Still yet more movies

I really hadn't intended this to be a movie review blog, but it looks like that's all I have to say on a (not very) regular basis.  I'm not even very good at analyzing or writing about them, but I'll keep trying.

Empire Records was one of my favorite movies from college.  I think it was the first movie in which I saw Liv Tyler, who is simply gorgeous.  It also has Robin Tunney (where's the sequel to The Craft??? sigh...) and a very young Renee Zelwegger (whose character I could have sworn was played by Joey Lauren Adams).  It's classic teen angst plus teen love story plus teen slacker and ends up being really charming and funny.  I gave it 5 stars on Netflix.

I wanted to like Paparazzi.  I actually would never have watched it, but it was on HBO while I was in Indy on business, and it had Robin Tunney (see above), so I figured I'd give it a shot.  It was disappointing, even for a movie I didn't want to see.  I really disliked the main character (Cole "Who?" Hauser), and the plot was marginal.  I gave it 2 stars on Netflix.

Immediately following Paparazzi on HBO was Spartan.  I really hadn't intended to watch it, but the plot was pretty gripping.  But who lets Val Kilmer into studios any more.  Honestly.  I used to like him.  Top Gun, of course, but I actually liked The Saint, and even liked his Batman.  But he basically sleep-walked (slept-walked?  willon haven sleep walkin?) through the entire movie.  Yes, he's a hard-ass.  Yes, he has a job to do.  Yes, he disregards Kristen Bell's naked breasts (but no, you as the viewer don't get to see).  No, he can't act.  The movie is still interesting, in spite of him.  I gave it 3 stars on Netflix.

In Good Company was a movie I got to continue my streak of Scarlett Johansson movies (whose name I think I can finally spell right on the first try).  I didn't actually expect a lot, but it was pretty good.  I've seen it criticized for not treating corporate consolidations and the reality of cutbacks seriously, but that wasn't what the movie was about.  It also wasn't about Topher Grace and Scarlett's relationship, which was a surprise.  It was really about the "old" guy figuring himself out through the young guy, the young guy figuring himself out through the old guy, and the old guy letting go of his daughter.  I gave it 4 stars on Netflix.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.  I'm not really sure what to say, to be perfectly honest.  I think I'll like it more the second time around, now that I know what to expect.  It had some very funny moments, but mostly kind of slugged along.  I think Cate Blanchett was brilliant, and had some of the best moments in the movie.  I'm not sure she can do anything wrong, really.  Bill Murray was good, but not great.  I gave it 3 stars on Netflix.

Constantine was a surprise.  I came in expecting nothing, which usually helps.  It was really cohesive, nothing seemed too far out there, and it never contradicted itself.  Keanu Reeves played Neo again, if a little more bitter and mean.  Rachel Weisz looked good but was nothing special.  I was really impressed with Tilda Swinton.  I don't know if I've ever seen her in anything, but I loved her role, however small.  And whose idea was it to cast a rock star as one of the most famous demons!?!  I knew I recognized him.  I gave the movie 5 stars on Netflix.

And while it's not a movie, I must talk about Six Feet Under.  I've just finished watching disc 3 of season 1.  I can't say enough good things about this show.  The story line is amazing; it keeps you guessing and keeps the issue of dead people and dysfunction interesting.  Every actor is incredible.  I love Lauren Ambrose, Peter Krause, and especially Rachel Griffiths.  No one should miss this show (unless you can't tolerate dead people or guys making out, because there's a fair share of both).  5 stars doesn't cover it.