Take 7 (Two Steps Forward, One Step Back.)

Movie #19       Robot & Frank    95%

I love Netflix because it continues to recommend little gems like this movie.  This is one of those films that has many levels and will leave you thinking.  It is also both incredibly sweet and sad at the same time.  

Set in the distant future, we meet Frank, an elderly man who is suffering from Alzheimer's.  He is at a point where he cannot live alone, and his kids are too busy to watch him.  So Frank's son brings home a robotic caregiver to take care of Frank.  Frank and the robot form an unusual friendship and become partners in some risky activities.  

I loved this movie.  It reminded me of another underrated movie called Bicentennial Man. I recommend this movie to everyone. 





Movie #18    The Trip    85% 


It's time I come out the closest, I am an Anglophile. I've watched a lot of British film and television.  I love their comedy and never miss watching when Manchester united take the pitch.  This movie is full of U.K. pop culture and takes the viewer on a tour of Northern England that is breathtaking.  

This is a road trip film, a buddy movie, and a pseudo documentary all wrapped up in one. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play versions of themselves as they tour the English countryside trying various hotels and restaurants for the Observer.  Much of the dialogue is improvised and the actors have tremendous chemistry.  

This is a delightful and introspective film.  It will not appeal to  a wide audience, but it is worth checking out. 


Movie #17   Bachelorette   60%

If you want to appreciate just how good the movie Bridesmaids is, watch this movie.  This movie can't decide if it wants to be a raunchy comedy or a chick flick. In the end, it fails at both.  The only reason I give this movie a 60% is because there are a few funny moments. Also, it's nice to see Isla Fisher in a movie.    

Take 6 (A movie I swore I'd never watch and a movie I'd watch every week.)

Movie #17  Freedom Writers    85% 

There are two kinds of movies that I almost universally hate: inspirational sports movies, and inspirational teacher movies. They are full of cliches and stereotypes. I've heard from other fellow teachers that this movie is worth the watch.  I guess I was in the right mood because I finally watched the movie. 

Call me a hypocrite  because I loved this movie.  Yes, the minority students were a bit stereotypical   Yes, the teacher had to fight the system to do what is right. No, this movie did not make me want to smash my television.  I actually found the teacher to be quite inspiring.  I found myself caring for these students.  I also felt motivated to be a better teacher.  

I've never thought about tying in the Holocaust to life in the American ghetto, but it worked.  I found this movie believable  right down to the broken public school system.  





Movie #16   Pitch Perfect    85%

I saw this movie opening weekend in the theater.  Back then, it was a little comedy that was not getting much attention.  I friend and I, both way to old to be fans of Glee, could not wait to watch this.  Suddenly the movie blew up and everybody was a fan. Trust me, I had to put up with countless hours of my students trying to perform the cup song.  The movie premired on HBO this past weekend and I decided to watch it again.  Thankfully, Pitch Perfect was still just as funny and enjoyable as it was on that opening weekend.  

Here are five reasons I love this movie.

• Retro 90's music.
• Elizabeth Banks's one liners. 
• Fat Amy
• Show Choirs always make me laugh.
• hilarious script. 

P.S. How can you not love Anna Kendrick?  A great actress  funny, beautiful and from Portland, Maine. 

Take 5 (In which I try to forget Superman by watching some classics)

Movie #15    Man of Steel  60%

Despite not really caring much for Superman, I had high hopes for this film.  I've liked some of Zack Snyder's films and Christopher Nolan was a part of it.  I love Nolan's Batman movies and think that Snyder's Watchmen is tragically underrated. Sadly, I just don't like this movie.  I know I seem to be in the minority, but let me make my case.

First, I was not expecting so much science fiction.  This is much more like Independence Day than a superhero movie. I was not prepared for so many spaceships and men riding on dragons.  

Second, the action and CGI was TOO MUCH! After the 20th building being destroyed I tuned out.  I know that a summer comic book film is going to have CGI, but this movie makes Transformers look like an art film.  

Finally, I just found the movie boring.  I watched it not in 3-D but IMAX. The action was nonstop and the sound was jarring, and I still found myself fighting to stay awake.  The movie is too long, and the story is weak.  I actually would have liked to see more of the young Clark Kent and less of the spaceships.  






Movie #14    Uncle Buck    80%

The next few movies on this list are a bit on the old side.  Sometimes there is an advantage to having a ton of movie channels.  

I got home from Man of Steel and flipped through the channels, when the opening credits of Uncle Buck came on.  I've seen this movie many times, but not in quite a few years.  In my opinion, this movie still holds up.

I don't need to say much about John Hughes except that sometimes it's nice just to watch a movie that makes you feel good.  I still laughed at all the jokes and found John Candy to be just as funny as he ever was.  I also have a new found appreciation for just how good an actor Macaulay Culkin was. Often these old movies do not pass the test of time, but this one does.  




Movie #13    Rocky III  75%

So I stumbled upon this movie right when it started on one of the movie channels. After watching the first 15 minutes, I began to realize that I'd never seen this entire movie.  I know the whole plot, but mostly because of flashbacks from other Rocky movies, and the plain fact that we all know the plot.  

I'm not going to spend too much time on this.  I found the movie enjoyable.  Mr. T was such a well sculpted beast that I felt ashamed eating my snacks as I watched him wreck Rocky.  It's not my favorite Rocky, but I still love the those montages. 

Take 4 (Finally some good movies)

Movie #12     The Do-Deca-Pentathlon   85%

Last summer I discovered the magic that is the Duplass brothers.  I enjoy their directing and have really grown to love almost anything that Mark Duplass makes.  This movie is written and directed by the brothers.  

The Duplass brothers are masters of bringing dysfunctional families to the screen.  The family in this movie has plenty of dysfunction.  

The movie centers around two brothers that have spent far too many years of their adult life bitter about their childhood competitiveness.  The brothers spend the weekend back at their mother's house and quickly revert back to their 12 year old selves. Both brothers are unhappy with the way their lives have turned out and are searching for something to make them fill alive again.  

This movie is very clever and well acted.  It certainly will not entertain everybody, but I hope you give a try.  





Movie #11   Mud   98%

Wow! I can't believe how much I loved this movie.  This certainly looks to be the best movie in theaters this summer.  Matthew McConaughey gives what just might be the performance of his career.  

Mud, is a coming-of-age movie set on the banks of the Mississippi River.  The acting across the board is fantastic.  The two boys who star in this movie are amazing.  

I'm hesitant to give away too much of the plot, but here is a brief summary. Two boys find a mysterious man living on an island and become part of his adventure.  There are very real problems and issues facing these boys, so it is easy to understand how they are taken in by this man's tall-tales.  

As I watched this movie, I really felt a connection to movie like Stand by Me.  Online, this movie is even being compared to stories such as Tom Sawyer and To Kill a Mockingbird.  That is high praise, and it just might be deserved.   




Movie #10   Liberal Arts  90% 

I have to be honest, this movie almost seems like it was written for me.  It has all the elements that I love in a small-budget drama: understated acting, moody music, earnest pretentiousness, character actors, and a quirky leading lady.  This is the second movie that Josh Radnor has directed, and he seems to be pretty good at it. 

Radnor also stars as Jesse, a man who is going through his early, mid-life crisis.  He returns to his alma mater for his favorite professor's retirement party where he falls for Zibby, a young college girl.  Both characters seek to escape their current life by being with the other.  In the end, they both learn from each other.  Honestly, I think the audience has the potential to learn something from them too. 

The college campus was absolutely beautiful.  The movie was filmed at Radnor's real life alma mater, Kenyon College.  The acting is also top notch.  Richard Jenkins and Allison Janney seem to make any movie they are in better. I've heard a lot about Elizabeth Olsen, but this was the first of her movies I've seen.  She deserves all the praise that she has received in her young career   Don't be surprised to see a few more of her films show up on this blog.  

Take 3 (clearly there is a theme going on here.)

Movie #9     Hooking Up    50%

Let's be honest, the poster for this movie tells you all you need to know.  Somehow, my twisted childhood installed the love of two genres.  First, the raunchy teen comedy.  Second, the horrible midnight movie thanks to hours spent watching USA Up All Night.  This movie certainly is both. 

How could you not watch a movie staring Balkie Bartokomous, Dante Hicks, and Mouth.  

The story is predictable and not funny.  The teens are all pretty horrible.  The raunchy situations are many and disturbing.  I think I felt my age, because I found myself several times wondering why these girls didn't have more self-respect.  

In the end, this movie was exactly what I expected it would be. Watch at your own risk. 







Movie #8   Bart Got a Room   75%

Continuing on my love for teen comedy, I thought I'd give this movie a shot.  This had the potential to be the Indie version of American Pie. It really never quite took off.  

The cast turns in an excellent performance.  The characters are likable  The story is just kind of boring.  The plot involves a quirky Jewish teen trying to find a date for his senior prom.  His best friend wants to go with him, but he is holding out for the perfect girl.  His family is very involved in his quest, but it never seems too unrealistic   

The movie is enjoyable but not memorable.  






Movie #7  Good Dick   70%

Yes, that is the name of the movie.  Okay, if you are done judging me let me tell you about this film.  

The premise is very interesting.  An emotionally disturbed video store clerk with a heart of gold becomes involved with an agoraphobic, socially awkward women who has an obsession with renting soft-core porn. There are actually some very sweet moments between these two.  There is also a lot of typical indie angst.  

The acting by Jason Ritter is very good.  I wish that he could be a bigger star. I also enjoy anytime when Martin Starr pops up.  (shout out to Freaks and Geeks) The actors and director try hard, but there are too many flaws to make this a true indie gem.  

Take 2 (Old school movies and more hobbits walking)

Movie #6   Chaplin       78%

I've seen this movie several times.  The first time I saw it I thought it was a classic, but each time I watch it I like it a bit less.  My appreciation for Chaplin's films has really grown over the past few years.  While I enjoy seeing a bit of the man behind the legend, this movie is just lacking something.  Robert Downey Jr. was fantastic in this and certainly deserved the Oscar nomination he received. 

Movie #5 The Thing Called Love         85%

I've always enjoyed this movie.  It was on today, and I had not seen it since I was in high school.  It's a shame this movie is not more appreciated.  River Phoenix was fantastic, and it makes you think about what his career would have been like as he grew older.  The music is wonderful and there are a ton of Music City cameos.  It is nice to watch this movie now and see just how charming Sandra Bullock has always                
been.

Movie #4  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey      77%

Okay, let's get a few things out of the way.  First, I thought the Lord of the Rings movies were pretty boring.  I think Clerks 2 sums up that "trilogy" best.  Second, I have a hard time watching Bilbo Baggins and not thinking about Tim from The Office.

Now that those two facts are out of the way, on to the review.  I liked this movie a lot more than I thought I would. The middle drags on a bit, but I enjoyed the first and last 30 minutes.  I just have a hard time caring about or trying to follow the story and all the names and places.  A nice looking movie.  However, I think the more CGI a movie has the less I enjoy it.

Take 1 (horrible fonts and even worse movies.)

Movie #3
Flight       70%

This movie was just a one way trip of all right.  I found it predictable and cliche.  I knew there was a reason my viewing of this film was delayed. 











Movie #2 
Lawless      65%

I expected much more from this one. It improved near the

end, but there were times when I was forcing myself to sit through it.  I thought Tom Hardy was very hard to understand, I found myself longing for him to speak in the Bane voice.  This was one of those movies I watched while playing games on the iPad, never a good sign.  

Movie #1
End of Watch    95%

I really enjoyed this film, as much as that was possible.  This movie leaves you in a constant state of uneasiness. It is the closest thing to the television show, The Shield,  that I've seen since that program left us.  This is a gritty police drama that uses some modern film making gimmicks in a pretty positive way.  Be warned, this movie is not for those who are easily offended by  profanity.