Juno

Saw Juno at the regular theater Christmas Day, 25 December 2007, at 705pm. Better than what I expected. Kept laughing all throughout the movie. The exchange of dialogue flowed so effortlessly. I love how the movie resolved itself perfectly. I can see this movie being nominated for an Oscar Best Picture (just like Little Miss Sunshine last year), and for Best Actress (Ellen Page carried the whole movie.)

Atonement

Saw Atonement at the regular theater Saturday, 22 December 2007, at 650pm. I think I went into this movie with high expectations. Unfortunately, they were definitely not met. Before the critics' top ten lists started appearing, this was touted as the Oscar Best Picture frontrunner. The person I went to see the movie with sums it up perfectly -- the whole is less than the sum of the parts. I did like some technical aspects of the film though -- acting, direction, screenplay, editing, cinematography and most especially, the musical score which incorporated the sound of a typewriter. After watching this, I think that No Country for Old Men might actually win the Oscar for Best Picture.

Interview

Saw Interview on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 22 December 2007. I should have checked the Tomatometer for this movie before letting Netflix send the DVD. Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller's acting talents were wasted by the poor screenplay. The exchange of dialogue was excruciatingly painful to hear. I couldn't wait for the movie to be over (there were times when I tempted myself to just stop the DVD and forget about what I just saw.) Too bad I wasted 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back.

Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Saw Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the regular theater on Friday, 21 December 2007, at 730pm. I wasn't getting into the movie during the first couple of songs, but from the moment Johanna sang until the finale, I was pretty hooked. I have to remind myself not to compare it to Dreamgirls or Hairspray coz the former 2 are more chorale-type musicals, whereas the songs in Sweeney Todd were sung by soloists or duets. For what it was, I think it was an extremely well-crafted film. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were excellent in the lead roles, but I thought that the real acting gems were Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall. Could be up for an Oscar Best Picture nom.

Chalk

Saw Chalk on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 15 December 2007. I decided to put this movie into my queue after seeing that it ran for a week at the nearby regular theater (and checking the Tomatometer.) When I read that it was a documentary-style comedy, I thought that I wouldn't like it. I was mistaken -- I actually felt that it was a good movie. (But I don't think I would have paid a full-priced ticket to see it at a regular theater.)

I'm Not There

Saw I'm Not There at the regular theater Saturday, 8 December 2007, at 250pm. Although each of the six vignettes were excellent on their own, in the end, the total was less than the sum of the parts. However, the Supporting Actress Oscar buzz for Cate Blanchett is well-justified.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Saw Before the Devil Knows You're Dead at a regular theater Sunday, 2 December 2007, at 220pm. I needed to see a good movie to cleanse the bad aftertaste left by the Golden Compass. Thankfully, this film delivered. Great acting ensemble piece from Sidney Lumet; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris were well-cast. Excellent screenplay from first-time screenwriter Kelly Masterson. Hope that it will garner some Oscar noms.

the Golden Compass

Saw the Golden Compass via a sneak preview screening Saturday, 1 December 2007, at 710pm. I did not read the book before I saw the movie, so I was trying to see if I could enjoy the movie as it was. I did not think it was a good film. The film felt rushed; the characters and the relationships between them were not fully developed. I literally gasped when, after an extended pause, I saw the director's name as the credits started rolling. I couldn't believe that Chris Weitz chose to end it like that. The day after the movie, I started reading the book. Granted, I've only read the first five chapters, but it seemed like the book and the movie tell 2 different stories. I read that Chris Weitz needed to make this film financially successful so that he can make the rest of the trilogy. But after this critical flop, who would watch the next 2?

My Best Friend

Saw My Best Friend on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 1 December 2007. What a great way to start December! This enjoyable movie was such a joy to watch! The two leads - Daniel Auteuil and Dany Boon (saw them in the Valet earlier this year) - were great! Kept me engaged until the very end. This was been a great year of French movies for me - I'm looking forward to seeing the Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Persepolis.