I’ve been forced to let Lisa and Alayna horn in on my Netflix selections. How else can I account for Becoming Jane? Most of the time I end up watching these things by myself — do you really think Lisa wants to watch Barton Fink? — so I figured sharing my subscription could ease the inference that I’m inflexible. We go through almost two a week, so this’ll probably carry me into next year:
- The Illusionist
- The Devil Came on Horseback
- Barton Fink
- Stranger Than Fiction
- Amazing Grace
- Knocked Up
- Modern Marvels: The Manhattan Project
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Becoming Jane
- The King of Kong
We saw The Illusionist at the theater and, though I liked the movie, the implausible end just ruined it for me. Anyway, I thought I give it a second chance. However, I can’t see how it will ever top a similar genre film, The Prestige. The Devil Came on Horseback is being called one of the best documentaries of the year, about the Darfurian genocide. (Isn’t it sad that we have to get most of our info about this horrific slaughter through indie films rather than the mainstream media?) The other docu on the list, The Manhattan Project, is part of my writing research. I’ve heard so many surprisingly good things about Knocked Up that I figured I check it out. Raunchy, teenage sex comedies interest me about as much as standing in line at the DMV. But this one appears to have a more “wholesome” message. We shall see.
Just recently viewed some terrific stuff, most notably Danielson: A Family Movie, The Queen and The Lookout. Danielson is a documentary about Christian musician Daniel Smith and his family’s journey through the touring circuit and the Christian music industry. But this is not religious propaganda. It is both joyful (I think I smiled for half of this film) and humbling (it’s so sad what the label “Christian music” has done to Christian musicians) in its mix of creative affirmation and corporate reality. Anyone interested in Christians and the music industry should see this film. (And after seeing this, I’m ordering Ships.) The Queen won so many year-end awards (and I like Stephen Frears), that it was only a matter of time before I saw it. The movie greatly exceeded my expectations. Helen Mirren is terrific as the Queen of England and, not having been a big Princess Di fan, the movie is illuminative in its portrayal of the outpouring of public sentiment over her death and the internal angst of the Royal Family in grappling with tradition and a changing world. (And, whaddya know, Lisa watched the whole thing with me, which scored me points on the love-o-meter.)
Happy holiday viewing!
I agree. While the Illusionist was okay, I loved the Prestige.
Adored Stranger than Fiction and Amazing Grace.
Right now I have at home:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix
Little Voice
Live Free or Die Hard
The next few are:
Layer Cake
Monk, season 4
Little Miss Sunshine
Perfect Stranger
Are We Done Yet?
The last one is for the little guys:) I loved Live Free or Die Hard. Bruce rocks. Little Voice is worth checking out. Someone just told me I ought to watch Layer Cake. We’ll see…
I heard Knocked Up was horrible. Personally, I’m seriously turned off by the title. Seems like laughing off one of our nation’s worst problems. My teenager watched it at a friends and said it was all bad sex humor and “practically porn” and that she felt dirty after watching it. Ick.
TBS (to be seen) films:
Atonement
August Rush
(sweeney todd)–that’s in a whisper. I have to see Johnny Depp sing, sorry.
No spoilers, folks, if you’ve seen those that are out now, please. 🙂
Thanks for the comments Heather, Janet and Nicole. Heather, The Prestige was one of my favorite films of last year. After Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan (the director of both) is becoming one of my favorite directors. Janet, I steer clear of teen sex comedies. But more than one Christian reviewer noted Knocked Up‘s pro-life message and attempt at morality. For instance, Christianity Today included it in an article entitled Pro-life Cinema. Also, check out Ross Douthat of the Atlantic discuss the pro-life slant of the film. And Jeffrey Overstreet notes two great reviews — HERE and HERE.
While I hear you about the title turn-off, this may be an example of needing discernment, looking beneath the surface, rather than assuming that sexual content or crude jokes immediately makes a movie morally intolerable (not that you’ve done that, of course).
And Nicole, Atonement is getting some great reviews but I’m not sure if it’s my cup ‘o tea. However, Tim Burton’s whackiness is usually refreshing, so I will probably be seeing Sweeney Todd. (But Johnny Depp’s singing is the least of my interest.) 🙂
I’m afraid The Illusionist won’t hold up any better vs. The Prestige the second time around, Mike. Prestige rocks (so does Christopher Nolan).
I don’t share the love for Tim Burton, though, so…have fun with Sweeney Todd!
Actually, JD’s singing is secondary to me, too. I find it almost a privilege to watch Johnny Depp act. He is gifted.
(Oh, and Atonement wouldn’t be up your alley, Mike, I’m sure. It’s not up my husband’s either. 🙂 )
Watching a movie … wow … that sounds like an incredible experience!!!
I remember The Queen being on the big screen, but that’s about it. I’ll have to tuck that info away for another day.
I’ll have to remember you’ve made a list so if I ever have time to sit and watch a whole movie, I’ll have some recommendations!
Hey Mike I’m not into the scary movies so much but I can tell you that in your next list of movies to watch: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a must see! I recomend all the Harry Potter movies, those movies have a very thought out plot, great characters and great graphics!