Monday, August 7, 2006
movies
Blogfriend DevraDoWrite asks about non-British movie recommendations, noting her general preference for non-pretty actors and interesting plots, which I share. Here are some rental suggestions - although she may be wanting to go to a real theater. Beginning with two I mentioned in July, Junebug is charming, full of quirky though not goofy characters, surprisingly touching, and I can't recommend it highly enough. The Squid and the Whale, although slightly less just-perfectly written, is compelling and lovely in its own way. Both hold onto you for a long time, whether because of quiet and invisible acting or terrific scripts and direction, I never know. Although not as recent and definitely a different kind of movie, nevertheless I recommend the Jack Nicholson /Helen Hunt /Greg Kinnear tour de (some) force, As Good As It Gets, a surprise in almost every way. One of my all-time favorites is Weekend At Bernie's with almost no redeeming social value but the power to make me laugh a lot and often. What About Bob has the same power at first but its final half hour unfortunately degenerates into loopy. Once Around is a movie that reviewers treat as if it hasn't taken a shower in too long but which I love for its zest and what seems to me a profound sweetness at its center. I also recommend Mel Gibson's Hamlet, which I thought was quite good, although it might be hard to concentrate on the dialogue this week. Now I'm trying to think of something serious and profound that I've liked recently, but I'm not coming up with anything. Perhaps someone will add more in the comments??!
Labels: blogs (others'), movies
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