Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Red Balloon

June 26.

I first saw "The Red Balloon" in elementary school. Didn't we all? But when I saw it available instantly on Netflix I thought I'd watch again. I really didn't remember much about the short movie, except of course that the little French boy and his red balloon run all over Paris.

The half-hour movie really is cute and Paris is, of course, beautiful.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Au Revoir, les Enfants (Goodbye, Children)

June 26.

I loved the well-acted and amazingly sad story of "Au Revoir, les Enfants."

The movie is based on writer/director Louis Malle's childhood at a French boarding school run by priests. There are moments in the story, that focuses on the friendship between Julien and Jean, where it seems fun and carefree. But, knowing the story is set during World War 2 and that Jean one of six Jewish kids being hidden at the school by the priests, well, there's always a sense of doom looming.

Even knowing what is coming when it actually happens it's sad and moving and I can see how it would have changed Malle forever.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Art & Copy

June 20.

I think even people who don't work in advertising will find this documentary about how creative advertising is made interesting.

The PBS documentary features interviews with dozens of past and present creatives in agencies all over the country. They share the stories about how they came up with some of the most memorable ad campaigns, like Just Do It, I Love NY, Where's the Beef?, Got Milk, and Think Different.

It's great to learn how the ideas come about, how they are implemented, and how they affect our culture.

There's even a great story that focuses on a guy who is a third generation billboard installer and what advertising means to him and his family.

Miss Austen Regrets

June 20.

I think I just hate all stories about Jane Austen. It's probably because I know that historians don't really know the details about her love like that these movies like to show. Not that I can't appreciate a great fantasy. "Girl with a Pearl Earring," starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, is a great movie, which tells the story of the girl in the famous painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. The entire story is fabricated because no one knows who the girl is or what her relationship to the painter was. But, the movie and its story are both incredible.

So, I guess it's just the make believe around Jane Austen that irritates me. This story, "Miss Austen Regrets" was painful. Watching an older Austen help her young niece decide who she should marry, while regretting her own choices, was just sad and not how I want to think about Jane Austen.

From now on, I'll stick to works by, rather than about, Austen.

Surfer, Dude

June 19.

Matthew McConaughey should have been thrown out of Hollywood for making "Surfer, Dude."

I don't even know where to start with how awful this movie is. The story centers around an aging surfer, Steve played by McConaughey, who has no idea why people pay him to surf. He doesn't realize he is advertising their clothes and surfboards. And, when he somehow gets himself signed up to live in a Real World-style house for famous surfers he decides he can't handle the commercialization. For some reason at this point the waves stop coming and Steve takes off in frustration.

Everything about this movie is bad. Even appearances from McConaughey's friends Willie Nelson and Woody Harrelson couldn't help.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Valentine's Day

June 19.

Another movie made up of vignettes!

So, this one wasn't exactly perfect. It was a little predictable and some of the star-packed stories were light on the, well, story. But, overall I liked "Valentine's Day" a lot more than I expected to.

My favorite story featured Anne Hathaway as a part-time phone sex operator and Topher Grace as her unsuspecting, new boyfriend. The story was sweet, honest, and the acting was great.

My least favorite stories featured the youngest cast members Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift, and Taylor Lautner. Maybe I'm officially too old for teenage love stories, but I didn't care about the Taylor's characters being in love or Emma's characters virginity.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Avenue Montaigne

June 15.

I'm sure I've mentioned it before but I'll tell you again - I love to watch movies if the setting is beautiful, exotic, interesting, and a character in the story. I've seen a lot of bad movies due to the lure of a glimpse at a city I love, or think I would love. But, sometimes, like in the case of "Avenue Montaigne," the gamble pays off.

Set during one day in Paris, "Avenue" is cute, funny, touching, and engaging. There wasn't one character I didn't like. The young waitress, the tired concert pianist, the desperate actress, the old art collector - they all had great stories, and I was interested in every one.

So many movies made up of vignettes are lacking and forced. But, "Avenue" has three perfect stories that intertwine to make a great movie.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Get Him to the Greek

June 5.

I know, I know, Russell Brand is annoying. But, I like him. I can't explain it. He looks dirty and talks too fast and has, if it's possible, an annoying British accent. But, I like him. I also love Jonah Hill. Doesn't everyone? Well, you should.

"Get Him to the Greek" isn't going to change your life, but it's funny. Both guys and their story lines made me laugh and kept me interested. Plus, I got to see Peggy Olson (A.K.A. Elisabeth Moss) as Hill's tired girlfriend, Daphne. Even, Puff Daddy, who is listed in the credits as P. Diddy, gives a good performance as Hill's music executive boss.

Sure, this is just a silly, summer movie, there is some truth to having your first job and what you're willing to do, and probably (I wouldn't know because I've never been famous) what it must be like to be washed up and wanting to hide away.