the cold, the fever, and motezumas revenge: a film review

here is a post where I watch a bunch of movies on my sick day, and talk about them in terms of their charms and let downs.

penelope 2006
charms:
leading ladies - christina ricci and reese witherspoon are just fun to watch.. I like them, what else can I say.
james mcavoy - is dreamy in that scrawny, liver disease, to-hip-to-be-a-hipster kind of way.
fantasy - nice development of the fantasy world, great scenery, and cool costumes
the moral - thank you modern fairytales for showing us ladies that it's not prince charming that makes us happy... happiness comes from within, and once you have that maybe prince charming will follow.
let downs:
rushing - so much time was spent in the beginning of the film developing the plot that the romance was rushed.
realism - I love a fantasy, but it doesn't mean the romance has to be a fantasy too... lets get real people.
audience intelligence - kids can watch a grown-up movie, and ignore the grown-up stuff... so can hollywood please learn to make a kids movie that has some grown-up appeal? kids will certainly love a story about a pig girl that wears a pretty scarf and swings on a swing and meets a cute boy; grown-ups need a little something extra. Take a lesson from 'enchanted' or any pixar film.
rating: if you have a kid, or you are a nerd like myself... you will enjoy it.

dan in real life 2007
charms:
steve carell - no one does awkward charm quite like this man. dan is a great character, some of the better character development I have seen in a while.
realism - a realistic family and a realistic romance... praise the movie gods.
let downs:
over-saturated - maybe 5 too many characters in this movie... ease up a little, let me soak in the goodness of the main characters. I get he has a big obnoxious family... but it doesn't mean you have to cram all of their life stories in the 90 minute box. I think the director got a little overzealous
timelessness - that taebo scene is already annoying... 30 years from now it might make me puke... everything else should hold up.
teenage girls - want more than just to drive, be a bitch to their dad, and fall head over heels in love with the exchange student. I could have used a little something more appealing about dan's daughters... although as a team they were pretty cute.
rating: watch it, purely for steve carell

how to steal a million 1966
charms:
the 1960's - just ridiculousness everywhere you look... tiny cars, mustaches, white wool helmets with a bow chin strap, crazy americans, passionate frenchmen, black lace masks.
the plot - in general, this is a fun story with good character development... luckily it takes place in the 60's where crime, passion, and 'anything is possible' seem to be commonly accepted themes. when else can a van gogh forgery, a break in, a shooting, and a night in a broom closet be the perfect recipe for love?
let downs:
peter o'toole - I'm sorry my man, you are just too stiff of an actor for me to love.
audrey hepburn - eat a sandwich, rinse, repeat
cheese - l'amour c'est comme le fromage... can I get a non-hopeless romantic?
rating: if you like france, cheesy love stories, or audrey hepburn you'll like it

what's new pussycat? 1965
charms:
woody allen - in his first film role, and a must see for any fan, I am in love.
woody allen - he's the writer too... which makes for hysterical smart dialogue
peter sellers - in a wig and a velvet suit, horny... austin powers must have been inspired from this character
the fashion - snake skin jumpsuits, full floral tights, rose petal bikinis, gold beatle boots, capes, turbans and lavender pants
the setting- paris, cafes, chateaus, 60's mod, tiny european sports cars, there is so much good here
the kinky factor - 60's movies are really open minded about sex as a topic. there is no nudity, but theirs definitely bras and panties, orgies, a strip club, and an elevator scene.
let downs:
peter o'toole as the leading man - just not doing it for me personally... but I guess he plays the arrogant ladies man well.
timelessness - although this movie holds up pretty well after 40+ years, the slapstick chase scenes are outdated. everything else is great.
the man/woman dynamic - women are all either sex fiends, lunatics, or starry eyed dreamers. maybe this is true in real life as well, but I like to see at least one woman of substance in my films... ms. leading lady needs a reality check, married life isn't all house-keeping, a kiss of the cheek, and pots of flowers.
rating: watch it!


earth girls are easy 1989
charms:
musical - dear god it's a musical set in california! five stars already.
fashion - perms, acrylic nails, fanny packs, sports bras, and cut credit card earrings. in a time period where fashion was already pretty damn costumey, this musical takes 1989 fashion to another level..out of this world perhaps? (boooooo!)
giant teletubies - or something like that
let downs:
straight stoopid.
rating: no particular reason anyone not on their death bed needs to see this movie.

bananas 1971
charms:
woody allen - once again the man of my dreams wins my heart. this time, as a wiry little jew gone rebel leader of san marcos.
woody allen - the writing, the directing... man is a genius and an idiot in perfect balance.
let downs:
mrs. woody allen - is not me. my goal in life is to meet a man like this. no this is not the fever talking.
rating: see every movie with woody allen's name on it.

that's it for today kids! let's hope these antibiotics work.