Once
This is my “movies to watch” list that I’ve been adding to and checking off for quite a while. My great idea was to add brief reviews on the ones I see, as I see them, so that someone, somewhere might heed my advice and avoid wasting time and money on a lousy film. Also, I wanted this list to remind me what movies I still need to see.
While a good amount of the movies I watch could go either way, there are some that I think are just plain terrible (Bottle Shock comes to mind), and some that just have that perfect amount of humor, sweetness, sadness and even soundtrack (e.g., Once).
The list of movies, both in theaters and on DVD, with the short and sweet rundown, after the jump.
- A Christmas Tale
- All the Real Girls
- Amelie
- An Education
- Apres Vois
- Avenue Montaigne
- The Band’s Visit
Bottle Shock
Bottle Shock – I wanted this to be good, but it was quite possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen, which is a shame, because it really did have so much potential. Not even Alan Rickman could save it – and he sure did try. Loosely based on the true story of the Judgement of Paris in 1976, when California wine beat out French wine in a blind tasting, this “comedy” wasn’t funny, gave me no reason to care about any of the characters, and focused more on pretty scenic images than an actual plotline.
- Boy A
- Burn After Reading – It definitely had its funny moments, and I see that the Coen brothers were trying to make a point out of pointlessness, but I just wish that the plot had gone somewhere.
- Chasing Amy – I think I had built this movie up as being this great comedic classic, but its dirty jokes/language was a bit much and I was left with that “meh” feeling after it was over.
- Choke – I wrote a review on this here. A great film.
- The Class
- Coraline
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Definitely, Maybe – A surprisingly cute, sweet romantic comedy with a great cast – Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher and Rachel Weisz. It’s no “When Harry Met Sally,” but it’s worth seeing, on DVD.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (le scaphandre et le papillon) - Although completely in French, American Julian Schnabel directed this beautiful true story of French Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after suffering a stroke in 1995 became completely paralyzed, except for his left eye, which he used to literally blink out his memoir. Known as “locked-in syndrome,” Bauby’s condition left him unable to move, but freed his mind to his memories and imagination. Not your typical heartwarming film, The Diving Bell doesn’t turn Bauby into someone to be pitied or put on a pedestal, his humanity – flaws, humor and all – are always quite evident.
- Doubt – A thought-provoking film that leaves you more questions than answers. And really, can you go wrong with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep?
- The Duchess of Langeais
- Fay Grim
- Flight of the Red Balloon
- Frost/Nixon
Ghost Town
Ghost Town – A genuinely laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy with Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni and Ricky Gervais. And Kristen Wiighad a hilarious little part as the surgeon.
- Hamlet 2
- Hannah Takes the Stairs
- Happy-Go-Lucky
- Heartbeat Detector
- I Served the King of England
- In Search of a Midnight Kiss
- Jar City
- Kinky Boots
- La France
Lars and the Real Girl
Lars and the Real Girl – I love this film. It’s sweet, funny, awkward at times, and every single major and minor actor did a great job. Gosh this is a good movie. I might have to go home and watch it again right now!
- The Last Mistress (une vieille maîtresse) – Wasn’t too impressed with this film. While it was definitely intriguing, and humorous at times, it was a little too French for me.
- La Vie en Rose
- Love Me if You Dare
- Love Songs
Man on Wire
Man on Wire – Who knew a documentary could be so interesting, funny and exciting at the same time? The story of Philippe Petit illegally crossing a wire from New York’s twin towers in 1974 is more like Ocean’s 11 than a PBS special. It’s a crazy, nerve wrecking story that you have to see to believe.
- Milk – Sean Penn as gay activist Harvey Milk did an amazing job in this film. Really well done.
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day – Cute movie. And Amy Adams is adorable as usual.
- Mister Lonely – This movie is strange. And sad. And really strange. What’s disappointing is that you get attached to some of the characters, but then the plot starts getting fuzzy. On the upside, the soundtrack is pretty awesome.
- Next Stop Wonderland
- Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
- Nights and Weekends
- Once – Oh man, I love this movie. Everything about it. Dubbed a “modern-day musical,” the music perfectly fits each scene and the soundtrack is the kind you listen to over and over again. But more importantly, thanks to the camera style and the fact that the main actors were actually musicians, the two main protagonists interact so freely and relaxed, it’s as if you’re watching two real people just living their lives. A beautiful, sweet, funny film.
Persepolis
Persepolis – This was a lot more depressing than the previews portrayed, but a good movie nonetheless. I didn’t love it, but I thought it was really well done. A vivid look into the life of the film’s writer and director, Marjane Satrapi, as she grows up during war in Iran.
- Pineapple Express – A funny stoner/action movie with a LOT of violence. Seth Rogen plays his typical type of character, but James Franco was hilarious.
- Rachel Getting Married
- The Reader
- Revolutionary Road
- Role Models – From Clueless to Wet Hot American Summer, Paul Rudd can do no wrong. And in this movie, he is really in his element. Especially in his scenes with Seann William Scott, where you get the feeling they are just having a good time bickering with each other.
- Savage Grace
The Savages
The Savages – With two amazing actors – Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman – this movie takes a sweet and funny (two things I usually go for) look at age and family. It’s difficult at times, but really, really good.
- Slumdog Millionaire – Yes, this was a good movie. Do I understand why it’s so outrageously popular? No. Romantic, funny at times, but at the heart of it is the very real, very sad reality of the poverty in India. I enjoyed it as a whole, but it was hard to watch.
- Smart People – This movie tried way too hard to be funny and smart (pun intended), but it just lacked any substance. I wasn’t impressed at all with the story or the characters, and had that “meh” feeling at the end of it.
- Snow Angels – I can’t say this was a bad movie, the actors did an amazing job and the story was well put together. However, it was so depressing from start to finish, that I don’t think I could bring myself to watch it again.
- Sunshine Cleaning
- Synecdoche, New York
- Tell No One
- Tropic Thunder – Great cast, funny movie. Really, one of Tom Cruise’s greatest roles. I didn’t even recognize him at first! One of my favorite comedies though? Not so much.
- Trouble the Water
Two Days in Paris
Two Days in Paris – I love that Julie Delpy – who wrote, directed and starred in the movie – cast her real parents as her parents in the film. Her and Adam Goldberg work great together, and this is a hilarious look at how blase the French can be.
- Two Lovers
- Venus
- The Visitor – This is an example of how a movie can be sad, but still hopeful. It’s very eye-opening about illegal immigrants, specifically, in New York.
- W. – I liked this movie, and Josh Brolin was dead-on. Thandie Newton as Condoleeza Rice, however? Super annoying. I also felt like too many Bush stories were crammed into the movie, and I would have liked to see less of the political scenes and more of the personal interactions, such as further development into his relationship with Laura.
The Wackness
The Wackness – This film is mostly a look at the relationship between Josh Peck’s character and his psychotherapist, played perfectly by Ben Kingsley, who he trades pot for sessions with. I think the cast did an amazing job, and the soundtrack and the cinematography really captured New York in the summer of 1994.
- Water Lilies
-
Wordplay
- Young @ Heart
- Zack and Miri Make a Porno – Definitely not as funny as I thought it would be.
Tags: Bottle Shock, Ghost Town, Lars and the Real Girl, Man on Wire, movies, Once, Persepolis, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Savages, The Wackness
