HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 (2010) 7/10
As gorgeous as it was to look at it was one of the series' duller entries for me. "Part 2" on a number of different fronts proved the perfect antidote. Stay tuned.
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999) 8/10
I recently revisited this one and found it less than the perfect odd ball comedy that I once praised it as. Still, it retains a certain wealth of greatness though it's no longer a favorite comedy of mine. For all of the word-of-mouth the film received upon release over its creativity -- and deservedly so -- at its core "Being John Malkovich" is obviously about manipulation and that in and of itself is hardly original.
CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS (2003) 9/10
One of the better documentaries to come out of the aughts and one that I doubt I will ever be at peace with despite having it in my collection and occasionally screening it for friends.
BELLE DE JOUR (1967) 9/10
A great film whose curious epilogue apparently perplexed even Bunuel.
DOGMA (1999) 6/10
I've met a number of weary Catholics and sullen atheists who love this film. I'm neither and found it mildly amusing.
BROTHER'S KEEPER (1992; documentary) 9/10
A troubling documentary though in my opinion hardly as unnerving as Berlinger & Sinofsky's next project which became a decade long fascination of mine and one in which I still stay appraised of all the latest developments.
HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY (2008) 5/10
I took a chance in the theaters with the first film and was pleasantly surprised. I again took a chance with the sequel which I feared would be a commentary on Guantanamo Bay via Harold & Kumar. To that end I was pleasantly surprised again though I enjoyed it less than its predecessor. The third installment's trailer did nothing for me and I doubt I'll take a chance on video to once again see if it unexpectedly exceeds my rather low expectations.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005) 7/10
Johnny Depp's Pee-Wee Herman-Marilyn Manson hybrid read of Willy Wonka just took me right out of what should have the perfect project for Tim Burton.
WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971) 8/10
My friends and I still quote it. I would like to think we've lent to its cult classic status.
ROLE MODELS (2008) 7/10
Another pleasant surprise as I tend to dislike 98% of Seann William Scott's output. My Alma Mater had an organization similar to L.A.I.R. and that just made it for me. I haven't always understood the popularity of doctor cum comedian Ken Jeong but he's perfect here.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) 8/10
I watched it more for inventory than anything else and while I technically enjoyed it I will never need to see it again. Apparently one would be ill advised to bring the film up to co-star Christopher Plummer who was unhappy with the finished product.
ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL (2008) 8/10
Intriguing; the band that influenced everyone else failed to go where everyone else ended up at (the top). And yet they never gave up -- technically still haven't given up. Who knows, the confrontations with shady bar owners in Europe could have been showboating for the cameras and the heartwarming conclusion in Japan could have been staged but I loved this documentary all the same.
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000) 7/10
I haven't seen it since it hit video and while I never held it in the same esteem as my age demographic I remember loving the performances particularly that of Marlan Waynes who judging by his filmography at the time wouldn't have thought he had it in him.
BRIDGET JONES DIARY (2001) 7/10
Two female friends of mine made me watch it with the promise that for a chick flick open-minded male viewers could find merit in the film...and they were right. These same girls told me the sequel sucked and I again listened.
BEST WORST MOVIE (2009) 9/10
I enjoy "Troll 2" for the same reasons I enjoy "Reefer Madness," "Plan 9 from Outer Space," and more recently "The Room." This documentary cured a lot of the curiosity I suffer from after sitting through such affairs but in the end I think it was rather bittersweet for Dr. Hardy. His dubious new found fame had begun to grow mold as even the world's nicest guy was sick of endless quoting, countless screenings, and being used as a marketing tool at ghastly horror conventions where the film was completely misappropriated.