Margot At the Wedding

Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale was my favorite film of 2005. With his latest work, Margot At the Wedding, he returns to form; that form being severe family dysfunction. I really do think that Baumbach is an amazing auteur, his shooting style is heavily influenced by the French masters (Godard, Truffaut, Rohmer) but his writing is distinct...sharp and observant with moments that somehow combine tenderness and cruelty simultaneously. He has inspired three exquisite performances from Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh (Baumbach's real life wife) and Zane Pais, who plays Margot's son in one of the best tragic roles of the year. The toxic Margot character is perhaps Nicole Kidman's most complex role to date, and she brings so much to this film, although she is perfectly balanced by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is also pitch perfect here. Those who disliked The Squid and the Whale are probably going to feel the same way about Margot at the Wedding. The characters are not likable, resolution is never really made, and there's plenty of awkward realism presented which could make some viewers uncomfortable. I absolutely loved this film, watch for it to top my list this year.

The Mist / People are My Least Favorite Thing

Maybe it's because I had just recovered from a terrible migraine, maybe it was because it was the last movie I would be seeing with Sam for a while, maybe it was just because I'm a sucker for Stephen King. Regardless of the reason...I kinda liked The Mist. I didn't mind that the fun, over-the- top performances (Marcia Gay Harden) were barely balanced by the almost bad performances (Thomas Jane). I also liked the kid in the movie, which is rare for me. The creatures were genuinely scary, but in true King fashion, not nearly as scary as the humans..who react like animals (not cool animals like meerkats either, more like brainless sheep) to their worsening circumstances. The last ten minutes are the best moments of the film...I still find myself thinking about the ending in fact. I'm only going to recommend this if you are a fan of thrillers/horror films. The row of assholes in front of us who were texting throughout the film...every time the dumb girl in front of me opened her phone I kicked the back of her chair, she didn't notice...unsurprisingly, since she didn't notice she was in a movie theater either. These wastes of skin stood up at the end to loudly proclaim how much the movie sucked and it made me like the movie even more. I hate everyone. Not you though.

The Golden Compass

Reason 1 to see Golden Compass - Polar Bears that Fight Guys and Other Bears.

Reason 2 to see Golden Compass - This guy.

Here's what I think about The Golden Compass. The original story is incredibly cool and very complex. I can see the evidence of that sprinkled casually all over this movie. There are themes here that are important and meaningful but you really have to dig for them. Science versus religion as the fundamental storyline should be the highlight but I thought that the core of the film seemed overshadowed by the lush environments and breathtaking scenery. There is a chance that if the other two films in this trilogy end up getting made, that the real strength of the story will be conveyed. I hope they do make the next two films because I really love where this is going, I'm just not totally sold yet...the pacing was awkward, and I was sad to not get more Daniel Craig. However, I love those polar bears and I LOVE Sam Elliott. His hair and voice are reason enough to see this.