Tag Archives: movies

Sorry, Robert; Russell and Ripley beat you.

Let’s be honest with ourselves here. Iron Man 2 was doomed from the start. Iron Man rocked our faces when we weren’t even expecting faces to be rocked. So that put the bar immensely high for the sequel. All the way to see Iron Man 2 I kept telling myself it wasn’t going to be that good. And, hey! I was surprised. It was good. Sam Rockwell really stole the show as the annoying mastermind-in-the-making. And this movie even had TWO gorgeous and awesome reddish hair women to celeb-crush on. Plus they upgraded Rhodes from Terrence Howard to Don Cheadle. But I digress. It still  wasn’t as awesome as Iron Man. It was, however a sequel that delivers and is well worth watching.

I actually had pretty low expectations for Robin Hood as well. I mean, I was optimistic, but I’ve seen a few disappointing epic films in recent times. Clash of the Titans, Troy, Prince of Persia (unseen yet, but only technically, as I’ve seen the preview for a year and a half now), Beowulf, and Alexander are a few that were unable to match the hype and–(neologism alert)– “epicity”  their trailers exuded. So I wasn’t expecting much from it.

Was I wrong.

What a fantastic retelling of the folk tale of Robin Hood. Believable, love-to-hate-em-but-they’re-almost-cool-too enemies, beautiful but strong, emotionally pure but distant damsel/heroine. Ripley and Russell remain a knockout combination. I especially loved seeing Little John played by recently famous-from-LOST-guest-role Kevin Durand.

The story is great. The plot is one that keeps your attention from start to finish. The music is superb. Even the end credits are amazingly artistic. Time and money well spent.

movies i watched in 2008.

In basically chronological order:

  1. No Country for Old Men
  2. Juno (twice)
  3. P.S. I Love You
  4. Cloverfield
  5. Bucket List
  6. Rambo
  7. Untraceable
  8. In Bruges
  9. Be Kind Rewind
  10. Semi-Pro
  11. Horton Hears a Who
  12. Vantage Point
  13. Leatherheads
  14. Stop Loss
  15. Indiana Jones
  16. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
  17. Forbidden Kingdom
  18. Iron Man (four times)
  19. Chronicles of Narnia
  20. The Visitor
  21. Hulk
  22. Love Guru
  23. Hancock
  24. The Happening
  25. Stepbrothers
  26. Pineapple Express
  27. The Dark Knight
  28. Death Race
  29. Transsiberian
  30. Burn After Reading (twice)
  31. Eagle Eye
  32. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
  33. Religulous (twice)
  34. Choke
  35. W
  36. Max Payne
  37. RocknRolla
  38. Quantum of Solace
  39. Pride and Glory
  40. Role Models
  41. Transporter 3
  42. Cadillac Records
  43. The Day the Earth Stood Still
  44. Synecdoche, New York
  45. Four Christmases
  46. Australia
  47. Seven Pounds
  48. Yes Man
  49. Doubt

family holiday = movies you “end up” seeing.

Currently, I’m watching Wedding Singer (“best man!… BETTER man!”) and it has been a couple of days of movies that are just… “on.” so you end up seeing them, and possibly, enjoying them. I thought i would comment on a few.

For starters, Primal Fear. Wow. intense movie. Edward Norton is incredible. And a good story.

Then you have Click. I only caught the last third of it I think, but holy wow. movies like that make me want to start a family. and that’s something i don’t way much.

Also, American President. This is romantic movie, really; but the implications are horrendous. A president making major policy decisions based on the interests of the lobbyist he’s currently sleeping with? Wow.

Then today I got the chance to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind. There are some great, great moments in that movie. It’s just classic.

still watching Wedding Singer.

“not PORNO tongue, church tongue.” ROFL

Also, I am on pace to finish Irresistible Revolution tonight.

PS I am considering accompanying my mom on a Walgreen’s run because I haven’t left the house (except to jog) since Sunday afternoon.

growing up and current cinematic commentary.

today, i felt good about my age.

i guess it’s not just my age literally. i felt good about my ability to be courteous, friendly, professional, witty, etc. to the right extent, without going too far. Knowing what not to say. Knowing when to end a conversation, etc. I think that it’s a combination of knowledge, self-awareness, confidence. “style,” maybe. I’m not sure what to call it, but i am happy that at least in a few moments as of late, i have somehow managed, i humbly think i have managed to have a little [style].

And it’s a good feeling. I think that knowing that you’re making sexy-wise decisions to keep yourself on the road to growth really helps. Anyway.

I have seen several movies in the last week or so. I will comment on them briefly, not because i don’t have a TON of commentary to make, but if i wait until i have the time and energy to type it all, it will never get done.

Choke:
Very interesting. Can’t really recommend to anyone who is offended by sexual topics and content. However, it definitely went down like a unique chilean wine, which is how Palahniuk’s writing appears to me to be. Also, it really made me face my own ideas of the whole “pain of changing being less than the pain of staying the same” kin of level and also the sometimes inverse connection between Sex and Love.

Eagle Eye:
This was surprisingly good. Transformers aside, I usually can’t stand Shy Le Beef. But i gotta hand it to him, he did a great job in this film. I was kept interested in the plot, i could have been spoon-fed a *little* bit less, but it was still exciting to see it unfold. Once the pace picks up, it doesn’t really let you slide back into your seat. I could have done without the typography and music looking and sounding just like a 24 movie, because it made me want Jack Bauer.

Religulous:
I was seriously impressed with this movie. I was a bit wary of watching it, feeling like it might just be sitting through Maher’s insults for 2 hours. But I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, it’s hilarious. plain and simple. even if you disagree with what he is saying, you laugh at quite a bit. Secondly, although at the most root level I disagree with Maher’s assertion that ALL religion is detrimental to the progress and safety of the world, i DO agree with a lot of what he says about the dangers of being fanatical and zealous with our certainty of faith, brandishing God’s voice like a pistol with which we use to whip all naysayers and doubters.

He goes through lots of different religions (Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism, Islam, even a quick stop in Amsterdam for Cantheism) and showcases some of their worser blunders and holes in thinking. Much like Saved!, I fear this film will end up never being seen (or being boycotted) by a lot of the people who need to see it most.

Nick and Nora’s Infinte Playlist:
This is another good movie. I think if you hate chick flick AND music-y flicks, you probably won’t like unless you’re a die-hard Michael Cera fan. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it QUITE as much had i not seen it with a female, but either way, the music aspects of the film were great, not to mention the music in it (i want the soundtrack), and also Michael Cera is at his wonderful, subtle acting best. Not that it tops Juno. But, then again, not much does.

The Ruins was a deep, intelligent movie.

No, I’m joking. It was anything but deep and intelligent. This movie was another great example of cheap, crass movie-making. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think every movie has to be sooo deep and sooo subtle and sooo artistic for me to think it’s a good one. I enjoyed Independence Day. I enjoyed Snatch. Hell, I liked I, Robot. Anchorman… i mean i could go on listing movies that require you to lower your brain activity to enjoy… I like plenty of ‘em.

But this was bad. It was like, “how can we show something really gross here??” and then start wrapping plot around that… the whole thing could have been 30 minutes long and it would have been ten times better, because there might be less completely unnecessary gore (just for the sake of gore) and i would have only spent half an hour watching it.

Ironically, the only real advice i can give is actually the advice the film’s plot gives: STAY AWAY FROM THE RUINS.

cloverfield of dreams

life after church
(the double entendre)

1. it’s the title of the book i am currently reading, by Brian Sanders (yes, that one.) I just started it, and it’s great. Is there anyone else out there who is about to read it? or reading it now? or has recently read it? because i would like to meet up and chat about it as i read it/finish reading it. That’d be fun…

2. i had fun living after church tonight. had dinner and convo with leah at fazoli’s, always nice, then good group prayer time, then i saw Cloverfield… it was pretty intense. what an experience. J.J. Abrams is quickly moving up my list of people whose works i enjoy enjoying.

ok, goodnight.

don’t order for me.

“Dad’s bags aren’t gonna make it. “

tuesday was a marked improvement over monday.

why?

Darjeeling Limited
This was a great movie. It is the first Wes Anderson movie I have ever seen, and I really like his work, so far anyways.
I agree with an awesome friend that his films create a love for “the sheer experience and tactility of life”

Oh, I added the lyric page to drewplaysdrums.com. Check it out. tell me your thoughts. thanks.

Happy Hump Day Everyone.

black friday.

Terrible Movie

august rushed for a loss of yards.

I did not shop today.

waking up early + masses of people = angry drew.

I slept in. it was wonderful.

I worked, but i also got to catch Friday movie MATTinee finally.

And what i saw was terrifying.

August Rush is one of the worst movies i have ever, ever seen in a theater.

I think Helix Loaded is probably the only worse one i can think of right now. You’ve never heard of Helix Loaded? Exactly my point.

Anyway, this movie was just bad. I was iffy on the premise when i saw the trailer, but i was hoping to be surprised.

And i was. by how much this movie failed to live up to my already pretty low expectations.

bad writing, bad acting, bad plot, bad character development. i could go into detail, but i don’t want to bring up all the bad memories.
it even insults musicians by ridiculously oversimplifying musicianship.
just abysmal, really.

looking for solace, or silver lining? the cinematography was adequate.
I would also say the movie had a good message of being able to appreciate the musical sounds present in everyday life, but the fact that that message is mainly given through a child in need of major mental therapy kinda ruins that part.

luckily matt green and i laughed at it alot. that’s my solace.

happy black friday night.

EDITOR’S Note: You are free to to like the movie. What you see here is my opinion. Please do not bother telling me how apparently evil of a person I am because i did not think is was the most beautiful thing since Casablanca. To judge a person’s character based on their opinion of a movie is a childish and immature thing to do.