The seminary has a week off for "Fall Break" and I have used this breather from the frenetic pace of the semester to catch up on my movie watching. In the past four days, I have seen four movies, possibly the most consecutive movie watching I have done since I had bronchitis two years ago.
Movie #1: Superbad
I saw Superbad at the Alamo Drafthouse, which I consider to be the most appropriate locale for such a cinegraphic experience. I split a pitcher of Shiner with a fellow moviegoer and I am convinced the slight beer-induced buzz only added to the overall hilarity of the film.
"Superbad" will not win any Academy Awards--hardly a minute passes without visual or spoken vulgarity--but despite its outrageous teen-sex-romp veneer, the movie is one of the most honest depictions of teenage "frustrations" (societal or otherwise) since the first American Pie movie. Anyway, I liked it and laughed until I cried. If you go see it, be sure to stay through the credits.
Verdict: 2 beers up!
Movie #2: Knocked Up
In keeping with our Judd Apatow theme, Ryan and I finally were able to snag a copy of "Knocked Up" from the local Blockbuster. Knocked-Up is sorta like Apatow's other movies in that the story focuses on a hapless man-child who is suddenly forced into adulthood. It seems to me that an increasing number of movies are focusing on the existential crises of men in the late 20's (i.e, The Last Kiss). Is this merely the manifestation of a post-modern, Gen X and or/Y angst? But I digress. KU is hilarious and offers a bit 'o something for everybody (love story for the sentimental types, drug-sex humor for rest of us). I have new respect for the acting abilities of Mr. Seth Rogan and hope to see him in more movies.
Verdict: Knocked Up is a knockout!
Movie #3: The Darjeeling Limited
Confession time: I'm not a huge Wes Anderson fan. I find his films a little too self-indulgent for my taste. But the fiance wanted to see it and hey, I'll watch any movie starring Adrian Brody (sorry Ryan, but if Adrian comes a knockin' on my dorm room door...just kidding).
Darjeeling Ltd. is probably the most beautiful movie I have seen in recent memory. The colors, costumes, camera angles--all typical of a Wes Anderson flick--are outstanding. I now want to travel India in a crowded railroad sleeper car. The three main actors in the movie--Jason Schwartzman, Adrian Brody, and Owen Wilson--have a quirky chemistry that seems all the more real because of the eccentricities of each character. And the soundtrack kicks ass, too.
Verdict: It's a Darjeeling of a movie!
Movie #4: Mona Lisa Smile
Checked this one out from the school library. This movie was as shallow as Darjeeling Ltd. was provocative. Its attempt at promoting feminism was, at best, weak; I liked it the first time, when it was called "Dead Poets Society."
Verdict: Van Gogh far away from this one!
2 comments:
I saw Darjeeling this weekend as well and was likewise impressed. I need to find some peacock feathers so that I can have a bizarre Hindu ceremony with them.
I have to admit that even I was once 'knocked up.' I'll never forget the humiliation of waking up next to that ugly cornball. Unfortunately for me, I was living in a sorority house and three of my sisters came in early to wake me (us) up for an outing we had planned for the day. When they saw who I was in bed with they nearly shit their panties (and I'm pretty sure I remember him letting a whallop of a beer fart right then, not knowing they were there). I totally died of embarrassment and NEVER lived it down. They called me the 'anyman' for the next two years. I never had sex again (with a man). But, seriously, oh my god, I wish I hadn't had an abortion anyway. That movie totally made me whish I stil had a child to raise. But I guess it would have gotten in the way of my job that I have now that is so cool kuz I'm a manager at my work at a telemarketing company and I never could have done that without college, and I just want to thank my mom, and, of course, dad, and Tanya my wife.
H.T. Bicknell
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