Movie #228 - The Girl Next Door

The Girl Next Door
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Luke Greenfield
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Nicholas Downs, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant, James Remar, Chris Marquette, Paul Dano

Admittedly, this is not an award-winning film.  It's not even that good.  It has some charm though, and it's kinda funny at points.  Plus, Elisha Cuthbert is far less annoying in this movie than in any given episode of 24.

So fine, upstanding young high school senior falls in love with niece of next door neighbor, who (of course) turns out to be a porn star. Of course.  He gets wrapped up in underground porn industry dispute, trouble ensues, and extreme measures are needed to sort out his problems.  It's not that original, and it is a tad bit unbelievable, but it can be mildly entertaining. 

Yeah, it's not great, but it's not terrible.  Not sure why it's on the wall... Must've been on sale.

Movie #180 - The Emperor's Club

The Emperor's Club
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Michael Hoffman
Starring: Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Jesse Eisenberg

Watching this movie with a Latin teacher is an experience. Watching this movie with a Latin teacher who brings it into class to watch with he kids once a year is an even funnier experience.  In my house, this movie's kind of a big deal.

Kevin Kline plays a popular ancient history/Latin teacher in the early 70s at an all-boys boarding school.  The story talks about one class in particular, where the rebel son of a Senator shakes the foundation of what he believes as a teacher.  He goes out on a limb for this kid, only to be stabbed in the back.  Twenty-five years later, a reunion with the class shakes him up even more, but he somehow finds the peace he needs.  Vague, I know, but I don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't seen it.

Kline is awesome, per usual, and his Latin pronounciation is spot-on (says Mike), so that's good.  It's fun to see little Jesse Eisenberg, who's now nominated for an Oscar (for The Social Network), so go him.

Love this movie - which gets me all irritated with this punk-ass kid every time I watch it.  I can understand why Mike shows it to his students year in and year out.