August 2010 Media Inventory

I biked to the library probably twice a week on average throughout August, which probably helps to explain why I saw so many movies this month. On the other hand, I have no excuse for only reading four books this month.

Movies:

Miss Potter: Sarah and I watched this on a Sunday together. It's sad, but so sweet.

I am Legend: Honestly, I was prepared to be way more freaked out and horrified than I actually was. Not even the dog incident, an event in movies which I am normally very partial to, phazed me for over a minute. I'm looking forward to reading the (less hopeful) book in my horror class this semester, though!

The Sorcerer's Apprentice: It's a little bit silly, but has plenty of fun and cute moments that compensate for its weaknesses. A perfect popcorn summer flick, which is exactly what I was in the mood for when I watched it. Minus the popcorn, which I've never really liked for some reason.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Dead Man's Chest: And now I remember why this is everyone's least favorite. Oh well. I had forgotten everything that happened, so at least it felt new.

Police Academy: Do not see this film. Please just don't. The less said, the better.

Arsenic and Old Lace: I caught most of this on BYU's channel late one Saturday night. I saw the play at BYU and really enjoyed it, but the movie is definitely worth seeing as well. So. Funny. In all the meanings of the word "funny."

Chariots of Fire: Definitely one of my favorite movies of all time, and one that I drastically underrated in its brilliance as a kid. Seeing it, I want to cry. And die. And fly.

One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest: One of the realest-feeling movies I've watched in a while. I still can't believe that was Brad Dourif. That guy can ACT.

Sweet Home Alabama: I don't care what anyone says. I liked this movie. Don't try to argue with me-I will squeal until I can't hear you anymore.

Fargo: I've wanted to see this for a long time, and it was everything I expected. Heart-breaking. Petrifying. Horrifying. Powerful stuff. But the really impressive thing is how authentic the acting and script are. It's a little unnerving to not be able to tell an actor from his or her character.

Bend it like Beckham: Very nice, feel-good, inspirational movie. But there's a lot more going on too. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Burn after Reading: Hmmm, depressing movie. Cheerful movie. Depressing movie. Cheerful movie. Am I detecting a pattern here? Anyway, being a fan of the Coen brothers' films (ok, seriously - who isn't?), I thought I would give this one a chance. Unfortunately, I found it pretty...ugly.

Peter Pan II: Return to Neverland: No offense, but Peter Pan was better.

Candleshoe: More fun than I thought it would be. To be fair, though, after years of watching that famous Disney commercial, I am really prejudiced in favor of all of these films.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: I know I've seen this movie before, but I didn't remember a single thing about it (not even the ending, which you think I would have remembered since it really makes me upset--TEN YEARS!? What's with THAT!???!?). So it all felt new and exciting, is what I'm trying to say.

The Santa Clause: Yeah, I know it was August. I just WISH it were Christmas.

Taken: Nothing personal, Dad, but if I ever go to Europe by myself, could I exchange you for Liam Neeson? This movie is pretty shocking, but also sort of refreshing - I can't even count the number of times I have wished that the good guy would stop wasting time being noble and do things the quick, logical way.

Taxi Driver: Weird, weird. Sort of a mixture between nitty-gritty realism and super exaggerated out-of-control lunacy. There were many images, lines, and moments that I could identify with and appreciate deeply, but there were just as many others that left me confused and upset.

Intolerable Cruelty: Clever. Hilarious. Renewed my faith in lesser-known Coen brothers' films.

Inception: Probably the smartest film I've ever seen, and definitely a favorite among my classy, movie-snob friends, which is always a good sign. Of course, I'm not the smartest movie-watcher myself, and I didn't find it inscrutable or boring at all. It's a smart, complex, insightful film that takes a close look at some very tender, deep issues and comes up with some very challenging questions and thought-provoking answers. My only problem with it was.............*dramatic pause*......................... I didn't want it to end. (Boos, thrown fruit, cryings of "lame!") Christopher Nolan, I am a new fan.

P.S. I Love You: I'm pretty reasonable when it comes to liking chick flicks, but I draw the line at this movie, which is so full of loopy romantic shenanigans that I can't even begin to respond to it on a realistic level. There was one point in this film where the main character starts crying, and I truly HAVE NO IDEA WHY. Is it over the disappearance of boy B? Perhaps the actions of boy C? Or the inaction of boy A? This angers me.

The Prestige: Fascinating film! I was alert and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, such were its powers of enthrallment. I've been thinking about it ever since, and it still amazes me how the problems in this film manage to explain and resolve themselves so clearly and cleverly without giving too much away or making things too unbelievable or incomprehensible. This is some fine craftsmanship at work here.

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas: Ha-ha. Corny. But what's wrong with that? I liked it.

The Island: Serious, a bit heavy-handed, and it's definitely wearying to watch at times, but I'm still glad I saw it. Felt a bit like The Hunger Games plus Running out of Time plus, oh, Stepford Wives or something. Sean Bean makes an awesome villain, though (one of the few actors I can think of who does really good heroes and villains, come to think of it). And why does Ewan McGregor have to make me cry in every film I see him in? This is becoming a major problem.

Enchanted: Not nearly as much fun as it was when I watched it earlier this year. Of course, that time I wasn't shivering outside in Provo Canyon clutching a scratchy blanket and trying to keep from sliding down a steep, slippery popcorn and soda-infested hill covered with noisy Utahns. Makes a difference, lemme tell ya.

The Bourne Identity: Are you serious? This is what the big fuss was over in my Sunday School class of '02? Uh-huh. Ok. If you say so.

The Perfect Score: Probably the worst thing I saw this month.

The Love Bug: SO cute! And I'm not just saying that because of the car, either...

The Queen: This is a very dignified, deep, sincere, and important film. I saw it in the International Cinema last year, but was very sleepy and consequently missed much of the wonderful subtlety and unstated significance of what was going on. Don't let that happen to you when you see it. It's a very good film that deserves to be watched by mature, intelligent viewers.

That Darn Cat!: And now, as Darl would say, for something completely different. I was definitely in the Disney mood...

Breaking Away: Not bad. Not great. But it was worth it anyway to see Dennis Christopher (the cocky Charlie Paddock from Chariots of Fire!), Dennis Quaid (yet another famous cute actor who I've never seen before now), and the dealing out of some well-deserved comeuppance for a certain snobby college boy. Plus it was about biking, and I'm all about biking over the summer.

The Misadventures of Merlin Jones: I still don't know why the film suddenly decided to switch plots in the middle. However, it was sort of fun seeing Tommy Kirk (Travis from Old Yeller!) and Annette Funicello (Mary from Babes in Toyland) again.

Gandhi: I've been wanting to watch this for a long time, too, but kept putting off, perhaps thinking it would be too long, too boring, or too didactic. Now I hasten to assure you that it is none of the above, but actually a sincere, thought-provoking film with dedicated acting and beautiful cinematography. I became more interested in 20th century Indian and British politics than I ever would have imagined possible.

The Road to El Dorado: Ok, this movie makes Sinbad seem serious. The ending is like a great big practical joke.

Books:

Know-it-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World: An extremely entertaining book. Witty, realistic, touching, smart - and so readable! It only took me a week to finish, and I'm a pretty slow reader.

The Year of Living Bibically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible: Probably purposefully more controversial than the previous book, but still funny, insightful, entertaining, and sweet. I feel like I actually got to know this guy and his family, which is nice and a little disturbing.

Shopgirl: Not as good as "The Pleasure of My Company," in my opinion, but still topnotch as far the writing goes.

City of Truth: Intriguing idea. I can't say I cared as much for the execution.