It has been so long since I posted the first part of my movie list that I am not sure I even remember what movies I was planning to discuss for Part II. Hmmm....let's see. OK, I remember (actually, I found the scrap of the paper I wrote the list on):
Run Lola Run. I am not usually one for foreign films (subtitles = boring), but the three variations on Lola's attempts to save her boyfriend from almost certain disaster in this German movie are so different and so compelling, and Franka Potente's red hair is amazing. (I loved her again in the Bourne movies.)
The Royal Tenenbaums. I loved Wes Anderson's
Rushmore too, which marked the welcomed return of Bill Murray to the screen, but the beautifully detailed set pieces, narration by Alec Baldwin and fantastic
accompanying soundtrack to
the Royal Tenenbaums make this one a favorite. The costumes are fantastic (especially Gwyneth Paltrow's wooden finger), the backstories are dry and funny, and while I'm usually not a fan of Ben Stiller, his portrayal of the widowed father panicked at the thought of losing his family is touching. Gene Hackman rocks my socks, as always. And Luke Wilson? See my
list of boyfriends. 'Nuff said.
Dave Chappelle's Block Party. I had no expectation that I would like this movie -- to me, Dave Chappelle's humor teeters terribly close to the brink of offensive, and I am not overly familiar with or "into" R & B, rap, or hip hop artists. But I LOVED this movie. I found Dave Chappelle and his quest to bring the high school marching band to NY for the block party incredibly winning, the musical performances electrifying, and the story about the weird couple living in their creepy unfinished house fascinating. This is a great feel-good movie.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I watched this again last night, and fell in love all over again. This movie is so cleverly made, with the chronology bouncing all around but coming together perfectly in the end. When Joel's last memory of Clementine is erased, I always cry....but have hope that they will end up together again because that's what's meant to be. Plus, Mark Ruffalo in Ray Bans (see "boyfriends," again) and Kate Winslet with multi-colored hair (see
"girlfriends"). Perfect.
Knocked Up. What can I say? I am a big fan of the Apatow oeuvre, from
Freaks and Geeks to
Superbad. (Haven't seen
Forgetting Sarah Marshall or
Pineapple Express yet, but I will.) I loved
The 40-Year Old Virgin (oops...I forgot to put Catherine Keener on the girlfriends list...but she is on it in my heart) -- thought it was raunchy and sweet in a perfect mix, and
Superbad features Michael Cera who I love love love, but
Knocked Up wins it for me. Seth Rogen is so appealing as the father-to-be, I don't hate Katherine Heigl as much as I usually do, and Seth Rogen's roommates are HILARIOUS (and don't get me started on Kristin Wiig as the bitter TV producer, Craig Robinson as the brutally honest bouncer, and Judd Apatow/Leslie Mann's kids as the kids). But, my favorite thing about the movie is the subplot featuring Paul Rudd (boyfriend alert!) and Leslie Mann, who are painfully believable as a long-married couple. Plus, this movie features one of the best dialogue exchanges ever, including the line: "You look like a chollo on Easter." I am laughing while I type that.
Movies are awesome, right?
