We are on a steady two movies per weekend diet henceforth
It's that time of year, oh yes.
#83: Dallas Buyers Club - In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. [imdb]
The storylines in this movie go exactly as you expect them to, but the acting in it, most notably from McConaughey and Jared Leto, exceeds all expectations. Well, not anymore, since I've told you it does, but you understand. Man, I remember when I first saw McC, in Contact, and I thought he was just great. Then he went and became a bongo-drumming parody of himself. And now, he's still kind of a nut, but he's somehow come back around and is churning out great performances. This one was really excellent; he made Ron Woodroof whole - gross, crooked, and prejudiced, but also clever, curious, and driven. I enjoyed his science nerding out the best, I think.
Jared Leto, meanwhile, was the spark in the movie. He delighted in the role, though I wanted more backstory between him and Jennifer Garner's character, because that looked interesting. When he was gone from the movie, a lot of the life and light went out of it.
The story was compelling, of course, making this movie more than just a showcase for the two actors (Garner was fine, too, but she was mostly a plot vehicle, and someone for them to play off of). It didn't leave much room for ambiguity in the heroes and villains, but it was mostly about Ron's transformation, so fine. This one will be around for a while and I would recommend it.
#84: Philomena - A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. [imdb]
All hail Dame Judi Dench!
I don't want to go too much into plot because I didn't know much going in, myself, and the details should be experienced as they are unveiled. If you already know the true story on which it's based, though, I think you'd still enjoy it, because it's a ripping one.
Philomena is not just about the titular lady (played by her Dameness with the usual but still impressive skill and dexterity), but about her journalist companion's education in people. He talks a lot to Catelyn Stark about good and evil while he's learning to see the world in more dimensions. Steve Coogan brings this subplot out delicately, but the real focus and heart of it stays with Philomena. And her heart is the story. She is at once clear- and cloudy-minded, naive and aware. An enormous, broad-reaching real-world drama becomes embodied in her.
The only downer on the experience was the obnoxious people at the front of the theatre. They were not there to enjoy the movie like the rest of our rather small (1pm show, whee) audience were. They left (LAUGHING!!) way too quickly just before the end, so I couldn't track them down and tell them they were rude.
(It is questionable whether I would have done it had they not rushed out, but...it was strongly considered. I have told off teenage boys being rude in a theatre before.)
Digression over. See the movie!
It's also the time of year when people travel to this part of the country and I get to hang out with my dear flisty peeps. *waves* Always lovely too see you! Sorry we couldn't offer better weather, but no one could. o_O
#83: Dallas Buyers Club - In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. [imdb]
The storylines in this movie go exactly as you expect them to, but the acting in it, most notably from McConaughey and Jared Leto, exceeds all expectations. Well, not anymore, since I've told you it does, but you understand. Man, I remember when I first saw McC, in Contact, and I thought he was just great. Then he went and became a bongo-drumming parody of himself. And now, he's still kind of a nut, but he's somehow come back around and is churning out great performances. This one was really excellent; he made Ron Woodroof whole - gross, crooked, and prejudiced, but also clever, curious, and driven. I enjoyed his science nerding out the best, I think.
Jared Leto, meanwhile, was the spark in the movie. He delighted in the role, though I wanted more backstory between him and Jennifer Garner's character, because that looked interesting. When he was gone from the movie, a lot of the life and light went out of it.
The story was compelling, of course, making this movie more than just a showcase for the two actors (Garner was fine, too, but she was mostly a plot vehicle, and someone for them to play off of). It didn't leave much room for ambiguity in the heroes and villains, but it was mostly about Ron's transformation, so fine. This one will be around for a while and I would recommend it.
#84: Philomena - A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. [imdb]
All hail Dame Judi Dench!
I don't want to go too much into plot because I didn't know much going in, myself, and the details should be experienced as they are unveiled. If you already know the true story on which it's based, though, I think you'd still enjoy it, because it's a ripping one.
Philomena is not just about the titular lady (played by her Dameness with the usual but still impressive skill and dexterity), but about her journalist companion's education in people. He talks a lot to Catelyn Stark about good and evil while he's learning to see the world in more dimensions. Steve Coogan brings this subplot out delicately, but the real focus and heart of it stays with Philomena. And her heart is the story. She is at once clear- and cloudy-minded, naive and aware. An enormous, broad-reaching real-world drama becomes embodied in her.
The only downer on the experience was the obnoxious people at the front of the theatre. They were not there to enjoy the movie like the rest of our rather small (1pm show, whee) audience were. They left (LAUGHING!!) way too quickly just before the end, so I couldn't track them down and tell them they were rude.
(It is questionable whether I would have done it had they not rushed out, but...it was strongly considered. I have told off teenage boys being rude in a theatre before.)
Digression over. See the movie!
It's also the time of year when people travel to this part of the country and I get to hang out with my dear flisty peeps. *waves* Always lovely too see you! Sorry we couldn't offer better weather, but no one could. o_O