Movie #314 - Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire
1994 - Rated R - 2 hr 3 min
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Thandie Newton

How doI love this movie? Let me count the ways...
     1. little Kirsten Dunst.... amazing
     2. vampires with feelings
     3. Hello, Brad Pitt.
     4. best ending possible
     5. a multi-period piece with some nice set and costume work - I can appreciate that

Honestly, this is my favorite vamp movie.  The new ones are all lame. This is the best.  And, to make it even better, it was made before vampires were trendy. So there, Stephenie Meyer.

But really.  This is a whole cast of emo, homo-erotic vampires played by really pretty celebrities who are all vamped out to look not so pretty anymore. Except Kirsten Dunst who is the world's most gorgeous little vampire.  And again, let's revisit how AH-MAZ-ING she is in this movie. Possibly her best role to date.  How unfortunate for her to peak so young, but how fortunate for us to be able to watch this performance over and over again, if we so choose.

It's not the best movie ever, I can admit that, but I think it's a great ensemble, a really creative premise (remember, this came out before "Buffy," ok?) and a unique way to tell the story. Plus, how deliciously evil is Tom Cruise? And I'm not even a big Cruise fan, but I love this performance.

Movie #285 - How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Robert B. Weide
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston

Oh, Simon Pegg.  Even when he's being a total jerk, he's so charming.  As a British writer struggling to get it together and climb to the top in New York City, Pegg's easily blinded by celebrity glitz and glamour. For example, Megan Fox.  But as Kirsten Dunst unexpectedly creeps up on his radar screen, things might have to change while his priorities shift.

This movie's nothing amazing, but the ensemble has good chemistry.  I'd never put Pegg and Dunst together, personally, but here they make sense. Weirdly.  Anyway, it's a cute movie, with lots of great Pegg moments, and I think most would enjoy it.

Movie #111 - The Chronicles of Riddick

The Chronicles of Riddick
Universal Pictures
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 59 min
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban

I don't really have that much to say about this movie.  It's kinda weird, not as epic as it thinks it is, and is really just an excuse for Vin Diesel to play Riddick again and kick some alien ass.  Necromongers? Really?

The fact that Judi Dench is in this movie gives it a certain amount of credibility, but I'll be honest, even she can make me a fan of this sci-fi borefest.  Mike really likes this one, but I think Pitch Black was far, far better.  We'll talk about that one when I get to the P's.