Up in the Air

Saw Up in the Air at the regular theater on Wednesday, 23 December 2009, at 715pm. The best from Jason Reitman so far, and yet I didn't really like the ending. Felt like it had no direction in the third act. Recommend, but with reservations.

Avatar

Saw a digital 3-D presentation of Avatar at the regular theater on Monday, 21 December 2009, at 640pm. James Cameron is king of another world! Couldn't tell which objects were real or CGI. Definitely one of the ten best films of the year. Highly recommended!

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Saw Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire at the regular theater Saturday, 19 December 2009, at 7pm. Excellent movie. Worthy of being nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Mo'Nique and G. Sidibe are also worthy of being nominated for acting Oscars. Would definitely recommend this movie to anyone.

Invictus

Saw Invictus at the regular theater Saturday, 12 December 2009, at 640pm. Good movie by Clint Eastwood, but I thought Gran Torino was better.

Gomorrah

Finished seeing Gomorrah on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 8 December 2009. Good, not great.

Ballast

Saw Ballast on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 29 November 2009. Although the performances were excellent, I thought this was just good, not great.

Fantastic Mr Fox

Saw Fantastic Mr Fox at the regular theater Thursday, 26 November 2009, at 330pm. Second good, not great, movie in a row. Although this was better than An Education, I thought Monsters vs Aliens was a better animated movie than this.

An Education

Saw An Education at the regular theater Sunday, 22 November 2009, at 1140pm. Good, not great. Don't know what all the Oscar buzz is about. If there was anyone who deserves an Oscar nomination, it's Alfred Molina.

Sugar

Saw Sugar on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 17 November 2009. Good, but not great, sophomore effort from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

Rudo y Cursi

Saw Rudo y Cursi on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 8 November 2009. What an excellent way to start November! Loved how the movie kept you guessing until the last minute what will happen in the end.

Nothing but the Truth

Saw Nothing but the Truth on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 27 October 2009. Excellent way to end October! Great performances from all the major actors. Best reveal at the end, ever!

Where the Wild Things Are

Saw Where the Wild Things Are at the regular theater Sunday, 18 October 2009, at 130pm. Lovely movie with a bittersweet ending. Strongly recommended. Two thumbs up!

Katyn

Saw Katyn on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 11 October 2009. Felt it should have been 30 minutes shorter, but definitely worthy of being nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Sin Nombre

Saw Sin Nombre on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 29 September 2009. Very good indie/foreign movie. Worthy of the directing and cinematography awards that it received at the Sundance Film Festival.

the Express

Saw the Express on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 22 September 2009. Better than Cadillac Records. Enjoyed it. Recommended.

Cadillac Records

Saw Cadillac Records on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 20 September 2009. Good, not great. Dreamgirls, of course, was way better.

9

Saw 9 at the Ultrascreen on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 at 7pm. Good, not great, but the visuals were stunning.

I Love You, Man

Saw I Love You, Man on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 6 September 2009. Pretty good for a bromatic comedy. Recommended.

the Class (Entre les murs)

Saw the Class (Entre les murs) on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 2 September 2009. Felt the same way about this movie as I felt about other Palme D'or winners like Elephant and the Wind that Shakes the Barley -- they're not bad, they deserve to win the Palme D'or, but they don't deserve to be one of the Oscar Best Pic nominees.

District 9

Saw District 9 at the UltraScreen Friday, 14 August 2009, at 740pm. One of the best films to come out this year. Looking forward to the sequel so that hopefully my questions will be answered. Highly recommended.

12

Saw 12 on DVD via Netflix Thursday, 20 August 2009. Very good film. Worthy of having been nominated by the Academy for Best Foreign Language Film.

the Hurt Locker

Saw the Hurt Locker at the regular theater Sunday, 2 August 2009, at 11opm. Great way to start August! One of the best films I've seen this year! Most likely to be included in the Oscar Big Ten.

Let the Right One In

Saw Let the Right One In on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 26 July 2009. What an excellent way to end July! One of the best movies I've seen this year. The pool scene at the end was one-of-a-kind. Highly recommended. Two thumps up!

Valkyrie

Saw Valkyrie on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 19 July 2009. Thought it was better than I expected. Don't know why it got mixed reviews. Strongly recommended.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the regular theater Wednesday, 15 July 2009, at 7pm. Wasn't as good as #5 or #3. Thought that the movie deviated too much from the source material. Having said that, the direction, acting and cinematography were all excellent. Would still recommend people to watch it.

Bruno

Saw Bruno at the regular theater Friday, 10 July 2009, at 705pm. Wasn't as great as Borat. There were many times where I wasn't laughing at all. Would only recommend this to people if they're not going to pay full price.

Public Enemies

Saw Public Enemies at the regular theater on Sunday, 12 July 2009, at 210pm. Elicited no emotion from me. I thought Johnny's and Marion's performances were the best parts of the movie, but unfortunately, the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

Taken

Saw Taken on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 11 July 2009. Despite the mixed reviews, I thought that it was a great action-packed movie. Hopefully, if they make a sequel, they'll have a bigger budget.

Waltz with Bashir

Saw Waltz with Bashir on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 28 June 2009. Excellent way to end June. Totally deserved an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Also deserved to win the Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes. Definitely recommended.

Last Chance Harvey

Saw Last Chance Harvey on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 21 June 2009. Good, not great also. The first part was actually pretty good. When Dustin and Emma's characters finally meet, the movie goes downhill from there. They don't have any chemistry.

Adventureland

Saw Adventureland at the bargain theater on Saturday, 20 June 2009, at 1230pm. It was okay. Good, not great. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was better.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Saw Zack and Miri Make a Porno on DVD Sunday, 14 June 2009. Very funny until they were actually filming the porno. Went downhill from there. Sunshine Cleaning was actually better in the end.

Sunshine Cleaning

Saw Sunshine Cleaning at the bargain theater on Saturday, 13 June 2009 at 1230pm. Very good performances from all the major actors -- Blunt, Adams, Arkin and Zahn. Definitely recommended.

Elegy

Saw Elegy on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 9 June 2009. Was so bad that I didn't get to finish it.

Pineapple Express

Saw Pineapple Express on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 31 May 2009. Good, but not great. Good thing I just saw it on DVD and didn't pay anything other than my Netflix subscription fee.

Up

Saw a Digital 3-D presentation of Up at a regular theater Saturday, 30 May 2009, at 1220pm. Although it was an excellent movie, I still think WALL-E is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Wendy and Lucy

Saw Wendy and Lucy on DVD via Netflix Friday, 22 May 2009. What was the point of this movie? I felt the same way after watching Old Joy.

He's Just Not That Into You

Saw He's Just Not That Into You at the bargain theater Saturday, 9 May 2009, at 210pm. Was just a so-so romantic comedy. Good thing I only paid for a bargain theater ticket and not more.

Star Trek

Saw Star Trek at an IMAX theater Wednesday, 13 May 2009, at 7pm. One of the best films of 2009. Don't know if there will be a better blockbuster this summer.

Synecdoche, New York

Saw Synecdoche, New York on DVD Saturday, 2 May 2009. Not a great way to start the month of May. Felt a bit over-the-top. Charlie Kaufman's previous efforts were much better -- especially Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Would not recommend this.

Tell No One

Saw Tell No One on DVD via Netflix Friday, 24 April 2009. Engaging French thriller. Loved how it all ties up in the end. Recommended.

State of Play

Saw State of Play at the regular theater Saturday, 18 April 2009 at 1045pm. I thought it was a very good movie. Same feeling I had after watching Breach. All the actors -- Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Jeff Daniels, and Jason Bateman -- were great!

Monsters vs Aliens

Saw a Digital 3-D presentation of Monsters vs Aliens Sunday, 12, April 2009, at 155pm. As usual, the 3-D effects were dazzling. The story wasn't as touching as Kung Fu Panda or WALL-E, but I have to say that it was worth seeing the movie in 3-D.

Marley and Me

Saw Marley and Me on the plane Saturday, 11 April 2009. It was actually not bad!

the Day the Earth Stood Still

Saw the Day the Earth Stood Still on the plane Monday, 25 March 2009. This movie should not have been made and I should not have watched it.

Twilight

Saw Twilight on the plane Monday, 25 March 2009. This was actually not bad -- I thought I wasn't going to like it, but I did like it. I'm actually intrigued by what will happen in the next movie.

Australia

Saw Australia on the plane Monday, 23 March 2009. I think it tried to do too much, even thought it was 2.5 hours. Good, not great.

Brick Lane

Saw Brick Lane on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 15 March 2009. Good, but not great. Same feeling I had after watching the Namesake.

Watchmen

Saw Watchmen at the regular theater Sunday, 8 March 2009, at 150pm. Very good, but not great. Felt that Dr. Manhattan's change of heart was unconvincing. Also felt that it should have ended when Night Owl's ship flew away from Antartica. Having said these, I would still recommend that people see the movie. Didn't regret paying to see it on the big screen.

Changeling

Saw Changeling on DVD via Netflix, Sunday, 1 March 2009. Felt it was an hour too long. Not recommended.

Beaufort

Saw Beaufort on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 22 February 2009. Didn't think there was anything special with this film. The Band's Visit was a better Israeli film.

I've Loved You So Long

Saw I've Loved You So Long at the regular theater on Sunday, 16 Feburary 2009, at 135pm. Kristin Scott Thomas deserves the kudos she's getting for her performance. It's too bad she wasn't nominated for Oscar Best Actress. Absolutely loved the final reveal. Highly recommended.

Brideshead Revisited

Saw Brideshead Revisited on DVD via Netflix on Friday, 13 February 2009. Felt like it was 45 minutes too long. It should have ended shortly after we looped back to the scene at the beginning of the film. Wouldn't recommend this movie.

the Reader

Saw the Reader at the regular theater Sunday, 1 February 2009, at 145pm. Great way to start February. Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes were both great in their roles. Worth of an Oscar nom for Best Pic, but I don't believe it will win. Definitely better than the Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Milk.

the Wackness

Saw the Wackness on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 31 January 2009. Felt like there was no overarching plot. Was the film really shot this way? The colors were washed out. Ben Kingsley, as usual, was excellent.

Frost/Nixon

Saw Frost/Nixon at the regular theater on Sunday, 25 January 2009, at 110pm. One of the best movies of 2008. Much better than the Curious Case of Benjamin Button or Milk. Definitely deserves an Oscar nom for Best Pic. I think all of the major actors -- Frank Langella, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfadyen, and Michael Sheen -- were excellent.

Transsiberian

Saw Transsiberian on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 24 January 2009. Some of the events were implausible. Couldn't see how people in real life would behave the way the characters in the film do. Good, but not great. Excellent acting from all the major actors though, especially Ben Kingsley.

the Wrestler

Saw the Wrestler at the regular theater Sunday, 18 January 2009, at 250pm. Excellent little film from Darren Aronofsky. Wonderful performances from Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke. I want Mickey to win the Oscar for Best Actor.

the Duchess

Saw the Duchess on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 17 January 2009. Pretty good biopic. Ralph Fiennes was exceptionally good.

Gran Torino

Saw Gran Torino at the regular theater on Sunday, 11 January 2009, at 120pm. Clint Eastwood is back in fighting form. I have no plans of watching Changeling, and I thought that Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima were both subpar. His acting, direction and music were all excellent. I doubt if Clint will get a Best Actor Oscar nom, but if he did, then I think it would be much deserved. As with Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, loved the plot twist.

Ghost Town

Saw Ghost Town on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 10 January 2009. Excellent comedy. At one point I questioned how it was going to end. I'm glad it ended the way it did. Loved the last two lines at the very end.

Man On Wire

Saw Man On Wire on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 4 January 2009. Excellent way to start the new year! I'm not a big fan of documentaries per se, but I have to say that it is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Hopefully, it'll get the Oscar for Best Doc.

Doubt

Saw Doubt at the regular theater Sunday, 28 December 2008, at 240pm. While the performances by all the major actors (Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis) are worthy of acting noms, the movie itself doesn't deserve to be nominated for Best Pic -- it still felt more like a play than a fully fleshed-out movie for me -- same feeling I had after watching The History Boys. However, having said that, I'd rather this get the nom for Best Pic than the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Hamlet 2

Saw Hamlet 2 on DVD via Netflix, Saturday, 27 December 2008. I really enjoyed this much-ado-about-nothing movie. Loved the performances from all the major actors (Steve Coogan, Elizabeth Shue, Amy Poehler, Catherine Keener and David Arquette!) Very funny. Totally recommended.

the Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Saw the Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the regular theater Thursday, 25 December 2008, at 630pm. I didn't think it was as good as other people claim it to be. I actually liked Zodiac more. The CGI was flawless, though. Screenplay wasn't so good. While I hope that David Fincher will get an Oscar nom for best director, I really hope that this movie will not get a Best Pic nom because I think there are 5 other deserving movies out there.

Days and Clouds

Saw Days and Clouds on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 21 December 2008. Not as good as I had hoped. The person I saw it with thought it was so bad that it was already funny -- same reaction when we saw Marie Antoinette.

Milk

Saw Milk at the regular theater on Sunday, 14 December 2008, at 130pm. Before watching this, I thought this had a better chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Slumdog Millionaire. I was wrong -- although it was a very very good and important film, I didn't even think it should be nominated for the award. Acting was very good, especially by Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch and Diego Luna. Kudos to Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black.

Slumdog Millionaire

Saw Slumdog Millionaire at the regular theater on Saturday, 13 December 2008, at 140pm. After seeing it, I thought to myself that it was worthy of an Oscar Best Pic nom, but didn't deserve to win the actual award especially when I compare it to WALL-E and the Dark Knight. Nonetheless, screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography, writing, score were all flawless. Definitely recommended.

the Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Saw the Boy in the Striped Pajamas in the regular theater on Sunday, 7 December 2008. Although the person I saw the movie with thought that it was one of the 10 best of the year, I thought it was good but not great. In fact, I felt that I should have just rented it on DVD instead of paying for a ticket to see it. Vera Farmiga was great though.

Reprise

Saw Reprise on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 6 December 2008. Can't understand how this became Norway's entry to the Oscars. Wasn't good. Not recommended.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist at the bargain theater Sunday, 30 November 2008. Great way to end November. I thought it was a great movie, but somehow I wouldn't pay full price to see it. Would recommend to others, though.

Boy A

Saw Boy A on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 29 November 2008. Although the person that I watched this with didn't like it that much, I thought it was a pretty good movie and would recommend it. Excellent acting from Andrew Garfield -- I hope that he gets more roles in the future.

Role Models

Saw Role Models at the regular theater Thursday, 27 November 2008, at 3pm. Good not great. Happy that I only paid matinee price for this movie.

Bolt

Saw a digital 3-D presentation of Bolt at the theater. Though it's not as good as Meet the Robinsons or WALL-E, I still think this is a great animated film. I'm hoping that it will get nominated for Oscar Best Animated Feature. It's really too bad it didn't do as well as Twilight or Madagascar box-office-wise. Looking forward to more 3-D presentations in the future (Coraline, Ice Age 3, and Up.)

Quantum of Solace

Saw Quantum of Solace at the regular theater Sunday, 16 November 2008, at 220pm. A great Bond film, but not a great film. Definitely the quality is below Casino Royale's. It's good nonetheless. Hopefully Bond 23 will be better.

Snow Angels

Saw Snow Angels on DVD via Netflix, 15 Saturday 2008. Overall, it was a very good movie. Excellent acting by Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale. Not perfect, but still great.

Rachel Getting Married

Saw Rachel Getting Married at the regular theater on Sunday, 9 November 2008, at 155pm. Anne Hathaway deserves to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. I know there are a lot of people who didn't like the camerawork, but I thought it was great that they shot it like a home movie. Rosemarie DeWitt and Debra Winger should also be nominated for Best Supporting Actress Oscars. Bill Irwin's performance was also excellent. Kudos to Jonathan Demme and Jenny Lumet for their direction and screenplay. Strongly recommended.

Paranoid Park

Saw Paranoid Park on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 8 November 2008. Definitely not a mainstream film. Will turn off a lot of people. However, in the end, I did like it. I like how to story wasn't told in chronological order. I was surprised that Van Sant showed us "the scene" in all its detail. That scene, and American History X's scene, will probably haunt me for the rest of my life.

Mongol

Saw Mongol on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 1 November 2008. Excellent foreign language film! One of the best in cinematography for the year! Totally deserves to be nominated of Oscar Best Foreign Language Film. Production values were top-notch. Didn't know that a Japanese actor played Genghis Khan. Looking forward to watching the next films in the trilogy.

Tropic Thunder

Saw Tropic Thunder at the bargain theater Sunday, 26 October 2008, at 230pm. Good, not great. The whole was less than the sum of the parts. I don't think I would even recommend this.

the Visitor

Saw the Visitor on DVD Saturday, 25 October 2008. Richard Jenkins should get nominated for an Oscar. Very engaging film.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona at the regular theater Sunday, 19 October 2008, at 145pm. Although Match Point was better, this Woody Allen movie was very good. Excellent performances from all the major actors -- Patricia Clarkson, Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and Penelope Cruz -- who's being tipped for an Oscar nom. She totally deserves it.

the Edge of Heaven

Saw the Edge of Heaven on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 18 October 2008. Best movie ending I have ever seen in my entire life. Totally deserves winning the Best Screenplay award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. As good as last year's German film the Lives of Others.

Body of Lies

Saw Body of Lies at the regular theater Sunday, 12 October 2008, at 110pm. Not as good as I had hoped. So-so movie. Not as good as last year's American Gangster. Although, Mark Strong was very good as the chief of Jordanian intel. Hopefully, Leo will be better in Revolutionary Road.

Baby Mama

Saw Baby Mama on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 11 October 2008. Better than I expected. Thought that it was just going to be a shallow comedy, but it was much deeper than that. Highly recommended.

Appaloosa

Saw Appaloosa at the regular theater Sunday, 5 October 2008, at 110pm. The second good-not-great movie I saw over the weekend. Acting by the three major leads were excellent, as usual. Yet there was something missing. Thought that 3:10 to Yuma was a better Western. I'm glad I didn't pay full-price for a ticket.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 4 October 2008. First of 2 good-not-great movies I saw over the weekend. Don't know why this movie is rated 80-plus percent on Rotten Tomatoes. To me, it was just okay. Nothing spectacular. I would recommend with reservations. I'm glad I only rented this one on DVD instead of paying for a ticket at the theater.

Burn After Reading

Saw Burn After Reading at a regular theater on Sunday, 28 September 2008, at 215pm. Great way to end September. Enjoyed every moment of this movie. Unfortunately, I thought the abrupt ending didn't work as well as the one in No Country for Old Men. Nonetheless, I would recommend this movie.

the Forbidden Kingdom

Saw the Forbidden Kingdom on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 27 September 2008. The fight scenes were great, but if you took those out, there's not much of a story.

Frozen River

Saw Frozen River at a regular theater Sunday, 21 September 2008, at 210pm. One of the best movies I've seen this year! Screenplay and direction were flawless. Melissa Leo and Misty Upham give the performances of their lives. They should be nominated for Oscars.

Son of Rambow

Saw Son of Rambow on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 20 September 2008. First part was just funny and comedic, but the second part became more serious, and that's where the payoff came. Rewarded with a beautiful, bittersweet ending. Highly recommended.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Saw Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 13 September 2008. Thought the first part of the movie was delightful and fun to watch. The second part suddenly turned more serious and the intensity level went down a notch. Overall, it was a good, not great, movie.

Redbelt

Saw Redbelt on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 30 August 2008. Not a good way to close August. Very incoherent story. No plot. One of the worst movies I've seen in my lifetime. Do not watch.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 23 August 2008. Don't bother renting this one. Wasn't as intense or action-packed as the first one.

the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Saw the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 at a regular theater on Saturday, 23 August 2008, at 1230pm. I thought that the first two-thirds of the movie was good, but somehow this was another movie that had a third-act collapse. The first movie was more satisfying.

Caramel

Saw Caramel on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 16 August 2008. Second of 2 films I saw in one weekend that were submitted to A.M.P.A.S. for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Well-made light-hearted film. Easily one of the best I've seen this year. Highly recommended.

the Year My Parents Went on Vacation

Saw the Year My Parents Went on Vacation online via Netflix Friday, 15 August 2008. First of 2 films I saw in one weekend that were submitted to A.M.P.A.S. for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category. One of the year's best foreign films. Deserved to be shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Too bad it was not nominated.

the Counterfeiters

Saw the Counterfeiters on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 9 August 2008. Worthy of an Oscar Foreign Language Film nom, but not worthy of the win. I thought that the Band's Visit, 4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days, and the Orphanage were all more worthy of winning.

the Band's Visit

Saw the Band's Visit on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 2 August 2008. One of the better foreign language films I've seen this year. Should have been nominated for the Foreign Language Film Oscar. Looking forward to seeing Beaufort.