March 23rd, 2010 -- Written by Rodney
Still in that dry spell of films being released, and with New Moon pushing an odd Saturday release last week for their disk on the rental shelves and retail regretting their midnight opens for the 23 screaming teenage girls who coudln’t wait until morning, this is the morning after.
So what’s on the shelf this week and what will make it to mine?
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Red Cliff An epic historical drama based on a legendary 208 A.D. battle that heralded the end of the Han Dynasty. RED CLIFF opens as power hungry Prime Minister-turned-General Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) seeks permission from the Han dynasty Emperor to organize a southward-bound mission designed to crush the two troublesome warlords who stand in his way, Liu Bei (You Yong) and Sun Quan (Chang Chen). An epic Chinese battle filled with incredible battles and an amazing setting. Go get this now. |
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The Blind Side Teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). Learning that the young man is one of her daughter’s classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael—wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter—come out of the cold. Without a moment’s hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. While some are too busy whining that this is a “white woman saves the day” film, they can get their heads out of their asses and see it for what it really is. Someone with, selflessly helping someone without. Loved this movie. |
| Fantastic Mr Fox Mr. and Mrs. Fox (George Clooney and Meryl Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Jason Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). But after twelve years of quiet domesticity, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr. Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. I’ve been waiting for rental to give this a chance. It just didn’t grab me, but the voice casting has my attention. |
| Men Who Stare at Goats Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) is in search of his next big story when he encounters Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a shadowy figure who claims to be part of an experimental U.S. military unit. According to Cassady, the New Earth Army is changing the way wars are fought. A legion of “Warrior Monks” with unparalleled psychic powers can read the enemy’s thoughts, pass through solid walls, and even kill a goat simply by staring at it. Now, the program’s founder, Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), has gone missing and Cassady’s mission is to find him. Quirky and Hillarious. This goes on my instant buy list. |
| Everybody’s Fine Frank Goode (Robert De Niro) has spent his adult life working in a local wire factory earning every dollar he can to support his family. Recently retired, he realizes that over the years he has spent too little time with his four children and that it’s time to reconnect. This one got passed over, and on the DVD shelf its sure to remain that way. Just wasn’t anything there to make me want to see it. |
So, not going bankrupt this week on movies, but still going to make my weekly trek to the Buy More and get me some.
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Blindside was a solid film, I avoided it for a while due to first impressions and all (sappy, inspirational football flick blah,blah) BUT it’s actually quite great!and am glad I watched it. people hating on it is actually pretty silly.
Wes Andersons take on animation is something I wanna see now that it’s on video. all I heard about it is that the effects crew were P.O’D at him for not steppin foot on set(is this true?)
Royal Tannenbaums is still my fav. of his
Men who stare at goats flew over my head, I wanted to laugh at it’s stuff, but I just barely grinned at most of it.
Fantastic Mr. Fox was my favorite film of 2009 by far. Goats and Blind Side were also good, and I’m definitely gonna check out Red Cliff.
Its my understanding that there are two version of Red Cliff the full 5-6 hour cut and a shortened 2-3 hour cut. If there are two versions which one is this?
I’ve not seen any of these yet, just rented Mr. Fox and Men Who Stare At Goats last night. Gonna watch one before work (ah, the realities of closing shift).
Also, I’m digging the ” A Clockwork Orange” photo at the top. Which makes me curious, do you like that movie? Seems like one you wouldn’t care much for, for some reason, maybe I’m just thinking that because it’s an “older” movie… I dunno, just curious.
Clockwork is a trip. Great movie but also very messed up.
I dont know what might make you assume I wouldn’t like it though. Because its old?
We are in total and complete agreement on Clockwork.
Well, once we were talkin about most of the Forgotten Fridays being from the 80’s and early 90’s when I mentioned you should do some earlier films, but then you said something like there aren’t many older ones that have made a big impact on you….. Or something along those lines. That and just the fact that a ton of people hate it because it’s so messed up….. I was just making generalities.
Side note: I just finished Fantastic Mr. Fox. It’s pretty darn awesome!