You watched Jack Burton my friend! On the Porkchop Express. Because let me tell you, when it's a dark and stormy night and the pillars of heaven shake, you look David Lo-Pan in the face and you tell him..... "The Check Is In The Mail!"
Been checking out films at the Portland International Film Festival. I've seen 15 movies so far but here are some highlights: Kills on Wheels - Hungarian film about some youths who are disabled getting mixed up with a hitman. Suntan - About a dude working as the lone doctor on a small Greek island who meets some young people in a backpackers resort, then tries to relive his youth. It was billed as kind of a comedy about a pathetic guy humiliating himself trying to kick it with some young backpackers but it ended up being rather dark. Land of Mine - Some young German soldiers after WWII being forced to clear mines off of the beach in Denmark before they can go home. Lost in Paris - The title is corny as hell, but this quirky tale is loaded with physical comedy set pieces and is pretty darn funny. Land of the Enlightened - Felt like a documentary, but was dramatic film about kids in Afghanistan salvaging, robbing, and trading, including with US soldiers. Starless Dreams - This film almost made me cry. It's about a juvenile detention center for girls in Tehran, Iran. The stories the girls told were heartbreaking. The festival runs through the 25th so there is still time to check out some films.
Old one but really good....Zodiac.. Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downy Jr. Don't trust Ace hardware salesman.
Just saw The Shootist, John Wayne's last movie. Absolute much watch for anybody who likes the Western genre. A lot of people hated Wayne and there has been much written on his legacy. But what you see in this film is just a man coming to grips with life he has lead and the world that no longer needs him. "I'm a dying man, scared of the dark." It was the last film he would ever make.
We went to the PIFF this week as well. Suntan was indeed not as billed - sad, depressing. Saw another strange one last night - The Ornithologist. The two best we saw were Obit - Documentary about the obituary department at the NY Times. Funny, fascinating. Barakah meets Barakah - The Saudi entry for best foreign film. The story of how hard it is to meet a woman in Saudi Arabia due to strict religious law. Guys and gals can't even be seen speaking in public. An Arabic rom-com as it were.
Don't know if it's been mentioned: But I watched a documentary on Netflix called Trophy Kids... about parents overbearing and obsessive needs to make their kids the best in their given sport. An absolute must watch.
Just watched The Visit. What a crazy ride. Edit: It's a found footage M Night movie. And it was super creepy and disturbing.
West Coast - A french film about some white kids who think they are gangstas. It's on Netflix right now. EDIT: Cross between Stand by Me and Whiteboyz.
Rush. Very decent saga about two Formula One racers directed by Ron Howard. And featuring a Chris Hemsworth performance I actually appreciated. Best thing in it was Daniel Bruhl though. Man that guy is a damn good actor.
Watched Sausage Party on Netflix. Never before have a seen a movie that is as completely moronic as it is genius. Parts were funny, mainly I found myself thinking "wow this is fucked up" or "its like they are swearing so much to try and make it funny and it's just not". But then I was also like "wow this is a brilliant philosophical take on religion in today's society". Probably worth a watch if you have Netflix, and aren't easily offended.
I saw 'Ghost in the Shell' a few weeks back. Even though the sound/special effects weren't quite done the visuals were still amazing. Pretty entertaining if you're into sci-fi.
I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore Low key but with some lines that made me laugh out loud. (Also some surprisingly gory moments if you're super-squeamish.) Melanie Lynskey is great and so (surprisingly) is Elijah Wood - I never once thought about Frodo. It's on Netflix (and nowhere else - they bought it after it was a fave at Sundance).
For some reason I saw that and thought of The Informant. So then I thought "that wasn't Affleck, that was Matt Damon - but yes, he was good."
Zootopia has been on pretty much on a loop in our household but I don't mind because it's really good. Kind of amazing they made it without even knowing Trump was going to run: "Fear Always Works"
I didn't like that movie. The whole point they were trying to make is not to stereotype, and how do they do it? By stereotyping... But it's good stereotyping, because they are just cute animals...right?
The trailer was so ridiculous that I couldn't take that movie seriously. "Good to see another brother 'round here"
