Checked Out
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About Me: My name is Molly, and I am a librarian in Chicago. Being an advocate for libraries makes me happy.
Email me: checkedoutbyme(at)gmail(dot)com
Posts tagged DVD
DVD: THE COVE (2009)
I love a good documentary, and since this one won at the Oscars this year, I have a feeling it’ll be a good one, albeit depressing. I’m hoping for the inspiring claim made on the DVD.
DVD: BORN RICH (2003)
This is the only new thing I have checked out right now. I picked it up at the beginning of the weekend, but still haven’t watched it. Since it’s only 75 min. long, I’m hoping to fit it in this week sometime or at least watch it while I’m doing stuff around the apartment.
It was directed by Jamie Johnson, one of the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson family. What intrigues me the most is the controversy it stirred up in the family. Plus, I constantly think about how people cannot help what they are born into, whether it be rich or poor, nice or mean families.
ON HOLD.
I’ve been waiting for some of these for what seems like forever, but it also makes it a little exciting whenever I have something new to pick up.
1. BOOK - The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Don’t know anything about this book except that my mom read it for book club and suggested it to me. And I see a lot of people reading it.
2. BOOK - The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy. Saw this one on the Gapers Block Book Club list.
3. CD - Soldier of Love by Sade. I’m a sucker for Sade. Love her relaxing music.
4. CD - Ultraviolet by Kid Sister. Heard her on Sound Opinions and thought her music would be great for working out!
5. DVD - The Cove. I put this on hold when the Oscar Nominees went public. Obviously, so did many others. Can’t wait for this one.
6. DVD - Born Rich. I heard about this movie years ago and came across it again just recently. I’m intrigued.
So, that’s my current list.
What about you?
CHECKED OUT.
As of today, this is my list of stuff I need to read, watch and hear:
1. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audry Niffenegger, checked out for May’s book club.
2. Fearless by Taylor Swift. I just had to know what all the fuss was about in a very delayed fashion.
3. Pane e tulipani (Bread and Tulips). I’ve heard of this movie before, but never knew anything about it.
4. The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga. Yes. It took me this long to hear this album, and I must stay I’m digging it so far.
5. Living Oprah by Robyn Okrant. One woman’s experiment of living her life according to Oprah.
ON HOLD.
I cannot wait to pick up these items:
- Pope Joan. I started reading it for book club and was hooked. Unfortunately I didn’t start reading it fast enough, so it had to be returned. Happy I can get it again.
- Ani DiFranco: Red Letter Year. Just heard her interview on Sound Opinions and want to hear more!
- State of Play - Have heard great things about this movie!
- The Smiths because everyone needs a little Morrissey.
DVD: THE DESCENT (2005)
I’ve never been one who enjoys horror films. I don’t like gore. I get scared easily, and basically I’m a wuss. But I have noticed that the scary movies that I can handle often include zombies or are psychological thrillers. I like being scared sometimes, but I don’t like watching movies where I could potentially be in the situation, realized or not.
So when I kept hearing about how The Descent was a good scary movie and had to do with exploring caves, I figured I could summon up enough courage to get through it. And I did. By myself.
What I enjoyed about this movie is that there were multiple times when I screamed. Granted it doesn’t take much for that to happen, but if I’m watching a scary movie, I expect to jump a little at least. This movie delivered in that department.
I also found it interesting to see how the different women dealt with the “crawlers” from below that they were faced with again and again. So if you like scary movies and haven’t seen this one yet, I’d recommend it. Just know that you’re taking advice from someone who rarely watches scary movies.
DVD: THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
I may have been the last person to see this film, so I know already that I am not the first to love it. I’ve always been a fan of the popular superhero films, like Spiderman, Batman and X-men, and this one does not disappoint.
From the introductory heist to the party for the district attorney to Batman’s (Christian Bale) bat cave to the menacing portrayal of the Joker (Heath Ledger), I couldn’t tear myself away from what was going to happen next. In a very general sense, most people know that Batman equals good, the Joker equals bad and their relationship to each other frame the plot of many movies out there. What made this film so enticing was the darkness of it all and the idea that evil can be just that: evil.
And while I’m not one who knows about the intricacies of the original comic, I still found myself swept away by the performances and special effects that created Gotham City and its people. I only now wish I could have seen it on the big screen.
DVD: LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (2007) PG-13
I LOVED this movie. Loved. The trailer angles it as a comedy more than I consider it, but that’s part of what’s so good about this film. It balances the fine line between hilarious and heartbreaking.
Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a twenty-something man who decides to order a sex doll off the internet for companionship in the most non-sexual way. Karin (Emily Mortimer), Lars’ sister-in-law, is concerned about how much time he spends alone, and rightly so, while Lars’ brother Gus (Paul Schneider) freaks out that his brother is crazy.
What unfolds is truly heartwarming. As the small-town community welcomes Lars’ “girlfriend” Bianca with open arms, albeit initial, hesitant open arms, all who are involved are changed for the better.
In some of the extras, Nancy Oliver, the writer, explains how she wanted to consider how the world might be different if people went along with mentally ill people’s delusions. What comes of her vision is something quite ideal, but magical all on its own.
DVD: IDIOCRACY (2006)
Judging by the title of this movie, one might not be surprised that, well, it is a little idiotic. I had not heard of Idiocracy previous to recently listening to an interview on NPR with Mike Judge. But after the interview, I thought I’d take a shot and check it out.
For those who don’t know, Judge is the creator of shows such as Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill and the movie cult favorite Office Space. So Idiocracy should be up there as well, right?
Not exactly.
The premise is that Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), an army librarian, is used in an hibernation experiment along with a private sector woman, Rita (Maya Ruldolph). The goal is of course to preserve top army leaders, of who Bauers is not, but instead they wake up 500 years later to everyone being…you guessed it: idiots.
The bigger picture of this movie is one worth playing with, but I found the idiots to be so be so idiotic that it was annoying. Of course I didn’t expect much from this movie, and there were some times I was laughing along, but when it was over I couldn’t believe I just spent time watching it.
But. I did watch the whole thing. For whatever that’s worth.
DVD: 2 DAYS IN PARIS (2007)
Have you ever been to a foreign country but didn’t know how to speak the language? This intimate and entertaining movie puts you right there with Jack (Adam Goldberg) who doesn’t know what’s going on around him, leaving the audience to laugh or sigh at his confusion. Jack and his girlfriend Marion (Julie Delpy) spend two days in Paris on their way home to New York after visting Venice.
Marion grew up in Paris, so while she continues to run into past friends and lovers, Jack is left wondering what he is missing in every conversation. This quirky, yet honest film focuses on their relationship, as well as Marion’s past relationships, and the different ideas they each have about how their relationship should work.
While the film is peppered with arguments, a mutual want or need to be with each other is always at the forefront. Whichever way you see it unfold, this film’s honest creativity is thoroughly enjoyable.
