The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: !!!! 2005; Starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton, and Liam Neeson
So apparently I’m a real loser for not having read any of the Chronicles of Narnia. Regardless, I thought this was an excellent movie. Faith said that there were a lot of parts that got left out, and also a lot of scenes that were drawn from The Magician’s Nephew, the first of the seven-book installment (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, is the second). Despite the unfortunate limitations of cinema, I was very impressed, and look forward to seeing Prince Caspian, in 2008.
Melinda & Melinda: !!! 2004; Starring Radha Mitchell and Will Ferrell
As a general rule, I can’t stand Woody Allen movies, but this one was an exception. Without ruining the whole plot, the basic story is a dark comedy about a woman named Melinda, and the well-crafted dichotomy of two different life scenarios and the eventual outcome of each, if that makes sense. Basically, a back-and-forth story about two different lives of Melinda.
Grizzly Man: !!! 2005; Starring Timothy Treadwell
A documentary starring controversial grizzly watcher, Timothy Treadwell. The film covers Treadwell’s 13-year self-study of living with wild grizzly bears. Tragic but I found it quite intriguing.
Bourne Identity: !!!! 2002; Starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, and Julia Stiles
The Bourne series are probably my favorite action-spy movies, because, as far as I can tell, they seem to be the most realistic ones I’ve ever seen. Based on the book series by Robert Ludlum, the character, Jason Bourne is an American field operative who wakes up in a fishing boat, after having been floating in the Mediterranean Sea, unconscious. He has amnesia, and doesn’t remember who he is or why he ended up there. Very suspenseful, and the first of two movies (second is The Bourne Supremacy). Robert Ludlum actually wrote three books for the Bourne series, so hopefully there will be a third movie to complete the story.
This is Spinal Tap (Special Edition): !!!! 1984; Rob Reiner
Hopefully this one doesn’t need a description for anyone. Definitely a classic. Most have probably already seen it years ago. The special edition includes theatrical trailers about cheese rolling festivals, David St. Hubbins with strait hair in an early short that eventually evolved into the film, Rob Reiner begging people to show the movie in their theaters, and a ton of deleted scenes that develop and explain the cold sores the band keeps ending up with.
Yes, the Chronicles of Narnia are really a must read. I bought them for Jamie when he was very small and Sara adopted them for her own. She owns them by default. I can't even guess how many times she's read them! I offered to buy her new copies a few years ago and she looked at me like I was nuts! The old copies are very special to her.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the Bourne movies. I agree about them seeming more realistic than most movies of that type. I enjoyed Mission Impossible but not for a moment did it come across as realistic in any way. I liked the way you could really imagine the story in Bourne taking place. Plus, I am a huge Matt Damen fan!
Hey Greg,
ReplyDeleteThe Bourne series are also one of my favorites among action movies ..and in regards to your hope for a third movie, I believe the third one called "The Bourne Ultimatum" is to be released in 2007 ..we just have to wait =)
lisa,
ReplyDeleteSWEEET! yeah, that's the title of the third book. i haven't actually read any of the books because i was advised by someone that the movies were a lot better.
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ReplyDeleteI've watched all of those movies exept for the Grizzly one, though I think I've heard of it. Let me guess the plot, the Grizzly tamer dude thinks he tames a Grizzly, but the messege is "you can never tame nature" when the Grizzy attacks and kills him. Or, staying true to typical animal movies, the Grizzly saves his life from some bad guy, and is killed in the process. I'm sorry, but I just can't watch animal movies anymore.
ReplyDelete(and PS to Greg: if the swelling in your foot continues, GO TO THE ER, you stubborn person)
joy,
ReplyDeleteyou guessed the plot pretty close with your first guess, although he doesn't try to tame any of the grizzlys (or should it be "grizzlies"?). the crazy thing about the whole story is that he claimed to love the bears so much that he couldn't think of any better way to go than to be eaten by one, which is exactly what happened. somewhat of a "nut-job".
and, by the way, i didn't just ruin the ending of the movie for everyone because, from the beginning of the film, the viewer is made well aware of the fateful ending.
Wow, he's crazy.
ReplyDelete