worthy watch

Zack and Miri Make a Porno - 2008

2009-06-30T09:15:00.002+10:00

Director/Writer: Kevin Smith
Cast:
Seth Rogen as Zack Brown
Elizabeth Banks as Miriam Linky
Craig Robinson as Delaney
Jason Mewes as Lester
Jeff Anderson as Deacon
Traci Lords as Bubbles

Fell asleep test = 0

I don't know what to say about this one! Very funny in parts, quite rude in others but then what do you expect with a title like that. It was a bit lame at times and of course the story was total crap from start to finish - not even the nudity made it interesting!

Two friends (Zack & Miri) ) can't afford to pay their bills so decide to make a porno movie which they will star in, sleeping together for the first time ever. Are you still with me?

Anyway they discover they have feelings for each other after all, blah blah blah.

Don't bother with this one unless all other DVD's are out at the store!

Cheers
Tim

Changeling - 2008

2009-06-20T10:35:00.006+10:00

Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Cast:
Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins
Gattlin Griffith as Walter Collins
Michelle Gunn as Sandy
John Malkovich as Rev. Gustav Briegleb
Colm Feore as Chief James E. Davis

Fell asleep test = 0

A great film directed by the master Clint Eastwood. Quite honestly the first film with Angelina Jolie as lead that I've personally enjoyed, she was fantastic!

A young boy Walter Collins goes missing while his mother is at work. The local authorities have had a rough time in the public eye recently so in order to improve their profile they return a child they claim is Walter when in fact it's someone else. They trick Christine Collins into believing it's her Walter but of course she quickly comes to her senses and begins to fight back. If not for her local Rev. (played by the brilliant John Malkovich) her cause may have been lost, fortunately the Rev. has made it his life long goal to expose the authorities for what they truly are!

A worthy watch for sure, I was so surprised how good this was and now see Jolie in a different light! Furthermore, I continue to think Malkovich is one of the most brilliant actors of all time for me.

Cheers
Tim

Lost In Translation - 2003

2009-06-18T20:01:00.004+10:00

Director/Writer: Sofia Coppola
Cast:
Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte
Bill Murray as Bob Harris
Akiko Takeshita as Ms. Kawasaki

Fell asleep test = 0 (no chance)

You may have already figured out that I quite like a movie with Scarlett Johansson in it, solely based on here acting ability - of course!

I've seen this movie a few times, Bill Murray plays Bob so fantastically well. The story seems pretty simple on the surface with a movie star in Tokyo, Japan (Murray) meeting a lonely stranger (Johansson). They form an unlikely bond and while with the obvious age gap you don't like to think of these two getting together romantically... as the movie moves on you get the feeling they could make a great couple despite everything.

For a story with depressing undertones it's surprisingly light-hearted, fun and actually quite funny. Two great actors make this a definite worthy watch - and not just for the i-candy!

Cheers
Tim

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 2008

2009-06-17T20:51:00.006+10:00

Director: David Fincher
Writer: Eric Roth
Cast:
Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button
Cate Blanchett as Daisy
Julia Ormond as Caroline
Faune A. Chambers as Dorothy Baker
Elias Koteas as Monsieur Gateau

Fell asleep test = 2

Despite the fell asleep test = 2, this was not a bad film for me. As you probably know, it's about a guy who is born old and is aging backwards. This brings with it a whole bunch of issues, including his relationship with Daisy (played by Cate Blanchett). Great story, slow at times (hence falling asleep I guess) but a worthy watch all the same.

Cheers
Tim

Doubt

2009-06-09T20:39:00.009+10:00

Director/Writer: John Patrick Shanley
Cast:
Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Brendan Flynn
Amy Adams as Sister James
Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller

Fell asleep test = 0

Not really my cup of tea, but not a bad film. Set in the 60s, a nun is suspects a priest is abusing a black student and lets him now she is displeased. He denies it, and then the rest of the film tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority.

Not too memorable for me although some interesting issues on show.

Cheers
Tim

disturbia - 2007

2009-06-09T20:38:00.009+10:00

Director: D.J. Caruso
Writer: Christopher B. Landon & Carl Ellsworth
Cast:
Shia LaBeouf as Kale
Sarah Roemer as Ashley
Carrie-Anne Moss as Julie
David Morse as Mr. Turner
Aaron Yoo as Ronnie

Fell asleep test = 0

Not knowing much about this film before watching it (for some reason it just seemed to jump off the shelf into my hands) I had little expectation but thought Shia LaBeouf would not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised, from woe go go it kept me interested with a good suspenseful story. It starts with Kale being confined to his house and front yard with a tag around his ankle to detect any movement outside those areas. Through boredom he spends much of his time looking out his windows through binoculars. Anyway it turns out the hot girl next door is not the only action going on, a neighbour appears to be up to no good and Kale suspects he's a serial killer.

The girl next door (Ashley played by Sarah Roemer) is a great accomplice to Kale, as is his mate Ronnie (played by Aaron Yoo) who brings an edgy funnyness to the film.

I'd say a worthy watch for sure!

Cheers
Tim

Employee Of The Month - 2007

2009-06-07T09:16:00.008+10:00

Director: Greg Coolidge
Writers: Don Calame & Chris Conroy
Cast:
Dane Cook as Zack
Jessica Simpson as Amy
Dax Shepard as Vince
Andy Dick as Lon
Tim Bagley as Glen Gary

Fell asleep test = 0

It's taken me a couple of weeks to write this one but I still remember how crap it was. OK it was funny in parts, Zack is kinda likeable and Amy plays her part well (dumb blonde with big hands). It's one of those films where you are just waiting for the super annoying character to fall and it does not disappoint! A worthy watch, not likely!

Cheers
Tim

Hostel Part II - 2007

2009-06-03T17:39:00.007+10:00

Director: Eli Roth
Writer: Eli Roth
Cast:
Lauren German as Beth
Roger Bart as Stuart
Heather Matarazzo as Lorna
Bijou Phillips as Whitney
Richard Burgi as Todd

Fell asleep test = 0 (no chance)

Kept me glued to the screen just like the first installment! My wife hated the first one so I rented this whilst home alone ill with a cold. Very similar story to last time with beautiful young girls being tricked into thinking they we're bound for the experience of a lifetime during travels around Europe only to find themselves caught up in a rich mans perverted, egotistical game of killing. Revenge is sweat in the end though, if not a little disturbing for the males among us!

I'd watch again given the chance, just maybe not that last scene in the chamber with the cutters!

Cheers
Tim

Is Anybody There? - 2008

2009-06-02T17:26:00.007+10:00

Director: John Crowley
Writer: Peter Harness
Cast:
Michael Caine as Clarence
Bill Milner as Edward
Anne-Marie Duff as Mum
David Morrissey as Dad

Fell asleep test = 0 (somehow)

Dull. Michael Caine (Clarence) and Bill Milner (Edward) have good performances but the story is just plain dull. It's mildly interesting that Edward is living in an old persons home with his parents and is infatuated with death and ghosts. There are some funny bits given it's predominately centred around old people who've lost their marbles and when Clarence makes his comeback as a magician it's hilarious - not enough to ever consider watching again or recommending though!

The cinema was full of old people who seemed to enjoy it more so my opinion may be more aligned to the younger - mid generations. Seats in the Dendy cinema at Circular Quay, Sydney we're not too shabby though.

Cheers
Tim

Vicky Cristina Barcelona - 2008

2009-06-02T17:16:00.005+10:00

Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Cast:
Rebecca Hall as Vicky
Scarlett Johansson as Cristina
Javier Bardem as Juan Antonio Gonzalo
Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena
Christopher Evan Welch as Narrator

Fell asleep test = 1

Strange but entertaining and interesting story with added bonus of Scarlett Johansson. Apparently the guy in it is 'not bad looking' either. In a nutshell two friends with different views on life and what the future holds for them take a trip to Barcelona. There they meet Juan who wines, dines and you know whats them both at different stages of the plot. Penelope Cruz plays the mad, eccentric ex-wife in the middle of it all. Worth a watch if not only for the nice views (of Barcelona of course)!!

Cheers
Tim

Jaws 2 - 1978

2009-05-31T19:09:00.004+10:00

Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Writers:
Peter Benchley (characters)
Carl Gottlieb (written by) and Howard Sackler
Cast:
Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody
Lorraine Gary as Ellen Brody
Murray Hamilton as Mayor Larry Vaughn
Joseph Mascolo as Len Peterson
Jeffrey Kramer as Deputy Jeff Hendricks

Fell asleep test = 0

Pure classic! Not the first time I've seen this and unlikely the last but always fun to watch. Special effects for the time brilliant, pretty good acting and that music unforgettable. For me this Jaws film seems to go so fast, I love how the shark arrives on the scene so quickly and starts ripping up the locals immediately with not too much suspense. It also doesn't go crazy and kill half the town before being tracked by authorities. Most definitely a worthy watch, always!

Cheers
Tim

once - 2006

2009-05-29T23:32:00.003+10:00

Director/Writer: John Carney
Cast:
Glen Hansard as Guy
Markéta Irglová as Girl (as Marketa Irglova)
Hugh Walsh as Timmy Drummer
Gerard Hendrick as Lead Guitarist (as Gerry Hendrick)
Alaistair Foley as Bassist

Fell asleep test = 0

Loved it! Was struggling to find something I wanted to watch in the local DVD store, this one just popped out at me. Think it was the music theme that drew me to it, I was in a musical mood. Good story line about a couple of lonely strangers with a common passion for music. Set in Dublin, funny at times, easy to follow and lighthearted for the most part. Definately a worthy watch in my opinion, I'd watch again just for the music!

Cheers
Tim

The Wrestler - 2008

2009-05-29T22:50:00.003+10:00

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writer: Robert D. Siegel
Cast:
Mickey Rourke as Randy 'The Ram' Robinson
Marisa Tomei as Cassidy
Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie
Mark Margolis as Lenny

Fell asleep test = 0

Not bad. I enjoyed watching Mickey Rourke perform despite his life being quite sad. Not the usual up-beat story line you would expect from a film like this, quite refreshing in a way! Having enjoyed watching WWF back in the old days it brought back fond memories. Also good to get an insight into how it might be back-stage before, during and after a big wrestling event. A worthy watch I'd say but nothing too special!

Cheers
Tim

Frost/Nixon - 2008

2009-05-29T22:10:00.004+10:00

Director: Ron Howard
Writer: Peter Morgan
Cast:
Frank Langella as Richard Nixon
Michael Sheen as David Frost
Sam Rockwell as James Reston, Jr.
Kevin Bacon as Jack Brennan

Fell asleep test = 0

Better than I expected. Good story line, strong performances by leading cast and a climax worth the wait. Not one for the personal collection in my opinion but a worthy watch none the less!

Cheers
Tim