Urgent Update...

:o))) Urgent because I've watched SO many movies lately. Here are the ones that I really liked:

Breaking and Entering: It was definitely an entertaining movie that captures your attention from the beginning to the end. Jude Law's performance is average compared to his other performances (i.e. Closer). He is definitely still very nice to watch :o)) Juliette Binoche's performance, however, I thought was brilliant. She is so very convincing as a Bosnian immigrant, and uses the accent so very well, if you didnt know any better you'd actually think she's Bosnian.
The plot is rather interesting and makes you think about how lives can depend on one another, and even on strangers. You CAN help others. You CAN be used. You CAN abuse. Some do want to be abused. Some tire of being abused. And some just tire about it all at their boiling point.

Factotum: Not sure if you read the book by Charles Bukowski. I had, and at the beginning I thought the movie was pretty off from the plot point of view. The story is basically about a laid back writer trying to make a living off of odd jobs until he gets fired from one and tries finding another one. Along the way he finds women, alcohol and gambling to be an irresistable part of life.
Matt Dillon's performance is as expected from him, realistic and captivating. He becomes the character and makes you feel Chinaski's laxed ways. You start saying "who cares" before him after awhile. It was an interesting movie that ends just in time. :o)

Little Children: Probably the best movie I've watched this season. It is so close to reality, about so many things that we try not to think about that you'll definitely get the chills a few times while watching. The movie is about marriage, married life, kids, parenthood, suburban lives, unrealized ambitions, and secret neighborhood affairs.
Kate Winslet definitely gives a very powerful performance as a "desperate housewife" who is trying to find what she's been looking for, yearning for, practically all her life.
Patrick Wilson uses all of his charm to portray the failing lawyer-turned-stay-at-home-dad in the neighborhood. He is believable but remains silenced by Winslet's performance. Still, his appearances in the swim suit, and his neighborly presence does no harm... ;o))
Wilson and Winslet together create a charming couple in one of the best movies to watch this summer!

Ocean's Thirteen: And of course... I watched it. Yes, right, I am no Brad Pitt fan. But who can resist George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia AND Al Pacino? Oh and George Clooney... did I say George Clooney?
I saw the movie the first day it came out and went with absolutely NO expectations. Actually with very low expectations following some of the Cannes reviews I read. But to my pleasant suprise it was very enjoyable. I mean dont expect any shakesperean performances, but the story line and the jokes were all very entertaining. At the end I would recommend anybody to see this movie and just enjoy it.
Oh, did I mention how good George Clooney was? Especially on the eyes? :o))

The Black Dahlia

Im not sure what to say about The Black Dahlia. I watched it with very high hopes because of the amazing cast that it has. But the movie just didnt work for me. During the movie, and after it's over, if you get a feeling of "did I fall a sleep? what was the relationship between...? Why was it so looooonng?" dont worry you're ok, though if you didnt fall asleep Im sure you came very close to it. The plot is so confusing, and incoherent that Im not even sure why this cast played it at all.
Even with the performances, Josh Hartnett, who plays the boxer-turned-detective Bucky Bleichert, seems to be trying to hard to look like he's clueless, because after a certain part you're thinking he didnt even know he was in the movie, and actually doesnt know what's going on. Hilary Swank, plays the femme fatale Madeleine, is once more trying to bring out the feminine side of her, and I think the only shot that she succeeds is when she's making out with Bucky, otherwise all of it seems very superficial. Scarlett Johansson, who plays Kay, is equally un-believable, literally.
I might watch the movie one more time just in the hopes of finding out what it was all about. Afterall, the story of the murder of Elizabeth Short, should be much more thrilling.

Children of Men

It's a MUST SEE! Clive Owen's performance is especially notable. The plot really gets you thinking about our future, and where we're headed. Though it might seem unrealistic, if you think about it a little, it really is possible. It got my attention from the very first shot until the very end, I couldnt remove my eyes from the screen even as the credits started rolling.
In my opinion, the movie was meant to make people think about the current state of our societies. How is this going to effect our children? What kind of world are we aiming to leave for them? It is very convincing too.
As I said my favorite character was Theo (played by Clive Owen) because he seems to be a macho guy, but really is soft at heart. He's working for peace, and doesnt contradict himself like in other Hollywood action movies. He never touches a gun, if I remember correctly, even though he did have the option to a couple of times.
Michael Caine was amazing in his role as an old hippy. He's very believable, filled with emotion and always uses the right references.
Then of course there's Kee, played by an upcoming UK actress Claire-Hope Ashitey. She's absolutely amazing. You actually feel the fear she has, and the pain that she goes through.

I didnt like the Julian character (played by Julianne Moore). Though it helped with the plot and the unfolding of the stories, I did think that she was overdramatized.

Last but absolutely not least, it has awesome cinematography with long hand-held shots, works wonders for this movie. Something we are not used to seeing with Hollywood movies.

Children of Men

Im going to go and see this movie tonight. This movie is getting a very high rating at imdb.com. And as always Apple has a great HD trailer (requires QuickTime) right here.

An Inconvenient Truth

This documentary is a must-see. Al Gore manages to send chills through your body with the scientific information he delivers so powerfully. Except for one joke, there is no mention of politics or political stance, he clearly identifies his position as being that next to nature and earth.
If you still know people, and unfortunately we all do, who do not believe in global warming or that there is something we can do about it, then you must encourage them to watch this movie.

I've Watched SO Many Movies

I can remove the following movies from my Must See List, I've seen them:

An American Splendor - Sorry not for my taste. Im not sure if I was really tired or what, but I just couldn't watch the whole thing. I love Giamatti, but I dont know why he was so unbearable in this one. I love the way that the movie explores a new and refreshing approach to artists and their relationship with their art, but still, this movie was too slllooooowwwww...

Clerks - aaahhh... this is by far the best witty comedy that you'll ever be able to find. I dont think it falls into a class with any other movie. It very realistically, and humoristically, demonstrates that reality isnt always what Joe Blow thinks it is. You'll definitely enjoy it. But for those of you who dont know what to expect, do not expect action. It's a movie about the lives of.. yes you've guessed it: Clerks! 95% of the movie is behind the counter, or at least in the store. I'd definitely rate this 8 out of 10.

Clerks 2 - ditto.

Derailed - Clive Owen is just the best. Even with Jennifer Aniston, he seems to be able to keep the viewers' attention. You should definitely see this movie at home, on a relaxing Friday or Sunday night. :o)

An Inconvenient Truth - A breath of fresh air! Good to know that such documentaries can actually be shown to the wide public. It is a great approach... you watch Al Gore in a seminar, displaying all the facts, and occasionally talking about his past and how he got involved in the environment. It is all fact based, but those who dont want to listen, will still ignore. I just hope that we wont have to live through the floods and hurricanes that can be heading towards NY! Let's see if the SUV population will ease up a bit...

The Break-Up - Aside from getting to see Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn together and making it easier for us to figure out how their final days as a couple were, this movie really isn't much. I would say that it would be a good pick if you're looking to spend a light night, and really dont want to use any of your brain cells. 4 over 10.

WolfCreek - Stay away if you can. It's a regular horror movie, nowadays they dont have the big bang anymore, it's like we know what's going to happen from the first scene on.

Wrong Turn - Now this one is probably one of my favorite horror movies. Though it's far-fetched and somewhat predictable, it still gives you those jolts that you look for when watching a horror movie. It's got the touch, though bad acting in certain parts. I'd give it a 6 over 10.

Match Point

Match Point starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers just keeps you questioning yourself all the time! It's a very well made movie (duh! it's Woody Allen!!) about lust, luck, trust and honesty. It's very exciting to watch, even though it's rather long, you cant really leave your seat when the credits start rolling.
Until the end, it really doesnt look like a Woody Allen movie... but like I said, until the end. The ending is something that you'll never forget. As a whole the movie takes you into the routines of a wealthy British family, and then the not-so-routine part. Also the cast, except for Johansson, are all British. They are all very good actors, especially Emily Mortimer, playing the all too loyal and unsuspecting wife.
It's definitely a must see!!!

Must see Movies

The list of movies I MUST see!

Derailed with Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston
Chronicles of Narnia
Rumor Has It Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner
Fun with Dick and Jane - Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni
WolfCreek - a Greg McLean movie