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Holiday movies: Cartoon mice, Jim Carrey's face, and the best sports movie ever -- Week of 12/19

WEDNESDAY 12/17

The Wrestler -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. Looks like this is a sports movie with guts. I love Mickey Rourke, and I can't think of anyone who knows more about being called a "beat-up piece of meat."

Hey, that makes me think of a list...

Art Imitates Life: When Actors Barely Have to Act 

5. Reservoir Dogs -- Mr. Blue is played by ex-convict and heist veteran Edward Bunker.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 -- Keith Richards, the pirate of rock, is the perfect choice to play Jack Sparrow's dad.

3. A Scanner Darkly -- Tie for third place: Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson, who lend this "drug movie" loads of authenticity.

2. The Wrestler -- I wanted to put it at #1, but I haven't seen it yet.

1. Unforgiven -- Clint's portrayal of a reformed murderer gives me goosebumps. When characters talk about how bad he used to be, I think of the Dollars trilogy, and how different they could've been if he was an outright villain.

Another Documentary About an Eccentric Artist, but this one looks worthwhile.

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man  -- Watch the trailer. I'm a music nut, but I hadn't heard of Scott Walker until today. Considering the musicians he's influenced (David Bowie, Brian Eno, The Smiths, Radiohead), I don't know how he's escaped my attention. He looks intense. 

"I have a very nightmarish imagination. I've had very bad dreams all my life, so everything in my music is very big." -- S. Walker in Scott Walker: 30 Century Man.

FRIDAY 12/19

Nothing But the Truth -- Read the review. Inspired by the Valerie Plame/Scooter Libby CIA  leak, Karina said this was the most fun she had at the Toronto Film Festival 2008. Starring Vera Farmiga and featuring Matt Dillon, Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale, and...(are you ready for this?) David Schwimmer.

The Tale of Despereaux -- Watch the trailer. This looks good, but it's getting chilly reviews. I don't know, the mouse is pretty cute...

Yes Man -- Watch the trailer. Looks a lot like Liar Liar, but it could be fun. I do have to say though, these days I have a pretty low tolerance for Jim Carrey's facial shenanigans.

Seven Pounds -- Watch the trailer. Will Smith is an IRS agent who mysteriously assumes the identity of his younger brother and tries to change the lives of seven strangers. Also starring Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson, and from the director of Pursuit of Happyness.

Re:Holiday movies: Cartoon mice, Jim Carrey's face, and the best sports movie ever

Whoa, where did this come from?  Was this kept hush-hush after the flaming peice of sub-mediocrity we know as Hancock?  Usually Will Smith releases are a pretty big deal with lots of promotion and hoopla, but the first I ever heard of Seven Pounds was this week--granted I haven't been to a recent theatrical release in awhile, however.  My girlfriend and I were trying to find information on it but were barely able to find a complete synopsis for the film.  Curious to see how it does...

spout:

 

Seven Pounds -- Watch the trailer. Will Smith is an IRS agent who mysteriously assumes the identity of his younger brother and tries to change the lives of seven strangers. Also starring Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson, and from the director of Pursuit of Happyness.

Re:Holiday movies: Cartoon mice, Jim Carrey's face, and the best sports movie ever

DVD Highlights: Week of 12/19

1. Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy on Blu-Ray (6 disc set) -- I found a list of the special features in this user review. I would be most interested in hearing Johnny Depp's commentary on Curse of the Black Pearl.

• Curse of the Black Pearl -- Watch the trailer. This was my favorite of the series. Jack Sparrow is so fun that I like to imagine his other adventures.

• Dead Man's Chest -- My least favorite of the series, but maybe it deserves another try.

• At World's End -- Watch the trailer. I can't remember much about this one, but I liked it more than Dead Man's Chest. 

2. House Bunny -- Is this subversive, making fun of the whole Playhouse Mansion scene? I don't know.

I do know that I'm a sucker for movies where an adult and young people learn from each other. I know Scent of a Woman isn't perfect, but I still like it. Role Models was okay too. On the other hand, will anyone ever watch the Mighty Ducks series again? Remember Burt Reynolds in Cop and a Half?

3. Mamma Mia! -- Watch the trailer. A musical with Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Stellan Skarsgard. I like those people, but the music is twenty-two ABBA hits, so I don't know what to say.

4. Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor -- Watch the trailer. I didn't see this one, was is better than The Mummy Returns?

FYI, it looks like the manufacturer discontinued the Batman Begins/Dark Knight blu-ray double pack. But who knows, you might still be able to find one at a bookstore or something. If not, there's no harm in grabbing the single copies:

Batman Begins -- Watch the trailer. My favorite Batman movie until The Dark Knight came along.

The Dark Knight -- Watch the trailer. So good, it's hard to imagine Batman 3 being better. Although if any director can do it, it's Christopher Nolan.