Syriana (J)

Ok, maybe I need to exercise my brain more or something but I didn't love this movie they way I thought I would. It was all the rage last year on the award shows but I was mostly confused.

Literally, I could not tell the characters apart. All the Middle East guys (except for one or two) looked the same, all the oil guys looked the same, all the economic guys looked the same and all the government guys looked the same. The only people I could recognize were George Clooney, Matt Damon, the women (there were 2) and the black guy (he was the only one). Plus, I don't think all of my subtitles were coming through (I may have had the setting wrong on my TV but didn't think of that until I had watched 1.5 hours of the movie and didn't think it would help at that point). I couldn't link the storylines together very well either (until the end, which may be how it was supposed to be).

I was mostly just confused and felt like I was watching 3 or 4 different movies lumped together with no continuity. It must have been good though because I have no problem shutting off a movie if it is pissing me off too much. There were parts that made me angry, there were parts that made my heart ache and not really any feel good parts.

Even with all of its problems or mine (I seriously considered that I may be having a stroke which is why I couldn't follow the movie) I think it was still kinda good. I would have been just as happy if I hadn't seen it but I do not feel like my time was wasted.

Eh, what do I know. I couldn't make it through Citizen Kane either.

I will give it 2 "some guys" talking about "that thing" in "that place" that does "that thing" "over there" out of 5

Pan's Labyrinth - A

Have only heard amazing things about this film. Only playing in 3 theaters in Portland/Vancouver area. It is a Spanish film so be in the mood for subtitles, which doesn't bother me. The story was great! Original story, great acting, great effects. Not really heavy on the Fantasy element, really bad Bad guy, wonderful heroin, effects were perfect, nothing over the top. This movie is too much for the little ones but wonderful for the big ones. I give it 4.5 Fauns out of 5

Dave Chappelle - A

Watched a stand up, not his show. Thought we were in a mood for a good stand up routine, maybe in the same vein as the Chris Rock stand ups. Only this one I didn't think was worth it. I did laugh out loud at a few spots, the man was funny. I guess the humor was lost on my when he started to get vulger. The beginning was about 10 minutes about some homeless guy jacking off on a public bus. Maybe one minute would have been funny but 10! Not so much, at least for me. Sean wasn't laughing either. I was ready to suggest turning off since we weren't laughing but then he did pull out some funny stuff and then back tot he vulger. 2 laughs out of 5.

The Descent

I'm a little wary when the brit brings home a horror flick (see http://chicksonmovies.blogspot.com/2006/10/wolf-creek.html) and watching The Descent took some convincing. Six women friends go caving in the Appalachians -- one with a big secret duh duh duh! and something to prove -- and encounter some pretty big challenges as they descend into the caves. I spent 80% of the movie clutching tightly to G's arm -- a good sign for horror movies, right? There was a bit of "that's not believable" but the tension and fear were there nonetheless. I'm still a little stumped about the ending but overall it was a very scary movie (without being absolutely unnecessarily inhumane and cruel like Wolf Creek).

4 copper tubes out of 5 (but I wouldn't watch it again what with the vivid flashbacks I had of certain scenes over the next 24 hours -- another good sign for a horror flick, I'm sure)

Fire Wall -A

Harrison Ford and red head, tall, British guy. This script has been done about 8.5 million times. It is amazing how perceptive, strong, and criminal minded a bank exective becomes when someone kidnaps his family. Not aure what else to say about this movie. 2 off shore accounts out of 5.

The Illusionist

This was a perfect DVD rental on a Thursday night to end a long week. Edward Norton is a man of few words but many tricks and the film makes these tricks seem oh-so believable while also hiding the strings behind the biggest trick of all. It seemed light in some ways but just perfect overall.

4 crown jewels out of 5

Scoop -A

Woody Allen wrote, directs and stars in, along with his latest muse, Scarlett Johansen. Really enjoyed this movie. Typical Woody Allen script, bumbling misunderstandings but not annoying! The plot is ab out finding a serial killer but the fun part is that the 2 main characters try to break the 'scoop'. Huge Jackman plays a love interest and man oh man does he look HOT in this movie. Plays a great Englishman, every American girl visiting London's dream to meet. Very fun and worth the couple of hours. 3.5 tarot cards out of 5.

The Good Shepherd -A

Thought I reviewed this earlier since I saw it over holiday break but guess not. Good movie! I do look back and wish it was more about the the creation of the CIA. A lot of the movie is following one character, Matt Damon. He was SO good in this! I think Angelina was miscast in this role. 4 spys out of 5.

Munich - A

Steven Speilberg film about 72 Olympics and the Arabs killing the Israel athletes. Steven really needs to learn how to edit his movies better. Not complaining because Eric Bana, the lead is hot. Daniel Craig is also in this, mind you it takes place in early 70's so the 'look' is not the best but he is still really good. The story was interesting and I had no idea about what had happened. The acting was really good and the story kept you pulle din but 3 hours is LONG! 3.5 godl medals out of 5.

Yea us!

Happy six months of archives on the side of our little chick movies blog!!

Half Light -A

Or it is called Half Dark, can't remember which. Just know I read Jamie's entry about it so it went on the list. I liked it! There were a lot of questions popping up, most that they answered. Demi Moore had the BEST wardrobe, so jealous! Could not get over the fact they put her on the Irish coast with long _ss hair and wind blowing constantly and she never ever never pulls her hair back. Not realistic, any 'normal' would have that mop tied back in a pony in about 2 seconds. 3.5 lighthouses out of 5

Playing Catch Up (J)

This is apparently why I do not earn a living blawging. I tried to post about a month ago about the DaVinci Code and after a LOT of typing, the site would not update and lost everything I typed so I have been protesting (read: too lazy) and not posting anything about the movies I have seen. So, here they are in a clump and a nutshell.

The Da Vinci Code - It had been long enough since I had read the book that I enjoyed this. It felt too rushed at the end and although I love Tom Hanks, he isn't really what I pictured when I read this. I would have gone more Sean Connery or Harrison Ford. 3.5 Opus Dais out of 5.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada - No one remembers adding it to our queue, or no one will cop to it. Weird and it took a while to figure out that it was not chronological. Not even Tommy Lee Jones helps this movie. Kind of a WTF? ending. 2 rotting corpses out of 5.

Jarhead - Kinda liked this. Sad in parts, slow in parts but all in all, I liked it. Jamie Foxx is great in this. 4 burning oil fields out of 5.

Sahara - Top Gun and Days of Thunder and Raiders of the Lost Ark and all the movies like that. Typical script, typical jokes. Love the guy that always plays the sidekick, love Matthew McSteamy's chest and grin, HATE Penny Cruz (no matter what she does). Mindless entertainment. 3 camels out of 5.

Thank You for Smoking - Really liked this and watched it when I was still smoking and all it did (oddly enough) is make me want to go outside and smoke. Couldn't buy Katie Holmes as a hot reporter. Funny and original. 5 Mint Juleps out of 5.

Weeds: Season 1: Disc 1 - I'm jonesing for more. I love it! Hate the B-I-L but I guess we are supposed to. I hope he isn't around long. 5 Drive By Shootings out of 5.

Lady in the Water - M. Knight is back in my good favor. He lost me a bit after Unbreakable, Signs, and the Village. He has won me back now. Funny. Great characters. Original. It loses a half a point for some story holes but they are easily excusable. 4.5 Medicated Mud Balls out of 5.

Barnyard - This is a animated film by Nick Jr (or maybe just the senior). Kevin James and other well knowns including Sam Elliot. Cute and a pretty good soundtrack. Good enough. 4 Wild Mikes out of 5.

Pirates of the Caribbean (1 and 2) - Josh found these in his Xmas stocking. It took me a couple of viewings to get through #2 because I kept falling asleep. I like 1 better because there is more Jack Sparrow (mmmm!). Also, get the feeling there will be a 3 pretty soon. 5 Undead Parrots out of 5 for #1. 3.5 Giant Octopi out of 5 for #2.

Ghostbusters (1 and 2) - Grace is on a kick. 2 is bad, bad, bad. UGH! They are just one liners strung together and some special effects. 2 Dancing Toasters out of 5. (and the 2 points are really just nostalgic points)

Babel (R)

Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, that theme again about how all things are connected even when continents apart. The most important connection? That this was the worst pick possible for a Christmas Day 2006 movie viewing.

Steer clear. If you rent the DVD, keep your finger by the fast forward button. Theme about things being connected? Beaten to a bloody pulp with a healthy dose of random Japonese beaver.

The Holiday - Or, more aptly named, "Jude Law's Fucking Sexy Mouth" (R)

Painful bits: Cameron Diaz; Jack Black; Cameron Diaz acting cute and ditzy; Jack Black singing movie soundtracks; believing that Kate Winslet would fall for Jack Black; watching Kate Winslet suffer through a pool scene with an 80-year-old

Lovely bits: Kate Winslet; Jude Law's sexy mouth; all other Jude Law bits; okay, okay, I'll give it up for Cameron Diaz's wardrobe

It mostly sucks but sadly it seemed worth it to see Jude Law's sexy mouth with that tongue thrust thing he does oh my god. Lots of close-ups. I apologize in advance but 4 posters of the rakish grin out of 5.

Moonraker

Apparently I'm on a Bond kick. I don't want to attempt to see all of them but I do want to see at least one per Bond. Have a suggestion for my Sean Connery entry?

Moonraker takes a beating in current opinions on Bond-dom, but from what I've read it did really well in its day. It has good action, pretty realistic special effects for its day, and a hilarious Bond girl name: Dr. Holly Goodhead. I like that Roger Moore didn't take himself too seriously.

3.5 so incredibly obviously fake snakes out of 5

P.S. I hated Remington Steele as Bond so I napped while the brit watched Die Another Day yesterday.

P.P.S. I wish I could see Casino Royale again. (But, no, I'm not buying a poster.)