I rent movies most every weekend. I thought we could start a thread to post the movies we rent and what we think of them.

My choices this weekend are:

Something's Gotta Give
Schindler's List
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
The Royal Tenenbaums

So far I've only watched Something's Gotta Give. Diane Keaton was incredible! I love her and I loved the quirkiness of this character. Definitely a "real" person.

My daughters made me watch Zoolander last night, and I have not yet recovered. They also made me watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I found that one tolerable, but not worth repeating.

You're a good dad, Bill.

I like Zoolander. It's really, good looking!
What is it with movies tha thave Owen Wilson and Ben stiller?

I cannot say what it is about Ben Stiller that turns me off.
Owen Wilson does not have the same effect on me.
Who knows? Stiller just makes my skin crawl, or my stomach turn, or whatever.

Here's my weekend picks:

Sylvia
Amelie

After reading about Amelie on this board, I decided to rent it. Can't beat a buck for 2 nights rental.

What is this one about?

I'm getting ready to watch Schindler's List. I have purposely NOT watched this movie before now because I think the subject matter will be difficult to make it through. I am going to do the best I can.

Sylvia stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath in a loose biography.

We just watched
'The House of Sand and Fog'.
Wow....well done, but so tragic. I do not feel happy....
I feel very sad, now.

Well, I made it through Schindler's List. It was disturbing but I still felt compelled to watch. I especially enjoyed Ben Kingsley's performance.

I really loved this movie, as much as one can anyway. It was difficult to watch.

My wife and I saw it in the theatre when it first released. I will likely by the DVD when finances permit...

Since I work weekends I don't get to watch much...but my picks are going to be a weeks worth of Angel recorded on TNT during the previous week.

I intend to watch some of the comedies people can't believe I've never seen, like Office Space, Best in Show, and Secretary. I'm sure I will then dream of leather-bound sado-masochistic poodles with road rage, murder my landlord, and not have to worry about renting an apartment for years to come.

I have to talk about The Royal Tenenbaums for just a minute...

First...I did not like Ben Stiller or Owen Wilson's characters, which is surprising because I like most everything else they have done.

Second...I didn't find any of these characters especially likeable.

Third...I actually enjoyed this film. Given the first and second opinion, how is the third possible?

I watched 'Cold Creek Manor' this weekend. (sharon stone/dennis quaid)

it was... eh. not as thrilling as i hoped.

Kim, I felt the same way about that movie. I liked it, but I wasn't quite sure why. Maybe I just liked it because it felt different than most big Hollywood flicks.

This weekend I watched:

The Singing Detective - Even with my love for Robert Downey Jr. movies, I couldn't get into this. Totally "eh".

Masked & Anonymous - Bob Dylan was a kick in the pants to watch and I loved everyone else's characters. If you like the quirky/wacked movies with big, eclectic casts, rent.

It's that time again...

Beyond Borders
Nowhere in Africa
Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her
House Of Fools

Nothing really jumped out at me today. These are choices I made after spending
nearly half an hour at the video store.

Kim, I hope you like Beyond Borders...I really did

I think the reason people like The Royal Tenenbaums despite the unlikeable characters is that they feel so genuine. They're like people you might actually know -- it's getting a glimpse into the bizarre lives of the acquaintances that you suspect are a little strange. Well, that's how I feel, anyway.

Recently I rented Confidence. I really like Ed Burns. Anyone else?

Is Ed Burns the one from Fight Club?

I watched Damage last night. Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson and Juliette Binoche. All I can say right now is "Wow, that was really intense." Has anyone else seen this?

No, that's Edward Norton.

Ed Burns started out as a writer/director/actor, but he also does just acting gigs...

He's been in:
Confidence
Life or Something Like It
Saving Private Ryan
She's the One
Brothers McMullen
Sidewalks of New York
and others...

Watched Kill Bill Vol. 2 Friday after work and LOVED IT.

And watched Chaos (France) from one of my Netflix. This was just great. I'd like to see the girl that played Noemie/Malika more. Good, good movie.

Saw 3 movies this weekend.

Bringing Down the House - I was in the mood for predictable, stupid humor. I was not let down. It was a $1.25 rental - literally a cheap laugh.

Gangs of New York - It was enjoyable but I didn't think it was as great as the awards show's that year did. The only things I've really like DeCaprio in have been What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries. He was good in Catch Me If You Can, but I don't know, I'm just not a big L.D. fan. Ralph Fiennes on the other hand.. has he ever been anything less than great in a movie?

And for the cast alone I rented, Wakin' up in Reno - Billy Bob T., Patrick Swayze, Natasha Richardson and Charlize Theron. It's the redneck, present day version of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Basically, they take a road-trip vacation together to Reno to go see the Monster Truck show... dudes. Seeing Natasha Richardson and Charlize Theron as hick wives was hilarious. When you're in the mood for light, oddball humor, I recommend.

I watched Bubba-HoTep... not quite as weird as it is billed... but was definately different, good for a few laughs and worth the 99 cents.

Movie channels are evil...

Star Trek: Nemesis (the newest one)--bad, but not appalling
Chain Reaction (Morgan Freeman, Keanu)--exceptionally bad, nearly unwatchable
In & Out (Kevin Kline, Joan Cusak)--One of my all-time favs. I watch it everytime it is on

and despite my better judgment, at the theatre:

The Day After Tomorrow--beyond bad. If I wasn't jonesing to see if there was more special effects magic, I would have walked out. Thank God it was only at matinee price!

I gave My Life Without Me it's own thread - loved it, obviously. I also finally saw City of God, I'll comment in it's thread soon.

Also saw:

The Company - Neve Campbell w/ Robert Altman directing. It's about a ballet company. And it was great to watch. The numbers were amazing. Goodbye tutu's and jewelry-box-toe-spins, wow. It was filmed in a way that I felt I was a fly on the wall watching the how-it-is way of the ballet world. What I loved about this movie was that Neve was dancer and spent months training with the company for this movie. She's also the only actress of the dancers, the rest of the dancers are in the company (all in the same company). The passing over, the injuries, the director (played wonderfully by malcolm mcdowell) - I really really enjoyed this.

The Secret Lives of Dentists - Man, did I like this. Campbell Scott, Hope Davis and Dennis Leary (he's a better actor than comedian, and i like him as a comedian). Greatly done movie on the husband/wife/children relationship. The kids did a great job too.

Michelle, after reading your review of The Company, I added it to the Netflix queue. I usually like Robert Altman stuff and the subject is a love of mine.

Yes so nice to see that endings are not always neat and tidy. also that there are characters
that still have the hubris, pride. I enjoyed this movie, which is not to say I did not cry.

Last night (ok, I know it's not a weekend) I watched The Station Agent.
I loved it.
A view of a piece of life for three different characters with unique sets of issues and how they interrelate. Sad/Happy/Funny/Tender.
I recommend it.
The acting was excellent IMO.
Patricia Clarkson is a favorite of mine.

hey Trudes! i think Rachshell watched that same movie last night....kinda weird huh.

Welp, it gets weirder, cause I watched it last night too. I also recommend it. And Patricia Clarkson is a favorite of mine too. I really loved their characters and I also loved how/where it ended.

that is weird! and now i just feel left out.

Update on my DVD world.
Michelle, I have added 'My Life W/O Me' to the queue. Your description enticed me, after a little thought. My only worry about watching this kind of tear-jerker is that I will slide into a depressed mood and be sad for several days. Sometimes that's OK...If the writing and acting are good, I dwell more on the film as a well-done creation of art.
'The Company'...
I was really excited to see this so I removed it from the Netflix queue and went to BB for instant gratification.
I loved it so much I went to The CD Exchange online and bought it.
It was quite reminiscent of old times...though of course not to the extent of the big ballet company in the movie, but the camraderie, planning injuries, counting etc was right on for dance groups.
Libby, you need to rent this movie.
Saw 'Dancer, Texas' a few days ago. It was OK, but rather predictable...not something I would disrecommend, but if you have NOTHING else to watch...s'OK.
Going to the theater today (father's day) to see 'The Terminal' with Lenny. I've heard mixed reviews but some critics were very complimentary. We'll see.

hey out of curiosity Trudes, were you a dancer??? ballet?

Darryl Thomas

H/J:
I studied World/African Dance and some modern dance under Darryl Thomas and Valerie Bergman about 10-12 years ago.
I was not part of the Rainbow Dance Theater company....just a student.
Performed in recitals only, but being their friend, I was exposed to a lot of good dance experiences.
Haven't been in contact with them for a few years now.
If you ever get a chance to see them dance, I recommend it...it is beautifully creative.
end H/J

sorry about totally taking over this thread with dance talk but that is really amazing Trudes!

Johnny Depp fan:
I watched 'Secret Window' last night.
I liked it.
I like just about everything JD does.
Good acting on hiis part.
The movie is from a short story by Stephen King...another fav so I figured it was my style.
Twisty....just a tad predictable. Don't think too hard while you're watching.

FAHRENHEIT 9/11 <---- Great weekend viewing...

Check here for local times: http://www.f911tix.com/

~fafs

Going on sunday.

Now I'm even more stoked.

Anger Management: Unimpressed. I love Jack N., sometimes really like Adam Sandler, the other cast members and cameo's were great, but the scales were tipped too heavy in stupid and too light in funny. I need a balace between the two. Or what I think is balance at least.

Defending Your Life: Wow! I loved it! LOVED it! It's one of those movies that now that I've seen it I can't believe it took me so long to rent it. I want to compare it to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as far as originality goes. I mean, an Albert Brooks movie starting Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep. Just, go rent it if you haven't seen it.

Yep! That is a great one, Albert Brooks is so unexpectedly good in it...

This is on my list of films I like to watch over and over and still enjoy.

Oh and if you are an Albert Brooks fan, I liked the movie Mother, with Debbie Reynolds.

My recent and future movies:
I saw:
Defending Your Life....I thought it was OK, enjoyable but not memorable. I think I was pumped up expecting too much.

Chasing Amy...I liked this a lot. Rather bittersweet ending but real.

The Straight Story...Very nice tender story. I think it was rated G! Touching and sincere.

The Cooler....I liked this. A little predictable but I thought it worthy of the rent.

I can't wait to see:

F/911...Still haven't gotten there. I don't think I will be surprised though.

The Bourne Supremacy...The Bourne Identity was so good, I expect this to be even better.

The Village...I love spooky stuff

Collateral....Tom Cruise (nuff said)

Saw a couple of interesting and different films recently:

May--A slightly twisted, half-camp semi-horror film about a very disturbed girl (Angela Bettis). I watched it thinking it would be another classic B film, but ended up really intrigued. Bettis was excellent and in a very odd way, the film has something poignant to say. If you like films "outside the box", it is worth watching.

Bloody Sunday--WOW WOW and WOW! What an incredible film! Essentially shot as a historical re-enactment of the 1972 Derry march shootings (those made (in)famous by the U2 song). It stars James Nesbitt (who I always thought was a comedian!) in a tremendously powerful performance as the local member of Parliament. It is very intense and not easy to watch (whether you are Irish or not), but it is a highly worthwhile experience.

Runaway Jury - like pretty much all Grisham movies i really enjoyed it. it has cool special features too.

Gothika - i was liking this a lot till the last 10 minutes or so, when the "not alone" theme in the movie was figured out. it went from dark/gloomy/gotham city-ish to laughable. if the cop woulda kept his cool and been more predator and less psycho-in-an-instant, it would've been a really cool movie all the way thru for me.

Cold Mountain - i really enjoyed this, much more than i thought i would. i also love it when great character actors or familiar actors play the short/small roles in movies. philip seymour hoffman, giovani ribisi, jena malone, cillian murphy (28 Days Later), ethan suplee (American History X), were scattered throughout the flick. cool stuff.

I Know People - mr. pacino, forgive me as i've loved you for years, but you are starting to seem the same. your powerful acting chops come across as an actor who yell's his way through movies and you've had the same vocal tone/swager to your voice for too many movies in a row. not too mention this movie was no better than every b-rate flick out there. and the whole "toy" thing was stupid. even more so as it was never shown wtf was on it or what eventually would happen to it. disappointing.

Paycheck - it was all right. not horrible, not great. no desire to see it again. i rented this on the power of Uma alone but i'm not much of an B. Affleck fan. he comes off a big baffoon to me all his movies - especially in movies that he's supposed to be 'intelligent' in (ie: sum of all fears, changing lanes, boiler room, paycheck).

The Barbarian Invasions - dude(s). rent this movie. now. go. it was sad and funny and quirky and made you feel. so very enjoyable.

and i went to the matinee of The Village yesterday and loved it. i'm a 4 for 4 fan of m. night shymalan. keep bringing it, m. night baby, and i'll keep watching.


**SPOILER**

i remember reading a review of Signs and the critic made a comment like "m. night shymalan keeps giving himself bigger parts in his movies when they should be smaller roles or not at all". don't quote me as it was awhile ago. so, let's just say i was very amused and entertained to see how and where he showed up in this. almost like a F you to critics who knock him in his own movies. if you've seen it and don't know where in the movie i'm talking about here's a hint, reflection.



(i cancelled my cable last week - hence so many movies in a short time span)

I saw a few flicks over the last week, all mildly entertaining. . .

The Butterfly Effect Who would have thought that Ashton Kutcher could act? Actually I've enjoyed much of his work, from That 70's Show to Just Married to this movie. The theory behind the movie was a bit simplified, but all in all I thought that it successfully kept its suspenseful edge throughout the film. I didn't actually watch the theatrical release, as there was an option on the DVD and I chose the director's cut. I heard that the original ending wasn't quite as good (shocking) as the director's ending. So if you rent this one, I say go for the director's cut all the way.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Charlie Kaufman just seems to get better and better. Being John Malkovich was entertaining and funny in parts, but I found the middle of the movie rather sluggish as well as an unclear motivation from the characters. Adaptation was thrilling for me; one of the funniest movies that I'd seen in a long time. And then came Eternal Sunshine. Not only did Carrey and Winslet give unbelievable performances, the writing was just superb. Much of the film takes place in the psyche of one character, allowing the writer to delve into all sorts of creative tangents.

And on Friday night I saw 21 Grams. I had been anticipating seeing this film for months and I have to say that it was a let down. The beginning of the film was so choppy that I was distracted to the point of annoyance. By the time I figured out which direction the filmmaker was taking me, I was uninterested. I rather enjoy a film that inspires multiple viewings, not one that requires it.

Hey markianmc, if you liked Bloody Sunday, check out The Bourne Supremacy. Same director, same handheld camera work, and same sense of impending doom. I loved them both. The director uses that swishing around camera so well in Bourne, makes you feel like you're right there with him, not knowing where the next guy is coming from. Anyway, my two cents. BTW, TBS contains I think the best car chase I've ever seen.

watched girl interrupted this weekend. think i need to rent it again (or just buy the dang thing).

interrupted,
zayne