Throughout the summer we were so consumed by the abundance of shows that came through Cleveland that we unknowingly neglected one of our other favorite pasttimes: film. However, over the past month or so we have made a conscious effort to divert our focus to this area:
Marie Antoinette [
Trailer]
A banging soundtrack provided the perfect landscape to this visually captivating film about an important part of history without seeming like a history lesson. Excellent performance especially by Ms. Dunst and amusing ones by Steve Coogan, Rip Torn, and Jason Schwartzman.
Half Nelson [
Trailer]
A favorite of the year -- that provides another strong soundtrack (driven by the likes of Broken Social Scene). Should help catapoult Ryan Gosling's career, reminding us of a young Ed Norton. The performances and developments of the characters actually make you care about them and more importantly:
connect with them.
The Last Kiss [
Trailer]
An extreme disappointment. Predictable and lame soundtrack. A "date movie" that we would highly recommend not seeing while on a date. We despised every character more and more as the movie progressed, with exception of
Jacinda Barrett's (from the Real World London) -- if that tells you anything!
Science of Sleep [
Trailer]
Extremly entertaining on various levels. Yet another strong performance by
Gael Garcia Bernel. Makes us smile even weeks after seeing it. Increases our love for
Michel Gondry. Given the sleep deprived lives we lead, we can definitely relate to the film's recurring theme of blurring reality with dreams.
Although we weren't necessarily impressed, it should be at least noted that the below films were the first (and last) that we've rented in quite some time:
Shop Girl [
Trailer]
The fact that we were more excited than anything else about
Mark Kozelek's (of
Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters) cameo appearance should speak volumes about the way we felt about the rest of the film. Unfortunately, this movie movie was so awkward that we could barely bring ourselves to watch it in its entirety.
I Love Your Work [
Trailer]
Including a random and somewhat interesting ensemble (including Joshua Jackson's amusing attempt to portray an indie film student). But, for as much star power (Vince Vaugn, Jason Lee, Christina Ricci, Elvis Costello, Giovanni Ribisi, Franka Potente,
the list goes on) as there was in the cast, there was no fire power in the script. Although we didn't necessarily like the movie, it is something we won't soon forget.
[The beautiful picture of Sofia we used above was created by the highly talented guys behind Rubenimichi]
