Movie #235 - Gone in 60 Seconds

Gone in 60 Seconds
2000 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Dominic Sena
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Caan, James Duval,  Will Patton, Delroy Lindo, Timothy Olyphant, Chi McBride, Robert Duvall, Christopher Eccleston, Vinnie Jones

I guess car theft is a little lighter content-wise than kidnapping.  Although, all these crime movies in a row are overwhelming.

So Nicolas Cage is an ex-car thief and his brother, Giovanni Ribisi, is an idiot who tries to become a car thief and gets in over his head.  Cage pulls together his old thieving buddies from back in the day -- including Angeline Jolie, who looks like a crack whore in this movie, no joke -- and attempts to complete the job for him, so Christopher Eccleston won't kill him.  (Yes, Christopher Eccleston is in EVERYTHING lately.) 

But Delroy Lindo and Timothy Olyphant (also in EVERYTHING. G is his letter, man) are the cops who used to try to catch Cage and they're onto him.  Also, a car named Eleanor is Cage's nemesis. It's a long story but basically, he can't steal this one particular model without something bad happening. Of course, it's on the list and he saves it for last.  Will he make it in time?

Car chases ensue, but this ain't Fast and Furious.  It's a very markedly late 90's thrillfest and, as such, it's not so bad.  Absolutely do not watch this movie if you're looking for content.  Just watch it for the pretty cars.

Movie #207 - Flight of the Phoenix

Flight of the Phoenix
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 53 min
Director: John Moore
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Miranda Otto, Giovanni Ribisi, Hugh Laurie, Tyrese Gibson, Tony Curran, Scott Michael Campbell

Look, it's Dr. House! Also, one of his patients (Scott Michael Campbell) from that episode when the cop gets sick from the pigeon poop and Foreman catches it too... remember that one? Rad.

Anyway, that's not this movie.  This movie is all right, nothing incredible.  It's a remake and since I haven't seen the original, I can speak to how well done it is, or if it improves on the first one.  Anyone seen it? Care to elaborate?

Meanwhile, Giovani Ribisi is super annoying. And he kinda talks like he's impersonating Hannibal Lecter, which is somewhat creepy but mostly just douchey.  Talk. Like. A. Normal. Person.

I don't have much to say about this cookie-cutter adventure movie.  It's your typical band of strangers pooling their resources and efforts to overcome impending death.  Fly out of the desert on a plane you just built? Yeah, no problem. It's good, thanks to some of the performances, but it's not one you absolutely must see.  It scores a solid 50 on my 0-100 Meh-o-Meter.

Movie #86 - Boiler Room

Boiler Room
New Line Cinema
2000 - Rated R - 2 hr
Director: Ben Younger
Starring: Giovani Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck

I forgot how much I liked this, a quintessential 'boys' club movie' that attempts to delve into the depths of frat-boy finance.  Some of these guys actually remind me of some of my classmates at Bentley...which is a bit disturbing, but I guess can speak to the truth behind at least part of this movie.

Boiler Room is all about the kind of back-door dealings that were a lot more likely to happen ten years ago than (I hope) today.  Giovani Ribisi is great in this, playing the wounded son seeking his father's approval who stumbles into JT Marlin's offices.  Yes, that's supposed to sound similar to JP Morgan.  Huh.

The only scene that doesn't work is Ribisi's big sobbing breakdown with his dear ol' daddy.  It's really forced and uncomfortable to watch.  Crying ain't your thing, Giovani... Sorry, my friend.

Movie #53 - Basic

Basic

Sony Pictures

2003 - Rated R - 1 hr 38 min

Director: John McTiernan

Starring: John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Daly, Giovanni Ribisi, Taye Diggs, Harry Connick Jr.

Ok, I feel like I've been watching a lot of "mindless" entertainment so far, but here's one that will get you thinking for sure. Military intrigue is always a good time, and Basic does not disappoint.

If you haven't seen this one, I don't want to give too much away. I really recommend giving it a peek. Basically, the plot centers around the murder of Samuel L. Jackson and the special ops team that's accused of killing him. From beginning to end there are many twists and turns, and you'll be surprised to find out what's really going on here.

Travolta is great, Jackson is so good you want to punch him yourself, and the supporting cast are spot on. Well done all around. Definitely a favorite!

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.