ZE GOLDEN GLOBES! WOOOOOO!!!!!!

Doubt: Don't Doubt It - Go See It!

If you get a chance, go and see the film Doubt. I saw it on Saturday and was happy that I went to see it. The film pulls you in right away with a classic did-he-or-didn't-he setup. It has a great script by John Patrick Shanley, who actually wrote the play and directed this film, and awesome acting by Meryl Streep (as a Stalinistic and terrifying nun) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (a priest accused of molesting a boy). Streep's acting it so good it reminded me of a certain Sister Damien that was a principal at my grade school, and brought back some PTSD symptoms from my younger years!

The film is thought provoking and complicated, but it really left me wondering whether in the search for justice - does the ends justify the means? The film also explores doubt and certainty, not only in religion, but in many areas of life, and leaves you questioning everything.

Burger King... Destroying the Globe, One Whopper at a time.

Each time I see a Whopper-Virgin commercial, I die a little inside...


Dear Burger King,
Stop tainting foreign countries with your foul American-meat!

http://www.whoppervirgins.com/

Slightly different...

While working on my research paper over the break i found this news clip from NBC Nightly News that's actually really amazing. I'm not really sure what this has to do with the Film Institute, but I think it's pretty amazing.


"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28354144#28354144"

...George Bailey is still alive out there somewhere...

Best films of '08!

So, I was reading a few top 10-lists the other day, when I decided to make my own, & then I thought it would be interesting for everybody to post their favorites from the year.
It doesn't have to be a top 10, or in order, or whatever.

10) IRON MAN- This movie exceeded my expectations in every possible way. Robert Downey Jr. was pitch-perfect and anchored the film in a completely unexpected way. A great way to kick off the summer of '08.

9) [REC]- As I've shared in class, this is simply one of the most frightening movies I've ever seen in my entire life. It's short, sweet, & unbelievably scary.

8) BURN AFTER READING- The Coen Bros. did it again with this hilarious farce. Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, & George Clooney were hysterical.

7) RESERVATION ROAD- An incredibly difficult film to watch. Painful, tragic, and completely real. Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly, & Mark Ruffalo were outstanding.

6) HELLBOY II: The Golden Army- Guillermo Del Toro's superb sequel to his under-seen 2004 film. Del Toro takes all of his elements from the first movie, and improves them.

5) SNOW ANGELS- Similar to Reservation Road, Snow Angels is a hard movie to watch. Emotionally devastating, heart wrenching, and not at all gimmicky. Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell are spectacular.

4) IN BRUGES- A wonderful film marketed completely wrong. It's hilarious at times, but this poignant character study goes places the trailer doesn't even hint at. Colin Farrell gives his best performance to date.

3) FUNNY GAMES- Michael Haneke's remake of his own 1997 film is a brutal, unsettling art-house horror film. Tense, bleak, and uncomfortable, this film will stay with you for days. Featuring another incredible performance by Naomi Watts.

(It's a tie for the number 1 spot)

DOUBT- Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams are astonishing in this amazing film. Rolling Stone's review was 100% correct: It had be pinned to my seat from start to finish. This is oscar-worthy material if I've ever seen it.

The DARK KNIGHT- I don't think there's much left to say about TDK that hasn't already been said. But it is a fantastic film. Thrilling, taut, intelligent and epic. Featuring excellent performances, including Heath Ledger's now-legendary take on the Joker.

(P.S-

I haven't seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, or Gran Torino yet, so my list could change)

This is a call....

1. ...to anyone willing to tape the broadcast of the Golden Globes this coming Sunday on CBS, so that we may view and break down the events in class. Please be advised that it becomes increasingly difficult to time the recording of this event because CBS will probably be broadcasting football prior to it, so 60 Minutes will run over and the whole operation could be (or not) pushed back.

2. ...to any of my beloved alumni who would like to come in and present or teach while they are home for break. Please contact me to discuss options privately, not on blog, via e-mail, facebook or text message. Double O Dashing is coming in on the 7th to drop his new album.

3. ...to any of my beloved current students...PLAN A TRIP...I'm tired of asking and reminding!

4. ...to Meg Brady who has spent the past few days on the set of her first, feature length indie film, the institute is on its way, bay-bee!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Well, my hours at work have been cut a great deal in the last couple of weeks, so I've been spending my time sitting home watching movies and television.

Amazing movies I've watched so far over break:
Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts & Albert Finney)
Rendition (Reese Witherspoon & Jake Gyllenhaal)
Dark Knight (for the third time) (Heath Ledger & Christian Bale)
The Killing of John Lennon (Jonas Ball)

Movies I plan on watching before returning:
Reality Bites (Winona Ryder & Ethan Hawke)
Seven (Brad Pitt & Morgan Freeman)
Vantage Point (Dennis Quaid & Forest Whitaker)
Pulp Fiction & Scarface (It's true, I've never seen either of them. Don't hurt me.)


Any interesting movies anyone has watched over break?