Burlesque

Beth:  Unlike Showgirls, which was so wrong it was right, Burlesque was so wrong, it was wrong.  I can't count the number of things that turned me off about this film.  And I wanted to give Christina a chance.  And I looked forward to seeing what Cher could do.  Alas.

Here's what real burlesque looks like:

The Office: Season 3

Beth: Watch it. Best comedy in the world. 

Creepy Creed should win a grammy for his contributions here.  And Stanley also a standout. Go team.

Noise 2

Beth: Another Noise movie, watched in the same week as the first.  This one's Aussie, about murders, full of dark nights and cops with issues and a scared woman.  Here's my 10 cents (there are no pennies in NZ):  

Thumbs up for:

1. Normal-looking, flawed actors.  Those on this side of the world seem much more willing to cast real humans in their films, and I appreciate that.  

2. Acting.

3. Camera work.

Thumbs down for:

Whoever edited this thing. And I guess that's also a big swat to the director and producer for putting it out there with so many parts of the plot obviously missing.  It's like someone got tired of telling the story 75% in and just said, ok, whatever, let's end this thing.  We don't understand why the cop's tinnitis is part of the story, we don't know why the guy didn't shoot the girl, what the second murder has to do with anything, and there's no clue as to the murderer's motivation, both in the initial action or the ending.  What we're left with is a 48-hours type montage.

So it was a nice aesthetic experience, but wouldn't recommend a night culminating in such confusion and loose ends.

Noise 1

Beth: so this is the Noise movie with Tim Robbins.  I like, and 100% identify, with the premise: New York is awesome, except for the constant car alarms that go on and on and on, all night long, right below your bedroom window.  I even remember a short-lived discussion with another poster of this blog on whether to alarm or not to alarm a new-to-us car, and it was my ear-ringing memories of NYC that had me arguing on the side of no fucking way.  So I was happy to view this movie with an actor i liked, acting nicely off-kilter.  At first.  Then someone decided that hollywood formulaic should be slapped into the middle of the thing, and it turned all stupid.  And then someone else must have taken over because quickly it devolved into G-rated disney-musical-predictive, gumball beyond belief.  It well deserved the stolid shunning that it got from us after that.  Sorry, Tim.  Score: 2/5, for the cause. 

Minor Mishaps

Another stumbled upon gem, this time from the Danes. I have a weakness for (what Americans often call "odd") foreign films which seem to effortlessly (and without at least familiar devices) explore droll humanity with complex characters. Minor Mishaps comes from Denmark--which if I remember right has produced similar good films of this ilk. The ensemble cast delivers a range of responses to a life-changing event that opens the action. Each is different; habitual, reactionary, natural or thoughtful. It's smart, funny and unassuming and true.
And of course, no car chases, cheap sex or violence, or long, soundtrack guided speeches. Good stuff!

Two Good films from (and on) the edge

THE HAWK IS DYING
Paul Giammatti (sp) gives an outstanding performance in this forgotten, so unsexy film. I loved the characters, I loved the premise, I loved the unpretentiousness--so rare these 'blockBUSTer' days. Giammatti is wonderful, unkempt, stolid.
LAST TRAIN TO FREO
Auzzie film adopted from a stage play--no one I've ever seen. Although there are other films from around the world that explore this milieu, great performances by the two thugs raise the game (especially Steve Le Marquand!)

I dunno about love, the falling in kind, but empathy is what makes these films excelsior. In a world commodified to the bitter end, I for one crave films that are well done, without huge plot holes (which like pot holes can ruin your day) and show AN OUT to the cold, bank-note lined march they call society. These men are visceral, vulnerable, complex and quite plain--all in about an hour and thirty.
They are also people at the end of the line, reduced to their base elements by....well you be the judge. And unlike the bulk of films which sell us capitol violence like it were bubble gum, they respond in their own awkward, misunderstood, damnthetorpedoes way. Which can be it's own reward--or a hiccup in a gale.

Last Train to Freo

B: A fine flick, exploring fears, both rational and irrational, outcast personalities, and a little bit-o-love. Great acting, though I have some issues with the believability of the climax scene, and was a little distracted by how much the leading lady looked like a good friend. If you agree (about the ending), watch the dvd extras for some deeper insight into something you may have missed in the ending, which may indicate a different take on that scene.

The Take

B: An Argentinian documentary that will make you cry with its poignancy. Power to the people.

Chumscrubber

B: Despite bad reviews on this movie, which we only noticed while viewing Chumscrubber, and also despite the questionable name of this flick, we really liked this one. It rang of the elegance in Magnolia, American Beauty, and Happiness. I would recommend it to you and your teenage children, especially if you live in the suburbs.

10 Canoes

B: This is a movie that tells an (australian) aboriginal story. It is very, very good. It is surprisingly good. Yes, the aboriginals are naked, but by the end of the movie, I found myself wondering why we all wear clothes. They are beautiful people, and have lots of wisdom. Alas, words are failing me as it was two days ago that the movie was viewed, and of course now we have several more under our belt, that are taking the forefront of my brain. So, I must go.*

*Just a note, I no longer fall asleep during movies, as I quit my job over 4 months ago and have been traversing the world ever since with my hubbie sidekick.

An Inconvenient Truth

J: See It. 4.8/5

B: What Jesse said and more. Al Gore kicks some world ass! I wish for everyone to see this movie.