"You've got mail".
A bit too sentimental for my taste.
But I like Meg Ryan. Good Actress.

There is some nice godfather reference in "you've got mail"

I should be seeing Syriana tomorrow.

Yellow Submarine (1968) - ****
Director: George Dunning
The Fab Four climb aboard a magical submarine with a canary-yellow paintjob to save Pepperland and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band from the Blue Meanies in this animated musical.
As a huge Beatles fan, I wasn't actually expecting this to be a move I would give four stars to, but more so something along two or three stars that would just be a good (not great) and entertaining film, that would hold my interest as a Beatles fan. I knew I would enjoy it, but this film is not only a master-work milestone for animated films and rock-opera's, but for cinema in general. I totally enjoyed this, and I think anyone could get into this film regardless of musical taste or age. I could even see my seven year old sister with little knowledge or interest for The Beatles enjoying this cartoon, simply for the adventure and spectacle of it. The cinematography is excellent, and each cartoon-Beatle seemed to reflect the personality and movements of his real-life rock-star counterpart. The soundtrack is great, and includes many of my favorite Beatle songs. Throw in a cameo appearance from Sgt. Pepper's and his back-up band, and what more could you ask for? I will be re-viewing this at least twice this week.


Helter Skelter (2004) - ***
Director: John Gray
Helter Skelter follows the events and murders, and eventually, trial of Charlies Manson and his "family" of pseudo-hippies that took place in 1969.
I went to the video-rental store looking for the original 1976 version of Helter Skelter. Unfortunately, it had either been rented out, or they just didn't have it when I got there, so I let the 2004 remake suffice for now. I've heard this isn't nearly as good as the original, and I can see that. But non-comparitively, this was a good film. Not great, but good and entertaining. The performances are all great, although there are a few directorial choices I disagreed with... I was a bit disspointed with the soundtrack, seeing as the original was done by The Beatles (this remake included Helter Skelter in maybe three places, although I don't think it was ever played in its entirity, and--although I can't be certain yet--it sounded as if it were an extremely similar re-recording done by someone other than McCartney). Over-all, it was an entertaining viewing I enjoyed... Although I'd still like to see the original.

Wise Guys - (Brian De Palma;1986;USA)
Two low level mobsters lose $250,000 of their boss' money at the tracks, and are assigned to kill each other.
Enjoyable for fans of the actors in it. It provides some laughs, but overall it's an average, B-movie comedy. De Palma's direction seems vacant, like Demme's Married to the Mob. It seems obvious this project was given very little care, direction-wise.

2046 **

A decent movie that was confusing at some points but the music and directing were the real stars here IMO. Ziyi Zhang was also quite enjoyable

Man, WISE GUYS...oh god. Now I remember it. Dammit Vercetti, and I had just buried that away from my memory banks.

Getting Gotti - 1994

Starring Lorraine Bracco as Diane Giacalone, and Anthony John Denison as John Gotti

This show is based on a true story about an Italian woman who works for the Feds. It's based on her struggle on trying to convict John Gotti, someone she used to live by (in the same neighborhood). Throughout the movie, John Gotti and his crew basically treat her like shit. It's something you'll specifically notice during the court case.

*SPOILER*

In the movie, she spends about seven years in this single court case against Gotti and eventually loses the case because the jury was bribed. Nothing too exciting. I found myself drifting to sleep during this movie.

This movie is OK. I'd give it ** and recommend that if you watch it, rent it only. It's OK, but I wasn't too impressed by some of the acting and the dialogue. Plus, I'm not too certain about the movie's accuracy. There were a few parts which I know are true (like killing Big Paulie Castellano in broad day light).

Instead of seeing this show, I would recommend Gotti instead. Much better film, and it stars Armand Assante as John Gotti, and he does a good job. All in all, it's a better movie, as well.

I won this show (Getting Gotti) off an Ebay auction. I bid on it mainly due to seeing Lorraine Bracco on the cover. She isn't bad in this movie, but she's had better roles.

See Gotti instead.

Yes, and also "Pride & Prejudice" reference.

Looks like snow ruined my plans to see Syriana.

You Bastard. :p

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room ***

A very informative and well presented documentary about one of history's greatest business scandals. Great first hand accounts of people who actually worked for the company as well as corporate audio and videotapes during the California "blackout scandal" among other things

I agree; rewatches reward more. It also helps if you've seen In the Mood for Love.

Nashville
Robert Altman 1975 US (1st time)
Politics and music intertwine during a Country and Western festival.
A kind of musical tableau, genre-bending and energetic in its freeform direction.

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands
Shane Meadows 2002 UK (1st time)
A car mechanic proposes to his girlfriend on national television, and incurs the wrath of her former husband and father to her daughter.
The premise is impossible to take seriously from the off: a conglomeration of contrasting accents from around Britain (despite the title). This is a sorry homage to the Western, with forced humour and a narrative struggling to evoke any kind of positive response to the caricature cast.

I agree; rewatches reward more. It also helps if you've seen In the Mood for Love. [/b][/quote]I also agree, rewatches are always beneficial. Unfortunately with my current work, school and "things to watch schedule", that a rewatch of this will not be any time soon

Off topic, but really, MUNICH surprised the shit out of me. If it wasn't for A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, this would have been #1 for 2005 for me...it came THAT close.

Again off-topic. Are the nominations for Oscar out already?

No, but the date the announcements are is January 31(Tuesday), 5:30 AM Pacific Time...or 8:30 AM to the East Coasters. Tomorrow night is the Golden Globes.

Oldboy *
A korean movie about a man imprisoned for 15 years in a secret location who finds out why he was released. There is a great twist in the plot at the end, but other than that, the movie has nothing much to offer. It is stylishly made but the premise on which the entire movie is made is very flimsy and unconvincing. It also features a great hammer fight scene filmed in a single long shot. The movie has been dubbed in English in the DVD version, so you don't need sub-titles to watch it.

New York, New York - (Martin Scorsese;1977;USA)
After WW2, a saxophone player and a singer fall in love in New York City but soon struggle in their relationship.
A very good film that could've been great, suffering from overlength and at times losing track of it's characters in the musical numbers. Them music is great however, and the acting is very good. What impressed me the most was how this was a tribute to the Golden Age of cinema. I loved the various set pieces and backgrounds used from old films.

Red Eye - (Wes Craven;2005;USA)
A woman is forced by a middle man to help assassinate a politician while she's on an airplane.
The first have is actually pretty good, depending on genuine suspense and dialogue. The second half off the plane however turns towards cliche, and gets ridiculously predictable. The acting in the first half was also good, but sloped in the second half, because that half didn't demand much from them.

TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003) - **1/2

The last starring work before becoming the Governor of California, Schwarzenegger returned to his iconic film role for a record $30 million payday, though without franchise director/writer James Cameron. However, veteran hired-gun director Johnathan Mostow, who's always seemed like a decent guy and has done some decent pictures (i.e. U-571) does the best that he could with a $200 million, and without unfortunately Cameron's superior talents.

Neverless, Mostow should at least be applauded for at least including an ending that for such an expensive summer blockbuster tentpole picture, its actually.....shocking, and the fact that its a kick to the nuts after we're led to believe in a down-to-the-last-second climax.

I'm working on a new column series that tackles popular film franchises, and basically its like a mega-size edition of my regular film columns....so yes, expect chapters for STAR WARS, THE TERMINATOR, DIRTY HARRY, the BOURNE movies, and of course...........duh duh DUM DUM! James Bond.

Anyway, I'll try to include more detailed thoughts of what works in T3...and especially what doesn't.

How long is the version you got? The one I have s 123 Minutes long (Pal what should be around 128 NTSC)...
But I found this information on IMDB:

Originally four and a half hours long. Director Martin Scorsese cut it to 153 minutes, then to 136 minutes. In 1981 some material (mainly the 'Happy Endings' sequence) was restored and the film became 163 minutes long.

Now 4.5 Hours would be "overlong"...

About two hours and 43-ish minutes.

Sin City -- ****

I thought this film was gonna blow, but I thoroughly blown away by it. I'm not very well versed in "film-noir", so I have nothing to really compare this film to. As is, I think this is one of the best films of '05. The "sets" (sets is in quotes because, technically, there were none) were gorgeous, the direction was great, and the contrasting colors in certain scenes really fit in with the plot.

I watched the "all green screen edition" on disc 2 in the Special Edition set. It's amazing how little they had to work with. The actors/actresses literally had to use their imaginations.

Mickey Rourke put in the best performance, IMO. He was absolutely brilliant as Marv. As a reader of the graphic novels, I can't imagine anyone else playing Marv but Mickey Rourke. It's a shame he doesn't get many good parts anymore.

I'm so glad you loved Sin City xxx. It is my favorite movie of 2005. One day when I could get my hands on them I'd love to read all the novels. Some good news though, either this year or next year Sin City 2 is going to come out

Two for the Money ***

A suprisingly good drama suspense movie about the dangers and addiction of professional sports gambling. Matthew McConaughey was good, I haven't seen him since 2001's Frailty. And it was great to see a "good" Pacino movie since 2002's Insomnia.

Wow, Irish, I'm so glad that someone finally shares my opinion that it was not at all that bad!
I remember that when I started a special thread about this movie everybody kept saying it was boring.
How can Al be boring???

It definitely wasnt boring, just had some problems with character and story development. A solid performance by Pacino, overall an average film, but its not exactly trying to be more then it is, so it serves its purpose, a little bit of harmless entertainment.

Syriana - (Stephen Gaghan;2005;USA)
A film about the oil industry and the people involved from corporation tycoons, Arab youths, a Prince, energy official, lawyer, and a CIA agent.
One of the most relevant films around today. It holds onto our fascination through much of the film, although at times getting too complex and at others not enough, like the quick transition of the two men who become suicide bombers. However this film has wonderful acting, music, and especially cinematography. If it shows something, it's that the wealth of the few is created by the sweat and blood of many.