The soundtrack was reeeally distracting, like vintage deVol stuff from the 60s, which would have been tolerable had it been set then, but the film is set in the 90s.  Matt Damon is very good in this wacky but supposedly true story that seems like something Kurt Vonnegut made up.  It runs much too long, though, and wears out its welcome.

FF=2

An off-beat documentary about 3 guitar guys: 2 genuine legends (Jimmy Page and The Edge) plus Jack White.  I didn’t think much of White before this but came away respecting him.

FF=2

I didn’t see “The Marine” 1 so I can’t compare. The upside: gorgeous Thai locations and excellent fight choreography. The downside: terrible dialogue, a predictable plot full of holes, and was there any doubt Michael Rooker would come to the rescue?

FF=3

I really liked this.  It’s both heart wrenching and gut wrenching.  The CGI is seamless.  The film has a unique structure, starting as a documentary and then into the real lives of the people making it. There’s horror, yes, but it’s tinged with wonder.  Echoes of “The Fly” and “Bladerunner.”  You really need to see this.

FF=0

I heard some negativity about this (mostly from Terminator purists) but came away liking it a lot.  (Obviously I’m not a purist.)  Tom Monteleone was staying over my place after visiting his agent in NYC and we both thought it was a great action flick with a few surprises and some unexpected substance (yes, echoes of Bladerunner again).

FF=0

Very violent but in a comic-book way.  The bullet budget could have paid off my mortgage.  I got a definite “Boon Docks Saints” vibe from it.  If you liked that film, you’ll like this.

FF=2

I was kind of disappointed in this because the hero was written as a childish, spoiled brat.  I’m not a Holmes purist but, if you’re going to call the film “Sherlock Holmes,” then you owe the source material some respect or at least regard.  Give the character another name and this would have been a serviceable period action flick, but with the title as is, the thing doesn’t work.  Watching Robert Downey, Jr, is never a waste of time, however.

FF=1

A B&W film of a 1964 rock concert. Weird mix of hokey (go-go dancers!) and cool. Unlike the laserdisc I’ve had for years, the DVD is programmed and menued. Some acts are painful, but the last two – James Brown and the Stones – are worth the price of the disk. I hate the word incredible, but it’s the only one that fits Brown’s performance. Plus a baby-faced Keith Richards – amazing.

FF=4 (except for those last 2 acts)

What an odd mix of horror, spectacle, and mordant humor. I’m sure I’m not the first to say this (gimme props if I am), but imagine The Poseidon Adventure written by HPL and Robert Bloch.

FF=1

Some interesting SF images here – the ubiquitous advertising holograms, for instance – but it lacks something.  It certainly didn’t lack a hilarious wig for Val Kilmer. Sheesh.

FF=3