Getting caught up!

I haven't keep up on blogging the last month or two for a lot of reasons: laziness, I got married, my bird MOMO died, etc. But I have still been watching movies and I plan to get things going again before the week is over.

The highlight of the last several months for me has been David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises. He frames a story that turns out to be something completely different than it seems, but by that point it doesn't matter. Thematically, the film feels like a continuation of A History of Violence in regards to a mans struggle within himself to cope with the brutality(present or former) that surrounds his life.

My favorite part of the film is Viggo Mortensen. It wasn't his acting in terms of dialog that really impressed me. I mean he didn't even have that many lines throughout the film. What really stood out was the physical transformation into this Russian mob driver. Sure, he had these crazy tattoos all over his body but it wasn't even that. It was the mannerisms and the facial characteristics he adopted. The forehead wrinkles and all the numerous facial movements felt very much like a Russian gangster and nothing at all like watching Viggo Mortensen play a role. For me, it was an amazing performance that he should be rewarded for. It should also serve to show people that you don't have to play a retard or a crack head or a musical legend in order turn in a brilliant performance. Acting can be subtle for chrissakes!

I am contemplating working on a blaxploitation screenplay, so over the next several weeks you may be noticing a fair amount of blaxploitation reviews. Just a warning. Chris Rock's I Think I Love My Wife has also been burning a hole in my coffee table so you may see that review coming up. I'll be scattering in my usual mix of random films so just stay tuned and we'll see what happens.

Having noted what I will likely be watching in the near future, I thought it'd be the perfect time to mention a couple of films that I am looking forward to seeing this winter. More than anything I am dying to see The Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men. If you've seen any of the trailers I think you'd agree that it looks amazing. I am reading the book right now and it is so great. Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin appear to be on top of there games.


I am mostly anticipating Paul Thomas Anderson's new film There Will Be Blood because of my love for Daniel Day Lewis. He truly is one of finest actors ever. You can see in this trailer that he is likely to give another unforgettable performance in this film, that's already getting a ton of buzz.