Over the past few weeks I’ve watched about 60 movies either at home (Yay, Netflix!) or at the local cineplex. Here are some highlights & lowlights.
In Cold Blood: The 1967 film that is brought up often by reporters covering the Robert Blake murder trial. After watching this film, you have to wonder if he was acting at all or just being himself.
Without A Paddle: Glad I didn’t waste $8 on this one. Should have been titled, “Without A Laugh.”
Amores Perros: A great movie from Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, the same guy who brought us 21 Grams. While I’ve seen it before, the DVD has some cool behind the scenes footage.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: Having been a huge fan of The Gong Show, the book was a must read. Clooney did a good job of capturing the book. Sam Rockwell did a surprising job of capturing the many faces of Chuck Barris.
I’m Not Scared: There was a time when all movies had a kind of natural innocence that most mainstream movies today seem to have left behind. A lack of self awareness or self-importance if you will. This Italian film features stellar performances from an almost all-child cast and that might be why it reminds me of those classic films from yesterday.
Sideways: Paul Giamatti has recently made a name for himself playing lovable grumps. His turn as Harvey Pekar in 2003’s American Splendor was the first, and now in Sideways he plays Miles, a sadsack middleschool English teacher out for a week-long wine drinking binge.
The Aviator: It is hard to imagine Leonardo Di Caprio doing anything that will make audiences forget his part in Titanic. This might help him on his way. Great performances all around from Di Caprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsdale, and Alec Baldwin.
i loved the book (confessions of a dangerous mnd) too but the movie didn’t really do it for me. thank you again for introducing me to amores perros. talk about a movie that kicks your ass!