Starter for Ten

Saw Starter for Ten on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 28 August 2007. Excellent romantic comedy set in 1985. Great screenplay and witty dialogue. Superb acting from all the actors, but especially from James McAvoy. Wouldn't have been disappointed if I paid to go see it at a regular theater.

Superbad

Saw Superbad at the regular theater on Sunday, 26 August 2007, at 440pm. Thought that it was extremely well-done. The doodles were the best part -- kept me laughing all the way. It's better than other Judd Apatow/Seth Rogen productions that I've seen (the 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.) Wouldn't have been disappointed if I paid for a full-priced evening ticket to go see it.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Saw C.R.A.Z.Y. on DVD via Netflix Friday, 24 August 2007. Although I thought it had an abrupt ending, in the end, it was a very good film. I wouldn't have been disappointed to pay for a full-priced ticket for this movie at a regular theater.

Away from Her

Saw Away from Her at the bargain theater Sunday, 19th August 2007, at 150pm.  Excellent little movie from writer-director Sarah Polley.  Wonderful performances from the three leads (Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent and Olympia Dukakis.)  Wouldn't have been disappointed if I paid full price to see it.  I hope that Ms. Christie would get a Best Actress Oscar nomination (along with Ms. Jolie in A Mighty Heart.)

Avenue Montaigne

Saw Avenue Montaigne on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 18 August 2007. Good, not great. According to Wikipedia, it was on the shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, but I don't think it stood a chance against Pan's Labyrinth, Volver, the Lives of Others or After the Wedding. I'm glad I didn't have to pay more than a DVD rental.

Surf's Up

Saw Surf's Up at the local bargain theater Sunday, 12 August 2007, at 440pm. I'm pleased that this wasn't going to be the 3rd "good, but not great" movie in a row. This was a lot better than I expected. And, definitely better than the last 2 movies that I saw this weekend. I like the fact that it was shown in the style of a surfing documentary. Great to hear the voices of S. Labeouf, J. Bridges, Z. Deschanel, J. Heder and J. Woods. I wouldn't have been disappointed if I paid full price for a ticket. Too bad that it didn't do as well as Ratatouille or Meet the Robinsons (revenue-wise.)

Ocean's Thirteen

Saw Ocean's Thirteen at the bargain theater on Saturday, 11 August 2007, at 2pm. When I saw Ocean's Eleven back in 2001, I came out of the theater telling myself that what I just saw was a well-made movie. Unfortunately, I can only call this third installment good, but not great. (I'm disappointed to say that I've seen 2 "good, but not great" movies in a row.) I didn't see the second installment, so I can't compare this to the previous one. In any case, I love how the whole movie has this Las Vegas neon and desert gold hue. (I also like the fact that the Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow production logos were also stylized to fit the Las Vegas feel of the movie.) Also, it's great to see A-list starts like G. Clooney, B. Pitt, M. Damon, D. Cheadle, A. Pacino and A. Garcia all just having a great time. In the end, I'm glad that I just paid bargain price to see this movie.

Stardust

Saw Stardust at the local theater Friday, 10 August 2007, at 650pm. I thought that this movie was good, but not great. I think it would have been worth a bargain price ticket or renting it on DVD instead of paying for a regular adult evening priced ticket. However, having said that, I thought that both Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert de Niro's performances were stellar (no pun intended.) Ms. Pfeiffer was also excellent in her other summer movie Hairspray.

the Bourne Ultimatum

Saw the Bourne Ultimatum at the local theater on Sunday, 5 August 2007, at 230pm. Definitely the best of the trilogy. Strongly recommend that you watch it on the really big screen. Paul Greengrass outdid himself with this one (he deserved his United 93 directing Oscar nomination -- will the Academy reward him again 2 years in a row?) Screenplay was great. Camera work was excellent. Exceptional performances from all the major actors (Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, Albert Finney, Daniel Bruhl, Scott Glenn.) Paid matinee price for the ticket, but would have definitely paid for an adult evening price ticket. This is why we go to the pictures!

Time to Leave

Saw Time to Leave (directed by Francois Ozon, who also made Swimming Pool) on DVD (via Netflix) Saturday, 4 August 2007. I thought the film was good, but I felt a little bit unsatisfied by the last scene. Overall, I was glad to have seen it on DVD.

Meet the Robinsons

Saw Meet the Robinsons at the second-run theater Tuesday, 24 July 2007. I thought that it was the best I've seen from Disney (non-Pixar) in years. As excellent as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Although I only paid for a bargain-price ticket, I would have gladly paid for a full adult evening ticket to see it. Strongly recommended. I hope that it gets nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

Sweet Land

Saw Sweet Land on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 28 July 2007. Although it was good, I don't think I would have paid to see this movie at the theater.

Rescue Dawn

Saw Rescue Dawn at the theater on Sunday, 29 July 2007, 230pm -- paid matinee price, but I wouldn't have been disappointed if I paid full price. Great directing by Werner Herzog, great acting by Christian Bale, Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies. Hopefully, the movie will get directing/acting noms at the Oscars.

the Simpsons Movie

Saw the Simpsons Movie at the theater Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 530pm -- paid matinee price, but definitely worth the price of an adult evening ticket!