TeamBrooks

Fun Flicks For the New Year

Happy New Year folks. I apologize for the lag, but with my computer held hostage by the computer repair place, my blogging opportunities are much more limited.

Back at work, with nothing particularly exciting to share but a list of the movies I've seen over this holiday season, in order of preference:

1) Bad Education - Almodovar does film noir. Fine performance by Gael. Captivating story. Perfection.
2) The Aviator - Everything about this movie was amazing - the acting, the costumes, the sets, the special effects. But, alas, the story didn't hold together. Still FASCINATING.
3) Ocean's Twelve - Fun site, fun movie. Lots of well-dressed eye candy. 'Nuff said.
4) Spanglish - A sappy James Brooks film that I enjoyed despite myself. At times funny, mostly heart-string tugging, the movie is flawed but with great performances by Sandler and Shelbie Bruce, definitely worth a looksee.
5) House of Flying Daggers - Beautifully filmed, a little thin on plot.
6) Phantom of the Opera - Only worth it if you've never seen the stage version and you really love the music.

Next on my list is In Good Company. Any other recommendations?

Breathtakingly Beautiful...

...and that's just the lead actor Gael Garcia Bernal (left). The Motorcycle Diaries is a beautifully filmed story of friendship and the awakening of political consciousness. As my viewing companion noted, the director allowed the subtle acting and poignant images speak for themselves, without beating us over the head with voiceovers or violence. When young Che (Bernal) and his friend meet a migrant couple, we don't have to see them beaten or groveling for food. We see their pain in their eyes, and its enough to understand how Che got from his privileged childhood in Argentina to the Cuban Revolution.

I wholeheartedly recommend it.