New Coens!

I have a new addition to my list of most-anticipated 2007 movies, possibly right there at #1. It's the new Coen Brothers film, No Country For Old Men, based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy. It's just been seen for the first time at Cannes, and the reviews are through the roof, some calling it the best thing they've ever done. It appears to be in the vein of Blood Simple and Fargo. It stars Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson and a bunch of other people. I don't want to know much more than that.

Unfortunately, we won't get it until November.

Enter the Labyrinth

I'm straying from the main topic of this blog for this entry to offer up a public service announcement: Pan's Labyrinth comes out on DVD this Tuesday (May 15).

This is one of the best films I've ever seen, and one that gets deeper and richer every time I watch or think about it. It's exquisitely written and directed (by the wonderfully funny and insightful Guillermo Del Toro), the acting is sublime across the board, the cinematography and editing are seamless (though I'm still bummed Children of Men lost the Oscar for the former to this film). The score is particularly memorable, including the plaintive melody line of a lullaby that runs throughout the film (hear it). It's a fairy tale told the way fairy tales used to be told — full of danger, pathos and evil, but ultimately hopeful. Enough of my yakking. Rent this!

The months to come

Here's a look at the movies I'll likely catch in theaters this summer. Some might drop off for one reason or another and others might make the list. (Click on the filmstrip to see my fine PhotoShop work)

May 18
Shrek the Third

May 25
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

June 1
Knocked Up

June 8
Ocean's Thirteen

June 27
Live Free or Die Hard

June 29
Ratatouille

July 13
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

August 3
The Bourne Ultimatum

August 10
Rush Hour 3
Stardust

August 17
Superbad

Spider-Man 3

Date: May 5
Location: Muvico Boynton Beach

First, the good part. Our Muvico is open, and it's very nice. It's literally 5 minutes from our house and we didn't have any problems parking or getting in. In fact, we were the first people in the auditorium without even waiting on any lines. We will be going to this theater for a long time to come (especially in 2 years, when Fiona will be eligible for the kids' room). Now for the bad part: the movie. There were all kinds of elements here that could have been assembled into a good film, but they would have had to start by not trying to include every one of them. Three villains (four, if you count Dark Spidey) is way too much. I wish they had given Topher Grace a lot more screen and plot time and just scrapped the Sandman altogether. And why is it that the evil alien goo turns Peter Parker into John Travolta? I expected so much more from the team behind the wonderful first two films. The summer blockbuster season starts off with a whimper. Bring on Jason Bourne!

Hot Fuzz

Date: April 28
Location: Muvico City Place

We used a babysitter for the first time in 5 years. Amanda (AKA Salty) from across the street watched the girls while we went out. This was really a trial run for next week, when we plan to see Spider-Man 3. Salty passed the test. So did the movie, which was hilarious and bizarre. It's a sendup of buddy action films such as Bad Boys and Lethal Weapon, and it's funny and smart as hell.

Meet the Robinsons

Date: April 22
Location: Muvico City Place

The only thing better than my anniversary date with Alex is a date with Sophia. She'd seen this already with Alex but was dying to go back with me. A time travel plot and a couple new Rufus Wainwright songs were further incentive. We got there early, shared Milk Duds and had a great time. The movie was very clever, though a bit too manic at times. Great villain and some good laughs. I'm sure we'll wind up owning it and watching it a hundred times on DVD.

The Namesake

Date: April 9
Location: Muvico City Place

Took a day off on Alex's last day of Spring Break and we sent the kids to school so we could watch this movie. Alex loved the book and was really loooking forward to Mira Nair's film. I would have seen anything at this point -- it's April and I've seen only two movies!

Turned out to be a wonderful film, with Oscar-worthy performances by Irfan Khan and Tabu. A beautiful character study that's in turn funny, sad and uplifting, here's the second film (of three) that I can see placing in my year-end top ten. Not a bad start to the year!

Music and Lyrics

Date: March 10
Location: AMC Cocowalk

Alex and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with the traditional dinner at Los Ranchos followed by this enjoyable romantic comedy. We arrived at the restaurant around 7 with a plan to see a 9-ish show in Broward (Amy and Dana were graciously watching the girls) but wound up finishing dinner in time to see a 7:30 show right there at Cocowalk. Ten years on (15, really) and we're a well-oiled moviegoing machine.

Zodiac

Date: Late February
Location: AMC Sunset Place

I saw this by myself while Alex and Barbara went shopping with the kids. Great start to the year, as this is a film I can easily see in my top ten 10 months from now. Excellent performances, especially by Mark Ruffalo, and a top-notch script.

My Year in Movies

So, because this blog tool is ridiculously easy and addictive, I have decided to blog on every movie I see this year. I will post the circumstances of my viewing and a quick review.

I'll log only '07 films, whether I see them in the theater or on DVD.