Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Greatest Update Ever: Part 2

Adventureland
I love this movie. I hadn't seen a movie multiple times in the theater in awhile. It's harder to justify it in New York. But I did it for this one. Romantic and genuinely funny are hard to come by. Adventureland does both very well. I wasn't even that annoyed by Kristen Stewart's mouth. Well . . . most of the time.

Star Trek
I've always maintained my position of Star Wars over Star Trek. This was an uneducated preference really. I remember watching Star Trek with my parents but never really understanding or liking it that much. But then J.J. Abrams had to go and direct it, thereby forcing my interest to be piqued. Going completely ignorant of the original Star Trek was kind of cool. Although instantly I wanted to watch all that came before it.

The Taking of Pelham 123
This is what happens when you just want to go to a movie theater, no matter what's playing. You find yourself watching a completely unbelievable , laughable performance by John Travolta. It's pretty sad when you realize the highlight of a film is when you recognize the MTA headquarters as being by your office. Lame.

Whatever Works
Larry David and Woody Allen together? Match made in heaven. Or so you would think. What was the problem? I'm not quite sure. Maybe it was because I've watched too much Curb. I could actually see Larry David thinking about his lines as he said them. Evan Rachel Wood was incredibly annoying. Plus the script just didn't feel fresh. I want these guys to try again, next time with a little more feeling
.
Public Enemies
Disappointment. Johnny, you've never looked better. Too bad it wasn't in a better movie. And I had such high hopes.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
I reached my height of crazy this summer when I went to the midnight IMAX showing of Harry Potter and then went again the same day. Was it worth it? Clearly. However, I do have criticisms. Why in the world did they change how Ginny and Harry get together? I can't see any possible reason. But overall, you still got me Harry. Although I did not cry and that was upsetting in and of itself.

(500) Days of Summer
It happened again. I fell hard for a movie and wanted to see nothing else for weeks. Amazingly I only saw it twice, but not for lack of trying. I loved everything about this movie. Acting, soundtrack, pacing, editing, everything. I hadn't been hit this hard since Garden State. And anyone who knows me, that means something.

Funny People
Another disappointment. Seth Rogan, you look great skinny. Keep it up. Jason Schwartzman, I had higher hopes for you but always glad to see you. Jonah Hill, you're always solid, be in the movie more. As for Adam Sandler, I appreciate the effort to branch out, but the sheer amount of penis jokes ruined any new depth of emotion you tried to reach.

Julie & Julia

Yum. Well, the Meryl Streep part is great. Amy Adams just tries to make to make do with the unfortunate haircut they gave her. Plus they filmed in my new hood!

District 9
One of the few movies I saw this summer that lived up to its hype. Compelling, grotesque, exciting and awesome. Well done Danny Boyle.

The September Issue
Oh magazines. I still adore you. Even as you die a slow and painful death. But this film, which follows the creation of the September 2007 issue of Vogue (the biggest issue the magazine ever put out). The filmmakers got unprecedented access to Anna Wintour and she's better for it. It shows her being tough on her colleagues—creative director Grace Coddington bares the brunt but luckily she's one of the few who can take it and dish some herself—as well as showing why she's one of the most respected editors of all time.

Films I couldn't muster the energy to recap, therefore grades:
Duplicity: B-
I Love You, Man: B
The Proposal:D
Angels and Demons:D
Up: A+
The Hangover: B