Pre-Christmas Movie Wrap-up

Hey everyone! It's officially time for a pre-Christmas movie wrap-up. Because surely once Christmas hits there will be so many awesome movies out that I will implode with happiness. I feel like this has to happen because 2006 has been a hugely bad year for movies, IMHO. I can count about ten that I enjoyed. But in the past month I've seen a few worth typing about:

Marie Antoinette - I've put off this review because I saw it sans Thomas. He is still bitter and the only way I can make it up to him is to watch it again with him on netflix. When I saw the preview for MA, I thought Sophia had lost it. But the movie worked for me. This is the polar opposite of what usually happens. Usually a preview tricks me by showing only the good parts, then I go to the movie and it's five minutes of good and 2.5 hours of boredom. The main thing Sophia does that's right is that she doesn't try to do too much. She's not telling the story of the French revolution here. She's telling the story of Marie Antoinette. The film is from Marie's perspective when she arrives at Versaille as a young girl until she gets carted off to her doom. While Marie's a princess and then a queen, you're barely aware of the turmoil that's going on in France. There are a few references to it that she pretty much blows off, but that's it. MA instead shows what life was like for a spoiled young girl who could eventually do/get whatever she likes. The film excels when it focuses on the manners and mores of the royal family in the 18th century. It turns out to be a fun history lesson. As for the lead actors, Kirsten Dunst pulled off the role, even though I was really worried about her accent. But Jason Schwartzman was miscast as her husband Louis XVI. Especially for the first half of the movie I thought he was dreadful, but then he eases into the role a bit towards the end. What I liked even more than the stars though were the cinematography and the score. Sophia scored a huge coup by actually getting to film at Versailles, so of course the sets were beyond fabulous. Her unconventional choice to feature New Wave bands in the soundtrack also worked. This was a big surprise to me. I think the reason that it worked was that it helped to create a mood. MA was a leisurely paced film, a sumptuous feast for the eyes.

The Holiday - I've been waiting for a great chick flick all year. What about Devil Wears Prada, you may ask. Yes, I did enjoy that movie, but it wasn't a traditional chick flick for me because the girl started out with the guy. Not nearly as enjoyable for some reason. It looks like The Holiday has to be it since it has all of the major ingredients: the meet cute, fabulous outfits (whoever dressed these girls is a genius - I wanted every sweater that was worn), set during the holidays, etc. The Holiday focuses on two girls and at the beginning of the movie, neither of them have The Guy. Since it's near Christmas and since they're boyfriendless, they do the only practical thing and that's to switch houses for a couple of weeks. Kate Winslet moves from her English village to LA and Cameron Diaz moves from her LA mansion to Kate's whimsical cottage. I was very worried at the beginning because for some reason I've decided not to like Cameron Diaz. I think it's her face and the fact that she has to dance solo in every movie she's in (sure enough this happens in Holiday as well). However, she won me over once she encountered her guy, none other than Jude Law. He is now officially on my Top 5 list. So charming, so gorgeous and an accent to die for. Their story was well told and I rooted for them the whole way. On the other hand, my beloved Kate Winslet gets stuck with Jack Black. A mismatch in oh so many ways, not the least of which is that Kate basically acted rings around Jack. Her story was saved by the benevolent presence of Eli Wallach as a 90 year old Hollywood screenwriter. As Cyd and I were saying yesterday in our post-movie wrap-up call (she'd seen it in England - like the symmetry there, eh?), Kate had more chemistry with Wallach than she did with Jack. Nevertheless, I enjoyed her story as big chunks of it were without JB. What I also really liked about The Holiday is that it was obviously made by people who loved movies. Through Wallach's characters, many of the great ones are discussed - like The Lady Eve - and there was even a brief clip from my all-time fav romantic comedy, His Girl Friday. That's the kind of stuff I eat up.

Casino Royale - Maybe I have a short memory, but I think this was the Best Bond Movie Ever. I went to see it over Thanksgiving in Madison, MS at the Taj Mahal of movie theatres, so I'm sure that helped. It made oure stadium theatres in CO seem old school. CR got me from the beginning with an epic chase scene, most of which was done on foot. And then Bond still shoots the guy point blank at the end of the chase. Classic. Daniel Craig was not who I imagined to play Bond, but he's perfect for the new millenium. Cold as ice. My problem with the last few Bond movies was not with Pierce Brosnan. It was with the cartoony plotlines and cheesy quips. So it was more with the writing and execution. CR stays serious even though Bond isn't saving the world this time, he's just stopping a guy who funds some terrorists. I went in knowing that this movie was based on the first Bond book, so I didn't expect the consequences to be so dire. Instead this film set out to establish how Bond became a 00 and how he came to view women the way he does. The female lead is played by Eva Green, an actress with some chops. Her storyline twists and turns a bit as well, leaving me surprised at the end. So bring on more 007 films because Bond is back and better than ever.

-sunday

New Fall TV Must Sees

Hey everyone! This is long overdue, but now that the fall tv season has come to a close, it's time for my fav new shows. First off, as an avid tv watcher who heartily agrees with Bright Abbot's quote, "There's always something good on tv. That's been my motto since I was a kid and I'm sticking to it.", I have to say we are firmly in the midst of the golden age of tv. There have been times when a few good shows have been out at once, but never the plethora that are available now. I am firmly convinced that many of the tv shows that are on right now are hands down better than the typical movies shown at your local cineplex (I feel confident making this statement as I also happen to be an avid moviegoer;). What does this mean for you if you're not much of a tv watcher? Reorder your netflix queue and take a gander for yourself. Try Season 1 of Lost and House to start and see if they don't keep your attention for longer than the average movie. Plus they're in handy 40 minute segments so you can get on with your life.

Now, the best new shows in no particular order:

Heroes - Save the cheerleader. Save the world. If you haven't heard this catchphrase by now, you must be living under a rock. Heroes has it all. A subtle sci-fi theme, a killer mystery, an excellent cast, and some of my favorite characters around. The premise is that humans have finally evolved to the point where a select few have developed genetic anomalies that translate into super powers. Each week, we see a part of the characters' stories and watch as they gravitate towards each other to play a part in preventing the world - or at least NYC - from getting nuked. There are no silly costumes, it's done as realistically as possible. My favorite characters? Hiro, the Japanese guy (who actually speaks Japanese - subtitles provided) whose enthusiasm at his ability to bend time and space is beyond adorable, and Claire, the cheerleader who can heal herself after virtually any wound. Only letdown? Ali Larter. I keep hoping her character will die.
Friday Night Lights - Yep, I'm as surprised to be typing this as you should be reading it. Why? Because I can't remember the last time I watched more than five minutes of a football game and that's what I thought this drama was all about. Boy was I wrong. Instead, this is the most realistically written, heartbreaking show on tv. It focuses on the football-obsessed town of Dillon, TX, the town coach and his family, and several of the students. This is the story of people who use football as an escape. The players are using it as their possible golden ticket out of town, and the fans use it as a trip down memory lane or an escape from the banality of their own lives. FNL has made some brutal moves with its characters - in episode 1, the star quarterback suffered an injury that paralized him. Rather than drop this character, his recovery and struggles continue to be shown. But it's not all grim. The show also has the best romantic triangle on tv right now between the paralyzed player, his cheerleader girlfriend and his best friend. It's so nuanced you don't know who to root for. The cast is spectacular, particularly Kyle Chander as the coach, Connie Britton as his wife, and Taylor Kitsch as troubled player Tim Riggins. And the football? Sometimes play is never even shown. If it is, it accounts for no more than 10% of a show. So don't let that be the reason you do or don't watch this show. It's all about the writing and acting.
Men in Trees - This show is tailor-made for me. It's a combination between Sex and the City and Northern Exposure, two of my all-time favorite shows. To be honest, it's not as good as either of these shows, but it's pretty darn great. Men in Trees stars Anne Heche as Marin Frist, a self-help author who decides to stay in the small Alaskan town of Elmo when her fiance dumps her and her book contract gets cancelled. There she interacts with the mostly quirky locals and finds some peace for herself. She also falls for this year's newest tv hunk (forget McDreamy - check this guy out), James Tupper as Jack. Good news is that he can actually act. He's Paul Newman for the 21st century. The show doesn't rely solely on the chemistry between the two leads. It's got a great cast of secondary characters as well. ABC has shown its confidence in it by moving it to Thursdays at 9 after Grey's Anatomy.

Tune in and enjoy!

Boulder Bumpersticker of the Day: I think, therefore I'm dangerous.

-sunday