Short Cuts (1993)

This is a 3 hour movie. I ended up watching most of it in 1-hour increments, here and there, mostly because I was bored with it. I didn't even watch the ending. I think it could have been good, but it was way too long to tell. There are a lot of good actors in it, but it didn't keep my attention.

Quinceanera (2006)

First of all, for those of you who actually check in on me to see all the movies I've seen, Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Work has overcome me and I'm busier than ever. But I have seen a movie here and there, so here are some of the ones I've seen over the last 2 weeks:
This movie was pretty good. The acting was bad, but the story was really interesting, which made up for it. The movie was able to address several issues of race, sexuality, abortion, families, incomes, etc. without feeling overbearing and without straying too far from the story line, and I think that's what I liked the most about the movie.

Sin City (2005)

This gruesome movie was so immoral and crude that it was too difficult to enjoy the stylized graphics that could've made the film decent. Good acting, but honestly, too much sleezy girls, gutless guys, and unnecessary violence for me. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone.

Monster House (2006)

Considering my background in animation and motion capture, I didn't think this movie was that good. The motion capture made the characters stiff and unbelievable. The story was interesting enough and the effects were neat. The look of the movie was cool, but if they animated the characters and exaggerated their performances, the movie would have been so much better!

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

I am fascinated with new words and spelling. I wanted to see this movie for that reason. I really liked it. The acting was great and it was done really well. The only thing I didn't enjoy that much was the score...it was ok, just too dramatic.

Happy Feet (2006)

This was a really good movie. Very well done and lots of good (and difficult, from an animators point of view) scenes. I thought the connection to environmental issues was silly, but the music was fun and I can see why it got an academy award for 2006.

Walk the Line (2005)

Amazing film. Phenomenal acting. I own this film and am glad of it. A story of the life of Johnny Cash (and June Carter). Well told story and great script.

The 40-year-old Virgin

Besides being totally raunchy and gross in some parts, this movie was actually REALLY funny and the acting was really believable. I really enjoyed it watching it the 2nd time around... I like the ending too.

Fun in Acapulco (1963)

This show is a great reminder of how much movie's have progressed since the 60's. The flick was entertaining and pleasant. The lip-sync was awful and most of the acting as well, but the story was fun.

Blades of Glory (2007)

This homo-erotic figure-skating comedy was hilarious. Although very stupid and silly, I was laughing almost the entire movie. Great film to watch with people who will laugh with you.

Undercover Borther (2002)

This movie, although extremely stupid, was pretty funny and did a great job at highlighting some classic black and white culture.

Come Early Morning (2006)

A simple southern drama about a woman who tries to overcome her faults, as well as her generational setbacks. It was very sweet and real. A great "directorial debut" by Joey Lauren Adams (actress in Chasing Amy). Ashley Judd is amazing, as always.

Punch Drunk Love (2002)

This is a great film. Adam Sandler does an amazing job and it's films like this and Spanglish that show his ability to act. This strange film is edgy and, at times, uncomfortable. But the acting is superb and the effects are cool. The soundtrack is different and added a lot to the final result, and I might also say success, of the film.

The Emporer's Club (2002)

Although I did like the moral of this story, it was most of the time bland and the script seemed unrealistic. It is a story about a teacher at a prestigious school who teaches the morals and values of the Greeks and Romans, and the students who learn from him.

A Good Year (2006)

This was an enjoyable film that deserves some recognition for trying to create moods in unique ways. The soundtrack was different than I would expect and pretty fun. The movie's story wasn't amazing or anything but it was nice and the movie was all around very pleasant. If nothing else the vineyard was incredibly beautiful and I do love learning a little bit about wine.

The Man With Two Brains (1983)

This movie was pretty wacko. It was alright. I don't think it's one that I'd want to own or see again, but it was an interesting comedy anyways.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

This is a fabulous kickback comedy. Watching it this time around, I didn't remember it being so incredibly cheesy. The background voices are pretty awful and the acting isn't that amazing. But the script is hilarious and the movie is a good time!

Blood Diamond (2006)

In general, I have a hard time enjoying political thrillers. This movie was pretty exceptional and I keep getting more and more impressed with Leonardo DiCaprio's acting. There were a few cheesy lines here and there. There were also some very graphic scenes of violence. But the story was told well and gives you some concepts of materialism to think about.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

This movie is awesome and just plain fun. It has a good balance of violence, comedy and romance. I have watched this film 3 times and enjoyed it every time.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

This movie is an old drama-turned-comedy about war, shot in black and white. The comedy is very subtle. I liked it. I'm not sure I understood the film in it's entirety. But it was done very well.

Stranger than Fiction. (2006)

Great idea for a movie. Lovely performances. It is about a tax man who finds his life is being narrated. He hears from the narrator that he will soon die and tries to find out who this narrator might be in order to prevent his death. This is a great film and I would suggest it to anyone.

Poseidon (2006)

Although there were some good aspects to this action movie about a ship wrecked from a giant wave, it was overall predictable and not very good. My suggestion is to just watch Titanic.

Catch a Fire (2006)

Political thriller about a man who is accused of being a terrorist. After being beaten and seeing his wife beaten for being falsely accused of terrorism, Patrick joins the terrorist group to make a point. It seemed more like a poem than a movie. It was put together well, although it was really hard for me to be convinced that Nic (Tim Robbins) is the "bad guy." He plays a better "good guy." It didn't really capture my attention.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

I loved this movie. Very sweet and simple. I really enjoyed this (mostly chick) flick. It is about 4 girls who remain lifelong friends. And in the "present" of the movie, these girls are now older women and one of their children (Sandra Bullock's character) learns about the life of her mother.

Stripes (1981)

Eh, it was ok. There were a lot of really funny parts but the story wasn't that interesting to me. I wasn't a big fan of the topless bar scene either. But Bill Murray is a funny guy.

Fletch (1985)

Silly and funny 80's comedy about a detective who solves cases. He has his way to find out what he needs to know. Pretty cool movie.

Spaceballs (1987)

Totally hilarious. Loved it. So many great quotes in there, it is worth watching more than once.

Nacho Libre (2006)

The first time I saw this movie I didn't care for it much and thought it was really stupid. This time I watched it and found it pretty funny and really liked the style. I guess it's just one of those comedic movies that you have to be in the right mood for. It is clean and a ridiculous flick.

Who Killed The Electric Car? (2006)

A very preachy documentary that turns into a call of action at the end. It made me sad to see all the cars that were crushed and wasted. America is a country prone to wasting valuable commodities. It is upsetting to see millions of dollars, and what seems to be a good solution to environmental and oil consumption issues, thrown down the drain.

Babel (2006)

This movie had phenomenal acting and a great idea. A very compelling story, it shows the intertwining lives of several families. It was difficult to watch, because the entire movie you're waiting for someone to get shot. I think it is just the style of the shots and camera angles that caused this feeling. It made me very tense. But I did enjoy this film and was impressed by the directing.

Palindromes (2005)

Another disturbing movie by the same director of "Happiness." This movie causes a deep feeling of sorrow and sometimes disgust. It is about teen pregnancy and abortion. It is a bit confusing because the main character changes actors throughout the movie...but sometimes it changes back to the same character. I didn't figure this out until the end. Until then I thought it was different stories of girls who were all named the same, Aviva (hence the name of the movie, palindromes).

Blade Runner (1982)

Pretty good sci-fi thriller. Although I've seen this type of movie before, it was probably a breakthrough at the time. Not my favorite Harrison Ford movie, but I do love most of the movies he's in.

Mean Girls (2004)

Cool and well done teen/chick-flick with good humor and some really great scenes. The writing was smart. I was surprised at what a good movie it was.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

I had this movie on in the background and wasn't paying attention to most of it. What I saw of it was really interesting and I think I would like to watch it again when I have more time to focus. Johnny Depp is a really great actor. I liked the way this movie was narrated. It had some pretty crazy tripped out scenes in it.

Happiness (1998)

I don't think this film would have any problem revolting even the most vulgar of people. It is shocking and repulsive, and not about happiness but rather what people think might make them happy. Although it is made very well, I would never suggest this movie to anyone.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Really interesting educational science movie about the dangers of global warming and the effects it has had on the earth particularly in the last 50 years. I learned a lot from this movie but a lot of it I'm not sure of it's validity. For example, pictures are shown over a period of 50 years, but not told whether it's winter or summer. I also didn't like was it seemed that Al Gore was "selling" himself a little by dramatizing his loss of presidency and making jokes about the Republican party. I think he would have sold his point a lot stronger if he had not included this and made more validity to his points. I am very hesitant of conspiracy theories, especially ones from people who's electric bill in a month is more than I pay the whole year. Gore doesn't seem to live his belief. Nonetheless, the movie is really insightful and gave some ideas on how to help the environment.

Magnolia (1999)

This movie was really interesting and very good. It's just about life and "coincidences." It is 3-hours long, but all the stories within the main story make it worth watching. It will make you think, and you will share the emotions of the characters. It has an amazing cast.

Lost Highway (1997)

This movie was so horrible, I couldn't even finish it. It was a similar experience to when I was horrified by seeing 8MM in the theaters and had wished I had walked out. Please do not see this movie. It is hauntingly horrible and shouldn't have been made. It is a total waste of anything good in life.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Although this is ultimately a sad movie about broken relationships, I am once again moved by this film. It made me laugh and think and be appreciative of my life. It shows the longings of two souls. The performances are alluring and the story has a very sweet, yet sorrowful, overtone.

Total Recall (1990)

Classic Arnold. This movie was hilarious and totally ridiculous. There are some very epic lines and this movie should be taken very very seriously.

Citizen Kane (1941)

This movie was hard to get into at first, probably because of how old it is. But once I started understanding what was going on, I really liked the movie. It was a great story and had interesting characters and good dialogue. As some people have quoted: "It is a landmark for cinema history."

Better off Dead (1985)

Better Off Dead is a really funny 80's flick about a highschool kid who is obsessed with his girlfriend. It was awesome. I totally enjoyed it and might even buy it for my DVD collection. Great film.

Apocalypto (2006)

This movie by Mel Gibson is really good. The story is amazing and suspenseful. There is a LOT of violence. It is a story of a tribe that is taken captive by the Mayans to be sacrificed to the gods. There are a lot of really awesome shots and the movie is captivating.

The Illusionist (2006)

Although I'm not a huge fan of Edward Norton, I thought this film was really good. I couldn't figure out a lot of the magic in the movie, which caused some confusion towards the end, but I liked the style. It's similar to the Prestige, which came out around the same time. I would suggest the Prestige over this one, but this movie was still very good.

Art School Confidential (2006)

This movie started out really funny. They did a pretty good job at singling out art school stereotypes. The main character, who is actually a decent artist, tries to gain acceptance in whatever way possible. And this is how, about half way through the movie, it turned psychotic and didn't make much sense. I was left thinking "What?!" Pretty stupid movie. I wouldn't recommend it.

Sky High (2005)

This is a kids movie, but it's really fun and worth watching. The effects weren't all that great and it was really cheesy, but overall I really liked it.

American Splendor (2003)

Wow! How could I have not heard of this movie sooner? It was awesome. Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis did an amazing job portraying their characters. The art style and directing is new, unique, and almost refreshing. This is just a fun and interesting movie that I suggest you see soon.

Blow (2001)

I was surprised to really like this film. It reminded me a lot of Goodfellas, maybe because of Ray Liotta, but probably because of the nature of the drug lifestyle and the regrets that always come along with it. It's based on a true story about the drug dealer who made cocaine popular. I thought this film was great and the acting was awesome too.

So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993)

Awesome little romantic comedy. Light-hearted and off-the-wall. If you haven't seen it yet you will enjoy it. I think it is one of Mike Myers' best films.

Frida (2002)

This is a pretty interesting movie about two renown artists. If you are interested in art and/or art history, you'll enjoy this story. The art in this film is amazing and there were some really cool scenes where they mix art with reality. The painful realities of her marriage to Diego Rivera were difficult to watch. There are a surprising amount of sex scenes in this movie. But overall, I thought the movie was really good and well-done.