3.08.2009

Crazy Movie Lady 7

March 1-7, 2009
127. In the Realms of the Unreal. Documentary about a reclusive man who left a 15,000 page (yes you read that right) novel behind when he died along with hundreds of paintings and multiple journals. He only left behind 3 photographs of himself, no video which of course made this a difficult story to tell. HIs room was in tact since his death in 1973 (until 2000) which helped some but mostly this story was told through his novel and illustrations and animation. I don't think I was in the right frame of mind to watch this. I do know that I don't trust or believe any of his neighbors when they claim to understand things about him or have visited him unless it did something to further their own notoriety or causes. Call me a cynic but if a reclusive old man never talks to you, when he leaves are you really going to visit? That'd be a no. Unless you are nefarious and can benefit.
128. Suddenly, Last Summer. The Elizabeth Taylor version. I can see why she was such a star then. Absolutely fabulous. Katherine Hepburn was also in this movie but in a small role. Did I like the film? The suspense in the last 20-25 minutes was great. It took overly long to get there.
129. Fast, Cheap and Out of Control. Very strange documentary about 4 men all obsessed with something-- animal training, topiary gardening, naked mole rats and robotics. I was speechless. I couldn't stand the music though there were some interesting techniques used in editing.
130. The Trouble with Harry. Another Hitchcock. (It's been a while, eh?) This one was crazy, crazy and utterly perplexing. Madcap comedy but in a quiet way. I was viewing with raised eyebrows the entire time.
131. Religulous. Bill Maher documentary. First, I didn't get the transparency-- seeing mics and cameramen and sound men multiple times. The worst of Michael Moore's ambush-style reporting but for an entire film and directed toward religious people. You don't believe in anything so no one else should either? And everyone who's religious is stupid? That appears to be this film's premise. And the producer is presenting no alternative views. It's all people who are completely in his camp as far as I can tell. Beyond one-sided. I couldn't be involved in the production of this film-- as crew or editor or any of that. Why do you hate religion so much? Did I learn anything in this film other than that you hate religion. No. And no, I did not like this film. At all.
132. Best in Show. Mockumentary about a dog show. Silly funny and outrageous. The only thing is the actual dog show lasted way too long. It was almost like watching it in real time which who would ever want to do that??? Pas moi! But the rest was great and too funny!
133. Sinbad: Nothin' But the Funk. Comedy show on HBO. Rashan said it counts as a movie. It was a bit funny. I may have outgrown Sinbad but who knows? Maybe if he would do some comedy today I could re-evaluate.
134. Welcome to the Dollhouse. Odd. I didn't see the point of it.
135. Priceless (Hors de Prix). Another Audrey Tatou movie. She's so cute! And so was this movie.
136. Beautiful Daughters. Documentary about t.ransgender women (those who were born boys) in the V.agina Monologues. Made me glad not to feel like I was born in the wrong body. Thank you Jesus for that.
137. The Women. To quote a review I read about another film, "indulgently long." I don't mean that in a nice way. There were at least 15 minutes that should have been left on the cutting room floor. The hispanics were all stereotypes which was annoying. This movie could have been worse but it could have been much better i.e. making the most of this all-star cast.
138. Sleeper. Woody Allen movie. They're hard to avoid. Slapstick silly but kind of funny. Less neurotic behavior from him than usual which was a treat.
139. Be Kind Rewind. I watched it because of Mos Def. Wow... super silly as I thought it would be but incredibly slow to get to the funny part. I almost quit watching after 20 minutes because of the inordinately long time spent on character development. I probably would only watch the funny parts again instead of wasting time on the rest of it. The end wasn't very satisfactory either.

6 comments:

Momisodes said...

I am still impressed every time you post these lists.

I felt the same way about Best in Show. Hilarious, but that dog show dragged on.

Southerner in Suomi said...

Nothing but the Funk was only mildly funny?

Oh I love me some Sinbad standup. See if you can find "son of a preacher man." His parents are in the audience and I love their reactions.

Sparkling Red said...

I've seen In the Realms of the Unreal! That guy was one weird dude. I have to say, I really did like the movie, especially the animated sequences, although I can't say why. Something about the bizarreness of it tickled my brain in a good way.

Not so Anonymous said...

I saw best in show as well. I actually own that movie and I think it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen (maybe that means I need to get out more, lol). That darn lesbian couple and the ex-whore tripped me out...lol

I went to see a really good independent film this weekend called Melancholy for Medicine, which was written and directed by a fsu film graduate. I like the way it was filmed and pieced together. Of course I don't have the expert critiquing abilities like you, but I thought it was good.

RunningMom said...

I love Mos Def. Why, I have no idea.. I just do!

Jameil said...

momisodes... thanks!! and right?? rah didn't mind it much but i was like ok enough already!!

v... yeah. i think i would've enjoyed it more 5 years ago. that's on there, too. i would like to see it for the reactions! lol.

red... very weird! pretty sure i shouldn't have read a review while watching this film. made me even more skeptical of his neighbors.

aretha... lol. it is quite funny! i loved the super flashy gay. i usually like indies. if it comes to gainesville i'll have to check it out.

running... i do, too! he was so the reason i saw that movie!