I remember watching it when it first came out on DVD, in fact I believe it was one of the first DVDs that I watched. I can't remember how I felt about it then, but I liked it today. Even though it's cheesy, it made me feel good. Of course I have been really sappy lately, so that makes sense.

Two Johns in Two Days

Johnny Cash died today at 71, less than four months after his wife passed. The original man in black will be missed at our house.

John Ritter also died. At 54 it seems that he should have had a few years left. Get your hearts checked.

Beep Beep

I've always hated watching movies on television. Dubbing over the curse words annoys the hell out of me. So watching Bulworth on FX tonight was a pleasant surprise. Instead of dubbing over, they just beeped them out. If you have seen Bulworth, you'll know that there is a lot of beeping. Not only for the dialog, but most of the music as well. It's pretty funny really, and much better. Well in my opinion anyway.

Boomerang

Boomerang

Who would have thought that there was a time that Halle Berry was the "ugly" one.

The Matrix Reloaded

The 6 story screen at the Imax theater was insane. Definitely the way to see an action movie. My only complaint, at that size you can really see the CG.

The Matrix Reloaded itself wasn't very good. I don't think it was as bad as some have said, but a let down none the less. I didn't think the fight scenes were very good this time. Here's hoping the third will be better.

Movies & Nudity

In the midst of the large thunderstorm last night, Erica I watched Phone Booth. Not what I would call a great movie. The whole thing was rather dull and Forest Whitaker's character could not have been more cheesy.

There was one thing that redeemed it though. Every time I would say that he should do a particular thing, he would do it. For the most part anyway.

We also watched Old School. I've seen it before, but it is still funny as hell.

Panic Room

Did anyone else notice the spots for the commercials in Panic Room? A nice fade to black, black for 5 seconds, then fade in. Nothing like being prepared for the networks.

Also, is it just me, or didn't Forest Whitaker's character get shot in the end? It seemed to be missing from the HBO version, but I swear that's what happened when I saw it in the theater. Has my memory actually progressed from forgetting to making things up?

Country Bears

Bonnie Riatt and Don Henley, duet of song while bears in the movie Country Bears. Strange.

July 4th

My day has been interesting. It started by watching Cocktail and continued with a barbecue. Nothing like some beer brats to make a summer holiday complete. After we finished eating, we headed off to a traditional barbecue in the suburbs. We didn't eat, but did have a few beers and there may have been a frisbee thrown around.

I love the Fourth of July. I hope everyone else had a great one as well. It's now time for bed.

Punch-Drunk Love & Others

I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong. As it turns out How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was funny. It's not going to win any awards, but it does entertain.

I was also able to catch Punch-Drunk Love last night. Now this one can win awards. It was great, but nothing like how it was portrayed in the trailers. I'm not sure it was supposed to be that funny, but I couldn't stop laughing.

Moonlight Mile

Along with renting Storytelling last night we also picked up Moonlight Mile. I just finished watching it and it is probably the best serious movie I've seen all year.

Jake Gyllenhaal is fast becoming one of my favorite actors.

Storytelling

Having nothing else to do on this Saturday night we decided to rent some movies. While looking around for something (the Saturday night selection was a little thin) we noticed that How to lose a Guy in 10 Days was all out, even though it is guaranteed to be in. So I can look forward to seeing that for free soon. Which is the only way I would be willing to see it anyway.

Hit and Runway

It was a nice lazy Sunday afternoon. I had a couple of tall cans on the back porch with Josh and Serena before retiring inside for a movie. Josh deep fried us some cheese curds and holly showed up just in time to catch it with us.

Hit and Runway was the film of choice and it did not disappoint. It is definitely not the greatest comedy ever made, but it made me laugh. Peter Jacobson's character was incredibly cute, but possibly a little too Woody Allen like.

I seem to like movies about people writing movies.

Next Friday

While nursing my hang over today, I caught Next Friday on TV. Pretty damn disappointing. Friday was so funny but this one just couldn't keep up the pace. I blame the lack of Chris Tucker.

Rock Star

I just caught the end of Rock Star on TV. I forgot how funny it is. The end when Chris 'Izzy' Cole goes "alternative" rock was just too funny for me to handle. The metal was so much cooler, or something.

You have to love the drugged orgy with Jennifer Aniston and Tania the hermaphrodite. Add the in the Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch song during the credits and you have a classic film.

Just a Kiss

After what seemed like a year at Blockbuster, Erica and I finally decided on Just a Kiss. I'd have to say that it was a good choice. Marisa Tomei is always nice to see, especially as a revenge crazed psycho. For some reason I like Ron Eldard as well.

The film is over stylized with the whole animation over the live action thing, but it's done in a way I found enjoyable. The only part I did not like was the ending. I liked the "first" one better. I guess I just prefer sad endings to the "everything works out" ones.

The Transporter

I watched Maid in Manhattan and The Transporter with Erica and Holly last night. What a huge dissapointment. Not Maid in Manhattan, that's to be expected, but The Transporter. For some reason I was under the impression that it was directed by the man who did The Professional which I love. I was mistaken.

The story was so standard and cheesy. The acting was awful. Just Crap.

Movies, Agro, Beer

I went with Erica, Steve, Josh and Serena to the Brew & View last night to see Old School. I love that place, nothing like drinking while watching a funny movie. We ended up staying for the second movie as well. Bringing Down the House sucks. Steve Martin has really gone downhill.

While getting are IDs checked and paying, one of the guys gave Erica a big lecture about not drinking (she is not 21) and if she was caught we would all go to jail. Thinking it was funny, I teased her about not getting us arrested. The guy behind the counter freaked out. He screamed asking if there was a problem with what he had said. Telling him no, that I was just teasing a friend, we walked away. Apparently, steve was still in line, he said that he would "tease my ass right on out of here." How fucking agro can you get? I get enough BS agro attitude in bars, I don't need it from some power hungry asshole while I'm just trying to see a movie with my friends.

I guess he didn't learn the whole "don't scream at your customers" lesson. Jackass.

Butterflies

I have parties to go to both tonight and tomorrow. I'm a little social butterfly, yes I am.

Tonight's party: 1981 RAD. I'm not sure, but I hope it's a reference to the movie RAD (although that was made in '86). I have fond memories of that movie every time I ride my BMX.

Sweet Home Alabama

Along with watching Catch Me If You Can the other night, I also saw Sweet Home Alabama. It should be stated in the out set that I love Reese Witherspoon. She can do no wrong.

Catch Me If You Can

I was unaware that Catch Me If You Can was a true story. It makes the movie much more interesting. Josh has the book so as soon as he finishes it, I will start. One of the better Spielberg movies I've seen in a long time. I'm not really his biggest fan, but I do like Tom Hanks.

House of Yes

Erica and I had plans for later tonight so while we waited for them to take place we decided to watch a movie. The House of Yes was our choice. Actually my choice, she seems to want to watch The Big Lebowski every chance she gets.

Like most anything Parker Posey is in, it's great (well not everything Posey is in). My favorite line in the movie:

If people start telling the truth around here, I'm going to bed.

I don't even mind Tori Spelling that much, though her acting is god awful. Now off to our evening plans.

Swimming with Sharks

The movies continue, today's: Swimming with Sharks.

Drumline

If you can't tell, most of this weekend was spent watching movies. To finish it off I caught Drumline. I have just one question, do they actually have drum offs?

Oh yeah, the 7-up guy is in it.

Hurlyburly

I love when Artie in Hurlyburly gives the girl to Eddie and Mickey. There is something about Garry Shandling being a dirty bastard that makes me laugh.

Secretary & Swimfan

After last night we needed a relaxing break, so we made it a movie night. One of the choices was Secretary with James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It is definitely worth checking out if you have the time. Incredibly funny and sexy with a really interesting story. Spader was great as always and Gyllenhaal did a great job of pulling off her character. If someone told me the plot line before I saw it, I don't think I would have expected such a good film.

The other choice was SwimFan. You know this film is going to suck, but no matter how much you prepare, it takes you by surprise. I hate Erica Christensen and Jesse Bradford. I don't know why we always watch such horrible movies. Someone needs to stop us.

Caligola

A few months ago a brief friend gave my Caligola for no apparent reason. I have never seen it and had no idea what it was like. The opening scene gave me a big hint. If that didn't tell me, when Bob Guccione's name showed up on the credits I knew for sure. For the uninitiated Bob Guccione is the founder of Penthouse.

Anyway, Caligola is just porn, porn with Peter O'Toole and Malcolm McDowell. I expected it to contain sex, you can't make a film about Caligola without it, but not at this level. A nice shocker. I was too distracted to notice the story or acting. Now that I own it, I can check it out again.

X2

I went with Steve, Alana and Erica to see X2 tonight. Unfortunately we had to go to the crappie theater because no one ever wants to go to Evanston.

Even so it was really good. Much better than the first. The story was much richer and more engrossing. I love Nightcrawler. He kicked ass in the opening scene. The wait begins for the next one with Colossus.

Say Anything

Erica had never seen Say Anything so that's what we watched tonight. In fact she hasn't seen any of the greatest 80's classics, Better Off Dead, One Crazy Summer, or The Sure Thing. All Cusack movies, all great. Shame. We have a lot of catching up to do before she leaves.

Johnny Mnemonic

I had fond memories of Johnny Mnemonic. I just like the idea of jacking into my brain and having performance enhancing implants (not that kind). I say had because I caught it on TV today. God it sucks, Keanu Reeves sucks. Ice-T and Henry Rollins don't suck though.

I still like it for some of the ideas. Again, jacking into your brain rules. The bad ass encryption braking dolphin is awesome. At the same time, the future internet sucks. What is it with movies thinking that the online world will be this hugely complicated mess that looks like a city made out of data?

The Replacement Killers

I spent the day watching movies. The first one on the list was The Replacement Killers. I think I may have seen it before, but I'm not sure. Either way it was really bad. The acting was terrible, but I fault the script for that. It's hard to say really cheesy lines well. The fight scenes were a disappointment. I hoped they would at least be neat, no such luck. I like Mira Sorvino but she couldn't save this movie. If it wasn't Sunday and I wasn't hung over I would be annoyed that I wasted my time with it.

8 Mile

I finally got around to seeing 8 mile. It was decent, but it lacked in the whole conflict - resolution thing. At least to me. The conflict that they were trying to push, social standing & confidence, wasn't pushed enough for me. There were other conflicts that stuck out more.

There was also a few unexplained things that bothered me. His girlfriend that he leaves, what was with that? If he hates living with his mom so much, why did he leave her, with the car no less? Brittany Murphy seemed kind of randomly placed. Her whole role was to tell him he was going to make it. Isn't that what Future was for?

As far as Eminem acting, he was fine. He had easy competition.

I don't necessarily need a movie to end with everything fine and dandy. If there isn't much carrying the movie though, it helps.

Rounders & Dave

So much for my day of reading. Instead I have watched Rounders, and will probably sit for Dave after I get something to eat.

Rounders is a perfect example of a movie that is not great, but is a lot of fun to watch. The story? I could take it of leave it, but high stakes gambling is exciting to watch. Plus John Turturro just rules, no matter what he's in.

Dave is just funny, and anyone who doesn't agree is not really human. Thank god for Tivo. Without it I would spend my day reading books that I've already read ten times.

Rock My World

Global Heresy, also known as Rock My World in the US, is great if for nothing else than seeing Peter O'Toole on drugs.

You have the bad corporate guy, the bad band mate, and the nice old couple. Band helps old couple, old couple helps band. A classic.

Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator is definitely worth watching as an adult. Not because it's good or anything, but simply for nostalgic's sake. I was lucky enough to catch it on the Hallmark channel tonight. Paul Reubens is ridiculous as Max the flying ship. Top it off with the liquid metal and you have one bad ass UFO. If it isn't obvious, the effects are really funny. You have to keep reminding yourself that it was made in '86. Now all I need to see is The Wizard and I'm set for a while.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Nothing is quite as funny as a group of terrified sorority girls meeting a group of mentally challenged boys. I have to say one of my top love stories. There is even a large fire ball near the end, what more could you ask for? Hank Harris kicks ass and kicks some ass. Christina Ricci puts in a good show as usual. They must have been icing her nipples between shots. It's hard to watch anything else. It's one to own.

Auto Focus

Auto Focus is great.

In a very demented way Bob Crane is my hero. Actually, no.

Road to Perdition

As in most Fridays, we stayed in tonight and watched a movie. Road to Perdition turned out to be very good.

From Hell

From Hell (2001)

I've seen this film before but it was on HBO tonight and I had nothing else to-do. I love Johnny Depp and although it gets annoying that they but a love interest in every movie now, I liked the way they framed the story.

The Oscars

They boo a man off stage for being critical of our President. They give best directory to a convicted child molester on the run in Europe. Does this make sense to anyone?

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor was not very good. It is a cheese ball romantic drama with big explosions. Ben Affleck's character has the worst lines of any movie I have seen in a long time.

Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation was on some movie channel tonight, so I was finally able to see it.

Joe Somebody

Josh was insistent that we watch Joe Somebody tonight. It has that annoying girl from Remember The Titans in it. I hate her.

Love Liza

I just got back from seeing Love Liza with Heidi. I have to say that I was disappointed. It felt like I was watching About Schmidt, and we know how I felt about that. You just didn't feel for the characters, or quite understand why they were doing some things. Well, I will say that the acting was very good, and other than the "I'm on drugs" shots, it looked great.

Bourne Identity

I watched this movie again. I know I saw it before, but for the life of me I can't remember with who. I really am losing my memory, and I'm only 25. It is fairly good movie. Much better than the standard spy films.

XXX

Here. Awful.

Leaving Las Vegas

Tivo recorded Leaving Las Vegas for me last night, and it has been a while since I've last seen it. Still one of the sadder movies I've seen. I have meant to buy the book since I first say it. A trip to Amazon is in order.

The Good Girl

I just saw The Good Girl. It always surprises me how Jennifer Aniston chooses good roles. Brad is a good influence. Although he has had some bad movie choices. In fact, maybe Jennifer has had better over all?

Shawk

A the Shawks. I used to watch these a couple of years ago, but they have reentered my schedule. The funniest shit there ever was.

Blue Crush

Want a to waste some time with a really bad movie? This one is for you. It is not quite so bad that it's good but still an easy way to blow an hour or so during a boring friday night. The lead woman does have a nice ass though.

O Brother Where Art Thou?

I have been putting off seeing this movie for some time now. Mostly because of George Clooney. When someone I believe to be a bad actor is in a movie I believe to be bad, I have no problems seeing it. I can't be disappointed. But I hate seeing bad actors in movies I believe will be good. This one is a perfect example. Coen brothers have always made good movies and I didn't want to have it ruined for me by Clooney. It wasn't. This was easily his best job. The two things that are really worth mentioning though are the photography and the music. I'm glad I finally saw it.

Black Night

I'm sick and bored and just watched this god awful thing of a movie.

About Schmidt

I was looking forward to seeing this, but I ended up a little disappointed. Before I can make up my mind, I need to see it again though. Just one of those films. Most people claim that it was very real, but to me it seemed very unreal. To out of touch. Normally I like slow movies, but this crept alone at a painful pace.

The good:
The acting was exceptional.

The bad:
The story was uninteresting.

Bowling for Columbine

Bowling for Columbine is a very fun and sad movie. What is wrong with America? Some one?