Netflix Movie: Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road
DreamWorks
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 59 min
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates

Oh wow.  The DiCaprio/Winslet pairing in this movie comes leaps and bounds from its Titanic roots.  These two are phenomenal together and every interaction is electric.  I hate saying things like that, but my fingers hovered over the keyboard for a few minutes before I could figure out how to word that.  It's true. They're amazing in this movie.

I haven't read the book, but the plight of  this stuck-in-the-50's-suburbs couple is riveting from the first moments of the movie.  You watch them royally screw up and yet you're still cheering for them.  You want them to be happy, even though you can't at all understand what they're going through.  Well, maybe some can.  More than I'd like to admit, Winslet's stay-at-home mom struck a distant chord with me too.

If you haven't seen this and you're looking for a well written, compelling drama, watch this.  And I won't give away the ending but I'll say that they do an amazing job giving you just what you expect while you're wishing they just wouldn't.

Movie #85 - Blues Brothers

Blues Brothers
Universal Pictures
1980 - Rated R - 2 hr 13 min
Director: John Landis
Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cab Calloway, Carrie Fisher, lots of famous musicians...

I'm going to come right out and say it.  This is a movie from another era, one that can be held on a certain pedastal and withstand the test of time.  It's a classic movie with a loyal band of followers and, to them, it's awesomeness will never waiver.  Like Caddyshack.

But to me, it's not as impressive.  I fully admit that I don't admire it the way that most do, and I know that probably makes me wrong in some way.  The premise is kinda weak, with most of it just an elaborate excuse to string together seemingly unrelated "music videos."  It is funny how seriously the Brothers (and the actors who play them) take themselves.  As a comedy, I can certainly appreciate it's integral part in our society's evolution toward really funny comedies... But a lot of it gets lost on me. Ray Charles shooting at customers in his music shop, however, that's just funny stuff.

I did learn a few things, however, by watching this film.  The first is that my husband learned to dance by copying Elwood Blues.  The second is that Aretha Frankin can NOT dance any better than either of them.  And the third is that there's a lot of musicians I'm expected to know on sight that I just don't know. 

If you're reading this and you love this movie the way it's meant to be loved, I apologize to you.  These classics are supposed to be treasured. I get that. But to me, it just doesn't hold my interest.

Movie #84 - Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond
Warner Bros Pictures
2006 - Rated R - 2 hr 23 min
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly

 Watching this movie again was a real treat.  It's one of those movies that simultaneously feels really long but not really that long at all, considering all that takes place.  Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in this is one of my favorite's of his. And his South African accent doesn't really bother me that much, so cheers, Leo.

I don't know much about blood diamonds or illegal mining/trading in South Africa, but after watching this, it's hard not to wonder how true it is. And if so, do I have any diamonds that people were killed over?  Hope not.

All in all, this is a really great movie... but one that you have to be in the mood to sit down and watch.  It's not funny or witting, just very moving.  The journey that Leonardo DiCaprio's character takes is impressive, the story of Djimon Hounson's family quite poignant.  If you have the time to sit and think, and want to appreciate the little luxuries we have in this part of the world, take a peek at this one.