Feeling Minnesota

NetFlix: Steven Baigelman makes his directing debut with this offbeat lovers-on-the-run yarn set in the rural Midwest. Drifter Jjaks Clayton (Keanu Reeves) returns home for the wedding of his brother Sam (Vincent D'Onofrio) to a woman(Cameron Diaz), who's only marrying him to pay off her debt to a gangster (Delroy Lindo). When Jjaks and the bride-to-be escape the nuptials together, Sam plans his revenge. Tuesday Weld appears as the boys' mother.

I'm going high on this quirkly little flick. The director has done nothine else and frankly this may be his one hit wonder, but a cute and quirky movie.

Clay Pigeons

Death seems to follow Clay Birdwell (Joaquin Phoenix), a small-town Montanan who tries to end an affair with a woman (Georgina Cates) after her husband -- his best friend -- commits suicide. But when fast-talking serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn) forges a friendship against Clay's will, the death toll climbs even higher. Now, a feisty FBI agent (Janeane Garofalo) has Clay in her sights as the prime suspect.

I'm going 4 stars on this movie. I found Vince Vaughn to be quite good in this role and frankly it would seem to be a stretch for him as he's always plays the screw off role in most movies I've seen. Anyway, interesting story line, good plot, funky twists, mildly bizzaro humor. Good movie all in all.

Eddie Izzard: Circle

Actor-comedian Eddie Izzard stops in at New York City's Town Hall on his "Circle" tour, a hilarious and highly original one-man show that pokes fun at Charlton Heston, Darth Vader, Jesus, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci and others. As always Izzard keeps his audience laughing by delivering a unique perspective that only his particular brand of no-holds-barred flamboyance can pull off.

Having now watched what was available for Mr./Mrs. Izzard, I have to say clearly his material and his delivery is becoming better and better. I'm no critic (or am I) but the harder I laugh, the better the rating. Simple and straightforward.

Garden State

Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff, who also directed) returns to his hometown in New Jersey after a decade away to attend his mother's funeral. Having just weaned himself off antidepressants, the young man begins to see his life in a new light, which leads him to confront his psychologist father (Ian Holm) and forge a connection with a new friend (Natalie Portman). This whimsical comedy premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Great little movie. 4 stars.

Kung Fu Monks - 4 Stars

On the one year anniversary, I've decided to resurrect my movie Blog.

NetFlix: If you get a kick out of kung fu, you'll love this exhilarating film that traces the journey of five kung fu monks in search of the American dream. Hailing from China's legendary Shaolin Temple, these Zen masters and kung fu stars have left their homeland to forge a new life and bring their special brand of martial arts to the west. Hear their personal stories (narrated by Beau Bridges) and watch in awe as they display some of their best moves.

I found this movie quite interesting. I really liked how the monks told the stories of how Shaolin monks came to America and have created a school for their way of life. Wow

Good Night and Good Luck

NetFlix: George Clooney's Oscar-nominated docudrama pits TV newsman Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) against Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his single-minded crusade to quell the red threat at home. Despite corporate pressure to back off, Murrow and his CBS staff are determined to examine the lies and fear tactics perpetrated by McCarthy during his Communist witch-hunts. The impressive cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels.

Me: Hmmm....Good movie. Interesting topic, interesting time period, interesting "view" into history (with some creative license thrown in) and some very interesting acting by David Strathairn, George Clooney and Jeff Daniels.

Frieda

Netflix: Julie Taymor directs this Oscar-winning biopic of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), focusing on her often rocky relationship with husband Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Also known for her controversial political and sexual reputation (she was a communist and a bisexual), Frida struggled with a life of wracking pain following an accident, the amputation of a leg, and finally, drug and alcohol abuse that killed her at age 47.

We dug this movie. I little on the long side, but an interesting story. The guy who played Doc Octopus in Spiderman was a great Diego Rivera. I would call this movie, worth the view.

Friends of God: A Road Trip With Alexandra Pelosi

HBO Documentary: The estimated 50 to 80 million evangelical Christians living in America today have become a formidable force in our culture and democracy. But the evangelical movement is a big tent. To try and get a better understanding of the range and diversity of this community, intrepid filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi hit the road to meet some evangelicals and learn about what their influence may mean for the future of the country.

My Take: Liberals, Moderates, Free Thinkers, and those who tolerate others and their points of view. We are now under attack. The message of God via Jesus wasn't tolerance and love, it was to BASH the unbelivers. The behemoth Job cites in the bible is a dinosaur....Yes, contrary to years of scientific evidence and overwhelming data, we as human kind DID share the earth with dinosaurs. Dinosaurs existed. Humans exist. The earth is only about 6000 years old (acording to evangelicals) therefore we rode, ate and cohabitated with nasty gay dinosaurs! (I don't know if dinosaurs were gay, but it seems like they could be.) If this documentary doesn't scare the hell out of you, nothing will.

He he. I did like the fact that they added to the documentary in a foot note that Ted Haggard the president and Evangelical leader/spokesperson takes it in the poop chute for dollars. Hang on. Does he pay to get or pay to deliver? Good Lord the allmighty, I have no idea. Perhaps in Pastor Ted's meth induced state, neither does he?

Technically old Teddy, didn't acutally ADMIT to gay sex. He bought the meth and then threw it away. However, his "lover" says they met nearly every month for more than 3 years.

Bob Marley - Catch a Fire

Netflix: Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh are credited with introducing reggae music to the masses with their first album, "Catch a Fire." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the making of this legendary album. Through interviews with the musicians and Jamaican home movies, you'll follow the album's production from the 8-track recordings in Jamaica to the polishing touches in London. Songs include "Stir It Up" and "Stop That Train."

Cool Rasta Cool

30 Days - Season 1

Morgan Spurlock (of Supersize Me fame) hosts this one-hour documentary film series that places subjects for a month in situations they're unlikely to seek out on their own. By subjecting themselves to such circumstances, participants help shed light on social issues plaguing America today, such as the rift created by religious differences between Muslims and Christians in America, the incarcerated and the lawyers who put them in prison, and more.

Dug it.

The March of the Penguins

Description: Award-winning photographer Luc Jacquet takes documentary film to new heights -- and depths -- with his first feature film, a stunning insider's look at the life of the emperor penguin. The product of more than a year of filming in the brutal Antarctic ice, this official Sundance selection presents never-before-captured footage of the penguins' underwater life and explores their steadfast quest for monogamous mates.

My Promulgation: Excellent movie. I like penguins, I like documentaries. I like National Geographic. This had all three elements.

The North Face Expeditions: Madagascar and Great Trango Tower

Description: Great Trango: The 20,600-foot Great Trango-Tower has never been summited from its northwest face; climbers Alex Lowe, Jare Ogden, and Mark Synnott brave weather, exhaustion and rockfall to claim the prize of this mile-high first ascent. Madagascar: This is quickly becoming the destination spot for big-wall rock climbing. Here, world-renowned climber Lynn Hill and her all-star women's team attempt a new route. Features music from Sting.

My Promulgation: I like climbing, both mountain and rock. These were two great 1 hour length films about the difficulty to the summit.

Amores Perros

Director Alejandro González Iñarritu's internationally acclaimed debut film recounts three tales that unfold and intertwine on the brutal streets of Mexico City. Streetwise loser Octavio (Gael García Bernal) has an obsessive crush on his sister-in-law; Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero) dumps his family for a disturbed supermodel; and ex-guerilla El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría) cares for a wounded dog while planning an assassination

My Promulgation: I liked this movie. It was interesting and the story line appeared somewhat unique to me. I think it was subtitled so be sure you can read fast.

Primer

An engineer builds a machine (quite by accident) that can transport the user back in time. But his discovery comes with an ominous caveat, because at the heart of this puzzling device, nothing is as it seems on the surface. The narrative inventively blends a patchwork story line with overlapping streams of dialogue that help build tension and suspense in this Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner. David Sullivan and Shane Carruth star.

My Promulgation: This was a "hmmm... how did that work exactly" kinda movie. I enjoyed it.

The Man Who Wasn't There

Set in the summer of 1949 in a small northern California town, this film noir from the Coen brothers stars Billy Bob Thornton as Ed Crane, a barber who's dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris's (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents him with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will turn his life around ... but his scheme lays bare even darker secrets that eventually lead to murder.

My Promulgation: The Coen brothers are known for making some odd flicks, and this is certainly one. Billy Bob and Frances McDormand are both pretty good in this dark little oddball flick. Flick Flick....Can I use that word any more in two sentences....Fuck...Anyway worth the view.

Ray

This biopic tells the life story of rhythm and blues legend Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal). Born to a poor family in Albany, Ga., Charles contracted glaucoma at age 6 (which robbed him of his eyesight) and nonetheless went on to become a world-famous pianist and performer. He dealt with racism, romantic letdowns and his own heroin abuse, but managed to triumph over all obstacles. Taylor Hackford directs.

My Promulgation: Good movie but did it deserve the TONS of hoopla it recevied? Nah. I'm giving it 4 stars since it was still pretty decent.

The Station Agent

When his only friend dies, a young dwarf named Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) relocates to an abandoned train station in rural New Jersey, intent on living the life of a hermit. But his solitude is soon interrupted by his colorful neighbors, which include a struggling artist (Patricia Clarkson) coping with the recent death of her young son and a talkative Cuban hot dog vendor (Bobby Cannavale).

My Promulgation: I dug this movie. Highly! It was an interesting story, with good charecters and ultimately a feel good, glad to have friends kinda flick. Check it out, it will make you smile.

Children of Dune

Description: Twelve years after the events of Dune (based on Frank Herbert's best-selling series of novels), political intrigue, rebellion and betrayal play out on an interplanetary level. To his horror, Arrakis emperor Paul Atreides (Alec Newman) -- has become the unintended figurehead of a violent dictatorship, and his enemies are multiplying. Vanishing into the desert, he waits as destiny shapes his twin heirs, Leto II and Ghanima.

My Promulgation: Frank Herbert's Dune series is legendary in SciFi book circles...No Duh. This movie series was pretty damned good. We watched this on TV, and like it, so I rented it again, I mean who doesn't like SciFi for Christ's sake?

Nowhere in Africa

Description: Shortly before World War II, a Jewish couple and their young daughter emigrate to Kenya from Germany to escape the Nazis. Not all members of the family are happy with this drastic change -- but going home isn't an option. Ultimately, they must all come to terms with a new life in a new continent. Director Caroline Link's epic drama won the 2002 Oscar for best foreign film.

My Promulgation: I'm sick and damned tired of holocaust stories, I mean I've seen like one or so, but I dig Africa, and really like Kenya. I liked this movie. It had a good story line and was a nice film, but that had nothing to do with Jews escaping the camps. It was story of life, compassion and caring.

Children of Heaven

Description: A delightful Iranian movie about a boy who accidentally loses his sister's shoes and must share his own sneakers with her in a sort of relay while each attends school at different times during the day. Finally, the boy enters a much-publicized foot race, hoping to place third. The prize: a new pair of sneakers. Directed by respected filmmaker Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven is just that -- heavenly.

My Promulgation: Any indie or non Hollywood movie always gets my interest. This one did. It was a cute story and I liked it too. Jesus H. Can you imagine such an ordeal over a pair of shoes? We're living large in the US of A. Don't forget it bucko. So see the movie.