Sunday, December 03, 2006

Movie Weekend

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I've been a slug all weekend and the most that got accomplished was to move three movies off of my Netflix queue. Here are my mini-reviews:

  • Brokeback Mountain: (3 stars out of 5): Not bad, but except for the obvious controversial aspects of the movie, I don't know if it deserves all the hoopla. And I got confused towards the end -- maybe someone can help me with this. When Jack's wife tells Ennis how Jack died, and then we see images which contradict her story, are we seeing how Jack really died, or are we seeing Ennis' imaginings of what might have really happened, based on what his dad showed him when he was a kid?
  • Cinderella Man: (4 stars): Nicely done. I'm not a big Russell Crowe fan, but he sure played a likeable character in this movie. It was a sweet story, and I like that it was based on a real person and actual events.
  • The Constant Gardener: (3 stars): a well-made movie of a disturbing story. Even though most of the violence in the story was implied, rather than overt, it still bothered me. But if this kind of thing is really happening, then it's a story that needs to be told.
Of the three, I'd say Cinderella Man was my feel-good favorite.

Oh, yeah, and I watched the Redskins game, which was a waste of three perfectly good hours. They are now officially pathetic.

But I'm not bitter.
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9 comments:

Anne Margaret said...

Sounds like a perfect knitting weekend! I agree with your reviews for Cinderella and Garnder. Boy howdy, that last one was so amazingly disturbing! And I was so hurt for the husband that his wife never told him what was happening. So terrifying. Almost too rivoting to knit by.

Our Netflix membership is on hold during the holidays when the kids (and the big kids) wallow in Christmas movies. All the classics, plus a few new ones. Olive the Other Reindeer is leading the pack of newbies so far this year. Very fun!

Suzanne said...

I've only seen Brokeback and I found it unbelievably depressing. Can no one stand up for themselves and be who they are--more than one fishing trip a year? I bet loads of people go through the motions and destroy others lives at the same time.

Also, I am VERY sensitive to people having affairs since my dad had a long-time girlfriend while married to my mom. Ewww. They have split up now and are both much happier.

knitfriendly said...

I have seen Brokeback and Gardener but not the Cinderella Man. I will have to put it on my queue! I believe that the scene that you are referring to was showing what actually happened to him. Very sad.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more with the Redskins game. I was very optimistic in the first half when in 2 possessions we scored twice! But then, typical turnaround in the 2nd half. Oh well, there's next year, right?

Love the yarn from Blue Moon! I purchased the Christmas Balls and it's bee-u-t-ful! I haven't started socks yet because I need to finish the Christmas presents, but I will start them soon!

Bess said...

OOOOo I want some of that socks that rock yarn. Hey! I just realized. 4 weeks from today I can order some! wooee!

hmmm.

I need more movie suggestions. BD said he was tired of BBC TV.

LaurieM said...

Did you get a lot of knitting done? It sounds like a lovely weekend to me.

We watched Nacho Libre! I recommend it. It was funny, yet tender and respectful.

Sangeeta said...

You should do more movie reviews. I've been on a jag of bad ones...maybe I'll post those.

Krista said...

Of your three movies, I had only seen The Constant Gardener. It was sad to watch. I watched "Akeelah and the Bee" over the weekend and it was such a great feel-good family film! I just loved it! I rarely get to see movies, so I like reading your reviews before I rent them. Thanks!

Courtney said...

I too think that the scene in question was showing what actually happened to Jack. I loved this movie even though it was absolutely heartbreaking. I'll put In America on my list. It sounds like my cup of tea.