Patsy and I watched two critically acclaimed movies this weekend on pay-per-view, Sideways Friday night and Closer last night.
Sideways is sad, warm, funny, and honest. It’s a bit of a squirmer, though. There are scenes that are just uncomfortable to watch because we all identify with the situation. Seeing it makes you squirm almost as much as living it. Paul Giamatti, normally the sidekick comic relief, stole the movie. That role could not have been done better. Glad I saw it but I couldn’t sit through it again.
I’ve heard about and read about Closer since it came out. One thing I heard from Roger Ebert and Christina is that all of the main characters are worthless. They all use deception and honesty to harm. Julia Roberts and Jude Law turned in typically good performances but Clive Owen and Natalie Portman were outstanding. This is another one I couldn’t sit through again.
Anyone else see these two?
I saw Sideways and liked it well enough. I have said I'd like to see it again, just to catch some of the things I might have missed. I didn't recognize Giamotti -- he plays the brother in Judging Amy, which I watched faithfully for about three years before losing interest. I was surprised when my friend told me who he was and where I had seen him before. The other fellow I recognized from Wings, which I also watched faithfully for about three years before losing interest. In that, he played the part of a very earnest dodo and I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. He never smiled, and yet here he was with big smiles and laughs (did he laugh?) and I just couldn't cope with it -- another reason to watch it again, to get his character straight in my mind. He was the one nominated for an Oscar, you know, not Giamotti. Unfair.
I didn't see Closer, but I have thought from time to time I'd like to.
Angela and Samuel and I went to see Crash this week. I liked it a lot but she did not. It was very thought-provoking and I think you and Patsy might like it, although I hate to presume.
I agree that Clive Owen & Natalie Portman stole the movie. They were so good. That's why they won the Golden Globes & not Julia or Jude. I might be able to watch that movie again.
I haven't seen Sideways yet, but will.
The boys & I watched National Treasure and Limoney Snickets this weekend. We liked both. National Treasure was just a good treasure hunt action movie. Limoney Snickets, while dark, was entertaining. The boys are on their third viewing of it as we speak! I saw The Interpreter this weekend as well. I liked it. I like "figure it out" kind of movies and that's what this was. Nicole Kidman was fine and so was Sean Penn. It's not a great movie but definitely good.
Joey and I tried to watch Closer this weekend. It was awful! Very boring and just not worth my time. We turned it off about half way through. I still want to see Sideways. We also watched The Notebook and National Treasure. The Notebook was boring and sappy, but National Treasure was mildly entertaining. I plan to see Star Wars next week with Samuel. He's so easy to take to a movie right now. I'll have to watch the first 5 movies with him this week to catch him up.
I haven't seen Sideways yet, but its high on the list. My husband and I watched Closer a few weeks ago. I had heard from many people how 'fabulous" it was so I had built it up to him. He walked out halfway thru and said he would rather clean the bathroom that watch that horrible movie. I forced myself to sit thru it out of principle. But I thought it was AWFUL!
National Treasure was GREAT! Its one we plan on buying now becuase we could watch it over and over. We also went to the drive in to see "Kicking and Screaming". Will Ferrell was great and the kids loved it.
Love your blog by the way....I live in PA but my heart and soul are in New Orelans....