Drum Roll Please!
20. Kick-Ass
19. Mother and Child
18. The Fighter
17. Cyrus
16. Easy A
15. Fair Game
14. Scott Pilgram vs the World
13. Please Give
12. Greenberg
11. Tamara Drewe
10. I Love You Phillip Morris
9. I Am Love
8. Tiny Furniture
7. The Town
6. The Kids Are Alright
5. Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
4. The Social Network
3. The Square
2. Helena From the Wedding
1. Blue Valentine
Honorable Mention: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Black Swan, Get Low, Chloe, Rabbit Hole, Ghost Writer, Winter's Bone.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Rabbit Hole - Movie Review
Rabbit Hole (PG-13) 92 Minutes B
Down in a Hole
Starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard, Miles Teller, Sandra Oh
Here's a nice, quiet little film that despite its two stars (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) has virtually gone unnoticed. Perhaps it's the subject matter that turned audiences away but anyone who enjoys a well-executed drama and outstanding acting by a leading lady should see this film.
It's the story of a couple struggling to get back on track after the death of their son, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Eckhart) are dealing with the loss in different ways. Ways that are destroying their marriage and dragging them into an abyss of nothingness. However, it's not as depressing as it sounds. At the core is healing, forgiving and a reminder that life does go on.
Down in a Hole
Starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard, Miles Teller, Sandra Oh
Here's a nice, quiet little film that despite its two stars (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) has virtually gone unnoticed. Perhaps it's the subject matter that turned audiences away but anyone who enjoys a well-executed drama and outstanding acting by a leading lady should see this film.
It's the story of a couple struggling to get back on track after the death of their son, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Eckhart) are dealing with the loss in different ways. Ways that are destroying their marriage and dragging them into an abyss of nothingness. However, it's not as depressing as it sounds. At the core is healing, forgiving and a reminder that life does go on.
Monday, February 21, 2011
True Grit - Movie Review
True Grit (PG-13) 110 minutes B-
Grit-Lite
Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.
With the possible exception of Chloe Grace Moretz in Kick-Ass (Hit-Girl) I might have a prejudice against actors/actresses under the age of 15 who portray roles that are intellectually and logically too mature for their age. Hailee Steinfeld is an uber-talented young actress but I'm not buying her character, 14 year-old Mattie Ross. As adorable as she may be, the too-big-for-her-britches shtick at the beginning of the film was off-putting; it took me awhile to really sink my teeth into this film.
That being said, it did get better and much more entertaining after the first 20 minutes or so. Overall the film felt a little generic and lacked some of the edginess I've come to love and expect from the Coen brothers. Not a bad outing, but perhaps a little underwhelming considering the Coen's past success and the star-studded cast (primary cast - Steinfield, Brolin, Damon, Bridges have all been nominated or have won Oscars). An entertaining film but not one that will linger afterwards.
Grit-Lite
Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.
With the possible exception of Chloe Grace Moretz in Kick-Ass (Hit-Girl) I might have a prejudice against actors/actresses under the age of 15 who portray roles that are intellectually and logically too mature for their age. Hailee Steinfeld is an uber-talented young actress but I'm not buying her character, 14 year-old Mattie Ross. As adorable as she may be, the too-big-for-her-britches shtick at the beginning of the film was off-putting; it took me awhile to really sink my teeth into this film.
That being said, it did get better and much more entertaining after the first 20 minutes or so. Overall the film felt a little generic and lacked some of the edginess I've come to love and expect from the Coen brothers. Not a bad outing, but perhaps a little underwhelming considering the Coen's past success and the star-studded cast (primary cast - Steinfield, Brolin, Damon, Bridges have all been nominated or have won Oscars). An entertaining film but not one that will linger afterwards.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Winter's Bone - Movie Review
Winter's Bone (R) 100 minutes B
The bone of my discontent
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, Lauren Sweetser and Tate Taylor
The bone of my discontent
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, Lauren Sweetser and Tate Taylor
Because of its Oscar nomination for Best Picture and Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-worthy performance, Winter's Bone was re-released in theaters late in 2010. By this time I'd heard all the hype and my expectations were high. The film is good in a gritty and resilient kind of way. I'm glad the the Academy recognized such a small, blue collar indie. Yet I can't help but wonder/compare fellow Sundance darlings like 2009's Frozen River and 2004's Down to the Bone. Why didn't they receive the same notoriety? All three films are cut from the same cold, desolate cloth with the latter two films being slightly superior to Winter's Bone.
Nevertheless, you can't go wrong with any of the three aforementioned films. In Winter's Bone Jennifer Lawrence plays a tough, unbreakable 17-year old in the rural South struggling to support her little brother, sister and catatonic mother. With no money, barely any food and the looming threat of losing their home our young heroine braves dangerous territory to find her father... dead or alive.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Best Concerts of 2010
My Top Three Live Shows From The Past Year
3. Katie Herzig @ the Walnut Room - 7/8/10
2. Chris Isaak @ Arvada Center - 8/7/10
1. The Jill and Julia Show @ Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret - 6/25/10
3. Katie Herzig @ the Walnut Room - 7/8/10
2. Chris Isaak @ Arvada Center - 8/7/10
1. The Jill and Julia Show @ Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret - 6/25/10
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Writers Respond To Readers @ the Tattered Cover
This is an annual event at the Tattered Cover Book Store http://www.tatteredcover.com/writers-respond-readers, this year's star-studded line-up included Heidi Durrow, Jennifer Egan, Julie Orringer and Jess Walter. Here's what I thought...
Heidi Durrow
Without saying a word or acknowledging the audience she walked to the podium and began to read. She's stunning and quite fashionable. Her novel The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is currently perched at number 18 on the New York Times (Paperback Trade Fiction) Best Sellers List and getting A LOT of praise from fans and critics alike.
Durrow’s journey to to becoming a published novelist is interesting and inspiring. A graduate of Stanford, Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism and Yale Law School, the successful corporate litigator (who worked with the NBA and NFL) decided to quit her job and write the next great American novel. She wrote her novel and proceeded to be rejected 48 times before receiving the 2008 Barbara Kingsolver Bellwether Prize for literature of social change for The Girl Who Fell From the Sky.
After meeting and listening to her I was sold. She's got a bright literary future ahead and enough charisma to fill an entire bookstore. Look for big things from this budding talent.
Jennifer Egan
I’m currently reading A Visit From the Goon Squad, the highly acclaimed book by Jennifer Egan that Time magazine called "a new classic of American fiction". I was anxious to see, listen and meet her. When I did, the first image to pop into my mind was Cate Blanchett in Notes From A Scandal. Egan is tall, thin and sophisticatedly sultry. Sporting black knee high boots I would've pegged her as a former model rather than bestselling author.
Egan had my favorite quote of the day when she said her latest book was the literary equivalent of a concept album- I love that! She went on to joke about resurrecting her novel of historical fiction and said that her next project will be very different than Goon Squad, which is too bad because I'm really enjoying it so far.
Julie Orringer
Orringer was the third author to speak and unfortunately she had the after lunch time slot. That's usually when the coffee is wearing off and I slip into an after-lunch-coma, especially when I opt for the oversized burrito (it's a weakness). Of all the books talked about today hers is least likely to rest on my shelf. That's not to say she wasn't good because I thoroughly enjoyed her talk.
She discussed the difficult parts of writing a novel and experiencing "holy panic". I love hearing the inspirational stories of being a writer but I think it's equally important to hear about the struggles, Orringer brought the pain. It took 5 years to revise her collection of 9 short stories called How to Breathe Underwater, she methodically revised/trimmed her latest novel from 1300 to 600 pages, and went through 14 different titles before deciding on The Invisible Bridge.
Jess Walter
Last but not least was Jess Walter, initially he was the main draw for me. After seeing, listening and meeting the first three amazing authors I wondered if he would be disappointing? He wasn't, Walter has jokes and he's hilarious! I read his most recent novel and experienced a few laugh out loud moments yet I was pleasantly surprised how well his humor translated off the page.
The other thing that stood out was how different he looked in person compared to the book jacket photo. The photo isn't bad but in the flesh he looked younger and more vibrant. I learned that he came from humble beginnings, he wrote his last novel quickly (at the speed of light compared to the previous authors) and he's a little shy. Walter read from his novel, answered a few questions and hasta la vista baby!
I sort of expected the audience to be a little put off by the pot-oriented humor of his novel, yet the mainly female audience laughed hard and laughed often. A few ladies looked uncomfortable but he had the majority at hello.
Below are the free galleys from the event. The Tattered Cover also provided free eats throughout the day and a wine and cheese reception afterwards. Thank You Tattered Cover!
Heidi Durrow
Without saying a word or acknowledging the audience she walked to the podium and began to read. She's stunning and quite fashionable. Her novel The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is currently perched at number 18 on the New York Times (Paperback Trade Fiction) Best Sellers List and getting A LOT of praise from fans and critics alike.
Durrow’s journey to to becoming a published novelist is interesting and inspiring. A graduate of Stanford, Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism and Yale Law School, the successful corporate litigator (who worked with the NBA and NFL) decided to quit her job and write the next great American novel. She wrote her novel and proceeded to be rejected 48 times before receiving the 2008 Barbara Kingsolver Bellwether Prize for literature of social change for The Girl Who Fell From the Sky.
After meeting and listening to her I was sold. She's got a bright literary future ahead and enough charisma to fill an entire bookstore. Look for big things from this budding talent.
Jennifer Egan
I’m currently reading A Visit From the Goon Squad, the highly acclaimed book by Jennifer Egan that Time magazine called "a new classic of American fiction". I was anxious to see, listen and meet her. When I did, the first image to pop into my mind was Cate Blanchett in Notes From A Scandal. Egan is tall, thin and sophisticatedly sultry. Sporting black knee high boots I would've pegged her as a former model rather than bestselling author.
Egan had my favorite quote of the day when she said her latest book was the literary equivalent of a concept album- I love that! She went on to joke about resurrecting her novel of historical fiction and said that her next project will be very different than Goon Squad, which is too bad because I'm really enjoying it so far.
Julie Orringer
Orringer was the third author to speak and unfortunately she had the after lunch time slot. That's usually when the coffee is wearing off and I slip into an after-lunch-coma, especially when I opt for the oversized burrito (it's a weakness). Of all the books talked about today hers is least likely to rest on my shelf. That's not to say she wasn't good because I thoroughly enjoyed her talk.
She discussed the difficult parts of writing a novel and experiencing "holy panic". I love hearing the inspirational stories of being a writer but I think it's equally important to hear about the struggles, Orringer brought the pain. It took 5 years to revise her collection of 9 short stories called How to Breathe Underwater, she methodically revised/trimmed her latest novel from 1300 to 600 pages, and went through 14 different titles before deciding on The Invisible Bridge.
Jess Walter
Last but not least was Jess Walter, initially he was the main draw for me. After seeing, listening and meeting the first three amazing authors I wondered if he would be disappointing? He wasn't, Walter has jokes and he's hilarious! I read his most recent novel and experienced a few laugh out loud moments yet I was pleasantly surprised how well his humor translated off the page.
The other thing that stood out was how different he looked in person compared to the book jacket photo. The photo isn't bad but in the flesh he looked younger and more vibrant. I learned that he came from humble beginnings, he wrote his last novel quickly (at the speed of light compared to the previous authors) and he's a little shy. Walter read from his novel, answered a few questions and hasta la vista baby!
I sort of expected the audience to be a little put off by the pot-oriented humor of his novel, yet the mainly female audience laughed hard and laughed often. A few ladies looked uncomfortable but he had the majority at hello.
Below are the free galleys from the event. The Tattered Cover also provided free eats throughout the day and a wine and cheese reception afterwards. Thank You Tattered Cover!
Friday, January 28, 2011
MGM's Sundance 2011 Wrap-up
Here's what we saw:
The Off Hours (93 minutes) A
Francine has no family, few friends and empty sex. The Off Hours is a powerful and moving film about the mundane life of a small town waitress and other lost souls who would rather exist than live life.
Another Happy Day (115 minutes) B+
A well executed melodrama about a family with LOTS of baggage and self destructive behavior. Stars Ellen Barkin, Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth and Thomas Haden Church. Dysfunction Junction.
Another Earth (92 minutes) A+
Director Mike Cahill brings us a truly original film about love, death, space and isolation. An out of this world experience.
Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (76 minutes) B-
Low budget, fun and campy. I wouldn't be surprised if this one goes on to become a cult classic.
Meek's Cutoff (104 minutes) D-
I didn't get it and didn't care. Stars Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Shirley Henderson; good actors, bad film.
Little Birds (94 minutes) B+
A gritty look at a couple of small town teenagers who run off to LA and get caught up in a teenage wasteland
The Details (91 minutes) A-
Initially I felt like I'd seen this film before, another clever portrayal of a marriage gone wild. But this sad and funny meditation of domestic dysfunction lingered for days after seeing it.
Short Films (Shorts Program II)
Sexting (8 minutes) A-
Babyland (28 minutes) A
Blokes (15 minutes) B
We're Leaving (13 minutes) B
The Wind is Blowing on My Street (15 minutes) B
Brick Novax, Part 1 (8 minutes) A+
Brick Novax, Part 2 (8 minutes) A+
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Secret Life of Slippers (Book Review)
Jess Walter - The Financial Lives of the Poets B-
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
Matthew Prior quit his job as a business reporter and decided to intertwine his passions for finance and poetry by creating a dotcom that offers financial news, updates & advice in verse. It was called Poetfolio.com; an original idea, clever name and to no one’s surprise a total dud.
Unemployed, crippled by debt and on the verge of losing his family (he suspects his wife is having an online affair) and home, a late night trip to 7-Eleven changes everything.
The Financial Lives of the Poets is a humorous and sometimes sad story of a desperate man taking desperate measures. I enjoyed this novel but it never hooked me (emotionally) like I hoped it would. Bottom Line: I was hoping for edgier and darker content but Poets is more like network television and less like cable. Yet it's still worth reading if you're looking for something fun with heavier undertones and a sitcom-like feel.
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
Matthew Prior quit his job as a business reporter and decided to intertwine his passions for finance and poetry by creating a dotcom that offers financial news, updates & advice in verse. It was called Poetfolio.com; an original idea, clever name and to no one’s surprise a total dud.
Unemployed, crippled by debt and on the verge of losing his family (he suspects his wife is having an online affair) and home, a late night trip to 7-Eleven changes everything.
The Financial Lives of the Poets is a humorous and sometimes sad story of a desperate man taking desperate measures. I enjoyed this novel but it never hooked me (emotionally) like I hoped it would. Bottom Line: I was hoping for edgier and darker content but Poets is more like network television and less like cable. Yet it's still worth reading if you're looking for something fun with heavier undertones and a sitcom-like feel.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Fighter - Movie Review
The Fighter (R) 114 minutes B+
A Junkie's Promise
Starring Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo
The Fighter is a familiar film, I hate to say it reminded me of the Rocky Balboa films of the late 70's and 80's but it did. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, Rocky had his day and The Fighter will as well.
A destructive, meddlesome family he loves, an irresistible midriff baring girlfriend, a gang of sisters with big hair, feathered hairdos and more bleach than a Clorox factory, the shadow of his drug riddled brother and a David vs Goliath shot at the title. The film is equal parts grit, nostalgia, drama and good old fashion beat downs.
In the end it displays a surprising amount of heart and is sure to win over most audiences not opposed to the sure violence of boxing and a little crackhead humor.
A Junkie's Promise
Starring Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo
The Fighter is a familiar film, I hate to say it reminded me of the Rocky Balboa films of the late 70's and 80's but it did. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, Rocky had his day and The Fighter will as well.
A destructive, meddlesome family he loves, an irresistible midriff baring girlfriend, a gang of sisters with big hair, feathered hairdos and more bleach than a Clorox factory, the shadow of his drug riddled brother and a David vs Goliath shot at the title. The film is equal parts grit, nostalgia, drama and good old fashion beat downs.
In the end it displays a surprising amount of heart and is sure to win over most audiences not opposed to the sure violence of boxing and a little crackhead humor.
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