Men Who Stare at Goats

Although the trailer sold a much better film, I did enjoy it but felt it fell flat at the end.

Paranormal Activity

I’m thinking this one would have come off a little better if I had seen it in a festival enthused crowd who had never even heard of this film before. The build-up from those who have seen it, plus the trailer/commercials giving away the film kind of blew it.

New York, I Love You

This is in reference to the film I just saw called New York, I Love You and while I do think that NYC is a really awesome place, the film is a collage of love stories set in the Big Apple.

Really well done and some of them definitely involve situations you would not likely find any where but there. It’s been about four years since I’ve been and used to go quite often when I lived in Philadelphia. Watching this film makes me want to return soon.

Whip It

A really enjoyable film. Makes me want to see a roller derby now.

Pandorum

While the atmosphere and visuals are great, it feels like I’ve seen this story a few times before. Event Horizon is the primary one that comes to mind, but I really didn’t like that film too much. So you can say I like Pandorum better, but it’s still only an “okay” film.

Extract

Mike Judge’s prior films Office Space and Idiocracy I found funny on initial viewing and repeat viewings make them even better. While I’ve only seen Extract once now, it was a good film, but I don’t think it’s bound for the same cult following his other films have found.

(500) Days of Summer

It was an okay film. It starts out by telling you it’s not a love story and the narrator does not lie. One of those you’ll forget you watched after a few days.

Thirst

This is my least favorite Chan-wook Park film. That said, all his films are a level above most so I can’t say it’s a bad film. It just felt like it wanted more impact than it delivered. Unlike his other films though, I didn’t get the emotional attachment with the main character I felt with Park’s other films.

I can’t say part of my reaction was not influenced by the two guys sitting next to me who were receiving and sending text messages throughout the entire film and the lady next to us who broke out her store-bought build-your-own-salad she munchily ate during the first 1/2 hour of the film.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance remains my favorite Chan-wook Park film. Oldboy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance were both really good, but I just had more of an emotional, involved response to Mr. Vengeance.

The Hurt Locker

This film had me on the edge of my seat a few times. Very good. And the Oscar buzz around Jeremy Renner’s performance seems justified.

Inglorious Basterds

I think I had the same reaction that Harry over at Aint It Cool News had. It was a good movie, but not THE war movie I really wanted from Tarantino. As for WWII flicks, Where Eagle’s Dare remains my all-time fave.