Time, time, is NOT on my side, No it's not!

Sigh. I have been remiss. But I promise some forthcoming posts on:
1) Notes on a Scandal
2) Idiocracy
3) Happily N'ever After
4) Hot Fuzz

alas they may be awhile in appearing - or not I may surprise myself. Anyway, go back to enjoying your summer - movie reviews abound in this season...

"I like money."

Idiocracy - a very limited release film in 2005 starring Maya Rudolph and Luke Wilson. This movie is ridiculous and scary. The film depicts what would happen to the world if only the less intelligent procreated. Let me tell you the world would be a very scary place indeed.

Luke Wilson portrays an average joe military person. He is average. He has little ambition and likes it that way. He is of average health and intelligence. Maya Rudolph is a prostitute whose pimp Upgrayedd in exchange for a drop of criminal charges loans her for a year to the military. The military is launching a super secret operation in which they can freeze their military finest and therefore have at all times a super military force that can be frozen and defrosted as needed. Luke and Maya are frozen in an experiment scheduled to last for a year. Unfortunately for them no one knows about the project and when those in charge are removed from office no one notices that they are gone.

Fast forward 500 years into the future where they are defrosted and thrown into the intelligentsia's worst nightmare: a combination of slang, grunting and valley girl speech is the norm, powerade is spewing from the "water fountains", fast food is dispensed from vending machines and a recliner has a toilet built into it. Luke and Maya are the most intelligent people on earth. Life can't be good.

This is a horror film of sorts. Catch it on tv however, I'm not sure, although it is entertaining, it may not be be worth the rental except in certain select cases.

"I'm the first pancake."

Pieces of April - Surprisingly good. Filled with known stars but actually an independent film. I really enjoyed this film. April (Katie Holmes) decides to host Thanksgiving for her estranged family. Her mother (Patricia Clarkson) is terminally ill and it is implicit that this could be her last Thanksgiving with her family. April has a brother and a sister who are "perfect." Beth, April's little sister, is convinced the trip to New York to celebrate Thanksgiving with April is a bad idea. Timmy, April's brother, is a photographer and photographs the entire trip. Jim (Oliver Platt) is a stalwart father attempting to keep the peace between his family and get them to New York.

The story takes place through the course of one day (my favorite type of film). The story moves in parallels. April is trying as hard as she can to create a perfect meal, even though she is resisting it because of her previous relationship with her mother. Her oven, she discovers isn't working and must beg her neighbors for use of their ovens. Meanwhile, her family is meandering to New York having their own set backs and revelations.

April's boyfriend is Bobby who is delightful. Really the most adorable and sweet boyfriend, his character is great. He is a breath of fresh air.

I would say this movie is slightly slow and is filmed half way between an inde flick and a home movie - but even with that I say rent it. It is enjoyable. But then again I love holiday family movies.

"He tampered in God's domain."

Bride of the Monster - Wow! Ed Wood Jr. directed, wrote and produced this film - 1 hour and 9 minutes long. Bela Lugosi stars as a "mad scientist." He is trying to create a race of atomic people. He lives in the marsh. Which is an asset because he has a "monster" to take care of his failed experiments.

This film is too funny for words. I think it was supposed to be a horror film and yet there is nothing scary about it. The stock footage, lack of animation for the octopus and the lack of weather continuity all blended with poor acting and dialog create the best short funny horror film I have seen in, well, forever.

This film is best seen after viewing Ed Wood the Tim Burton movie of the 1990s. It adds a level of enjoyment that otherwise would not be so delightful. You have to watch this movie.

"I have my designs on her..."

Things You Can Tell By Looking At Her - a series of vignettes following several women. The women end up being related in a variety of ways. There is Glenn Close who is a doctor, recently divorced, she is taking care of her aged mother and has a tarot reading by Calista Flockhart. There is Holly Hunter the bank manager dating a married man who accidentally becomes pregnant and ends up arguing with a homeless woman who has her pegged and an abortion. There is also Calista Flockhart and her lover who is dying. Kathy Baker is a single mother to a 15 year old boy, she is a children story author, and a new neighbor moves in across the street. And finally there is Cameron Diaz who is blind and living with her sister Amy Brennan a detective.

It is not the fastest of paced movies, but the stories flow into one another. At first blush the stories are separate but as they unfold characters blend from one chapter to another. In a non-obvious way the title is revealed as each character is revealed by an unexpected source. Each chapter is apparently enclosed but the movie is kind enough to resolve a few threads that weren't needed but it was a nice touch. I am not sure if everyone will enjoy this film, but I found it be a solid drama with an interesting message about women, love, hope, and life.