It's been a while

I have been lazy. This is nothing new in my life. I have watched a lot of movies since last post. I'll do a quick overview and then review the best ones. I am going to add a new rating for Script. OK here we go!

Soldiers Pay Direction: 6 Cinematography: 7 Acting: this is a doc Script: doc Overall: 7 If you are pro war or a W lover you will not like this.

Thumbsucker Direction: 7 (pretty good for the R.E.M. bandmate Mike Mills first full length picture. Cinematography: 7 Acting: 8 Script: 7 Overall: 7 1/2 I enjoyed this movie. It was nice to see Vince Vaughn do something different for once. He was good in a more serious role. Lou Taylor Pucci in his first acting role was very good. I think we will see a lot from him in the future. Tilda Swinton and Vincent D'Onofrio were both solid as Justin's (Lou) parents. I liked this movie overall. I mean there were things that I didn't love but unique and fresh in a sea of mediocre movies. Recommended if you like unusual quirky films.

M Direction: 6 Cinematography: 8 Acting: 5 for Lorre a 8 Script: 8 (very controversial for the time) Overall: 8
Once again Peter Lorre is just brilliant in this film. This has to be the first movie I can think of that dealt with pedophiles and serial killers. Very very good. Warning this movie is in German so you have to actually pay attention and read the subtitles. This movie is supposed to be serious but listening to German people speak is comical. No matter what they are saying it sounds like they are pissed off.

Layer Cake Direction:8 Cinematography: 8 Acting: 7 Script: 8 Overall: 8
If you are a fan of movies like Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels you will really like this film. This is the movie that Guy Ritchie only dreams that he could make. This is much better than the two mentioned above. Very good.

Prozac Nation Direction: 2 Cinematography: 4 Acting: 2 Script: 3 (from what I have hear the book is good.) Overall: 3
I was so disappointed in this movie. I had been looking forward to seeing this for years. Well I wish that this movie had never been made. This movie was just bad from beginning to end. I can't recommend this movie to anyone. ANYONE!! Don't watch this by any means. I was very surprised that Christina Ricci took this role! I mean I like her a lot and this was probably the worst movie she has done. ( I have not seen Cursed which actually if possible looks worse.)

Hell House (DOC) Direction: 6 Cinematography: 5 Overall: 6
This documentary makes crazy off the wall charismatic Christians look as silly as they really are. This movie is comical in a lot of ways. Some of the things you hear are shocking to hear. Not a true picture of what Christianity is supposed to look like. There skewed view of the Bible is just that skewed.

A Certain Kind of Death(DOC) Direction: 7 Cinematography: 7 Overall: 7 This is not for the squeamish. There are some shots in this that are just absolutely disgusting. This doc is about people who die who have no next of kin. Basically the state has to research to find family. If they find none then they have to dispose of the body and assets accordingly. How these coroners do there job is beyond me. To have to see this stuff on a daily basis must be depressing.

The Weather Underground(DOC) Direction: 7 Cinematography: 7 Overall: 7

Monsieur Ibrahim Direction: 6 Cinematography: 8 Acting: 7 Script: 8 Overall: 8
Dialogue in French: Subtitles in English

The Brown Bunny Direction: 5 Cinematography: 7 Acting: 2 Script: 2 Overall: 4
This movie was VERY boring. I don't recommend this movie. Unless you like watching Vincent Gallo driving across country. I usually enjoy his films. This one I didn't. It is artsy for the sake of being artsy.

The Polar Express Animation Overall: 8 This movie is the most beautiful animated movie I have ever seen. The animation and special effects are just absolutely incredible. While I am not amazed at the movie itself this movie is a must watch for the animation. Very Highly Recommend!! Especially for those who can appreciate animation.

So other than movies I have just been busy with work. On Thursday I sprained my ankle pretty bad. I went to the hospital today. They put a soft cast on it. This sucks I can't drive now. Oh well I will sit in the back and let everyone chauffeur me around. I guess the positive thing is that I will have to be waited on hand and foot. HA HA I will find out Monday if it is a tear. I hope it is not because I am supposed to go to Disney in March. That is all I have for now. I'll be back. I am going to update this again on a daily basis. Ben OUT