“Carlie’s Angels” is complete and total fluff. And it’s so much fun! I never saw the first, but I quite enjoyed this movie. It’s not the kind of movie I’d see a second time, nor will it ever be a DVD buy, but I just sat there laughing along with the actors at the crazy stuff they all got into. Oh, and Demi Moore, baby … baby … oh MAMA!
After the debacle that was “Hulk” I desperately wanted to see some good movies. I mean solidly good. So, I went the documentary route. I saw “Capturing The Friedman’s,” which I discussed earlier, and loved it. The next one was “Spellbound,” a movie that follows eight different kids on their quest to reach the National Spelling Bee. Now, right off the bat you might think this is a pretty lame idea for a movie. Hell, I did! But then, independent of one another, Shylo and Charles both highly recommended this film to me, so I figured it was worth a try.
“Spellbound” provides the movie goer with a unique look at America through the eyes of eight radically different families. There’s small town families, big town, white trash, ethnic, pretty much every sort of nuclear family is represented in this film. And the kids are all completely different. There’s the overachievers, the soon-to-be mass murderer type (this one kid is truly freaky), the “MY GOD WILL YOU JUST SETTLE DOWN” kid, the quiet one, the awkward one, etc … And you follow each of these kids as they compete in local spelling bees as they make their way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C..
The story is engrossing and you’re sucked in entirely. After you’re introduced to the eight kids profiled, you begin to choose which one you’d like to see go all the way. Then it’s time for the big show, the National Spelling Bee, and your heart begins to jump. It’s as though you’ve been with these kids their entire journey and you really want to see your favorite win (sure, we probably shouldn’t choose sides and “they’re all winners,” but fuck that. I had my two favorites, both lost). As each kid struggles with a word, or when one fails, you’re heart goes out to them. You cringe, you curl up in your seat … it’s as though you’re watching a sporting event, but can’t say a fucking word because the crowd will shush you up. I actually noticed I let out numerous sighs of relief after a kid would spell a word correctly!
I LOVED this film. Thuroughly entertaining and it provides a unique look into this very special sort of child abuse known as the National Spelling Bee. I believe the movie is leaving theaters rather quickly right now, so try to catch it while you can.
WOW! I was so excited when I discovered that my favorite bar in Los Angeles has their own Web site and it’s pretty good, too! If you live in Los Angeles, or ever visit, you absolutely must go to the Tiki-Ti. This place kicks giant ass. Like hippo sized ass. Wait, that’s not big enough. We’re talking elephant sized ass kicking times two!
There are SO many “cool” places in LA, but most are all hype. This place is very legitimately cool. Go there and see how real people live.
I must remember to thank Tracy for taking me there the first time about three years ago.
The Chairman of TiVo talks with MSNBC about the current state of the company, its recent growth, privacy concerns, Julia Robets and other interesting subjects. Great stuff.
One of my daily stops each morning used to be LAExaminer.com, but the editors of said news blog have moved on to, well, I think making money rather than blogging like mad fiends. Replacing it is an equally good site, LA Observed. Loads of interesting stories based in LA. Good stuff.
Weird note about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hands here. Uhhh, that sounds just gross!
Okay, going to play a bit of catch-up with films I’ve seen so far this year … well, the ones that I can remember.
“X-Men 2″: This will go down as one of my favorite comic based films of all time. The writers of this film took the source material seriously, treated it that way and ended up with a smart and engagin action film. Hugh Jackman is even better as Wolverine this time around and Ian McKellan almost steals the movie. Great performances, excellent direction. LOADS of fun.
“A Mighty Wind”: Possibly my favorite movie of the year so far. Incredible comedic timing that one-ups previous like-minded films “Best In Show” and even “Spinal Tap.” Equally part zany, wacky and heart warming. Watching this film you’re reminded of the one element that was missing from “Best In Show”: Harry Shearer. The man is a comedic genius that NEVER goes the way with a joke you expect him to. This will be a DVD buy for me.
“Charlies Angels 2″: I enjoyed this film despite not really wanting to see it. A bunch of friends were going to see it opening night and I thought I’d tag along. I never saw the first and had no idea what to expect. This film succeeds because it meets its goals: the movie was conceived as wacky action flick with chicks that kick ass and that’s exactly what you get. I won’t see it again, nor will I buy it on DVD, but it achieves that “popcorn” level of entertainment.
“Capturing the Friedman’s”: This movie fucked with my brain and I love it for doing that. A documentary that follows a family in New York in the 1980s where the father and son have been accused of child molestation. This documentary is unique in that the family was very much a fan of making home videos, so you have an incredible amount of footage of the family before the trial and then during, wherein you see the family completely fall apart during intensely personal family fights. At times you almost feel like you’re intruding into their lives. One of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen.
