La Vie en Rose

Saw La Vie en Rose on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 25 November 2007. Marion Cotillard could very well win the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Edith Piaf. The only thing I didn't like about that movie was that there was too much use of the flashbacks and flashforwards towards the end. Otherwise, it was an excellent film. Great way to end November.

No Country for Old Men

Saw No Country for Old Men at a regular theater Thursday, 22 November 2007, at 450pm. This is filmmaking of the highest quality. A lot to digest. I will admit that although I thought the movie was a well-made film and that I liked it, I would have liked it more if I understood some parts there were difficult for me to understand (it was difficult for me to understand the dialogue that were spoken with a Texan accent.) However, I read an early draft of the screenplay by the Coen Brothers and I like the movie even more now. I can now see this movie being nominated for Oscar Best Pic. I can see Javier Bardem winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Tommy Lee-Jones and Josh Brolin give the best performances of their career. Great acting from Kelly McDonald and Woody Harrelson as well. Screenplay, direction, editing are flawless. This is probably the first film I've seen with hardly any musical score. I've really come to appreciate the movie, and the effort taken to make it, more now.

Steel Toes

Saw Steel Toes online via Netflix Thursday, 22 November 2007. Exceptional acting from David Strathairn -- proves to us once again that he's worth every bit of that Oscar nom for Good Night, and Good Luck. I was compelled by the movie until about 1:10. Seemed to go nowhere after that.

You Kill Me

Saw You Kill Me on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 18 November 2007. Great screenplay with witty dialog. Wonderful performances from Luke Wilson, Tea Leoni, Philip Baker Hall, Dennis Farina, and, of course, Sir Ben Kingsley. How can he act so differently in every movie (House of Sand and Fog; Sexy Beast?)

Beowulf

Saw Beowulf in Dolby Digital 3-D Saturday, 17 November 2007, at 705pm. What a joy to watch! Robert Zemeckis is a genius; he never fails to entertain us with his movies. His special-effects films have always amazed me (the Back to the Future series, Forrest Gump, Contact, the Polar Express.) This is a must-see in 3-D. Looking forward to watching more 3-D films in 2008 and beyond!

Miss Potter

Saw Miss Potter on DVD Saturday, 10 November 2007. I was hoping that this biopic was going to be as grand as Ray or Walk the Line, but ultimately it was a very small film. Great acting from Renee Zellweger, though.

the Jane Austen Book Club

Saw the Jane Austen Book Club at the bargain theater on Saturday, 10 November 2007, at 1240pm. Fun chick flick with Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Emily Blunt, Jimmy Smits and Hugh Dancy.

American Gangster

Saw American Gangster at the regular theater Sunday, 4 November 2007, at 310pm.  I can see this movie getting nominated for Oscar Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.  I can also see acting noms for Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin (this guy is outstanding -- after seeing him in this movie and In the Valley of Elah, I can't wait to see him next in No Country for Old Men.)  All of the elements of this film (acting, directing, script, washed out color scheme, costumes, set design, pacing, editing) just turned out perfect.  Definitely one of the best films of 2007.

the TV Set

Saw the TV Set on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 3 November 2007. What a great way to start November! Such a delight to see David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver and Ioan Gruffudd having fun in this movie. Must-see movie!