Movie #46 - Back to the Future

Back to the Future
Universal Pictures
1985 - Rated PG - 1 hr 56 min
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson

I don't think I ever gave this trilogy a fair chance, so I guess Back to the Future is one of the reasons I'm doing this project. Revisiting things I didn't like as much as I ought. (Though it goes both ways. I've revisited a few think I liked more than I should. Oops.)

Anyway, this movie's attention to time travel detail is great. When you have time travel, you have to be consistent with whatever rules you opt into. And there, these guys are on target.

Michael J Fox sheds his Alex P Keaton suit well, and Marty is the kind of kid you root for no matter what. Lea Thompson, amazing. Crispin Glover, creepy and kinda cute. Odd. And for the longest time, I thought Christopher Lloyd really was as crackpot as Doc... he may be, actually. Now that I think about it.

I really liked this much more than I remember, so it was a lot of fun to watch again. The premise is really a fun one... kid accidentally travels back in time and ruins his parents' first meeting... thereby *possibly* negating his very existence. Unless, of course, he sings Chuck Berry songs. Classic.

Love this one.

Movie #45 - Baby Mama

Baby Mama
Universal Pictures
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 39 min
Director: Michael McCullers
Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Greg Kinnear, Dax Sheppard, Romany Malco, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Martin, Maura Tierney


Two movies in a row about women preparing for babies! Weird.


Anyway, this movie is pure insanity, mostly because of Amy Poehler and Dax Sheppard. Tina Fey plays her typical character - work-driven, wants to become a late in life mother, hopelessly awkward in a social setting, wears glasses. Poehler does the same, but with some extra spunk. She takes "crazed white trash" to a whole new level. And then sells it to you.


If you watch this movie, you're mostly watching it for the two of them and their priceless interactions. Romany Malco is pretty funny as Oscar, the doorman. And Greg Kinnear is his usual handsome, chipper self. The plot is fairly predictable and has a nice neat ending, where everyone gets something. Don't watch it to analyze, just watch it to laugh,

And don't be surprised if you find yourself quoting it later.

Hey... "I don't know your life!" Ok?

Movie #44 - Away We Go

Away We Go
Focus Features

2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 38 min

Director: Sam Mendes

Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels

This was another first watch for me and I was pleasantly surprised. There's a very humorous but heartwarming feel to this entire movie. It's chock full of comedic actors playing fun (sometimes outrageous) characters as Krasinksi and Rudolph travel around the country trying to find the right place to settle down and raise their baby together. From the eccentric parents to the weird hippy cousin (Maggie Gyllenhaal - who is hysterical), all the classic archetypes are here.

As for the happy couple themselves, their story perfectly sums up how terrifying the prospect of becoming a parent can be. Everyone, for his or her own reason, freaks out about it. These two definitely have their reasons, and then grapple with them beautifully. I really enjoyed this one!

And also, it was my last "A" title!! Hooray!

Movie #43 - Avatar

Avatar

Twenthieth Century Fox

2009 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 42 min

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovani Ribisi, Joel Moore

I have a feeling there's going to be some backlash about the following comments... but oh well.

Avatar is many things... James Cameron's CGI dream world, a commentary on Americans' total disregard for ecological fragility, a visually pleasing attempt at racking up Oscars in art director etc, a romance for giant nerds, and largely overrated.

Yup, I said it. I think Avatar is overrated.

Now, before you start attacking me (Fong), hear me out. I really, really enjoy watching this movie. It's pretty to look at, the actors are great, the CGI unbelievable, and even the concept is very unique. The whole human-to-Avatar-body connection could probably be better explained, but it's not really necessary. The point is the concept - it's just cool. Something we probably wish we could do (and so much more exciting than Surrogates). Anyway, there's lots of action, gorgeous rolling hills, even a nice little love story.

But the number of people who said "You. Have. To. See. Avatar." to me was insane. I thought this movie was going to change my life eternally. Maybe I'm just not getting it.

Not to be nit-picky, but there were a few things that drove me insane about this movie. First of all, they're drilling and ripping apart this gorgeous planet for an element called UNOBTANIUM. Oh, really? Does that mean it's unobtainable? James Cameron, you clever bastard, you. If we're calling it that, why don't we just forget about calling the planet Pandora (actually, that right there, myth-o-philes, is a pretty obvious allusion). Instead, so everyone else gets it, why don't we just rename it Rainforestia?

Also, did anyone else notice that this movie is just a CGI version of Disney's Pocahontas, with elements of Ferngully? Except, instead of Native Americans or fairies, we've got blue aliens. Giant. Blue. Aliens. Who use their hair extensions as power cords to plug into their animals.

Alright, alright. I really do like this movie, I just get frustrated when directors get preachy or audiences go nuts over some pretty pictures. Good movie. End of story.

Movie #42 - Australia

Australia
Twentieth Century Fox
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 45 min
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham

Back to the A's!

This was my second watch of Baz Luhrmann's epic tribute to Down Under. The first time I saw it, I remember thinking "Wow! How many times can they end this movie?" It could've been because I was preggo and uncomfortable sitting for so long.

This time, I found a new appreciation for this film. I really saw what Luhrmann was trying to do - present an epic tale in the style of early cinema about his beloved home country. I saw elements of Gone with the Wind or Lawrence of Arabia. He was telling a story here, one based on people with real problems at a pivotal time. The movie continues until that story has been told. In this case, we're really following the young half white / half Aboriginal boy Nullah. The action, adventure, and romance are all the backdrop for what is really his journey to acceptance. It's beautifully told and very compelling. I hate when people describe films as compelling (it's like calling modern art "avant garde") but this one really did compel me. I promise.

Definitely worth the watch, even though it is a bit long.

Movie #41 - 15 Minutes

15 Minutes
New Line Cinema

2001 - Rated R - 2 hrs

Director: John Herzfeld

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Edward Burns, Kelsey Grammar

**This is a new acquisition, but since I've already watched all the numbered movies, I had to watch it right away - as per The Rules. I'll get back to the A's after this one.**

I really like this movie, mostly for the funny guy with the movie camera. If you're not familiar with it, two men come to the US - one to become a big movie maker, the other to make his fortune. Through some unpleasant circumstances, the two decide that teaming up and committing murders on film is the way to get rich and famous. Anywhere but in America, I'd say they were crazy.

Robert DeNiro plays the cop investigating their murders, Ed Burns is the arsen investigator that gets involved with their only eyewitness, and Kelsey Grammar is the ruthless investigative journalist with the risky, high profile show. The satire isn't so subtle in this movie, but it is really enjoyable to watch.

This was Ed Burns's first big role opposite some big stars. Robert DeNiro is great, Kelsey Grammar abandons his Frasier friendliness and gets truly mean, and the guy with the movie camera is just awesome. Highly recommended :)

Movie #40 - Austin Powers in Goldmember

Austin Powers in Goldmember
New Line Cinema
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 34 min
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers, Beyonce Knowles, Michael Caine, Seth Green, Michael York, Verne Troyer

Beyonce is pretty good, and this was the first time people said, "Oh look, that chick from Destiny's Child is acting!" But the best part about this movie is Seth Green becoming evil. Hillarious.

Mike Myers takes on yet another character with Dutch nutbag Goldmember. Michael Caine plays his dad -- and all I can say is at least Mike Myers didn't play the part himself. Anyway, recycling jokes is the name once again and it's starting to get old. The Dr. Evil / Mimi Me raps are still hysterical though.

I love these movies individually, but watching them back to back to back made for one long day.

Movie #39 - Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
New Line Cinema
1999 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 35 min
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Rob Lowe, Seth Green, Verne Troyer

I think this movie was written for the express purpose of introducing Mini Me. And I can't say I blame Mike Myers. Who doesn't want a mini version of themselves?

Many of the jokes from the first movie get re-hashed and Mike Myers takes on a third character with Fat Bastard. Heather Graham is fun, existing solely to speak the line: "Felicity Shagwell. Shagwell by name, shag very well by reputation." Oh my.

Still, lots of fun. I mean, this movie supplied most of the quotes used and reused with friends during my college days. What can I say? Mini Me, you complete me.

Movie #38 - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
New Line Cinema
1997 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 34 min
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Seth Green, Mimi Rogers

I don't think Austin Powers was used by Mike Myers on the show, but much of this movie feels like an SNL-skit-turned-film. Maybe it's just Mike Myers that makes me say that. But don't get me wrong, I still think it's hysterical.

In this first movie, the jokes were still new, the whole Austin's-60's-style-doesn't-hold-up-in-the-90's thing was kinda funny, and Mike Myers only played two characters. It's mostly pee, fart, and sex jokes, but since he buys into the character so well, it works. Another fun one to pick up and watch again.

Movie #37 - Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

Four Square Productions

1978 - Rated PG - 1 hr 27 min

Director: John De Bello

Starring: Um... nope. No one.

I'm sure this movie was funny at some point to someone. Today, maybe the idea of the spoof is too overdone for us to appreciate the comedy that lies within the original Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! movie. Still, it's widely popular--spawning many sequels, a TV series, and a new remake slated for 2011 release. Oh joy.

I felt the same way about this as I did Airplane! It also uses an extraneous exclamation point at the end of its title, but the similarities don't stop there. These movies are from another generation of comedy, when puns and physical comedy were big sellers. While I admit that I laughed at the Jaws-like scene (the underwater shot of inanimate floating tomatoes was pretty funny), most of the movie just fell flat.

Maybe the 2011 version will be more to my liking. Or maybe I'm just missing the point entirely.