Last Movie Watched

frida_ver3.jpg

I'm watching Frida again. I love me some Salma Hayek. Plus, Frida Kahlo rocks.
 
american_crime.jpg


jesuseffingchrist this was heavy. what a ****ed up true story.

Said it before and I will say it again...if you want to see this story done right...
girlnextdoor.jpg


Definitely more lurid and National Enquire-ish but it's surprisingly effective and not as exploitative(????) as you might think.
 
51CCKZWGPDL._.jpg


The first in my quest to familiarize myself with the works of Werner Herzog. The movie was very good, but goddamn the location shooting and spectacle of it all was what really made this movie. Also watched with commentary by Herzog which made it all the more impressive.

I recommend you watch it twice.

Ignore the horrendous cover art.
 
Just watched Adventureland, interesting and funny.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
ponyo_on_the_cliff_by_the_sea_1_jan_poster_low.jpg


I watched Ponyo, Miyazaki's newest film a couple of days ago. It was cute....but it seemed like there was a lot of holes in the plot and some unresolved stuff that detracted from my overall general satisfaction with the film. But, the fish is pretty darn cute so I doubt kids will really care for the holes.
 
500_summer_posters1.jpg


I actually enjoyed this although I don't get the fuss over Zooey Deschanel. I thought Joseph Levitt was good.

It does not beat:

2218390002.jpg
 
spirited-away.jpg

howlsmovingcastle.jpg


Picked up Sprited Away and Howl's Moving Castle for way cheap at Costco over the weekend. I've watched both many times already and they are amazing. Joe Hisaishi's music makes everything 10x better...that and original Japanese dialogue track. Screw dubbing.

Initially I hated Sprited Away because I saw it dubbed and the girl who did Chihiro did a crap job. I don't care if she did Lilo in Lilo and Stitch, she still sucked in Spirited Away.
 
spirited-away.jpg

howlsmovingcastle.jpg


Picked up Sprited Away and Howl's Moving Castle for way cheap at Costco over the weekend. I've watched both many times already and they are amazing. Joe Hisaishi's music makes everything 10x better...that and original Japanese dialogue track. Screw dubbing.

Initially I hated Sprited Away because I saw it dubbed and the girl who did Chihiro did a crap job. I don't care if she did Lilo in Lilo and Stitch, she still sucked in Spirited Away.


Agreed..... dubbing sucks. I've never heard the English language version of Spirited Away, but unfortunately, the Japanese acting here wasn't great either. I know they are under direction, but the whininess--even the father--was over the top. Maybe that was the point. I still loved the movie to death in spite of that.

There are a few Miyazaki's where I'll try the English. As a rule, if the characters or locations appear ambiguous or non-asian. Porco Rosso and Nausica come to mind immediately. There may be one or two more. But if it's set in Japan and/or with Japanese characters, it's a no-brainer.
 
41JQ5EMVBCL._.jpg


Good stuff. Lots of great, haunting imagery and music. Kinski is ****ing awesome as Dracula.

41R1VB7R1TL._.jpg


You can tell that this is the first Coen Bros movie. It feels much less... refined than their later work. Still, it's pretty awesome. The score was super minimal, but really effective, I thought. Frances McDormand looks like she's 12...
 
41JQ5EMVBCL._.jpg


Good stuff. Lots of great, haunting imagery and music. Kinski is ****ing awesome as Dracula.

I SHOULD watch that. I have watched the original Murnau version several times, which I love to bits and pieces, and I am curious to how this remake compares. As far as remakes go, the film does have a very solid reputation.
 
I SHOULD watch that. I have watched the original Murnau version several times, which I love to bits and pieces, and I am curious to how this remake compares. As far as remakes go, the film does have a very solid reputation.

I still have yet to see the original, so I can't say, but I think you'd dig it, Orph.
 
There are a few Miyazaki's where I'll try the English. As a rule, if the characters or locations appear ambiguous or non-asian. Porco Rosso and Nausica come to mind immediately. There may be one or two more. But if it's set in Japan and/or with Japanese characters, it's a no-brainer.

Have you tried Howl's Moving Castle in English? I thought it was pretty good. The characters seemed European to me. I've got Castle in the Sky and I can't remember if I've watched it in English. Kirsten Dunst totally murdered Kiki in Kiki's Delivery Service. :p

I've yet to see Porco Rosso or Nausicaa - even though they were also for cheap at Costco. Next on my list is My Neighbor Totoro.

Also, last night that sexy bitch Adgy and I went to a free preview screening of White on Rice which was followed by a Q&A with the director Dave Boyle and its stars Hiroshi Watanabe, Mio Takada, and Lynn Chen.
white%20on%20rice.jpg


I loved it! It was sweet and very funny. Watanabe does an excellent job of playing a quirky and awkward man, but he's totally lovable. Anyway it opens tomorrow at the Laemmle Sunset 5 and the Edwards at the Irvine spectrum. You can check it out at White on Rice. Here is the summary:

Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, ?Letters From Iwo Jima?) loves dinosaurs and sleeps on the top bunk. Unfortunately, Jimmy is 40 and shares that bunk with Bob (Justin Kwong), his 10-year-old nephew. Freshly divorced, Jimmy lives with his sister Aiko (Japanese Academy Award winner Nae) and her family while boldly searching for a new wife. His brother in-law, Tak (Mio Takada, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien") thinks he?s a disaster. And although Jimmy may lack social grace, he is convinced the best years of his life are just beginning. His plan seems like it?s all falling into place when Tak?s beautiful niece Ramona (Lynn Chen, ?Saving Face?) moves in. But once Jimmy sets his sights on stealing her from his best friend Tim (James Kyson Lee, ?Heroes?), he sees his intentions go hilariously awry.

People go out and see it and tell your friends! This is a great indy movie that can use the support. Oh yeah and apparently the stars and I'm assuming the director will be at the 745 and 1045 showings at the Laemmle Sunset tomorrow....
 
artandcopy.jpg


Good flick about the people behind some of the biggest ads of the last 50 years.
 
Have you tried Howl's Moving Castle in English? I thought it was pretty good. The characters seemed European to me. I've got Castle in the Sky and I can't remember if I've watched it in English. Kirsten Dunst totally murdered Kiki in Kiki's Delivery Service. :p

I've yet to see Porco Rosso or Nausicaa - even though they were also for cheap at Costco. Next on my list is My Neighbor Totoro.

Hmmmmm. Trying to remember if I did Howl's and Castle in English. Been a few years. Regarding Kiki's, I liked it in Japanese, and even though Kirsten Dunst tickles me nethers, I'll take your word for it. ;)

But ohhhh beloved Totoro. 1000% GOTTA be Japanese. The reviews on Amazon are hilarious. The Fanning sisters got ANNIHILATED. I did listen for a few minutes to see what the fuss was about, and everytime they screamed "TODOROW!!" it was like nails on a chalkboard. At least pronounce it right!!!!!

Thanks for the heads up on Whit On Rice. We don't get all the good stuff here, but I'll keep an eye out.....
 
Back
Top