Whedon has to trade his strengths to bring Firefly to the big screen. Serenity succeeds as an action picture, but loses the elements we loved the most about Firefly. It’s the reaction, not the action, that counts.
Infernal Affairs
When you live a lie too long, how can you know the truth?
Bottom Line: Highly Recommended. See the original version, not the American remake.
Kung Fu Hustle
Live action cartoon. I could not stop laughing. Belly-clutching, knee-slapping laughter. Absolutely preposterous.
Bottom Line: Recommended, but not for the kiddies. Violent.
Bright Young Things
The Friday movie group consisted of me, AJM, and M2. First we dined at Manuel’s, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. (Katz’s is celebrating its 25th.) I’m sure my patronage has done a lot to keep them both in business. I’ve been a faithful consumer of both from the beginning.
Bottom Line: Not Recommended. Flat.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
AJM got home from work at 15:30. I had just finished painting the bedroom ceiling, showered, and was sitting wrapped in a towel, combing the tangles of of my hair. With the impulse of young lovers, we dashed to the Alamo Drafthouse at the Village to watch
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
Bottom Line: Perfect fun.
Shrek 2
Surprisingly funny. Well, we were surprised.
Bottom Line: Recommended for the whole family (even my Mom).
LOTR: The Return of The King
Maybe it’s a guy thing.
Bottom Line. Inevitable. (And not in a good way.)
Master and Commander
If you’ve spent the last forty years or so complaining that “they just don’t make movies like that” anymore, then you’ll be happy to know they just have.
Bottom Line: Highly recommended. Sign me on for another voyage.
Love Actually
Structured like a Christmas party sweets table, Love Actually is full of enticing confections without any substance or connection. Which is not to say that some of the tidbits aren’t wonderful.
Bottom Line: Good, but not great. Rated R for a British sense of humour.
Lost in Translation
Muddling through this waking life on auto-pilot. Dreams and nothing more.