Some are good and some completely suck but I watch them anyway. Here’s what I have to say about the latest bunch of movies that have found their way to my eyes, ears, and brain this past month.
Blow: I seem to enjoy the rise from obscurity portions of these types of films a little more than the now you get your comeuppance parts. Still, I have no excuse for not having seen this sooner. Paul Reubens rules. Grade: B+
Remember Me: Would it kill anyone to be happy at some point during this movie? Talk about your Debbie Downer story line. Even the twist ending is depressing. Made me want to watch Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Grade: C-
Superbad: Even though I’ve seen it at least a dozen times, I never fail to catch three or four lines that I’d forgotten about. A modern American comedy classic. “I am McLovin!” Grade: A-
Fanboys: Coulda and shoulda been better than it actually was, this film picked up a little steam towards the end. Lots and lots of guest stars and cameos like Billy Dee Williams, Kevin Smith, and William Shatner just to name a few. Grade: C+
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: When the editor of Elle magazine suffers a stroke and wakes up paralyzed and unable to speak, he is forced to come to terms with his new life. That he spends his days writing with a blink of his eye is more than a little bit surreal from my point of view. It is an excellent film, nonetheless. Grade: A-
Nights in Rodanthe: Can somebody please explain to me why actors such as Richard Gere and Diane Lane would sign on to participate in such an overtly sub-standard and shitty movie? It had to be more than for just a paycheck, right? Grade: D
From Paris with Love: A wholly unmemorable action flick with an over-the-top performance from John Travolta. I enjoyed his two Royale with Cheese references, though. Grade: C-
The Proposal: This one is all on Fehmeen. I fell asleep within the first fifteen minutes. I believe she said that it was the worst movie ever. Grade: D-
Whip It: This one wasn’t nearly as terrible as the critics said it was but then again how bad can it be watching good-looking women who are dressed provocatively with tattoos up and down their arms rolling around an oval track taking potshots at each other? Maybe it was some other movie. Grade: B-
Grown Ups: An endless series of funny one-liners surrounded by an almost non-existent, swiss cheese-like plot. Were you expecting anything more? Grade: B-
Hostel: Will your opinion of me change drastically if I told you that I kinda sorta really liked this movie? Seriously though, it’s not necessarily for everyone, just for those of us who are a bit more desensitized to this sort of thing than most. Grade: B+
Hostel Part II: It should have been a sign from the movie gods that this film was going to massively suck when the opening credits were exactly the same as the first one. Chalk it up to heightened expectations but this movie suffered from unsettling violence for the sake of unsettling violence and the completely unbelievable change in character of every single one of the leads. So disappointing on every level. Grade: F
Iron Maiden Flight 666: I don’t know what I found to be more baffling: 1) How revered this band still is world-wide. 2) How hard they still rock two decades removed from their heyday. 3) The fact that lead singer Bruce Dickinson is actually the pilot of the band’s 757 tour plane. 4) Why the hell could I not have any Iron Maiden in my music collection. (I do now). Grade: B
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage: Anyone who knows me must be wondering why on earth would I be watching a movie about the band that tops my personal most reviled list. Let’s just say that my friends Dooms and Paco thought that it would be a good idea. Actually, the dorkumentary wasn’t as annoying as it could have been but it did turn into the prototypical Rush fan sausage party once my friend Janet left. Grade: B-
Now that I’ve had my say, I would love to hear your take on these movies.
The Adventures of ALS Boy 
Cannot disagree more about “Beyond the Lighted Stage”. As a proud Rush fan I have to say the film very much fulfilled the job of giving a perspective and history of the band that very few understand. I wasn’t going to purchase a copy until I saw it was from the same people who did “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey”. While not much of a metalhead, I found that film well done, thorough, and engaging. For a film about a band I have enjoyed for 30+ years, they did another fine job. By the end the viewer understood the band, the fans, and the process that allowed the longevity of success.
I give the film an A, and not because I spent years assembling and playing a drum kit matching Peart’s “Moving Pictures” set.
“Prototypical Rush fan sausage party.”
I’ll comment on the rest after I stop laughing at this. But it may be a while.
I bought The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on pirated DVD in China, only to come home to realize there were no English subtitles. I tried to watch it anyway, thinking my French might be good enough to follow. I thought it was about a guy living in an artist colony. Looks like I’m going to have to try that movie again.
I am really out of it….not only have I not seen a single one of these movies, I haven’t heard of half of them.
Over the last year though, I have taken to watching a lot of TCM and have found it to be quite enjoyable – no commericals. I like how they’ll take a particular theme or actor and run several movies. Two weeks ago, it was ‘Terry the Terrier’ who was Toto in the Wizard of Oz – the next film was a Spencer Tracy picture called Fury which I had never heard of but turned out to be pretty good. (The dog’s name is Rainbow in Fury – I think I like Toto better.) Anyway – I recommend checking TCM out…
The only two of these I’ve seen are Blow and The Proposal. Blow gets an A from me simply for the Johnny Depp factor. The Proposal was pretty silly but I didn’t fall asleep. 😉
Of the others, I’m adding the Diving Bell to my Netflix list since it sounds really interesting.
I’m really pathetic about seeing – and remembering – movies. We hardly ever go to the theater and I tend to keep Netflix movies for weeks before getting around to watching and returning them.
Dorkumentary?
How dare you! Why, if I had my light saber right now, I’d show you who’s a dork….
Remember this well, my friend: It’s Geddy’s World. We Just Live in It.
The movie is great. And Rush is the Greatest Band in All of Time and Space.
PS: Annette and I are off to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks to see the Boys at the MGM Grand. We’ll hoist one in your honor.
I have to agree with you on Hostel, really liked the first one, was disappointed with the sequel. I guess I’m just kinda twisted, but I found the first one to be an adrenaline packed roller coaster ride, really intense. I also really like Flight 666. I’d be happy to give you some suggestions regarding Maiden, but any live album is a good start….you really didn’t have Live After Death already? For shame Mr. P!