1 day ago
2 days ago
44. The Yes Men Fix the World (2009, Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno & Kurt Engfehr): 44
Even the pranks that form the meat of the film have lost some of their novelty and freshness. Given the duo’s withering take on capitalism, it’s ironic that their stumbling second feature feels throughout like an infomercial for a shtick whose expiration date is rapidly approaching.
Yes, man.
4 days ago
43. Ivansxtc (2000, Bernard Rose): 75
Don’t have a lot to say about this one. It’s dark and no doubt realistic, with a terrific lead performance from Danny Huston. Worth the effort to track down.
4 days ago
42. Trouble in Mind (1985, Alan Rudolph): 60
Surreal neo-noir from Robert Altman protégé Rudolph about a disparate group of characters who find their lives intertwining in a strange, mythic place called Rain City. Not quite sure if I liked it or not, but it was certainly interesting.
41. The Collector (2009, Marcus Dunstan): 18
I, for one, am sick to death of watching innocent people brutally tortured and killed by elaborate, Rube Goldberg-like devices. So, why did I bother with this nasty, MTV-slick piece of work brought to you by the guys responsible for some of the Feast and Saw sequels? Well, I have my love of the horror genre and a positive review by critic Maitland McDonagh to thank for that. Yeah, I should have known better. Next time she recommends something like this, I will have to give it a pass.
SxSW Film: 2010 Edition «
Decent enough lineup, I guess, though I’m not sure what the hell MacGruber is doing there. Maybe one day I’ll buck up enough to attend, but not this year.
5 days ago
40. Waydowntown (2000, Gary Burns): 52
Indie comedy with a terrific premise and some amusing characters that is hampered by its never-ending intentional quirkiness.
6 days ago
39. Dreamchild (1985, Gavin Millar): 65
Slight but wholly entertaining “what if” about a trip take to New York in the 1930s by then 79-year-old Alice Liddell, Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for Alice in Wonderland. The Jim Henson Company’s creature designs are creative and fun as well as a terrific reminder of what great work the man did before his passing.
Oscar Pix and Predix
Okay, let’s get this over with.
Original Screenplay
Pick: The Hurt Locker
Prediction: The Hurt Locker
Adapted Screenplay
Pick: In the Loop
Prediction: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Cinematography
Pick: The Hurt Locker (though The White Ribbon looks glorious from the 15 minutes I’ve seen.)
Prediction: Avatar
Art Direction
Pick: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Prediction: Avatar
Animated Feature Film
Pick: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Prediction: Up
Directing
Pick: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Prediction: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Supporting Actress
Pick: Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Prediction: Mo’Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Supporting Actor
Pick: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds
Prediction: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds
Actress
Pick: Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia
Prediction: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Actor
Pick: George Clooney, Up in the Air (although it’s really not fair, because I haven’t seen Crazy Heart or A Single Man.)
Prediction: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Picture
Pick: The Hurt Locker
Prediction: Avatar
1 week ago
38. Subway (1985, Luc Besson): 39
Dave Kehr called it “Miami Vice with subtitles,” but it’s really more of an intentional goof than Michael Mann’s television show ever was. That said, it’s not a very good movie. A decent music video, perhaps, but nothing more.




