Movies and Television

This is the best show I've ever seen. Really. Season one is on DVD and you'll probably end up torrenting season two because it is that fucking good.

Don't let anyone tell you it's a western. It's actually a beautifully complex new approach to examining the inner workings of un-annexed mining camps in the American frontier. The town of Deadwood has a reputation for lawlessness, but it's actually ruled by a ruthless and complicated network of saloon and business men. But the plot almost doesn't matter, because the writers somehow managed to create the most utterly compelling characters in a slow burn drama. Much like with Firefly, this is a very strong ensemble with no weak links. Every story is a little more messed up than you think, a little bit vulnerable. They blend fictional characters with real ones, like Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock, and Sol Starr.

Seriously, if you've never seen this show but find yourself intrigued by well-written, well-acted, meticulous stories (of which HBO has several lately), watch Deadwood.

My friend went and saw this on opening weekend and then proceeded to tell me "the filthiest joke in show business". His version was pretty good, but he blushed and got a little nervous at the end. Like, was this okay? And that's what's fun about this little gem. It's comics goofing off, pushing each other a little farther from what's OKAY.

Highly recommended. I brought fresh strawberries to the movie theater. My friends passed the bowl back and forth and we let ourselves enjoy the finer things in life.

So I got sick with the flu and then my boyfriend got sick. Good times. I think we might have given close to $40 to the local video rental store at this rate. I considered starting a web site called helpmygirlfriendissick.com to give advice to boyfriends about how to best care for a fragile and frustrated lady. My boy did pretty well. Here are some things we have watched:

1. Shakespeare in Love. A very good choice for day one of serious illness, as I'd already seen the movie and could just enjoy the fluffy love story. And it featured Ben Affleck in a few good scenes, which I had totally forgotten about. Plus Dame Judi Dench.

2. Moulin Rouge!. My love for Ewan McGregor was only slightly diminished by his unfortunate casting in "Star Wars", but this film is just packed full of the sparkle that made me fall in love with him in "a life less ordinary". I confess, I saw this movie twice at the theater. I was living at a remote research station, so the chance to go to town was a big one. The great thing about Moulin Rouge is the perfect blend of visual and musical appeal. The shots and music are modern, computer-driven even, but never irritating. In our pop era of mashups, this movie really gave them popular appeal (helped along by Fatboy Slim). And did I mention that every note is Nicole Kidman and Ewan? I really wish she would stop making such awful films and hold out for interesting scripts that let her be stunning and unique.

3. Pride and Prejudice - miniseries. First of all, Reel Video loses points for not clearly identifying this as a two disc epic, meaning that you must find and rent two different boxes. LAME. The boyfriend rented me part one and I happily watched until it got to the annoying middle cliff hanger of Mr. Darcy's proposal. Up until that point, a well-made adaptation, I must say. But how did those women fit into those empire dresses? We're talking some very high cleavage. Bizzare. If I ever get around to watching disc 2, I'll let you know how it turns out.

4. Bend It Like Beckham. Cute. Had seen before. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers needs to act in more dirty roles.

We have this little thing called "friendsgiving" for the day after Thanksgiving.

There was cake. There were leftovers. There was the extended edition platinum "Showgirls".

If you have not seen this film. you are missing out. It is truly one of the most epic, awful films ever made. You actually start to tire of seeing Elizabeth Berkley naked around the, oh, sixth time she doffs her top for no good reason. And we haven't even gotten to the most horrifying sex scene ever filmed. She actually straddles a man in a pool (now, we all know water is a no go, really). As he leans back against the wall, she thrashes wildly up and down and back and forth. How she manages to not drown and not ruin her horrific perm will boggle your mind for decades. By the time the movie makes its random yeah sure ending, you will readily sign up for the eight hour screening of Andy Warhol's Empire State Building, because eight hours of one building is what your brain will need to recover from the spastic acting in this film. She really does go crazy in every take.

Ah, friendsgiving. You brought me box cake (Duncan Hines!) and a truly scary box set.

I am officially addicted to "The Office".

This show is brutally painful to watch, but like all great comedy, you get hooked. The half hour episodes are filled with shots of literally nothing happening. People are working at the desk, quietly talking on the phone. The copy machine turns out perfectly collated stacks, again and again. And co-workers are annoying. And there's a little bit of flirting.

The show, aired originally on the BBC in England, aims for the same humor found in the movie "Office Space", without the Hollywood caper. In the first episode, Tim has placed Gareth's stapler into a jelly mold because it winds Gareth up and there's not much else to do. The whole office hums along at a plodding pace, dubiously cheered on by the rarely funny boss. This is where the show shines. The boss tries so hard to be a good mate, give everyone a laugh. But he just tries too hard. The best moments are when the staff roll their eyes toward the camera, comiserating with the audience.

But give this show a chance and you'll be desperate to hear more about the merger and see if Tim ever gets to be with his office crush, the adorable but underloved Dawn.

I've seen this twice now in the theaters.

It's a stunning first movie. It hit me with the same intensity as "American Beauty". Zach Braff does a stellar job as a director. As a writer? Well, my friends and I agree that this could have been a stronger movie but is certainly much better than say, your average senior film project.

Here's the premise: a 20-something jaded hipster actor leaves Los Angeles to return hom to New Jersey ("the Garden State") for his mother's funeral. What happens in the next four days is the core of this movie.

While some movies take this Family Reunion scenario and drag it through indie hell (think "Myth of Fingerprints", "You Can Count on Me", "Pieces of April" ... ad nauseum), "Garden State" prevails by often just showing scenes as weirdly funny and letting it be. And this movie is downright funny at times. Some of the biggest laughs are taken from surreal moments, shown without emotion or dialog. And really, that's the best way to think of this film. A surreal, hyperbolic lovestory among emotionally-stunted individuals.

And while I think Natalie Portman was miscast, she does bring a certain amount of chemistry to the film. The real standout character though is the best friend, a richly developed man who is neither buddy nor savior to Zach's main character. Overall, a very stunning debut. But I already thought he was a sexy little indie boy from the first moment I saw "Scrubs" back in 2001. Now everyone's fawning. I guess that's fame for you. Oh yeah, the soundtrack is also AMAZING.

Um, ick, better luck picking out a good movie. This sucked.

mmmm .... sexy indie french cinema at the university screening.

From 1983, this film by Maurice Pialat is actually one of the best French films I have ever seen. It's post-new wave but it's edgy. Basically, it's about a SEXY high school girl who just wants to be loved by her daddy, but isn't. So she screws everything in sight, all ages, all the time. She just wants to be loved and still pines for her first boyfriend. But that isn't the selling point of this film. No, see, it's all in the style. It makes Cassavetes look like a knockoff. The film moves in quick jumps from scene to scene, from year to year. Conversations are meaningless and random and end at random points. You see movement and you learn information, but it never adds up.

A must-see for any aspiring film snob.

I think the best review I saw of this movie had the concept like this:

This movie is an ice cream sundae. Yes, it's fluffy and sugary and brightly colored, but it's such a sweet, simple treat that makes you feel like a happy little kid.

If you go into it expecting a nice bit of candy shop magic, you'll do just fine. Plus Mark Ruffalo can call me up anytime.

It's a MUSICAL.

With Burt Reynold and Dolly Parton. And bad 80's clothing on her hookers. But, the great thing is that, in a group, this is a totally watchable movie. Because Dolly Parton is really precious and cute.

And if you are a native Texan, you can decide if you should laugh or cry every time anyone tries to speak with a southern accent.

Excellent.

So ... much ... swearing ...

This movie was surprisingly AWESOME.

Went to the big screen theater expecting nothing but cheeeeese. But man, oh, man, they delivered. Stuck with the Alien formula of having a kickass chick (the delicious Sanaa Lathan) take charge of the situation. And the science! The science was spot-on perfect. I just hate when movies are based on clearly false science. And this one hit all the big themes: aliens, primitive culture, pyramids, atmospheric science, Mayan culture, Antarctic exploration (although they lose points for too much skin exposure in a sleet storm), and group psychology.

Much like how Terminator 3 was actually quite watchable, this movie proves to be a delight. Highly recommended for your summer cinematic cravings of kickass women and well-rendered CGI.

Cute, wacky little British comedy about a half-Pakastani family living in London. A Pakistani father and a British mother herd a flock of rebellious children. It's pre-Bend it Like Beckham, but in a similar vein. Good film with a few painful moments (ick, wife-beating), mostly funny.

mmmm, French.