I finally saw Matador on DVD. While it opens in a rather unsavory way (a man is masturbating while watching horror movie scenes of women being violently mutilated and killed), it ends in a satisfying way. Diego is a former matador who still yearns to kill. Maria is a lawyer, secretly obsessed with Diego and equally turned on by killing. With bits of Almodovar-esque humour thrown in, the two eventually meet when Maria defends Antonio Banderas, who plays a disturbed and psychic matador student of Diego's, who has confessed to a string of murders.

I was reminded a bit of David Cronenberg's Crash (about people who are sexually aroused by car crashes) and Lynne Stopkewich's Kissed (about a woman obsessed with death to the point of necrophilia). All are about rather unpalatable (and deadly) sexual fetishes, but are well handled in their respective films.

I'm going to try to watch Law of Desire next.

So I got Precious from netflix, not knowing what to expect. Not a lot of people I know saw it, but I knew it was up for some awards.

Wow, great movie, but really tough to watch. See it. It can be so unpleasant at times, but it is such a good story.

Finally saw Avatar in the theatre...what utter crap. Great visuals and technology certainly didn't make up for one of the lamest and clichéd stories I've seen in a long time. The technical "ooohs and ahhhhs" wore off after about half an hour, as the plot got dumber and dumber...and predictably dumber and dumber, at that. How that could be put in a "best movie" category is beyond me. I don't care how much money it continues to make, it was bad.

"Green Zone" is an ok Iraq war movie but its not on the level of " The Hurt Locker"
Matt Damon is always worth watching but the plot is a bit tired.

So now I've seen Law of Desire. It's interesting how that film hints at themes and aspects that come up in many of Almodovar's later films. For example, the obsessive young man (played by a gorgeous young Antonio Banderas) is akin to the obsessive young man in Live Flesh. Or the brief reference to a priest having abused a boy, who, as an adult is a MTF transsexual, hints at Bad Education. Carmen Maura plays the transsexual sister/brother of the main character, Pablo, and she is terrific. I'll have to think more about the film, although it does seem to be about people who lead their lives by their desire... but alas, that person often does not desire them back... leading to unhappiness and sometimes dire consequences.

SPOILERS

But can anyone explain that opening scene? I'll have to watch it again, but was that Pablo directing that young man to do those things, or was it somebody else? As with Matador, the opening sequence (which we never return to) is so arresting and shocking and almost pornographic (but not pornographic at all) its, well, hard to explain. Yet it seems very real (like something that happens in real life).

But what I most liked was, even though there was all this misguided "desire," there was a tremendous amount of love--particularly between the brother and sister--esp. in the scene in the hospital when Tina recounts her somewhat unsavory (father-son/daughter incest, anyone?) past to her brother who has temporary amnesia. Carmen Maura was great in that scene. And who but Almodovar could do a scene like that--a MTF transexual describing a sexual affair with her own father--and have it work, and actually be... touching. Amazing.

I have mixed emotions about the film. After watching Precious, I saw an interesting critique on the movie. It brought some points up that I had considered.

But the breakdown scene with the teacher was really good. And Lee Daniels gets mad props for picking LaBelle's "It Took A Long Time" for the movie. Perfect song for that moment, which continues to play in my head.

Just got dome watching " Ciao" from Netflix. Really good looking American guy loses his partner to an automobile accident, and his ex was corresponding with a HOT man from Italy. The two continue to correspond. The Italian guy was coming to meet the guy who got killed, and decides to come anyway. Very moody but well done. The Italian guy is to die for, and the guy from Dallas is pretty hot too. I liked this. Would like to see what happens next....

I had somehow never seen Midnight Cowboy, but I saw the DVD for only $6 so I bought it. Wow, what an eye-opener. The relationship between the naive and lonely Joe Buck (an excellent Jon Voight), who comes to New York dressed like a cowboy with the dream of landing a rich woman who will take care of him, and 'Ratso' Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a crippled pickpocket from skid row, is so sweet. Initially Joe, whose misfortunate past we see in flashbacks, tries vainly to hustle himself to rich women (or men on 42nd street), but usually gets hustled himself. But then he hooks up with 'Ratso,' who had initially swindled him, and they share an unlikely (but touching) bond. While there are suggestions of Joe's homosexuality, the gay aspect of his relationship with 'Ratso' is left uncertain--although viewers can certainly read into it.

In a way, the movie is like Brokeback Mountain, but released in the year of Stonewall (1969). Talk about being ahead of its time. Interestingly, despite it being rated X and having gay themes, it would go on to win multiple Oscars including best picture (the only X-rated best picture in Oscar history).

Clash of the Titans is unbearably bad. Even Sam Worthington running around in a skirt can't save this disaster.

Does he spend any time shirtless?

Inglorious Basterds. A bit long, but I loved the ending. Typical Tarintino. Brad Pitt is hot with a southern accent.

No. That might have saved the movie. But although the movie rips off all sorts of other films (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc.), there are no 300-like bare-chested warriors to be found.

"I Love You Phillip Morris" is getting some sort of weird publicity with the breakup of Jim Carrey and longterm girlfriend Jenny McCarthy just before the release dates which seem to be in constant flux. The gay-haters are sure to blame us for this one.

Not sure why the controversy about the sex scenes that it has delayed the USA release. The trailer we saw before the movie Un Prophete (which was fantastic) seemed tame to the point of silliness (does Carrey do anything else?).

But the UK trailer makes the characters seem more multi-dimensional and the French trailer, not surprisingly, spares nothing concerning the sex scenes - including a brief flash of the "horsey ride" which will apparently be deleted entirely in the USA release.

Personally the French trailer would make me want to see the movie more, and not because of the more blatant sexuality of the characters. They just seem more human rather than caricatures when the sex and the more romantic moments are included.

I'm just hoping that the USA version will not be so ridiculously Will Smithed that it loses any real appeal.

Finally saw "The Blind Side" LOVED IT!

the Jim Carrey movie doesn't look like its going to suck

Eddie- You have now gone over to the dark side! LOL

Sandra Bullock- UGH! Nice lady- but not a terrific actress.

I couldn't possibly disagree with you more,kick.

The one called "I Love You Philip Morris"? Release date has been pushed back again.

It's all good! We all have our faves How is the kitty doing?

I also loved "The Proposal" I wish Ryan Reynold's naked body would fall on me,too! Lucky Sandra!

I finally saw Alice in Wonderfuland and it was really good!!!

"Clash of the Titans" is a mix of camp and some good special effects action scenes ( just don't see it in the cheap crappy 3 -D) Sam Worthington is very easy on the eyes ( but I do wish he had taken of his toga at least once) He has a couple of very pretty dudes along for the ride.

My favorite was the one younger guy with the long hair

I think Medusa killed him second; right before she bought it

"How To Tame Your Dragon" is the story about a butch daddy viking and his wimpy son who might be a closet- dragon keeper! The animation and 3 - D effects are gorgeous. Gerald Buttler supplies the voice for the lead viking who will be very popular for you bear lovers out there.

I just got back from seeing "Date Night" That was so much fun! Hilarious!

Some of the movies I've seen in the first half of the Hot Docs documentary film festival.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
A year in the life of the irrepressible Joan Rivers who, at 75, is still one of the hardest working people in show biz.

The People vs. George Lucas
Crisply edited film featuring Star Wars fanatics--their love and disappointment (and disdain) for the man who created the Force... and Jar Jar Binks.

GASLAND
Expose of the hazards of the natural gas industry. When you see a person turn on the tap in their kitchen and the water can be set on fire... you get the idea.
http://www.gaslandmovie.com/

DISH: Women, Waitressing and the Art of Service
Likable and amusing, a film in praise of waitresses.

Babies
A year (or so) in the life of 4 babies: in San Francisco, Tokyo, Namibia and Mongolia. Despite differing environments, babies are pretty much the same.

Dawin's Nightmare
2006 Oscar nominee, film looks at how the life of inhabitants in a town on the shores of Lake Victoria are tied into the global economy and the struggle for life.

Cooking Up Dreams
A tasty look at the cuisine of Peru, produced in the country and by restauranteurs around the world.

Just watched My Beautiful Laundrette again after 25 years and it was still as fresh as the first time I saw it, if not better.

I can never forget Daniel Day Lewis's tribute to Heath Ledger when Lewis won best actor at the SAG awards.

And it doesn't surprised me that his slurp of Gordon Warnecke's neck is considered one of the most romantic scenes in cinema.



I never realized that Brokeback Mountain was released on the 20th anniversary of MBL's.

Hope we won't have to wait another 20 years for such a movie.

More films that I saw at Hot Docs.

Autumn Gold
An inspiring look at 5 European seniors who are well over 80, but of sharp mind and body, preparing for the World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland. Charming film, it finished 4th in audience voting at Hot Docs.

Freetime Machos
A fun look at male bonding, friendships and masculinity among a group of men on a not-so-good amateur Finnish rugby team.

Waste Land
Brazilian artist Vic Muniz's project to create art and uplift people who work picking recyclables out of a massive garbage dump outside of Rio de Janeiro.

12th & Delaware
A look at the abortion debate by examining a town in Florida where, on one side of the street is an abortion clinic and on the other is a pro-life pregnancy center.

I Shot My Love
Gay Jewish Israeli filmmaker Tomer Heymann's personal film about the two loves in his life: his mother, and his German boyfriend Andreas.

Teenage Paparazzo
Actor/director Adrian Grenier (Entourage) latches onto a precocious 13 year old paparazzi as a way to examine the celebrity culture that is both a boon and irritation to the famous.

When I Rise
Biopic about African-American mezzo-soprano Barbara Smith Conrad, who lost a starring role in a U of Texas opera production (in the 1950's) while a student due to racism, but in return she became a world-renowned opera singer who was ultimately recognized by her home state of Texas and by the university.

A Drummer's Dream
A summer camp for drummers hosted by several world class drummers who teach and show off their virtuosity in this beautifully shot film. Came second in audience voting at Hot Docs.

His & Hers
70 females (from girls to old women) from the Irish midlands talk about the man (father, son, husband) in their life.

A Small Act
A Swedish woman donates money to help an unknown Kenyan boy... who grows up to be a Harvard graduate, work for the U.N., and start a fund for other Kenyan children which he names after the woman who made his own success possible.

Watched "Nine" last night. It was ok. I'm not into musicals in the first place so the fact that on a rainy night I didn't fall asleep while watching it means it was good enough to hold my attention. Mostly, it was due to the soundtrack. I loved Kate Hudson's "Cinema Italiano", but Marion Cotillard's performance of "My Husband Makes Movies" was wonderful. I love the song and she looked like Audrey Hepburn in the scene in which she sung this.

Marion Cotillard-My Husband Makes Movies

Saw Robin Hood. Good telling of his back story. Russell Crowe is aging well and is still damn fine. He, Kevin Durand and Scott Grimes were looking sPECtacular in their shirtless scenes, despite their character's nasty, ol' teeth.

Watched "The Big Gay Musical" on Netflix and I thought it was pretty good. My expectations weren't high for this, but I thought it was adorable. Musicals are one of those things that are either hit or miss with me, but this one was worth watching. I recommended it to a relative of mine who, while supportive of me, ultimately is still a bit uncomfortable with homosexuality, and even she said it made her think. Fortunately, she is one of the bit more open minded people I know who has negative views on homosexuality.

Saw Kick-Ass. Although I liked the idea of the teen pretending to be a superhero, the movie didn't entirely work. It seemed a bit slow moving for the genre, and there were some plot contrivances that just didn't work. It was funny, though, spotting all the Toronto locations in a movie supposedly set in New York City.

I was watching "Against All Odds" (1984) and had forgotten hot hot Jeff Bridges looked in that movie- he plays a washed up football player and obviously got in shape for the part.

All the negative reviews made me anxious to see Sex and the City 2. It's not bad at all. Like 2 1/2 hours with your glamourous friends.

The funniest of all the SATC2 pans:

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/burkas-...ent?oid=4132715


"It is 146 minutes long, which means that I entered the theater in the bloom of youth and emerged with a family of field mice living in my long, white mustache. This is an entirely inappropriate length for what is essentially a home video of gay men playing with giant Barbie dolls."

Also, Jake Gyllenhaal fans; do NOT expect acres of gleaming, hairy Jake pecs in Prince of Persia, only open vests, bare arms, and a dull stinker of a video-game swashbuckler.

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/p...-of-persia/4838

The SATC2 pan is priceless. There isn't enough money in the world to get me to go see that movie.
The final word on SATC still belongs to Stewie Griffin on Family Guy: "you know, that show about the three whores and their mother."

Although the reviews haven't been that good, I had no complaints about Shrek Forever After (except that I saw it in IMAX 3-D, which was unnecessary--must every movie be in 3-D these days?). I don't think I even saw the third Shrek movie, but I don't think you need to know anything going into the fourth.

"IronMan 2" is a great sequel- with a better villain and some spectacular action scenes. A fun comic book movie.

They'll keep adding 3D to movies until people stop paying the extra money for them.

It's definitely not necessary to see the third Shrek movie to see the new one. Frankly, I thought the third was a lot better anyway.

3-D films use to cost the same as flat ones- but now greedy studios and theater chains are using this gimmick as an excuse to charge extra money.

'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is a beautiful bore- not even a shirtless Jake Gylenhall does much to keep the audience awake.

I must've seen the version with all the shirtless scenes cut out (see above).

This movie sounds good-- a documentary called Stonewall Uprising. Trailer. NY Times review. If anybody sees it, please post your comments.

Recently watched The Invention of Lying with Ricky Gervais- best comedy I've seen in a while.

"Toy Story 3" another winner from the wizards at Pixar. Is Ken just a metrosexual? And would happen if he met GI Joe?

I thought Ken was pretty much gay in TS3

I haven't seen it yet

Ken is not out but he does put on an impressive fashion show.

Saw Twilight: Eclipse and loved it. Can't believe I of all people have been sucked into this phenomenon. But, I am and I'm so TEAM JACOB!!!!

Also saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night. Oh my god. Its a great Swedish film that would take too much time to explain. Just rent it...you will be pleased that you did. I love foreign films and this was a great one. It is part of a trilogy and The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second installment that comes out in a few days. Its not going to show in your regular movie theaters so you will probably have to catch it at a theater that runs independent and foreign language films.

The books are terrific and the lead character, Lisbeth Salander, is one of the most interesting characters to have been writtten in recent years.

I will defintely have to watch the movies- thanks for the heads up, Terp!

The Kids Are All Right was more than all right. Not knock your socks off, but a nice indie-type film (albeit with big name stars). Teen children of a lesbian couple (Julianne Moore and Annette Benning with a great haircut) seek out their biological father, who turns out to be the cool, yet slightly flakey and dead sexy Mark Ruffalo (in a role slightly remniscent of his role in You Can Count On Me). His presence disrupts the family balance momentarily, but like all good families everyone can forgive and forget and continue on like family.

I went to see "Despicable Me" on Saturday night with some friends who were in town visiting. Their choice -- definitely not mine. I will say that I was a little bit entertained. I was able to easily identify someone in the soundtrack I wouldn't have expected to be associated with such a project. I will also say that Russell Brand isn't someone I'd want to see or hear in a movie but he didn't annoy me. lol This movie is definitely for younger audiences but I sniffled a couple of times. I'm becoming a sap in my old age...