Windbreaker!

Under discussion:

Sling Blade  (1996)

Ok, so I'm 10 years behind the curve, but I finally got around to seeing Sling Blade.  Amazing.  No wonder Billy Bob was the darling of Hollywood after this was released.  He managed to craft a story about a mentally retarded man that was interesting, touching, depressing, hopeful, tense, and light-hearted -- all inside 2 1/2 hours.  The running time looked long on the cover, but every single shot is deliberate.  I have no idea how much was cut for the final picture, but the final package was perfect.  Even the scenes that linger on something don't feel like they're lingering.

The comic relief moments are early and often, but not distracting.  John Ritter is laugh-out-loud funny for all the wrong reasons.  Not funny ha-ha, funny queer.  Doyle's porch band... priceless.

I'd highly recommend this DVD. 

Under discussion:

The Holiday  (2006)

From now on, I'm watching Cameron Diaz movies in full-screen.  I can't handle the widescreen close-ups of her smile.

I didn't think The Holiday was bad.  I've seen my fair share of chick flicks to satisfy my wife... this wasn't bad, but it was forgettable.  So many movies that try to fit into the romantic comedy genre plod along like reasonable entertainment until they jump the shark in some way or another.  An ordinary guy suddenly has time time and money to fly across the world in pursuit of his love.  Or two lovebirds suddenly don't have to live like the rest of us (getting up on time and reporting to a job), so they kill 8 consecutive days under a shady tree in Central Park.  You get my drift.

So maybe it was a stroke of genius that the writer removed the "jump the shark" threat by making all of the main characters quasi-celebrities.  An editor, a movie trailer producer, a film composer, and a newspaper writer.  I don't roll my eyes because I feel like I'm watching some sort of celebrity reality TV.

I've never been impressed with Diaz, and I wasn't here either.  For me, Jude Law didn't really show his chops until the 2nd half.  But Kate Winslet and Jack Black were very believable characters.

All this to say, if you're like me, rent it for your wife and score some [points].

Under discussion:

Lost Highway  (1997)

Great soundtrack.  Naturally, I didn't find that out until I wasted my time on David Lynch's Lost Highway.  I get that Lynch went for style over substance, but NO substance?  That's just ripping off the viewer!  Thankfully, this came in the mail from Blockbuster so I like to think I paid nothing for the rental.

Although I disliked it, I do feel obligated to point out some of the noir fun:

- Camera angles, shadows, nondescript rooms

- Dry dialogue between Bill Pullman & his femme fatale

- Creepy little man with the clown face who we think will have answers

- Puzzling, gruesome murder