Jul
16
Netflix #35 – Batman: Gotham Knight – Suggested by no one
I pretty much love anything having to do with Batman. Well, maybe not the craptastic Batman and Robin movie, but most things having to do with Batman. Hell, I’m even considering buying the Birds of Prey DVDs! I also think that Batman: The Animated Series, from the 90’s is some of the best animation ever. So I was really excited about this one. But unfortunately, the parts were better than the whole. The DVD is comprised of six 20 minute animated films, each with very different stories and visual styles, which supposedly take place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. While they were all enjoyable (some more than others), after it was done, I was kinda like “That’s it?” Like, there was no real reason for it. It was exactly what it was: six individual stories. I think it would have been better if the stories were more closely related, or told a single story. So, see it if you want, but don’t rush to see it before seeing The Dark Knight. It’s not worth it.
Netflix #36 – Requiem for a Dream – Suggested by Nicky and flowergurl281
Holy Shit Nuggets! This movie was ridiculous. Ridiculous and awesome. And I never ever want to see it again. Seriously, this movie was such an experience, one that I will never have to experience again. It’s something I haven’t felt since seeing Children of Men, which was equally as awesome but also only needed to be seen once. Ellen Burstyn was amazing. The role was such an ugly role, and she played it incredibly. She totally should have won the Oscar over Julia Roberts. And I was also really impressed with Marlon Wayans. This was the first time I’ve seen him in a serious role, and I thought he was great. Jennifer Connelly was equally awesome, as expected. The only semi-weak one was Jared Leto, with his annoyingly fake New York accent. This was my second Darren Aronofsky movie after The Fountain, which is one of my favorite movies ever. I’m assuming I should see Pi next, correct?
WALL-E
Yes, it’s just as good as everyone says it is. It was definitely my favorite Pixar movie since The Incredibles. The first 45 minutes on Earth were so beautifully done. I was shocked how captivated the kids in the audience were, during the quiet scenes. But then again, I’m always shocked how much kids these days still love the classic Disney films like Snow White and Cinderella, even though they don’t have the whiz bang of more modern Disney films like Tarzan (which is the best Disney movie ever). Not much else to say that hasn’t already been said by more eloquent people than myself. Go see this movie.
Keep your recommendations coming!
July 16th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I thought Wall-E was a great film. I loved how the animators were able to allow you to connect with the characters even though they couldn’t say much other than their names. Good stuff.
The HAL 2000 “eye” was clever. And though I understand the necessity of the cockroach as a storytelling device, I thought that it would have been much more effective from a character standpoint to have left him/it out and *really* show Wall-E discontent at being alone, yet not really understanding it.
And not a single #5 reference…
July 16th, 2008 at 8:24 am
#5?
I liked Wall-e, but didn’t enjoy it as much as, say, The Incredibles. It got fabulous reviews in the local paper, saying it was the best Pixar ever, and I think that was going too far but it was still a solid “good”.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Heather: Surely *you* know your ’80s movies… #5? Johnny 5? Ring a bell? Anyone? Bueller…?
July 16th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Ahhh….Short Circuit (thanks Wikipedia!) I saw the first movie ages ago, in the 80s, but had completely blanked on the robot’s name.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Dave S: Um, he’s sick. My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.
Wall-E was great. The character design alone made it for me. Every time we saw Wall-E, his body did something different. I also loved Eve’s design as well as the cockroach (he was so cute). The only thing I didn’t like was the mix of film with the animation.
I’m in the middle of Gotham Knight. I agree with Craig’s comments. The first story is my favorite so far.
I am a little surprised that The Fountain was one of your favorite movies ever. I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure I would give it that status.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:45 am
The one thing I disliked about WALL-E was the way they voiced the lead character: one of the most annoying voices in recent movie memory (I put this in a tie with JarJar on the annoyingness scale). Not even the ads on Nick for “Family Matters” can compete with this for aural agony.
Even worse (now) is having my 5 and 8 year old sons mimicking WALL-E’s voice in the car. Sets me off instantly. (Must remember to be good parent and not screech at my innocent sons….)
July 16th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Awww, I liked Wall-E’s voice. It was cute in it’s own I’m-a-toddler-with-a-smoking-habit way.
Of course, my 14 and 15-year-olds aren’t mimicking it in the backseat…
July 16th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I skipped over Gotham Knight. I watched the Animatrix years ago and wasn’t fond of it. This just sounded like more of the same.
Requiem For a Dream was a fantastic film and one I haven’t seen a second time either and probably won’t.
WALL-E was one of Pixar’s best efforts. A Bug’s Life still holds the place as my favorite, but WALL-E is right up there.
As for recommendations, the top three remain the same as always. I think that Craig just refuses to watch them because he doesn’t like me.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’m recommending In Bruges. great film! its something i never had a chance to catch in theatres but finally got to see on netflix and i loved it. Definately not the movie I expected it to be. Just a great storyline and i highly recommend it to all.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I’ve got to get to Wall-E before it leaves the theaters. Otherwise I’ll never see it.
I didn’t see Tarzan but I didn’t here good things about it and the Phil Collins music is craptastic (to borrow a Craig-ism).
July 16th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Blasphemy! The Phil Collins soundtrack is all sorts of awesome and may or may not make me cry!
July 16th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Mamma Mia! Meryl is the mozt awesomestz!!!
Seriously. Overdose of happiness and ABBAness.
And I also suggest Michael Clayton.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
OMG, Short Circuit Ruled, back in the days of the Evil Knight Reagan. God I feel old!
July 16th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
OK I haven’t seen WALL-E, But when I saw the previews I was totally expecting a #5 ripoff. I’ll trust Dave S. that it’s not.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I never saw Tarzan but the video was totally awesome. Now I have to get it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIVaUcE4kAM
July 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Dave S: 14 and 15 year old? You were a baby having babies.
I’m going to Say The Incredibles is my favorite Pixar film. Oh, and I loved the short they played in front of WALL-E. As for Disney proper, Beauty and the Beast is still my favorite.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
um, he’s sick… ha ha. john, you’re a righteous dude.
I was hoping to avoid seeing WALL-E, but now I guess I’ll have to see it. Oh Craig, the power you yield…
July 16th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
John: Dave S. wasn’t a baby, he’s just amazingly well preserved. Did I say well preserved, I meant WELL PRESERVED! DAMN!
July 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Mark: As cool as #5 is, I think WALL-E’s cooler. The movie’s definitely not a Short Circuit remix. Though there are some distinct similarities between the two characters.
John: I wasn’t *that* young…
Kari: I was disappointed in Michael Clayton.
A lot of brooding and not enough interesting things happening to keep my attention. I liked that corporate lawyer lady, but she was the only highlight for me.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Mark: “Well preserved?” Not *that* makes me sound old…
July 16th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sounds like something involving formaldehyde.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
…and mason jars…
July 16th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Uh, poor choice of words on my part.
I just wish I were as “genetically blessed” as you are!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
BTW Craig, I don’t mean to sound gay or anything like that, HA! But I’m really curious about your cruise wardrobe.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Nothing terribly exciting. Shorts and polos similar to what I wore on my Providence vacation. Maybe a Super Viagra shirt thrown in for good measure.
And a speedo.
Not really. My bathing suit is plenty long.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Dave S.: Now that I think of it “genetically blessed” isn’t that much of a compliment either. How about “Why the hell don’t I look as HOT as Dave S.”!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
The Providence look works. Especially the plaid shorts. Something really Hot about that, it’s a really good look for you. But you should try a Khaki shorts and black thing, I Know it’s overdone, and not a “cruise thing” but I still think it looks “classy”. And you would look soooo good in it. You might need to pre-tan your gorgeous legs though
July 16th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Oh, and you can send the speedo pics directly to my email.
I don’t care how bright your legs are!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Just “Please’ don’t wear crocs…Please. Birkenstocks….Good!
I know I’m “overcommenting” so I’ll stop now.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Don’t worry, no crocs.
And one person’s “overcommenting” is another person’s “enthusiastically responsive”.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Gotta agree with Mark on the Crocs. They’re kinda like anime for your feet — Big and cartoony while at the same time trying desperately to be serious.
I told my kids long ago that they weren’t ever allowed to buy Crocs. (”Now, here, kids, just take this pipe and crack and play in the meth lab — and I don’t want to hear another word about these ‘Croc’ things…”)
July 16th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Dave S.: I know you weren’t that young, but we’re the same age and I can’t imagine having a 14 and 15 year old. I’m too much of a big kid myself.
Also, that line about Crocs being anime for your feet is hysterical!
Michelle M: Stop, I’ll blush.
Craig: Good call on the speedo. You would need a great deal more body hair to spill over the elastic to pull that off.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
once more, work had Puntabulous blocked, this time for being “tasteless and obscene”!!! yet somehow, I can still get to MY blog at work, go figure THAT one out…
Anyway, Don’t bother with the Birds Of Prey DVD’s, Craiggers, I PROMISE you the series sucks very VERY badly.
Ferris Bueller on the other hand, is my idol.
HUGS>..
July 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I love reading the Polt’s computer’s commentary about this site. Does it have a stock list or make up something new every day?
July 16th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
YAY!! You watched one of my movies!!!
I also thought Ellen Burstyn was brilliant in that movie. I love heartbreaking stuff, and her role was full of it.
How amazing is the scene where he shoots up in the car even though his arm is bruised and bloody?!
July 17th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Nicky: Eww that was nasty when Harry shot up in the car,
Craig: I agree it is a one time only movie. It is so powerful a story that im glad I watched it. This is totally not a “flowergurl” kind of movie I prefer comedies. My fave is Its a mad mad mad mad world. I also recomend The Office season 2 or 3
July 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I havent seen Pi yet. Let us know how it is if you see it
July 17th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
If you’re going to watch Pi, pop a naproxen sodium or some such beforehand. One of Aronofsky’s goals seems to have been to communicate the experience of a migraine, which he delivers.
Brilliant director. I’ve never been able to re-watch any of his movies, but they’ve all stayed with me.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:50 am
It’s almost 4am, I found your blog through Stumble Upon, and I’m bored so what the hell, I’ll suggest some films!
Young Frankenstein
Maria Full of Grace
Sideways
No Country for Old Men
The Station Agent
Bobby
Atonement
Stranger than Fiction
The Queen
Marie Antoinette
The Illusionist
Run Lola, Run
The Dreamers
Grey Gardens (Documentary)
Superbad
Juno
The Upside of Anger
Lonesome Jim
Bridge to Terabithia
My Kid Could Paint That (No, seriously, someone please tell me if that kid is a fake or not! I still don’t know how I feel about it..)
La Vie En Rose
Beowulf
Michael Clayton
The Science of Sleep
The Gates (Documentary)
The Notebook
Death at a Funeral
Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil
The Savages
Me and You and Everyone We Know
Grace is Gone
Eagle vs. Shark
Constant Gardener
King of California
Big Fish
Arranged
Wait Until Dark
American Beauty
Funny Games
The Last Kiss
Hairspray
Notes On A Scandal
Forgiving the Franklins
*nod*