the Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Saw the Diving Bell and the Butterfly at a regular theater Sunday, 27 January 2007 at 235pm. One of the best French films I've seen this year. Julian Schnabel deserves winning the Best Director prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival and getting the Oscar nomination for Best Director. Cinematography and writing were also exceptional. Can't wait to see Persepolis next.

Sunshine

Saw Sunshine on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 26 January 2007. Why did Danny Boyle turn the last act into a slasher flick? Unfortunately, like I Am Legend, it also suffers from "third-act collapse."

This is England

Saw This is England online via Netflix Friday, 25 January 2007. One of the better British films released last year. Worthy of being nominated Best British Film at the BAFTA's.

the Savages

Saw the Savages at a regular theater Sunday, 20 January 2007, at 2pm. At one point, I was thinking to myself that it was better than Juno, but then I felt that some scenes were unnecessary and dragging. In the end, I thought it was a great film with excellent performances. Good to see Laura Linney pick up her third Oscar nom through her performance in this film. Philip Seymour Hoffman's performances in Charlie Wilson's War and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead were superior to this one, though.

There Will Be Blood

Saw There Will Be Blood at a regular theater Saturday, 19 January 2007, at 630pm. After watching the film, I turned over to my viewing companion and said that it's impossible for this movie not to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture (and true enough, it did get the nom yesterday.) Daniel Day-Lewis is sure to win the Best Actor Oscar. I read on the Internet that there were people who didn't like the ending (just like in No Country for Old Men,) but I am very satisfied by how the film resolved itself. It's too bad that Jonny Greenwood's score is disqualified by AMPAS.

Live-In Maid

Saw Live-In Maid on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 19 January 2007. Absolutely found this film adorable. Reminds me of the upper-middle class señoras back home who can't live without a maid (I wonder how many were affected by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.) Loved the ending too.

Charlie Wilson's War

Saw Charlie Wilson's War at the regular theater Saturday, 12 January 2008, at 1210pm. Loved Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance (can't wait to see him next in the Savages.) But, overall, the movie was good, but not great. Don't think it will be nominated for Oscar Best Pic.

Shoot 'Em Up

Saw Shoot 'Em Up on DVD via Netflix on Friday, 11 January 2008. I actually enjoyed this movie a lot. I love the fact that Clive Owen was in a movie where women can no longer bear children (Children of Men,) while here, he's trying to save a baby from Paul Giamatti (who at one point blurted out -- "f*** me Sideways!") Loved the over-the-top action scenes. One of the better actions movies of 2007!

I Am Legend

Saw I Am Legend at the IMAX theater Sunday, 6 January 2008, at 2pm. I agree with one of the critics who said that this film suffers from "third-act collapse." Not that great.

Dan In Real Life

Saw Dan In Real Life at the budget theater Saturday, 5 January 2008, at 220pm. Worse than what I expected. I don't think there were a lot of moments when the audience laughed during the movie. I was surprised when I saw this as one of the nominees for Best Comedy during the Critics Choice Awards. Good thing I only paid bargain price.

Lady Chatterley

Saw Lady Chatterley on DVD via Netflix, Saturday, 29 December 2007. Second of the 2 disappointing French-related movies. After it ended, I couldn't believe that it actually won the Cesar Award for Best Picture. Worse than 2 Days in Paris. Good thing I didn't have to pay anything extra (save for my monthly subscription fee) to see this movie. I hope that the Diving Bell and the Butterfly will not leave me with the same feeling.

2 Days in Paris

Saw 2 Days in Paris at the bargain theater, Friday, 28 December 2007, at 720pm. First of 2 disappointing French-related movies I saw one after the other. I was actually enjoying the first part of the movie. Somehow, after Adam Goldberg's character left the public market to head back to the apartment, the movie fell apart. It just never recovered.