RSS | Archive | Random

About

Like a daily food log, but less depressing

GROUND RULES

Following

5 December 09
MoonStarted & Finished: 12/4/09 Great science fiction film is such a rarity that when a movie like Moon comes along, it resonates for a long time afterward.  The first time I saw Duncan Jones’ debut, I was expecting a disappointing 2001/Solaris rip-off.  Fortunately, it was only the trailers that pushed this angle, as Jones truly developed an original and (most impressively) convincing sci-fi world. On second viewing, some parts of the movie seem a bit more cheesy than I remember.  But it’s incredibly rare to find any science fiction that doesn’t make the viewer cringe even a little bit.  Sam Rockwell is phenomenal throughout, and Jones does an excellent job at pacing a story that takes place in an isolated location with essentially two characters, one of whom is a robot.  Clint Mansell’s score is amazing as usual, and somehow perfectly captures the aural experience of character Sam Bell’s disturbing discoveries. I’m eager to see what Jones does with his next project, Source Code (which will reportedly feature a cameo by the character featured in Moon), though initial rave script reviews come from sources whose tastes I question.  In any case, he’s clearly a talented director— he made a sci-fi movie I can get behind without feeling like a complete nerd.

Moon
Started & Finished: 12/4/09

Great science fiction film is such a rarity that when a movie like Moon comes along, it resonates for a long time afterward.  The first time I saw Duncan Jones’ debut, I was expecting a disappointing 2001/Solaris rip-off.  Fortunately, it was only the trailers that pushed this angle, as Jones truly developed an original and (most impressively) convincing sci-fi world.

On second viewing, some parts of the movie seem a bit more cheesy than I remember.  But it’s incredibly rare to find any science fiction that doesn’t make the viewer cringe even a little bit.  Sam Rockwell is phenomenal throughout, and Jones does an excellent job at pacing a story that takes place in an isolated location with essentially two characters, one of whom is a robot.  Clint Mansell’s score is amazing as usual, and somehow perfectly captures the aural experience of character Sam Bell’s disturbing discoveries.

I’m eager to see what Jones does with his next project, Source Code (which will reportedly feature a cameo by the character featured in Moon), though initial rave script reviews come from sources whose tastes I question.  In any case, he’s clearly a talented director— he made a sci-fi movie I can get behind without feeling like a complete nerd.

2 November 09
Harmony and MeStarted & Finished: 11/1/09 Still one of my favorite movies of 2009.  Hopefully it’ll get a release on Netflix so you all can check it out.  In the meantime, DVDs available at harmonythemovie.com.  Feeling a bit lazy today with the words, so you can check out my notes on the movie here, and a good cross section of other reviews at IFC.

Harmony and Me
Started & Finished: 11/1/09

Still one of my favorite movies of 2009.  Hopefully it’ll get a release on Netflix so you all can check it out.  In the meantime, DVDs available at harmonythemovie.com.  Feeling a bit lazy today with the words, so you can check out my notes on the movie here, and a good cross section of other reviews at IFC.

6 October 09
Stingray SamStarted & Finished: 10/3/09 Rewatching a Cory Mcabee film is always an experience— for me, at least, repeat viewings happen on DVD.  In an empty house.  Without a theater full of people laughing along with you.  And it is a very different experience. Which is not to say it is subpar on DVD— it is still amazing.  And I still love this movie.  But there’s something about seeing it en masse, with people who openly chose to watch, that the small screen cannot recreate.  The awkwardness when you bust out laughing at a scene while your friends sit stoic on the couch next to you is difficult.  For one reason or another, they just aren’t feeling it. I’m glad to say that upon second viewing, I am absolutely still feeling Stingray Sam.  This time around, I found myself wondering why Mcabee chose to narrate certain plot points, and save small, intimate plot points for the actual scenes.  In The American Astronaut, it was almost certainly the other way around.  But Stingray doesn’t concern itself with propelling the plot forward.  It lets you peek inside this bizarre world for just a few minutes at a time, and then you’re onto the next episode.  And I think that’s why it’s so successful as a narrative— it leaves you wanting so much more.

Stingray Sam
Started & Finished: 10/3/09

Rewatching a Cory Mcabee film is always an experience— for me, at least, repeat viewings happen on DVD.  In an empty house.  Without a theater full of people laughing along with you.  And it is a very different experience.

Which is not to say it is subpar on DVD— it is still amazing.  And I still love this movie.  But there’s something about seeing it en masse, with people who openly chose to watch, that the small screen cannot recreate.  The awkwardness when you bust out laughing at a scene while your friends sit stoic on the couch next to you is difficult.  For one reason or another, they just aren’t feeling it.

I’m glad to say that upon second viewing, I am absolutely still feeling Stingray Sam.  This time around, I found myself wondering why Mcabee chose to narrate certain plot points, and save small, intimate plot points for the actual scenes.  In The American Astronaut, it was almost certainly the other way around.  But Stingray doesn’t concern itself with propelling the plot forward.  It lets you peek inside this bizarre world for just a few minutes at a time, and then you’re onto the next episode.  And I think that’s why it’s so successful as a narrative— it leaves you wanting so much more.

Themed by Hunson. Originally by Josh