Movie Madness

I have gone bonkers for movies the last few weeks...its amazing what time and access will do for you. I feel like I have been in a holding pattern for the past year when it comes to movies. Yeah, my Blockbuster Online membership kept me breathin, barely, but I really wasn't living my movie life. Now, I am back to being able to see film at the drop of a hat, anything I want. Ahh...life is grand. So, I have gone a bit crazy on the movie front since right before Christmas (even seeing 4 movies in the theatre in one day!)...below is the long list of movies I have seen for the first time (not even referencing those that I have revisited). A few I will give a quick review of (for my very rabid audience of movie fanatics). Listed in alpha order just to make it fair and impartial.

Atonement--I saw this because it is in the Oscar hunt and I really do like seeing as many of the nominees as I can so I can do an honest assessment of the slate. It is clearly an "Academy" film, but not my cup of tea. Very British, slowly building to an ending that I feel doesn't really fit the film. If you are a fan of epic British flavored film...see it...you will love it. Otherwise, you may just appreciate the moments, leaving the theatre with a melancholy feeling that you wish you had left in the theatre.
Bourne Ultimatum
Charlie Wilson's War--I was not overly impressed with the "film" aspect of this movie. Do I think that everyone should know this bit of history so they can better understand the clusterfuck that we are presently in (Afghanistan, et al)? Yes. Do I think that is was really anything to talk about from a filmmaking, acting, directing, etc. standpoint? No. Go get a history lesson, but don't expect more from it.
Enchanted--The movie that just seems so not fitting in my list...but I will disagree. Disney did well here. Is it any more than it portrays itself? No. It is a little Disney fantasy film...but it is actually well done. I left the theatre lighter than air and I really did laugh. Not expecting anyone to go see it because of my comments here, but I enjoyed my 90 minutes of escape.
Field of Dreams--Being that I have never been a huge baseball fan, I really didn't think I needed to see this film. Yes, it is a classic in American film. Yes, it is about America's favorite pastime. Yeah, didn't move me to watch it. But since I have recently been brought into the baseball fold and since I also have been trying to watch more "classic" movies, I popped it in this morning. I have missed out. I truly loved this film. That's it, that's all. Loved it..now on my favorites list.
Into the Wild
Knocked Up
Juno--My favorite of 2007 (most will put it in 2008, but I saw it in 2007). It is my quirky humor...it really is great film. The writing really hits it stride maybe 15 minutes in...the first 15 might be a little hard to connect to, but it just takes time to catch on. Ellen Page shines. Michael Cera (from Superbad fame) portrays an awkwardness that is so understated but spot on. I waited with anticipation for Allison Janey (West Wing) and J.K. Simmons to come on screen as Juno's parents...they just really rounded out the cast with their supporting roles. I just could go on and on...but I won't bore you or overhype (too late!) so that you can actually go and love the movie too. It is my treat to you!
Lars and The Real Girl--This movie is probably not for everyone...it is truly an indie style film. But one of the best of 2007. Really...a movie about a man that truly believes that his Real Girl doll (not blow up...molded plastic and anatomically correct!) is actually his real-life girlfriend...it is crafted well. The sensitivity given to the delusional state of the main character and the humor infused to keep the movie "real"...excellent. Ryan Gosling shows his chops too...definite Academy nod...well at least worthy.
Paris, Je T'aime--This is a collection of shorts all set in Paris. They are mostly good...a few miss the mark. But a few of them are great short film. Again, this genre isn't for all and must be open to the many interpretations of film by different directors. But definitely worth my time. Surprisingly, the vampire short (which I thought I would completely hate) was probably my favorite. The mime short is quirky enough to work in a short--who can really do mime nowadays feature length?
Summer of Sam
The Great Debaters
The Holiday

(reviews for the other films can be had upon request...just don't want to overwhelm my readers!)

Coming Attractions:
Theatre: The Savages, Sweeney Todd, I'm Not Here, I Am Legend, No Country for Old Men, P.S. I Love You, The Orphanage
DVD: Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Vertigo, Reality Bites, Stardust, Waitress

Chargers Fan for a Day!

Since I never really followed the NFL until a few years ago, I never really aggressively tried to go to a game. And then once I finally kinda care, I find out that tickets are usually not easy to come by. Oh well...I just never went.

Well, my dad does like the NFL and I figured he would really like to go see his Chargers (also, since he has lived right next to Qualcomm Stadium for like 9 years and had never been inside). Luck would have it that there was a game while I was in town for Christmas. Yeah, it was on Christmas Eve night...Monday Night Football. I took the chance, asked the family if they wanted to go and surprisingly...we all went. Dad, me, Mom and Nicole...very proud of the sis and mom. Gold stars, ladies! (Even if my sister continued to call LaDanian Tomlinson LD instead of LT...but we look past this!) :-)

And since I have no real strong affiliation (Steelers fan since I have the shirt and the terrible towel and the Bus spent his career in Pitt)...I decided, sure, why not, I'll cheer for the Chargers. Hence, my status of a Chargers Fan for the Night. I thought I would be not all that excited to cheer for them...you know, an occasional, yeah, rah, yeah! But nothing real exuberant. Surprise, surprise...I was swinging that free towel like a banshee. It was amazing...ha! I had a lot of fun...truly did. It will never come close to college football, but definitely had fun. But the real fun...

Came in the 4th quarter. The game was basically decided by the middle of the 3rd quarter, but the real losers were not determined until the 4th quarter when the fights in the stands broke out. It was amazing how many there were and how stupid the drunks can be. Resisting arrest, taking swings not only at the rent-a-cops, but also the police who did have guns. One idiotic father did all of this in front of his 5 year old son, on Christmas Eve no less. Sorry, son, I won't be there for Christmas morning cause I was a complete dumbass and thought the cop really would understand that if I took a swing at him it meant I had nothing to do with the original fight...really! There was the chick that just could not keep her big ass mouth shut and resisted arrest to the point of getting about 5 thug guards to settle her down. Then there was the big drunk guy that threw one of the security guards down 5 rows of seats and then decided to take a run for it down the stairs right into 2 cops and end up bloodied and in handcuffs. All in all, a very entertaining way to end the game. Much more interesting whoever was playing 2nd or 3rd string on the field.

I won't be masquerading as a Chargers fan again, I am sure, but it was a rollicking good time on Christmas Eve 2007. And to be honest, the best point of the night...3 hours of sports time with my dad. Yup, that's me...Daddy's Little Sports Fanatic!