Movie #351 - Labyrinth

Labyrinth
1986 - Rated PG - 1 hr 41 min
Director: Jim Henson
Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Brian Henson, Dave Goelz

Oh, David Bowie! Oh, baby Jennifer Connelly! And oh, Ludo!

Maybe it's my childhood talking, but I absolutely love this Jim Henson classic.  Looking back on it, I'm amazed that it didn't scare the crap out of me as a child.  Somehow, in that way that only Jim Henson can, the movie tells a story that is both appealing to children and to adults, tackling real-life peril with humor and fun.  Throw in a couple of songs -- and Bowie's outrageous Goblin King pants -- and voila! Instant classic the whole family will love.

Yes, it's weird and quirky and totally fantastical in nature.  Yes, the characters are bizarre. But they're also lovable.  Even if you get mad at Connelly for cursing her brother to the Goblin King in the first place, you'll forgive her within about 5 minutes and root for her all the way to the castle.  Gotta love a good quest story, right?  It's really tough not to love this movie.

Movie #144 - Dark City

Dark City
New Line Cinema
1998 - Not Rated - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Alex Proyas
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt

What's up, creepy movie? I see you have a pretty cool cast (even if Kiefer has a super annoying over-breathy speech thing as Dr. Schreber). I also see that you use of the word "dark" is not only symbolic, but also an accurate description of the lighting used in each shot.  At times, you look like a black and white film.

Mike loves this movie and I think it's a pretty cool concept.  Heavy, but cool.  Messed up memories that are planted in your head in a nightmare world, plus telekinetic aliens who want our souls.  That's twisted. Who comes up with these things? Oh, this director guy wrote it, so I bet he's pretty messed up.

Watch this one for something thought provoking, just don't get up to get the popcorn without pausing it. You'll be really confused if you miss even a moment.

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.

Movie #2 - 9

9
Focus Features
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 20 min
Director: Shane Acker
Starring: Elijah Wood, John C Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, Fred Tatasciore

This one is nice and short at 80 minutes, so I'm moving right along today.

9 is another good one - not one of my favorites, but fun to watch. Something about Elijah Wood as the main character, though, makes this heroic post-apocalyptic plight akin to a LOTR adventure. Just substitute a small troupe of robot Beanie Babies for the Hobbits and voila! And as for the whole the-nine-robot-Beanie-Babies-are-pieces-of-the-scientist's-soul business? That sounds like Voldemort's horcruxes to me...



Still, the movie is an enjoyable one. Lots of fun visuals, an intriguing premise, and an incredible cast of voice actors including Christopher Plummer and John C. Reilly. I wouldn't think watching a team of tiny, artificially intelligent beings battle robotic skeleton cats would be so riveting, but there you go. Ellie seemed to enjoy it too, but I don't think she was really following the plot.


Overall, though, this was another dark, bleak movie... two of those in a row plus this rainy weather is really bumming me out. Where are the comedies at right now?



Looks like I still have a ways to go before I get something lighter. 12 Monkeys is next - one of a triple feature collection that also includes Mercury Rising and The Jackal. I don't get anything funny until move #7. Argh.