TJ Wells
10/17/08, 07:27 PM
I figured i'd keep a thread of my reviews for the films I see over the next 12 days (I have 31 screenings lined up). All scores are out of five stars:
Laila's Birthday (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1281951/) - ***
A former Palestinian judge drives a taxi to keep his family afloat. The film tells the story of his journey through a day of work, trying to get to his daughter's birthday at 8.
The film starts very promisingly, but then devolves into your basic crazy characters being ridden around in a taxi with crazy events occurring. Not terrible, but really nothing new.
The Pleasure of Being Robbed (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189259/) - **** 1/2
Eleonore robs people just for the hell of it. Mumblecoreness ensues.
If you are a fan of the mumblecore genre (The Puffy Chair, Baghead, etc.) you will undoubtedly love this movie. For everyone else, i'd suggest staying away. I personally loved it, but that may be because I love the genre so much.
Don't Look Down (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233487/) - **
Padre begins sleepwalking after his father's death, and falls through the skylight of Elvira, who decides she is going to cure him of his sleepwalking...with LOTS of sex. Seriously, TONS. Like non-stop.
This movie is basically a skinemax flick with better acting. There were a few chuckles here and there, but I could get basically this same movie anywhere online.
Wendy and Lucy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152850/) - ****
Wendy (Michelle Williams) is on her way to Alaska to find work when she stops in a town, is arrested for shoplifting, and loses her dog.
I have not seen Ms. Reichardt's first film, Old Joy, but I hear from everyone it's fantasic. As was this little gem. Not a lot happens, and if you are ansy in the theater, this isn't for you. Anyone who likes movies that make you think, though, please check it out. I am sure this will be getting a wider release.
King of Ping Pong (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1110272/)
Beautiful (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1173686/)
Delta (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910860/)
The Dead Girl's Feast
Laila's Birthday (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1281951/) - ***
A former Palestinian judge drives a taxi to keep his family afloat. The film tells the story of his journey through a day of work, trying to get to his daughter's birthday at 8.
The film starts very promisingly, but then devolves into your basic crazy characters being ridden around in a taxi with crazy events occurring. Not terrible, but really nothing new.
The Pleasure of Being Robbed (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189259/) - **** 1/2
Eleonore robs people just for the hell of it. Mumblecoreness ensues.
If you are a fan of the mumblecore genre (The Puffy Chair, Baghead, etc.) you will undoubtedly love this movie. For everyone else, i'd suggest staying away. I personally loved it, but that may be because I love the genre so much.
Don't Look Down (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233487/) - **
Padre begins sleepwalking after his father's death, and falls through the skylight of Elvira, who decides she is going to cure him of his sleepwalking...with LOTS of sex. Seriously, TONS. Like non-stop.
This movie is basically a skinemax flick with better acting. There were a few chuckles here and there, but I could get basically this same movie anywhere online.
Wendy and Lucy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152850/) - ****
Wendy (Michelle Williams) is on her way to Alaska to find work when she stops in a town, is arrested for shoplifting, and loses her dog.
I have not seen Ms. Reichardt's first film, Old Joy, but I hear from everyone it's fantasic. As was this little gem. Not a lot happens, and if you are ansy in the theater, this isn't for you. Anyone who likes movies that make you think, though, please check it out. I am sure this will be getting a wider release.
King of Ping Pong (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1110272/)
Beautiful (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1173686/)
Delta (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910860/)
The Dead Girl's Feast