Brandon Watches Movies!

(d. Phil Lord, Chris Miller)

This movie remains my favorite comedy of the year and perhaps many years before it. It’s absurd, it’s clever, it’s got great characters that you care for and - best of all - it’s flat out hilarious. It’s one of the few comedies that remains surprising from beginning to end; it goes in unexpected directions but it all works. I’m pretty sure this is a new comedy classic. 

(d. Harold Ramis)

I was sitting at my parent’s house in Northern California and GROUNDHOG DAY came on. I said I’d watch the first fifteen minutes then go to bed. Nope, watched the entire thing. This film remains brilliant. Not only is it funny with a genius plot, it’s also painfully touching at moments. There’s a certain scene in GROUNDHOG DAY that tugs at my heart unlike any other comedy. Yup, brilliant.

(d. Hayao Miyazaki)

This might be - might be - my favorite Miyazaki film. Truth be told, PRINCESS MONONOKE  probably tops PORCO ROSSO but ROSSO is a gorgeous, engaging film. I can’t focus during anime sometimes. I don’t know, I just get distracted. Not so with most Miyazaki films, especially PORCO ROSSO. Chalk it up to Michael Keaton’s performance or the thrilling flight sequences. This movie just did it for me. I hope Miyazaki makes good on his promise of a sequel.

(d. Joss Whedon)

I don’t know. I mean, I guess it was okay.

Ha ha, just kidding. THE AVENGERS was awesome. Read more of my thoughts over at Very Aware.

Also, I want to hang that poster on my wall.

(d. Robert Zemeckis)

Haters to the left! I still cherish FORREST GUMP. I know, I know, Forrest is a complacent character who doesn’t actively do anything throughout the entire film but, while he’s a very likable character, the stuff that really gets me is the historical events. FORREST GUMP is the story of America during some tumultuous times. 

(d. Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt)

Hey, this was a lot of fun! The animation was gorgeous, the jokes were much funnier than typical animated humor and the cast was A+ (special nod to Ashley Jensen, who killed me).

I don’t know if I’d rank it up with CHICKEN RUN or WALLACE AND GROMIT AND THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT but it’s a damn fine cartoon. The 3D wasn’t anything worthwhile though (what’s new?).

(d. Justin Lin)

I watched this film a couple times in a few weeks. And why not? It’s a pure blast. Fun fact: I forced my friend to stay up until 2 AM so he could finish it. He wasn’t too happy about but I was. And, in the end, that’s all that matters. All that matters is me and FAST FIVE.

(d. Alfonso Cuaron)

Read my take on HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN at Very Aware when I finally decide to publish my next edition of A Muggle At Hogwarts.

(d. Michael Barnett)

I wasn’t sure what to expect with SUPERHEROES but Barnett managed to make an insightful, compelling and bittersweet documentary about various people who take it upon themselves to fight crime in costume. Some of these people are a little, well, odd (I’m pretty sure one of them is an alcoholic). Some aren’t, though. Together, they create a look at a modern phenomenon (is it a phenomenon? I guess it’s not that big of a deal…yet). 

It feels a little long and sags from time to time. Also, Barnett has a hard time creating a narrative. Instead, SUPERHEROES just focuses on its subjects without crafting any sort of plot or major conflict.

I was surprised by how much SUPERHEROES got to me. Most of the people in this film seem like really sweet, if slightly misguided, folks.

(d. Mick Garris)

First of all, what is up with that poster above? Odd.

Anyway, THE STAND holds up better than I remembered. The truth is that the series doesn’t have one particularly weak episode, they’re all not as strong as they should be. 

Part two does have a lot of to do though so it’s not as exciting as previous or later parts. And it really works better watching it with the others, back-to-back-to-back. On its own, it’s not bad though. Plus it has a legitimately scary scene involving Stu Redman’s terrifying dream.