Movies Seen by Mike and Sophia

moving over to criticker...at least as a trial run...

2008-12-29T13:04:00.000-08:00

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Mister Lonely (2007) - M: 25/100 S: 10/100

2008-12-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

Mike: Twenty-five points for Werner Herzog and his flying nuns. That's about it. Pretentious crap.

Sophia: Sucks.

The Philadelphia Story (1940) - M: 75/100 S: 70/100

2008-12-25T22:12:00.001-08:00

Mike: Cute classic. Fine acting.

Sophia: Pre-Matrimonial silliness.

The Fountain (2006) - M: 60/100 S: 65/100

2008-12-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

Mike: Compelling acting and interesting concepts, but too heavy-handed in its imagery and ideas with little substance to back it. Corny in parts, but saved somewhat by the good performances.

Sophia: Visually beautiful. Someone should have kept "The Celestine Prophecy" away from Darren Aronofsky.

The Good German (2006) - M: 35/100, S: 30/100

2008-12-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Mike: Pretentious and silly. This reaches far beyond Steven Soderbergh's capabilities and comes off as an art-school piece (like many of his films). Luckily, he brings along a few actors who completely fail too (Clooney and Maguire). Cate Blanchett is really good, but that is about it.

Sophia: I hope to never see Tobey Maguire in another movie again, the guy couldn't act his way out of a paper bag (does that make sense? probably not).

Encounters at the End of the World (2008) - M: 80/100 S: 79/100

2008-12-20T23:51:00.000-08:00

Mike: Werner Herzog is such a strange filmmaker and that is what makes his films great. I will never stop wondering what causes penguins to have nervous breakdowns...

Sophia: Some really beautiful footage of antartica especially the underwater scenes. It never ceases to amuse me to quote Werner in conversation.

Get Smart (2008) - M: 40/100 S: 30/100

2008-12-20T23:49:00.000-08:00

Mike: Pretty boring. Only good things were basically nostalgic references to shows. Actors did a good job, but the movie tried to be an action movie and a spy satire simultaneously...

Sophia: Blah. It was funny in parts (nothing witty, just physical humor), but mostly a lot of blah.

Mad Men (Season 1 Disc 1 - 3 Episodes) (2007) - M: 30/100 S: 25/100

2008-12-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

Mike: I have a really hard time watching anything where every single character is repulsive. I know that's the point, but I can't take it.

Sophia: Same. It was a bit over-the-top with the chauvinism, I just can't fathom that it was as bad as that.

The Two Jakes (1990) - M: 70/100 S: 65/100

2008-12-19T19:34:00.000-08:00

Mike: It's not Chinatown, but I thought it was well done. The end kind of peters out, but it works as the middle of a trilogy (for which the 3rd movie was never made). I guess the delay between Chinatown and this one really shut the whole thing down. Definitely only works in the context of having seen Chinatown.

Sophia: It was okay...

Primer (2004) - M: 95/100 S: N/A

2008-12-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

Mike: Mega-brainy sci-fi time-travel movie made on a tiny budget. Really well done with interesting layers that are almost impossible to unravel, but had me thinking for days. Slow, delicate pace, but really worth the attention.

Sophia: I fell asleep.

A Boy and His Dog (1975) - M: 75/100 S 80/100

2008-12-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

Mike: Slow and ultra-outre, but kind of awesome. The ending made it all worthwhile. Stars Don Johnson as a post-apocalyptic nomad who can telepathically communicate with his dog...I kid you not. Weirdo movie.

Sophia: This is an awesome 70s b-movie, which fits in nicely with the genre Roger Corman productions (though it is not itself a Roger Corman production), it's totally weird, but highly recommended.

And Then There Were None (1945) - M: 95/100

2008-12-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

Mike: One of the best mystery films ever made. Imitated countless times. This is the best version.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) - M: 25/100 S: 28/100

2008-12-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Mike: Dumb. Long. Also...dumb. Nick Cave is the only worthwhile thing.

Sophia: The acting was actually alright, Matt Damon's little brother is especially good, the film went nowhere though, and it was boring.

Planet Terror (2007) - M: 80/100 S: 85/00

2008-12-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

Mike: Clever and awesome tribute to B movies. Definitely worth a viewing if you're a fan of the genre. Hit a lot of scenes and concepts dead on.

Sophia: Super over-the-top zombie flick, which is the best kind.

Death Proof (2007) - M: 30/100 S 25/100

2008-12-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

Mike: Self-indulgent and boring. I enjoyed the stunt women's section and the ending. Overall, skip it and see Vanishing Point instead.

Sophia: The only good thing about this movie is that it got us to finally watch Vanishing Point--which is a seriously awesome film.

Monkey Business (1952) - M: 40/100

2008-12-19T15:53:00.000-08:00

Mike: Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe (in a smaller role) can't save this silly movie. I love monkeys, but too silly.

Day Watch (2006) - M: 30/100

2008-12-19T15:51:00.000-08:00

Mike: Very disappointing follow-up to Night Watch. I know I go for the silly over-the-top Russian themes, but the magic chalk is just a little too much. Kind of annoying that this continuation of the cool story in Night Watch ends like this...bummer.

Wanted (2008) - M: 80/100 S: 90/100

2008-12-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Mike: Ridiculous and overblown action number that really interested me because of its odd blend of American action/Sci-Fi and the heavy themes of Russian literature...good vs. evil; dark vs. light; it's the cold war with Angelina Jolie. In general, I really like where this director is headed, but it's most certainly over the top. This movie is almost like an Americanized rendition of Night Watch, which I also enjoyed.

Sophia: It's a combination of Night Watch and Fight Club, which is pretty awesome. Also, Angelina was awesome.

Chinatown (1974) - M: 90/100, S: 80/100

2008-12-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

Mike: Awesome newer noir movie with a great tense story, powerful characters, and a solid conclusion.

Sophia: I kind of waver on my feelings for Faye Dunaway, she's beautiful, a great actress, but she gets really raw in an indescribable way, sometimes it works for me, other times it makes me uncomfortable. In this movie, she's very mysterious, but she does her unhinged woman thing well, and it has such a crazy mind-blowing ending.

Wall-E (2008) - M: 75/100 S: 70/100

2008-12-18T12:21:00.001-08:00

Mike: The impressivle animation, sound, and direction in this slightly subversive story made it a good time. I was a little overwhelmed by the cuteness and the corniness of the plot and the story seems to putter out about 70 minutes in, but definitely a well-made movie.

Sophia: This movie did not change my life (as the blockbuster clerk told me it would), but I did think it was cute. In the event that I spawn children, I would certainly be more interested in showing them this over almost any other children's movie I've seen.

Dr. Syn, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964) - M: 65/100 S: 65/100

2008-12-16T14:31:00.000-08:00

Mike: We watched the 3-episode TV show version, not the movie. It was kind of aimless, but I like the actors and suspense and drama are fun enough, particularly as a children's show. We mostly just viewed it as big Patrick McGoohan fans...

Sophia: The costumes were a bit scary for kids, Mcgoohan got to do some trademark yelling, and it was subversive in regards to opinions of and actions towards those in charge. It also had some morality lessons (showing that it's okay to do illegal things when the people in charge are unfairly treating their constituents) which was interesting for Disney.

Bullitt (1968) - M:83/100 S:90/100

2008-12-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Mike: Classic insubordinate cop movie with an interesting story and a lot of pensive sections. Famous car chase is great.

Sophia: I enjoyed the San Francisco backdrop, the subtlety and movement of the plot, and the handsomeness of Steve McQueen.

Cool Hand Luke (1967) - M:75/100 S:82/100

2008-12-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

Mike: A bit heavy handed with the religious imagery and the savior and martyr concepts, but another good movie from before filmmakers forgot about careful construction, realism, and subtlety.

Sophia: Arty cinematography. No failure to communicate.

Wild Palms (1993) - M: 25/100 S 10/100

2008-12-04T23:36:00.001-08:00

Mike: Not a movie, but not good. Bombastic and pretentious with terrible acting and a really dumb, predictable story written by third graders. Reminded me that I have pretty much hated every single thing Oliver Stone has touched. Don't watch it!

Sophia: Jim (I'm sorry "James" for this one) Belushi should have his acting license revoked for this one.

Charlie Bartlett (2008) - M: 25/100 S 30/100

2008-12-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

Mike: Silly, obvious movie with pretty much nothing interesting going on except a big fat reference to Harold and Maude.

Sophia: It was a cute movie to watch with Mike's family at Thanksgiving. It was entirely predictable but I enjoyed the Harold and Maude references.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - M: 50/100

2008-11-29T02:03:00.000-08:00

Mike: Pretty dumb, but I had such low expectations that I kind of enjoyed sections of it. Not really good, but no more painful than Episodes 1-3.

To Have and Have Not (1944) - M: 85/100 S 79/100

2008-11-25T23:19:00.000-08:00

Mike: Sort of medicore story, with a lot of similarities to Casablanca, absolutely saved and made awesome by Lauren Bacall (and whoever wrote her lines) in her film debut.

Sophia: Bogie and Lauren sizzle together, and the famous line "you know how to whistle, don't you" was well played.

Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1994) - M: 51/100 S 40/100

2008-11-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Mike: A poorly made documentary on a very deserving topic. Some amazing footage. I am very grateful to the filmmaker for giving us a look at and into Rockmore and Theremin in their final days. Still, there was virtually a complete failure to tell a story here.

Sophia: This movie needed to choose if it was about Theremin the instrument or Theremin the man, or at least attempt to weave the two together in a more interesting fashion. There is plenty of intrigue in his life, and the "odyssey" of the Theremin, but very little was presented here.

The Big Sleep (1946) - M: 95/100 S: 90/100

2008-11-24T21:56:00.000-08:00

Mike: Perhaps the classic noir film. Convoluted plot, but great.

Sophia: Another great Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall pairing. It's a classic "private eye" film, and defines the genre.

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) - M: 75/100 S 70/100

2008-11-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

Mike: Sassy antihero battle of the sexes.

Sophia: what Mike said.

Body Heat (1981) - M: 65/100 S 40/100

2008-11-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

Mike: '80s Noir with great homage dialogue and feel. Plot was a little too obvious, but it was fun anyway.

Sophia: Twists were obvious, I didn't think Kathleen Turner was pretty enough for the role, and William Hurt was an idiot.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) - M:60/100 S 50/100

2008-11-24T16:08:00.001-08:00

Mike: Mostly a clever ode to '50s B-movies and their inane plots, partly ruined by some stupid "modern" special effects. Most bold in its complete departure from the '30s-styled serial of the other films.

Sophia: Eh.

Day of the Jackal (1973) - M: 75/100 S 89/100

2008-11-23T21:58:00.001-08:00

Mike: Slowly built cat-and-mouse assassination movie. Slow with some unnecessary wandering, but good tension and great ending.

Sophia: I really enjoyed this movie's slow building tension (which just doesn't exist anymore), and it has one of the top five endings of all time.

Out of the Past (1947) - M: 70/100 S 65/100

2008-11-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

Mike: Noir movie with a fairly unnecessarily convoluted plot, but fun and dark in the right places.

Sophia: A bit tedious at times, it's always interesting to see women portrayed as utterly untrustworthy.

Iron Man (2008) - M: 25/100 S 10/100

2008-11-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

Mike: Heavy handed, boring, dumb characters, super-obvious plot movement, dull, dull, dull...

Sophia: Even the parts that should be easy and interesting, like him discovering how to build the suit in his lab were dull. The best line of the film was given to Gwyneth Paltrow "taking out the trash."

Casablanca (1942) - M:100/100 S 100/100

2008-10-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Mike: Everything it's hyped up to be. Hard to beat.

Sophia: This movie tops every list, and for good reason. We watched this because I had never seen it. With all of the hype I didn't expect to like it, and I had it in my head that it was a light, romantic, pastoral, shakespeare affair. In fact, it was a romantic, wartime, starcrossed piece, that was much more interesting to me. And furthermore, I love Humphrey Bogart.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) - M: 35/100 S: 20/100

2008-10-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Mike: Didn't care much for this. Great acting, but the story didn't feel like it moved for me.

Sophia: Even Bogie can do wrong. This movie was very familiar to me, which means I watched as a kid, which means I've sat through this super tedious movie twice. Ugh! I would rather be homicidal, in the dusty mountains with some jackasses than watch this again.

Key Largo (1948) - M: 40/100 S: 30/100

2008-10-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

Mike: Eh.

Sophia: This mobster movie was ill-conceived for Bogie and Bacall.

The Dark Knight (2008) - M: First Half: 85 Second Half: 10 Full Movie: 70 S: 65/100

2008-08-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

Mike: I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this movie up until the focus came onto two-face and the ridiculous people-are-good Hollywood rubbish in the end section. It almost felt like one person wrote the movie until the scene the Joker leaves the hospital and then someone else wrote the remainder. Turn it off early.

Sophia: I liked it okay.

(Exact viewing date unknown)

The Arena (2001) - M: 1/100

2008-08-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

Mike: "Directed" by Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Wanted). Absolutely unwatchable. Not one thing worth a moment of your time. Probably the worst acting and worst script of any movie that I've ever seen.

Somewhere in Time (1980) - M: 40/100 S 50/100

2008-07-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mike: Kind of dull love story with a few interesting touches and moments.

Sophia: Super, super cheese romance.

One From the Heart S 10/100

2008-07-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Sophia: This movie was seriously, seriously bad. Tom Waits cannot rescue it. Do yourself a favor, and don't watch it, even though I just said that Tom Waits had something to do with it.

Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005) - M: 40/100 s 40/100

2008-07-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Mike: Interviews with L. Cohen were great; absolutely wonderful. Concert mostly offensively bad garbage.

Sophia: Agreed Leonard is such an interesting character with wonderful, interesting things to say about the writing process and his life and career. The covers of his songs were horrible. I'm sorry to break it to Rufus Wainwright but "Everybody Knows" does not benefit from being turned into a showtune, in fact, it's awful.

Wings for Wheels: The Making of 'Born to Run' (2005) - 20/100

2008-06-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Mike: About 5 minutes of interesting material mixed into 90 minutes of worthless and aimless wandering.

Sophia: yup. It would be a really interesting film, if it actully covered anything about "The making of Born to Run"

High Noon (1952) - M: 95/100 S: 100/100

2008-06-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

Mike: Awesome tension-filled Western carried by a great cast and a simple, sad story.

Sophia: I bawled my eyes out from start to finish. Gary Cooper is such a great actor. The movie covers honor, morals, duty, courage, and being abandoned by people you thought were your friends, colleagues, neighbors.

One of the neat things about this film (and I'm sure it's one of the first to explore this) is that it moves in almost real time, and builds tension by panning to the clock to update you on how close it's getting to.....high noon.

Also, the Tex Ritter theme song is great:

Sixteen Candles (1984) - M: 90/100

2008-05-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Mike: Probably the best of its genre. Really clever and funny. I was pleasantly surprised by my experience rewatching it.

Harvey (1950) - M: 95/100 S 96/100

2007-10-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

Mike: Absolutely wonderful and interesting movie. Giant, invisible rabbits shall rule the world and we shall invite everyone to dinner.

Sophia: Jimmy Stewart is hilarious. Donnie Darko is so much less interesting since seeing this film.

Batman Begins (2005) - M: 15/100 S: 20/100

2007-10-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

Mike: Absolutely, unforgivably terrible. So dull, I can't believe I made it through. Dumb origin story, dumb villains, dumb everything.

Sophia: It was boring, I don't see what the hoopla was all about.

Night Watch (2004) - M: 88/100

2006-12-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

Mike: Super-crazy Russian film that is a clear ode to American schlock sci-fi, but really seamlessly blends the Star Wars with the Gogol. Very cool.