Recent Movies

Over the last month or so I’ve seen a few films worth noting. 

Running With Scissors is the dramatization of August Burroughs memoir about growing up in a decidedly dysfunctional family and being put into the care of perhaps even more dysfunctional family of her mother’s therapist. There were several standout performances by the ensemble cast, which included Brian Cox,Annett Bening, and Gwenth Paltrow.

 

I hadn’t been to the theater in a while, but it’s usually a good bet to see an action/adventure film that heightens the theater experience. So I decided to check out Iron Man, which had been getting good reviews. I have to say that I did enjoy it, mostly because of Robert Downey Jr. rather than special effects. In fact, I use to read this comic as a kid and the comic version seemed much more analog than thee futuristic suit created for this film. 

Fast Food Nation was more effective as a book than as a film, but you have to give it points for effort and grizzly scenes from a slaughterhouse. Richard Linklatter is certainly one of the most versatile and adventurous directors around. It’s always interesting to see what he’ll be up to next. Save your money and buy the book instead. 

I would have liked to have seen Hellboy II: The Golden Army on the big screen with all of those special effects and strange creatures. Another escapist fantasy, like Iron Man, and I found it entertaining on those terms.

Comments

[Eric]

I was surprised at how much I liked FFN the movie.

[MC]

Really? It just seemed OK to me.