No Direction Home: Bob Dylan & The Man with the Golden Arm

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan was really neat. Too much focus on his pre-music career. However, the mid-60s stuff was absolutely amazing. Even though I'd seen a lot of it in Don't Look Back, and heard some of the music on the previous Bootleg Series. There were some really neat scenes, like with Dylan going over the signs at the pet store and him playing at the March on Washington. Plus, there were some self-serving interviews with some of the people. Dylan, himself, wasn't too biased at all, which was nice, plus he was interesting and charming. Good for him.

The Man with the Golden Arm had a great performance by Frank Sinatra, and a good anti-Hays code plot, even if it still was a typical Hollywood film in almost everything about it except for the heroin plot. Even had the evil wife that drove the hero into the arms of another woman. Not nearly as flashy as the current string of drug movies, but it isn't as wussy as most 50s movies. And Otto Preminger again gets an interesting opening credit sequence from Saul Bass, who did a lot of the best title sequences of the 50s and 60s.

Operation Ceasefire

Well, protesters are stupid. They give rational anti-war people a bad name. Because I don't think that we're really as bad as they think. What the hell is the point of an Iranian flag at a protest against the war in Iraq? Are they saying that we should go to an Islamic fundamentalist republic? Because that's insane. Plus, they kept diluting the anti-war part of it by being anti-corporate, anti-capitalist, anti-everything. And being annoying as anyone on the right could be.

Anyway, the music, for me, started with the Evens, which was pretty good. The only song I even knew the title of before the concert, let alone heard any songs, was Mt. Pleasant Isn't, which was good. Sounded a little like a more stripped down version of early Fugazi. Although you could say that it would be early White Stripes, and you wouldn't be too far off, but Amy Farina is a much better drummer than Meg White. Admittedly, that isn't too hard to be.

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists rocked the pants off the audience. They played Sons of Cain, a blistering version of Timorous Me, and finished with an amazing version of Ballad of a Sin Eater. Just a great performance. Too bad I can't remember more of the songs they played. They played quite a bit longer than I expected for the time. Too bad they were sandwiched between too earnest pinkos. Literally: I think Code Pink came out just before or after Ted Leo.

Head Rock was next, who started with an impressive acapella rap. Too bad the music itself wasn't what I like. After that was Thievery Corporation, which I didn't like either. Too bad. I feel like I lost some cool points. Or something like that. Maybe my hipster card will be revoked.

Lots of TV stuff

Rome 1.5, Curb Your Enthusiasm 5.1, Extras 1.1, Arrested Development 3.1 & 3.2. Well, Rome is definitely improving. Yay for that. Pullo rocks, and I'm even liking that whiny bitch Octavian. CYE is back, and hilarious. Strange not to be able to watch the next episode immediately. Extras was pretty good as well, uncomfortably so, just like The Office. Too bad it will encourage comparisons with that brilliant show. And no praise will ever be enough for Kate Winslet's performance. Utterly great.

Arrested Development may actually be dirtier than before. Especially that talk between Michael and Lindsay about the copy and the car. Just wow. The fact that this show may be the dirtiest show on TV, including cable and pay TV, is just a testamount to the complete worthlessness of censorship. Thankfully there isn't that much interest in it by Brent Bozell and those asswipes, so it can go pretty damn blue. And the chicken dances were great. And I can't wait until Scott Baio comes on as Bob Loblaw. I never thought I'd be waiting for Scott Baio to do anything other than die. But he may be the only person who can make up for the Fonz leaving for his show. Until that show gets cancelled. Because it looks like it sucks. And the paying actors who played lawyers to be around at trials was great. I love this show with a passion. So filled with insane humor. I never catch everything after one viewing. Insane.

Dark Star & Northanger Abbey

Dark Star was John Carpenter's first movie. I hate that the naked pictures were blurred. Very distracting. Plus, the alien thing that was obviously a beach ball was pretty distracting as well. I'm not entirely sure what was going on in the movie, especially the long-ass scene in the elevator shaft. It felt really stretched out to its short running time. And bizarre. Interesting special effects, and I'm a big fan of Bomb 20.

Northanger Abbey was the worst Jane Austen I've ever seen. Terrible. I've been assured that the BBC version of Persuasion was worse, but I'd have to see it to believe it, and I really don't want to do that. Bleh to the movie, the lead actress and her big nose and bugeyes. Plus, really, what the hell? I hate that Netflix made me think that the mvoie was from 2000 rather than from 1986, which was terrible. Argh. Plus, this is the only version of Northanger Abbey made. Maybe because it is her least typical book. But the BBC version sucked.

Shine

Shine was really good. And with an amazingly good soundtrack. Although Geoffrey Rush was definitely really effective in his performance, I actually preferred Noah Taylor's descent into madness. A lot less like an excuse to get an oscar. Armin Mueller-Stahl was also impressive. But Noah Taylor was my favorite part of the movie. Well, that and the Rachmaninoff. Which was really impressive. Scott Hicks isn't a great talent, but he clearly can make good movies, with this and Snow Falling on Cedars. May have to suck it up and watch Hearts in Atlantis. Or maybe not.

Comrades: Almost a Love Story, Rome 1.4, Gilmore Girls 6.1 & 6.2

Comrades: Almost a Love Story was really good, but the DVD sucked. No menu, and poor and sometimes missing subtitles. And I really wish that I had watched it with someone who knew either Mandarin or Cantonese, so that I could figure out which one was being spoken. I at least got a little help on the significance of the some of the dates in the movie. That being said, Maggie Cheung is one of the greatest actresses of all time. And is gorgeous. And will make me willing to see anything she's in. This movie not only had a great performance from her, but a restrained performance from Eric Tsang, who normally is a terrible over-actor, and a rare in front of camera appearance by Christopher Doyle, the greatest cinematographer working today. And possibly ever, but I'd have to check on that. I'd wanted to see it for a while, but I was moved to put it to the top of my queue by a friend who is currently in China, and I was suggesting she tutor English to make a little bit of cash on the side. Well, I first suggested prostitution, but that never really goes over well with her. And it certainly wouldn't go over well with the Chinese government. The English tutoring scenes were funny, and made me want to tell everyone "I go to hell. You go to hell. We go to hell." And then I realised that was ridiculous. The movie overly melodramatic, and generally something I'd hate if done by less skilled people. But it also had the sexiest double-coating ever. Ever. I defy you to find a sexier one than this. And you will fail.

Rome episode 4 had the first frontal male nudity I can recall in the series. Couldn't quite tell if he was circumcised or not, but that means there was a possibility he wasn't. Yay for possible historical accuracy. I am still enjoying the show, but I doubt that I can continue to write a few sentences about each episode. Lots of fun things in it (midget as Cato, Caesar's seizure, Caesar's pedophilia rumors, the graffiti which is clearly the best thing about the show), but really, if you aren't reading the TWOP forums for Rome, you're missing out on lots of the same stuff I'd be writing here. Well, with a little less happiness about naked men. Less happiness here. I can see myself naked whenever I want. Suffice it to say that I will write more when I feel like it, rather than when there's a new episode.

Gilmore Girls episodes 1 & 2 of the 6th season. Well, hmmm. Not nearly enough Paris or Kirk in the first two episodes, mainly because they were only in the first episode, and no Lane at all? Why is there any of Liz and TJ when there could be Lane? Seriously, something is wrong. I don't think there was any Logan in this episode either. So I can't completely complain. Plus, Lorelai with a dog was funny. How did he get the door locked?

The Hotel New Hampshire, Look Back in Anger, & A Matter of Life & Death

The Hotel New Hampshire was a complete mess. I haven't read the book, but I imagine it followed it very well, but turning an Irving novel into a less than two hour long movie can't be done. And that can only be done by taking out huge portions. The Hotel New Hampshire just was too episodic and was all about having all the plot points in it rather than any actual character development. Plus, comedic fast-motion never really works. I can't think of one time where I didn't cringe. The World According to Garp was successful due to the strength of characters, while the deliberate weirdness of Irving was easy enough to overcome. The Cider House Rules worked due to great acting and the fact that they took out the strangest character, making it a normal movie (well, except for the feel-good abortion movie of the year part of it). This movie, however, had the weirdness, had the obsession with sex, and didn't have anything remotely interesting to say about the characters or acting. Great cast, just didn't have a chance: Rob Lowe, Jodie Foster, Seth Green (I really didn't recognize him), Nastassja Kinski, Joely Richardson, Wallace Shawn, Matthew Modine, Wilford Brimley, and Amanda Plummer. What a waste.

Look Back in Anger is an interesting two-pack of Tony Richardson movies. Something I didn't really realise, but it did make sense, because I was just going through by director on Netflix. The first of the British "Angry Young Men" films... well, I don't know what to say. I am not sure how many others I've seen, but this was disappointing. It was one of those movies with a troubled lead and I just want to smack him upside the head. A complete jackass. I know that's the point, but man, I just wanted to hurt him. So damn frustrating. Acting may have been good, but when you're making an ass sympathetic, I just get annoyed. I've seen two other Richardson movies, Tom Jones and Blue Sky, both of which I enjoyed, so I think it's not a problem with him, I just hated Jimmy Porter as a person. Also weird to see a young Donald Pleasence. Never really changed.

A Matter of Life & Death is still one of my favorite movies of all times. And not just for the technical aspects, which are amazing, but for the entire trial scene, which has some great British-American antagonisms. Definitely a must watch for anyone who wants to know anything about movies. And the "bullet time" is impressive. When the hell is this going to be released on DVD? Well, at least in a good version. The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, I Know Where I'm Going, The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp are all on Criterion Collection. And this movie is better than all of them. Come out on Criterion, damnit!

Desk Set

Desk Set was the penultimate Hepburn-Tracy pairing, and as such, was clearly the last one that would really allow Tracy to play the romantic lead. He clearly was too old for this movie, but the chemistry between Hepburn and Tracy never really went away. The scene on the rooftop was definitely enjoyable, as were a lot of the other Hepburn-Tracy scenes, and Dina Merrill looks pretty much like Grace Kelly, which is not a bad thing. The problem with the movie is that Tracy is given nothing to do, the romance is given short shrift, and the ending comes out of nowhere. It felt like there was an entire different movie hidden somewhere in there, but it was hidden behind a screenplay that decided to waste the talent of the cast. Plus, the utopian ideals of computers and no job loss was clearly a result of the IBM sponsorship. Plus, no computer could do half the things that that one did for many years after the movie. Took me out of it.

Fashion Rocks

I should have mentioned this earlier, like back around when I saw it last week, but I watched around 10 minutes of Fashion Rocks on CBS. Coincidentally, or fortuitously, those were the performances by David Bowie of Life on Mars and David Bowie and the Arcade Fire on Wake Up. Life on Mars may have been the best version of that song ever. Just great. I need that version. Now. Wake Up was pretty enjoyable, although I can't quite tell whether Bowie was messing up or just not singing loud enough to be heard over the joyous cacophony. And I'm also not sure about seeing Heather Graham grooving to it. Just seems wrong.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, One Hour Photo, & Stardust Memories

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp was a movie I've been trying to watch for years. Ever since I first saw Stairway to Heaven, I've been watching as many of Powell and Pressburger's films as possible. And not one has disappointed me. I at first thought that I'd have a problem with the almost three hour running time. But it actually allows the characters to become realized fully, and just a great movie. Strange that it was released at all, since it is both anti-war and yet pro-anything it takes to win the war. That actually seems like a reasonable thing, at least in the case of World War II. Because that war needed to be won, and yet, war is a terrible thing. I also thought the interwar years were entertainingly disposed with. Definitely a must watch movie. And I didn't even mention how great Deborah Kerr was in it.

I've seen Vaughn's weewee. Ok, after that bit of immaturity, about the only things to recommend One Hour Photo is Robin Williams's best performance in years and that the movie felt like it was all about how you wait for a photo to be developed and then you get the excitement of opening the packet of prints and then it's all over. I'd expand more on it if I could stop thinking about how I've seen Vaughn's weewee. It's about the same as when I saw Jaye's hoohas in Tulse Luper. Always strange to see nudity of someone you're familiar with on TV. And this is coming from someone who is happy to rattle off gratuitous nudity. One Hour Photo's nudity was mainly necessary. The open bathrobe showing the carpet matching the drapes was not entirely needed. And I think I just made myself seem like I'm at least ten years younger than I am. Suck.

Stardust Memories was Allen's Fellini. Pretty damn obvious, with lots of visual references, along with whole scene references. Meaning that you'd probably enjoy it a lot less if you weren't familiar with 8 1/2. Or, for that matter, Allen's career until that point. I thought there were some great lines, and that's, unfortunately, almost all you can ask for in an Allen comedy. At least Stardust Memories wasn't as imponderable as Allen's Bergman films. It actually was enjoyable to watch.

Rome 1.3 & Unfaithfully Yours

Rome 1.3 was good. I'm enjoying the show, even if it isn't really all that historically accurate. But there are some nice touches, like Brutus's depiction of what would happen if Caesar became emperor. And Pullo giving Vorenus woman advice was pretty funny as well, and the planned suicides was funny in a sick way. I think it's clearly the worst hour-long thing I've seen HBO do. Still better than most other TV though. And I really enjoy the random bits of Latin knowledge that help out. Who knew that 6 years of Latin would help me know what the graffiti was on the walls of Atia's house? They were Atia loves all and Atia blows all. Yay for vulgarity! Note that Charles Jenney's Latin texts did not have the translation for fellat. I had to pick that one up on the streets.

Unfaithfully Yours was not nearly as good as I was hoping. Yes, it was dark, and yes, Rex Harrison was very good, but I just don't think I get the whole so jealous you consider murder part of it. Just seemed too far out there. It's a damn shame that it was one of Sturges's last films, because he made some of the greatest comedies of the 40s. Well, actually, this is only the fifth movie of his I've seen. But the other four are all classics. This was just a funny movie.

The Horse's Mouth & Daybreak Express

I don't know who said that The Horse's Mouth was a comedy, because it wasn't funny. It was, however, a bizarre tale of an artist who loves feet and painting walls. Strange film. Very strange.

Daybreak Express was also on the DVD, and was a neat little short by D.A. Pennebaker, with a pretty good song by Duke Ellington over shots of a train moving through New York. Nice camerawork, some pretty cool shots, and overall, a not bad way to spend your five or so minutes. The comments by Pennebaker about it were also sort of neat, because he said that he made a bit of money on it only when it was finally released for the opening of The Horse's Mouth. And that they played for a while to packed houses. I'm not sure what to think of people who would see The Horse's Mouth more than once. I really don't know.

The Constant Gardener, Confidentially Yours, and iPod update

The Constant Gardener gave me a headache. Too much handheld camera and too many jerky camera movements. That being said, Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, and Bill Nighy were all outstanding, and I expect the first two to get at least Oscar nods. The story was a little too anti-drug company, as what they actually do is evil enough. Really, a great movie, and I probably would have loved it almost reservedly had I seen it on a smaller screen.

Confidentially Yours was mediocre Hitchcock-film noir movie from Truffaut. Fanny Ardant was interesting, but the movie was needlessly complicated, and the big twists came out of nowhere. The black and white camerawork was pretty good, though.

I didn't mention, but I tripped and broke my iPod a week and a half ago. Three days after getting the replacement iPod, I break the new one. And since it was my fault, it wasn't covered by the limited warranty. I have a new 60 GB iPod. I like the color screen. I've been adding cover art to my collection. I couldn't live without an iPod. The same day I got the iPod, I donated to the Red Cross for Katrina recovery. I did this on Thursday. I reacted faster than the federal government.

Curb Your Enthusiasm seasons 3 & 4

Curb Your Enthusiasm season 3 topped season 2, especially in the brilliant season long arc. Nothing may ever top the end of the season, with the brilliant use of cursing. Brilliant. The funniest scene of the entire show. Maybe ever broadcast on HBO. I loved Michael York's forced cursing, and the tall white guy's light stuff until the end... I could go on and on. And the rest of the season wasn't too bad either. I didn't entirely care for the Special Section, but it was only weak when compared to the Terrorist Attack, Krazee-Eyez Killa, The Nanny from Hell (may have ruined the Looney Tunes theme forever), Club Soda & Salt, and the Grand Opening. It's also better than the first season, which didn't really have the continuing storyline that pulled 2, 3, and 4 together.

Speaking of season 4, hilarious. About the same level as three. The supporting cast really was outstanding, with Ben Stiller and David Schwimmer being standouts. And if I knew who came up with the idea for the Blind Date, I'd have to... oh, yeah, it's all Larry David, and I already worship at his altar of comedy. I'd have to name every episode as great. Especially... every episode. The dog biting, the medical marijuana, the Everlast, the Survivor, and the hex. So many great bits. And it reminds me that I need to see The Producers again. Both the movie and the musical. Mel and Anne in the bar was great.

That's Entertainment & Rome 1.2

That's Entertainment was overlong, and suffers from a lot of boring scenes, plus, the great scenes are sometimes cut short or have narration over them. Plus, really, why must we be forced to see Clark Gable sing and dance? I know it was played for laughs, but it was plain bad. Even when the great scenes are left as they are, they suffer from lack of context. Singing in the Rain, Make 'em Laugh, the great dancer numbers by Astaire, Kelly, and the like all would work better in the movies they're originally from.

The second episode of Rome seems to be pushing the historical accuracy farther into the past. It works better as drama than as history. Probably would be better if it spent more time and didn't try to cover so much. I mean, civil war after two episodes? It better go slower and more character and less plot in each episode, or else it will be a failure. Still lots of nudity though. Brain surgery sucks, by the way, but Roman brain surgery really sucks.

The Medallion & Shark Tale

The Medallion was Jackie Chan at a pretty bland point. The main problem was that there was way too many really obvious wire work. It seemed like there were only about five bits with Jackie doing his stunts. Way too many flying through the air. After the first time of "What the hell, Jackie?" I just gave up on the movie being anything particularly good. Lee Evans was pretty wasted in the movie, and his wife, the extremely hot Christy Chung, never really had anything at all to do. Julian Sands should go back to flashing his penis in period pieces as well. What was Gimli doing? How can you misuse a great actor like Anthony Wong in that way? Claire Forlani again proves that just because you're attractive doesn't mean you can act. And man, that accent sounded fake, even though she's English. Maybe she can do an American accent well.

Shark Tale was typical Dreamworks Animation crap. If they could do half the heart that Pixar is able to put into their movies, and pair that with a third of the references to other entertainment and product placements, then they might actually make a good movie. Their animation is weaker than Pixar's, but that can be ignored if they would attempt to make a movie rather than an excuse for a lead to suck for an hour and a half. And they wasted Angelina Jolie and Jack Black. Jack was terrible in this. I'm pretty sure it was the script. Really, just a waste of money. No wonder Dreamworks Animation is tanking of late. Well, mainly because they haven't yet made a good movie, but I expect that to change in around a month with the release of the new Wallace & Gromit picture. Because really, Nick Park can do no wrong. Too bad you can't say that for Dreamworks Animation.