Movies I Have Seen

Since my life consists of nothing but aimless wanderings and movie watching, I thought it might be an engaging waste of time to list the films I’ve seen of late. In order to avoid any real thinking, impressions will be brief:

Thumbsucker – My two Vincents: d’Onofrio and Vaughn – both in the same film. I died and went to heaven. The movie: Family alienation. Sensitive teen. Ok. Whatever. Nice soundtrack though.

Capote – To quote The Continental: “Wowie wow wow.” What a character study. Perfection. Not played for sympathy. Not a great film, but great acting. Loved seeing Catherine Keener again.

Proof – In terms of story, the best movie I’ve seen in the theater lately. Makes sense since it was a play first. Since I’m on the verge of going nuts myself, I really connected with the madre o’ Apple character.

The Squid and the Whale – Hmmm. I like Baumbach’s other films because they have that self consciously hyper-literate superficiality that appeals to an educated sloth like myself. At the same time, they acknowledge the troubling self-delusions that infect lonely and too-busy minds. This one left me feeling a bit too self-righteous, though.

On the Waterfront – This movie sat on top of the TV for about three months. I have no idea why I avoided it. It was no trouble at all. Brando was, as always, clumsily grand.

Buffalo 66 – Another Vincent. This one lithe and stinky-looking and kidnapping a plump (i.e., pre-coke addicted) Christina Ricci. I have to admit that Mr. Gallo has a gift for hopeful bleakness that I appreciate.

The Pickpocket – Robert Bresson. The work of such a masterful, ascetic filmmaker should never be watched hot, overcrowded theater while sitting behind a woman with nauseatingly heavy perfume.

Flightplan – Peter Sarsgaard - even with half rolled-back eyes reminiscent of an epileptic or drug addict– is super hot in a bitter, frustrated grad student sort of way. (Why am I attracted to angry men?) The plot was full-o-holes. I have a hard time suspending my disbelief.

A History of Violence - Erg. Why do I subject myself to Cronenburg films? They just f me up. Why does everything have to be so damn depraved?

Children of Heaven – Lovely Iranian movie. Families are families no matter where you are. Some great shots that will stay with me for a long time.

Another Woman – One of my favorite Woody Allen films. Gena Rowlands is da’ bomb. I think that this falls into that category of film in which we realize how much more powerful (though I hesitate to use that word) it is to portray a change in the soul of a woman than it is of a man. Men will often come to realizations in films, will do things differently, turn their lives around, etc., but real change is hard to portray in a male character.