"Paris, Je T'Aime" (2006) - in a year where good TV seems to have usurped movies ("Weeds", "Californication", "Project Runway"), this movie wins my vote both on the quality and quantity level. In the 20-odd movies-within-a-movie, about 10 are outstanding, 5 are very good, and the rest are fair to good. But all are entertaining, and with different points of view in the City of Lights. I went to see this movie by myself one afternoon, in the lovely Clay Theater in Pacific Heights, and it was wonderful to disappear into for a few hours. I really felt like an armchair traveler. A great DVD rental, as you can watch it over several nights and really have time to process and all of the stories. Star-and-director studded.
"Marie Antoinette" (2006) - I'm so mad that I didn't see this movie in the theater when it first came out. I watched all of the trailers with anticipation, then was put off by the negative critics' reviews. Ugh. I love this movie. Based on Antonia Fraser's biography, the film strives to give the viewer a close-up look at the life of a very young Dauphine, who later became Queen of France. Instead of portraying her as merely a vain spendthrift, you come away realizing how young she was, and how poorly equipped to rule a country. She was a teenager with a disposable income who liked to have fun, and found herself married to a dull, cold and awkward young man. But after 7 years of trying to consummate their marriage (!), the relationship matures as both young people grow out of their childhoods. The colors and attention to detail in this film are stunning! Like a beautiful Laudree confection or a pair of handmade Manolo Blahnik shoes, every piece of fabric and accessory is more beautiful than the next, showcasing director Sophia Coppola's wonderful taste. I think the modern soundtrack, much of it from the equally excessive '80's, works very well.
"300" (2006) - Graphic novel cum epic, with more washboard stomachs than at Gold's Gym in the Castro before Pride weekend. Mmmmm mmmm. The story is that of the classic hero, sacrificing himself for his principles and his people. The cinematography is beautiful, staying well within the fantasy realm but not going so far as to be confused with a video game. I appreciated the strong female characters, especially the king's wife. A great ride, will make you want to be a Spartan.
"The Golden Compass" (2007) - this was a great follow-up to "Narnia" for me - i.e. a children's fantasy done right. I have not read the books, but was immediately drawn in to the story and Lyra's journey. I watched this movie with a class of 5th graders who were so engrossed that they didn't utter a peep during the entire thing. The adult roles were well played by Daniel Craig (yummers) and Nicole Kidman (less Botox, please!), and the little girl was cast perfectly. The Armored Bear stole my heart. Looking forward to future sequels.
"Factory Girl" (2006) - again, a lot of hype and then panned by the critics, so I waited a while before seeing it, thinking that I was going to be disappointed. Wrong again! "Factory Girl" was a great movie, with Edie Sedgewick exquisitely played by Sienna Miller. They captured the time period and New York perfectly. Guy Pearce seemed such an unlikely choice for Andy Warhol, but I think that he's the best I have seen so far.
"Waitress" (2007) - I saw this on a plane, and really enjoyed it. One thing that they should really warn against, though - after seeing this movie, you must have access to a pie or a restaurant that serves pie. There was no pie on the plane and I had to resort to my imagination. Imagination does not taste like pie. Anyway, I thought that this film was cute and heartwarming, but not as overt in its quirkiness as "Little Miss Sunshine". Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion (you will always be captain to me, Nathan!) have good chemistry and are enjoyable to watch. The supporting actors are very good and add the comedic touch - it was sad watching writer/director Adrienne Shelly's wonderful performance, knowing that she was killed during the making of the movie. It's a nice legacy to her talent, which hopefully will not be soon forgotten.
"Black Snake Moan" (2007) - total sleeper of a movie, similar to "Freeway" with a character not unlike Reece Witherspoon's, played by Christina Ricci. I think that the marketing for this movie confused a lot of people, wondering if they should be going to see it for a chance sighting of Ricci's tits or some good freaky outbursts by Samuel L. Jackson. It has both, but also a good story, which is the part that they forgot to mention. I really liked the characters, and even though it was a little predictable, it was fun to watch. Justin Timberlake is good in a supporting role.
"Sherrybaby" (2006) - I have to thank Virgin Atlantic Airlines for bringing this movie to my attention - I never would have heard of it otherwise. Maggie Gyllenhal is wonderful in a very gritty role of an young ex-convict trying to put her life back together. She looks the part - strung-out, selfish and ready to manipulate anyone to get what she wants. Her growth is very realistic, with more than a few painful setbacks before she finds a reasonable path to follow. Sherry is one of those characters that you are at first hesitant to like, but in the end find yourself rooting for her. And the age-old lesson that drugs and addiction are very, very ugly is laid bare here.
"Green Street Hooligans" (2005) - Very interesting view into British football clubs and hooligans. Elijah Woods is an American who becomes reluctant recruit into the gang-like violence of the local community, through the football clubs (a modern-day Frodo in modern-day London, with no ring to help him). It's well-played, and un-sentimental, however with a good message of fighting for what you believe in. Adrenaline-pumping.
"Easy Rider" (1969) - it's true, I had never seen this movie until last week. How un-American of me! It was the perfect thing to watch on Christmas Day. I can see why it caused so much of a sensation at the time that it was made - all of those notions of freedom and such. I don't know that we've really come all that far in the almost 40 years since then (yes, we are that old) - our tolerance for appearances may have improved, but alternative lifestyles? Not so sure. Young Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda fit their roles perfectly, and the fact that they didn't fully compose a screenplay makes the dialog so much more natural. Plus the fact that they were actually getting high during the campfire scenes - you can almost feel it. The restlessness of life and its journey rings true today, and the movie, while definitely a product of its generation, is meaningful to watch today. Fonda's chopper and American flag jacket are film icons for good reason - Wyatt is a worthy poster-boy for counter culture and all that it stands for.
