City Slickers

City Slickers, 1991
City Slickers (Collector's Edition)



I'd never go as far as to call myself a cowboy, well cowgirl but I like to think that I have a little better than general idea about horses and what working a ranch would be like. I mean, I know I would make plenty of mistakes, but I don't think it would be as hard for me to make the transition from city life to life on a ranch. Again, I'm not really a rancher and I'm far from being a complete city girl, I guess I'm just country enough to be able to laugh watching these kinds of movies without getting too frustrated with some LA writer's take on three city guys spending two weeks trying to driving cattle.

It's the end of the weekend though and I've spent almost every hour that I've not been in the store trying to play catch up and get ahead. I'm doing this in hopes of being able to make my trip to Ohio a true vacation. I mean lets face it, I need a vacation. I guess I just feel like the mood is right for a comedy, I had a busy but not awfully stressful day at work and now I just want to relax a little bit.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

To be completely honest I expected the movie to be more about the three guys: Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, and Bruno Kirby learning how to be cowboys and stumbling to figure out the lifestyle. So naturally I was surprised when I realized how little amount of time was spent watching the boys trying to learn to be cowboys. I kind of expected to watch them learn how to ride a horse, get thrown off a couple of times and land in mud at least once. Which in a way I'm kind of glad the movie took the route it did focusing more around the guys trying to figure out which direction they were heading in life.

One of the things that I've noticed though about the 365 Movie Challenge, aside from getting a better perspective on filmmaking and watching movies that I had never seen before, has been a greater appreciation for some of the actors who seem to go unnoticed. I mean, it wasn't until I watched Dragnet that I really realized what an amazing actor and comedian Dan Akyroyd is. City Slickers though, leaves me feeling a little like Billy Crystal continues to just play himself in a lot of his roles. Or at least the roles I've seen him in. The odd thing about it though is that I'm okay when Billy Crystal does it, but I find it incredibly irritating when Lindsay Lohan does it and we call it acting.

Basically, I don't think I really understood what the movie was going to be about before I started watching it. I didn't think it would be about making sense of your life and realizing what matters most to you. Instead I had expected it to be a silly comedy about three guys from the city trying to learn how to be cowboys. It made me think back to an article I started reading early today that Merly Streep did for Vanity Fair. I haven't finished the article yet, but what I've taken from the article is how Merly Streep responded to all of the success (box office success included) she has had as an older actress. Which tends to be rare. She still gets these great parts in movies and brings a youthful sense to so many of them. I just love her. Anyways, the thing that Streep pointed out was that there has always been an audience for these kind of movies, movies that older women as an audience would be interested in, they've just never really been marketed to them before. The best example: It's Complicated. It might not be 'THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE' but it's fun, and interesting to see an older woman involved in that kind of love triangle. It's really the first time we're seeing women in these kind of roles. City Slickers is kind of comparable to the same idea, in my mind at least. When something can be a comedy and handle semi-serious subject matter it's a win. Market the movie more as a comedy and throw in some underlying but serious subject matter, and it's a more marketable movie for an older male audience.

Final thoughts: The movie wasn't what I had expected it to be, but I really liked it. Of course being a girl, my favorite part was watching Billy Crystal bond with Norman the adorable calf. Although I have to say, I would have been completely satisfied having not watch the cow give birth. I thought it was gross, but I kind of want a calf to call my own now.

OFFICIAL COUNT 76 DOWN 289 TO GO

Next up: Amelie

Bram Stoker's Dracula, but directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Bram Stoker's Dracula, 1992
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition)



I don't know what it is about Dracula, but I just can't seem to get on board with vampires of any kind. Even though Wil has tried to convince me it's really not that awful, I've managed to avoid the movie this long. At this point though, why not try something new for the 365 Movie Challenge.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

I don't really know what beef was with Dracula. I mean it's a great movie and story, so I can really only sum it up to being stubborn and kind of silly about not watching the movie or even trying to watch it for so long.

Even before I sat down to watch the movie with Wil, he was great enough to kind of highlight a couple things about the movie for me. For example, I had no idea that the costume designer was originally hired as the art director but asked to do costuming only after Coppola noticed some of the wardrobe sketches she had done. I also didn't know that Coppola was also stubborn enough to insist that all the effects in the movie be done practically, which gave the movie a little bit of edge over other Dracula movies. Wil was right though, it did help a little to know those things before watching the movie.

The biggest problem I had with the movie was Keanu Reeves, who was only casted in the role because Coppola wanted to find a male actor who young females would connect with. In other words, he wasn't as concerned about acting capabilities as he was a pretty face. Which Keanu's lack of acting isn't really the only problem with the movie, he doesn't really register English to me and he's too pretty but not necessarily in a good way. I mean certainly there had to have been another attractive actor who was available in 1992. I guess just don't understand why Coppola hadn't settled for a Calvin Klein model from that years spring or summer campaign.

Wil was right, there are some pretty fabulous wardrobe pieces in the movie; although I have to disagree with him about the wedding dress Lucy chooses. I understand it may have been Victorian, but it was just too much for me. I mean, I appreciate the dress and all of the lace that comprised it but it was just too much for me. Although, kudos to the designer, Eiko Ishioka, for his design and color choice. The portion of the movie that occurs in 1897 makes not only the style, but color choice of the dress rather historically accurate.

A picture of Lucy's wedding dress:

I recently found out, and I think it's incredibly interesting, that there has always been a lot of thought that went into a wedding dress. Okay, I guess there really isn't any surprise there, but for example, it wasn't until Queen Victoria married in 1840 wearing a white dress that changed the way we use colors in wedding dresses today.

Prior to the Queen's wedding, it was actually common for women in Scandinavia to wear black on their wedding day. A bit ironic, because Black has become the accepted color for mourning. A lot of women who married after Queen Victoria, chose to marry in the same color as a way to honor the Queen's choice. As though the Queen would really ever acknowledge people outside of her immediate circle of friends who followed not only her political choices but her choices in fashion as well. At some point there after it was then decided that white would symbolize purity, but I just kind of think that was some extremely religious person who later set that guideline. Which basically means prior to the wedding of Queen Victoria wedding dresses were made in a multitude of colors, and it was things like the material and the yardage that mattered the most. Think about it, a peasant or lower class woman wouldn't be able to marry wearing layers upon layers of velvet and lace. So for all you brides who want to wear canary yellow on your wedding day: just remind your guest that it's a perfectly acceptable choice and if it weren't for Queen Victoria they could have worn the same canary yellow, velvet dress with a forty foot train you're going to wear on your big day.

Final thoughts: I really don't know what my beef was with watching Dracula or any of the Dracula movies for that matter. I mean, the story is actually pretty awesome and is full of sexual undertones during a very Victorian England so why wouldn't I have been interested? At the very least, I'm glad I watched the movie. It was better than I thought it would be, and it's one that I would recommend everyone watching at least once.

P.S. If anyone ever does marry in a canary yellow, velvet dress that has a forty foot train, I need to see pictures!

OFFICIAL COUNT 75 DOWN 290 TO GO

Next up: City Slickers

Wild Strawberries

Wild Strawberries, 1957
Wild Strawberries - Criterion Collection



I can't recall how this movie made it onto the list. I think perhaps it had been a suggestion made by a friend? Anyways at this point I don't really have any idea what the movie is about. I cheated a little and read the brief synopsis on Netflix, so of course now after having done so I know that it's a foreign film.

I'm also a little reluctant to watch the movie, but maybe it will be just as amazing as The Bicycle Thief was and I'll really like the movie.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

One of the first impressions of the movie that I had was that it would be a retelling of memories from the old man's life, the same way Fried Green Tomatoes had been done. The way the story was told wasn't too far off from what I had anticipated, but I never expected the main character to be such an grumpy old man. Not that I'm complaining, there's actually something a little charming about him. One of my favorite lines from the movie, and I think it really says a lot about the character and ideals of this old man, was early in the movie while riding in the car with his daughter-in-law, Marianne. Just as Marianne lights up a cigarette Isak, the old man, asks Marianne to refrain from smoking and even goes as far as to insist that there be a law forbidding woman to smoke. The scene goes on as follows:

Isak: There should be a law forbidding women to smoke. (Pause) Now give me a cigar; that's stimulating and relaxing. That's a vice for men.

Marianne: And what vices may a woman have?

Isak: Weeping, giving birth, and speaking ill of her neighbors.

When I was watching the movie I cringed a little thinking that none of those things sounded like fun: weeping or giving birth. It wasn't really until he mentioned speaking ill of ones neighbors that I kind of thought, "Well I guess if women are to have only those three vices, that one isn't so bad and too far fetched." I'm not sure how that reflects on me as a person, but I loved the fact that this grumpy old man is sexist enough to assume these are comparable vices for men and women. But it was 1957 when the movie was made, and it's foreign so some of the ideas people had back then were different.

Final thoughts: Throughout the movie we realize that Isak hasn't always been able to lead a happy life, in fact his life is rather empty. He's had several things to overcome, some harder than others. His brother for instance ended up marring Sara, a girl that he was in love with. We also realize that he has a rather distant relationship with his son, which is rather depressing.

On a bit of a different note though: This seems to be a pattern with a lot of foreign films, they're able to go into a darker subject matter and be regarded as great films. I don't know if it's part of the American spirit, but a lot of the films we make are positive and leave the audience feeling upbeat about things. I mean, I realize there are some stories that are told on the silver screen that are tragic and at times our hero's don't always win, but for the most part they come out on top. We're about rooting for the underdog, overcoming our fears, and letting at least one pretty girl escape the clutches of a masked serial killer or evil force.

OFFICIAL COUNT 74 DOWN 291 TO GO

Next up: Bram Stoker's Dracula

Fame

Fame, 1980
Fame



I really only added this movie because the Sidney Theater put on the show and my sister had a small part in the production. I get a little bummed out when I think about all the things that I miss out on going to because I live so far away, but I heard the show was great. P.S. Paizley, I'm proud of you!

As far as the movie goes though, I kind of expect it to be just okay in the same way that Flashdance was just okay. I know the movie is about a group of kids who attend a performing arts school in New York, so at the very least it should be entertaining to watch people dance, sing, act, and play music.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

This movie was much better than Flashdance, it actually blew Flashdance out of the water. That being said though there were a few things that didn't necessarily sit well with me. It's really a love/hate thing that I have with the large ensemble of characters. I mean, I appreciate that there was an ensemble of students with different focused areas of study: dance, music, and drama.

However, by having an ensemble. I felt like it pulled us away from really experiencing four years at the performing arts high school with the entire cast. There were so many characters who seemed to be introduced, and had potentially brilliant story lines that had been dropped to soon. The perfect example is Hilary Van Doren who not only challenges Coco both in dance but with Leroy as well. That's right, she comes into the school and takes a big interest in Coco's boyfriend. It is a little cliche that the pretty, rich, white girl comes to school one day and suddenly the resident minority, and keep in mind Coco has reminded us more than once that she's a minority, has a bit of a fit and trouble adjusting as a result. Though Hilary gets a bit of closure, she leaves the school after becoming pregnant, post abortion and takes a place in a San Fransico Ballet Company. It's all explained in a monologue with a bit of a reveal that she's in a doctors office. It's almost like the director realized the movie was going to be five hours long and the monologue was his way to save the audience from sitting in a theater for another hour at least.

The best part of the movie though is watching the students learn to make their way in the Entertainment Industry. We get to see their struggles: revealing to everyone that you're gay, getting caught up in the party scene, learning to stand out among a crowd instead of blending into the background, and being so caught up in chasing your dream that you wind up stripping in front of a camera in some dirty apartment.

Final thoughts: The movie manages to end on a high note, a final performance just before graduation. It's fun and exciting, but not as exciting as the time everyone starts signing and dancing in the street outside of the school. Although the final performance allows you to finally realize these talented kids are going to be able to go somewhere and do something within the Entertainment Industry, potentially. Really, the only thing missing from the movie was learning about what all the students went on to do in their future. We're left wondering how many people end up like Michael, someone who had such a bright future and excelled at the same school who is now left waiting tables and struggling as an actor, and how many went on to have successful careers.

OFFICIAL COUNT 73 DOWN 292 TO GO

Next up: Wild Strawberries

Week 12 Announced

The titles for week 12 are:

There's Something About Mary, 1998
There's Something About Mary (Widescreen Edition)



Monster's Ball, 2001
Monster's Ball



Babel, 2006
Babel [Blu-ray]



The Spirit, 2008
The Spirit



Drop Dead Fred, 1991
Drop Dead Fred



An American Werewolf in Paris, 1997
An American Werewolf in Paris



Steel Magnolias, 1989
Steel Magnolias (Special Edition)

Dragnet

Dragnet, 1987
Dragnet



I'm optimistic about this one, because it stars Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks both of who I think are brilliant comedians.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

This movie was amazing, but if you haven't seen it don't start watching the movie under the pretense that it's going to be like an extended episode of the show from the 1950s. It's certainly a parody of the old show, and is made rather obvious from the beginning when the narrator explains, "Your attention, please. The story you are about to see is true; the names have been changed to protect the innocent. For example: George Bakers is now called Sylvia Wiss."

Throughout the movie though Dan Aykroyd does an amazing job playing Sgt. Joe Friday, who is consumed with his job and attempts to do everything by the book. Think Dewight from The Office. Naturally this is where Tom Hanks, who plays Pep, comes into play and a lot of the comedy in the movie is rooted in the banter Pep and Sgt. Friday. The idea of putting two opposites together for comedy isn't something new, we've seen it time and time again but both actors make it fresh so it doesn't feel like the same jokes that we've all heard before.

One last thing, and it's something I've tried to censor myself on in the past but to hell with that idea at this point. Right? The movie was made in the 1980s and it doesn't really try to hide the fact either. I really don't want to be 'that person' because I realize when the movie was made in 1987 it was modern, hip and all things that were considered amazing. It's just watching it twenty-three years later and realizing how it really speaks for that decade: all of the girls in bikinis were wearing swimsuits that were cut high on the girls hips, and the wardrobe from Muscle Beach screamed 1980s aerobics routine videos.

It's just become one of those things that I like to look back at and kind of realize how far we've come in fashion and in technology. Another example: Not a single person had a cell phone in the movie, and if it were made today there wouldn't be a single character in the movie without a cell phone. Actually, Sgt. Friday may have refused to carry a cell phone, but would have cited traffic laws to Pep while he was talking on the phone and driving at the same time.

Final thoughts: I thought the movie was great. The parts I enjoyed the most focused around the banter between Pep and Friday. We all could kind of see it coming a mile away, but it was fun watching them learn to work together and become friends.

OFFICIAL COUNT 72 DOWN 293 TO GO

Next up: Fame

Fantastic! Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2009
Fantastic Mr. Fox



When this movie first hit theaters my friend Rod littered Facebook with different articles, pictures, and links full of information about this movie. Why? It's because the movie was made by Rod's favorite director and in his opinion the only director who really matters, Wes Anderson.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

I was so excited about watching the movie that I ended up buying it on a whim one day. It actually turned out to be one of those movies that I know I'm going be able to pop in and watch repeatedly. I didn't realize though before watching the movie that it was stop-motion animation and what the story was about even for that matter. Despite the fact the movie is an animation, you can smell Wes Anderson all over the movie. Throughout the movie there are a lot of wide shots and big sets, like in Life Aquatic and the movie has a vintage edge in the same way that The Royal Tenebaums had a vintage edge.

Final thoughts: I liked the movie a lot. It was a little long like the majority of Wes Anderson's movies, but it's one of those movies you can pop in and watch while working on a jigsaw puzzle. You don't have to give it all of your attention to follow the movie and it's entertaining enough to keep on in the background.

OFFICIAL COUNT 71 DOWN 294 TO GO

Next up: Dragnet

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose, 2005
The Exorcism of Emily Rose - Unrated (Special Edition)

I don't know if it's the unknown or the fact that it's not commonly accepted, but I've always loved a good ghost story and that includes stories of exorcisms. So a new take on another exorcism story, I'm just thrilled.

After having watched the movie:

(Possible spoilers below)

I didn't realize the plot of the story would focus around a courtroom battle against the priest who attempted to release Emily of her demons. So I did a little digging into the movie, the story, and Emily Rose. I found out, according to IMDB and Wikipedia, Emily Rose is a fictional character based loosely on Anneliese Michael, a German girl. Anneliese Michael who like 'Emily' had died after unsuccessful attempts of exorcisms while taking prescription drugs typically prescribed for those who suffer from epileptic seizures. Here's where we start to realize that, “based on a true story” isn't maybe as based on a true story as we might suspect.

One of the things that I think the movie fails to mention, and it's something I've not really seen in many movies, is the process that goes into performing an exorcism. For the Catholic Church to become involved there has to be witnessed possessions, a long and detailed investigation, and then the priest who has agreed to perform the exorcism has to begin a long period of fasting, praying and meditating to prepare himself for the process. It's a lot more than deciding, "Oh dear, she has the devil inside her!" throwing holy water around and making a couple signs of the cross. Of course I realize that in movies there isn’t the time allotment to show these things; I just always feel a little cheated whenever it's skimmed over.

Overall though, I loved the movie. I think Jennifer Carpenter is an amazing actor and did an amazing job portraying Emily Rose. Another fun fact to share is that she is double jointed, so the configuration she was found in by her best friend in college was something Jennifer Carpenter is able to do because she is double jointed. Double jointed people kind of weird me out because it's not normal and I don't know, maybe I feel that way because I'm not double jointed.

Final thoughts: Just simply put, I liked the movie a lot. I thought it was a great exorcism movie and really dug the new take on the story by focusing around a courtroom trial.

OFFICIAL COUNT 70 DOWN 295 TO GO

Next up: Fantastic Mr. Fox

BACK ONLINE

Wow. I think this has been the longest five days ever. I never want to be without the internet again, and yeah go ahead and roll your eyes because I've been hooked to the internets since the early days of AOL.

I've made a little progress so far this week with the movie challenge. I finished last week, shy again of LA Confidential, but I'm going to post the list for next week later today and the final movies from last week as well. Just make sure to check back for it later.

Trekkies

Trekkies, 1997
Trekkies



I was so excited when I first found out this documentary had been made, because I think Star Trek fans remain to be some of the most loyal fans. I also think the root of my interest in the documentary stems from having never really found anything that I am such an avid fan, and I've never really understood why so many people go crazy over Star Trek, Star Wars, or X Men.

Before watching the documentary though I thought maybe it'd be best if I familiarized myself with some of the source material, so I decided that it would be best if I were to watch the first four Star Trek movies first.

After having watched the documentary as well as the Star Trek movies:
(Possible spoilers below)

I completely understand the degree of fan-dom that exists around Star Trek now after watching the movies and being exposed a bit more to the source material. I really liked the movies overall, and like many Trekkies I agree that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan remains superior to at least all the other Star Trek movies I've seen.

The best part about the documentary though was the interviews with the original cast from the TV series and movies. I think had I seen more of the movie and TV series I would have maybe appreciated seeing part of the cast from some of the spin-off series. I loved most the retelling of some of the fan letters and things the cast and writers had received while working on the show/movies and still today. The most touching story of all though was the one shared by James Doohan about a suicidal fan who because he continued to invite to Star Trek conventions was still alive at the time the movie was first released.

I knew I would be and was left wanting a little more about the kind of costumes people dress up in and the degree people go to for Star Trek conventions and Star Trek Memorabila, because after all that's what makes a Star Trek fan so interesting to me. There is a second documentary and I do think I'll watch it, but it won't be included in the 365 Movie Challenge.


Final thoughts: While I don't know that I will ever really be a 'super fan' of Star Trek or really ever call myself a Trekkie, besides I can't do the 'V' shape with either hand. I guess my tendons just don't allow it to happen. I can't deny though that the Star Trek movies or at least Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is really good and worth watching at least once. One final note, because I also don't know that I'll ever be able to really sum up into words what Trekkies is about. Instead I'll just leave the link below for the trailer below.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3674145561/

OFFICIAL COUNT 69 DOWN 296 TO GO

Next up: The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire



I remember when the movie came out a few years ago, and I remember not seeing it in theaters despite so many rave reviews that the movie received. I don't why I just couldn't seem to get on board with the movie at the time.

After having watched the movie:
(Possible spoilers below)

Wow. I completely understand why everyone went crazy for this movie when it first came out after watching it for the first time. The movie is incredible in almost every aspect of filmmaking. The story is new spin on rags to riches, it's shot beautifully, the acting was so incredible and when everything comes together so well in a movie, I forgot about everything else going on around me. I was never pulled away from the movie or felt as though I needed to stop the movie and resume it later after unloading the dishwasher. Which is something that I've done in the past, even though the same dishes had been in the dishwasher for more than two days. With as many distractions that we have throughout our lives now: internet, text messaging, cells phones, etc I was amazed that I didn't feel like I needed to finish packing things for the move I had this past Saturday.

I can't say that the movie made me want to immediately call my travel agent and book a flight to India, but it did provide another perspective of what life is like in other countries. I also have a greater respect for director, Danny Boyle who had the money earned by the three lead children in the movie set aside in a trust that will be available to them after they finish school and turn 16 years old. It was also arranged that they will have the transportation available every day to get back and forth from school until they are 16 years old. This Danny Boyle, makes you a class act sir.

Final thoughts: This was an incredible movie and I'm glad that I was finally able to sit down and watch the movie, because it was worth every watching every minute of. It was a great escape from reality and a 'feel good' story about a boy who struggled all of his life and was finally able to make it to the top. It's no wonder the movie did so well given the struggle a lot of people are facing right now given the current state of our economy.

OFFICIAL COUNT 68 DOWN 297 TO GO

Next up: Trekkies