I can't remember how I became aware of this film, but I popped it into the Blockbuster queue and soon it arrived.
Think The Office, but substitute your high-school for Dunder Mifflin.
Clearly they didn't have a lot of money, but they did have great affection for teachers and teaching. And actual life experience. PoMonkey, being a former teacher, absolutely loved it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Hot Fuzz -- C- Shaun of the Dead -- C+
Who would have thought that Shaun of the Dead is better than Hot Fuzz? The former relies heavily on "inside" jokes that are unfamiliar to US audiences, which isn't necessarily a criticism, but certainly is an observation. It definitely has its funny moments, but it drags on a bit long.
Hot Fuzz, on the other hand, has few funny moments, and also drags on too long. Other complaints: the quick-cut editing was a cheap effort to ape Madonna's husband's style, and it's a bit bloody.
Or maybe I just don't appreciate British cinema.
Hot Fuzz, on the other hand, has few funny moments, and also drags on too long. Other complaints: the quick-cut editing was a cheap effort to ape Madonna's husband's style, and it's a bit bloody.
Or maybe I just don't appreciate British cinema.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Waitress -- B
When watching a film that is directed by the same person who wrote it, I sometimes wonder if and how the film would have benefitted from bringing in someone else to do the directing (The Final Cut comes to mind).
Such was the case with Waitress. It's a good movie, perhaps even very good. But not great.
The longer the movie went on, the less believable I found Keri Russell's character. I believed that she would simply stand up for herself (compare her boldness with her doctor and Old Joe with her timidity with her husband).
My good friend Taran has a thoughtful review of the high and low points of the film (warning, he totally gives away the ending in the fifth paragraph, so you might want to skip over it). I agree with the points he raises, but I think I would still recommend the movie.
Such was the case with Waitress. It's a good movie, perhaps even very good. But not great.
The longer the movie went on, the less believable I found Keri Russell's character. I believed that she would simply stand up for herself (compare her boldness with her doctor and Old Joe with her timidity with her husband).
My good friend Taran has a thoughtful review of the high and low points of the film (warning, he totally gives away the ending in the fifth paragraph, so you might want to skip over it). I agree with the points he raises, but I think I would still recommend the movie.
Built to Last?
Wednesday morning as I'm putting on my shoes one of the laces breaks. Frustrating, yes. But in the grand scheme of things not that big a deal. I wore other shoes.
Later in the day I remembered that I purchased the shoes in January 1998. Hmm. 10 years. I guess that's not so bad for a shoe lace.
Later in the day I remembered that I purchased the shoes in January 1998. Hmm. 10 years. I guess that's not so bad for a shoe lace.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Some Good Weather News
I know that I sometimes bellyache about the weather, so I thought I'd post a bit of good news. Today's Tribune reports "93% of the city's subfreezing highs typically behind us by this date."
Well, I guess that's something.
PS -- I just noticed this is my 100th post here. I'm a little surprised. I thought I had written more. Guess not.
Well, I guess that's something.
PS -- I just noticed this is my 100th post here. I'm a little surprised. I thought I had written more. Guess not.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Fracture -- D-
It's like a Lifetime movie with high production values. The big plot twist seemed pretty obvious. The relationship between Ryan Gosling's character and his boss defies logic. There were a couple of humorous lines of dialog, but otherwise just terrible.
Oh, and all of the worry in the "pulling the plug" scene was completely preposterous. Clearly the medical staff was conducting several tests to confirm that the woman met the criteria for brain death. This happens every day and is not controversial. Except in lame made-for-TV movies.
Oh, and all of the worry in the "pulling the plug" scene was completely preposterous. Clearly the medical staff was conducting several tests to confirm that the woman met the criteria for brain death. This happens every day and is not controversial. Except in lame made-for-TV movies.
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