Charlie Wilson's War

Title: Charlie Wilson's War

Source: Netflix

Date viewed: January 15, 2009

Hegel (and others, I'm sure, have said similar things) said: "Peoples and governments never have learned anything from history, nor acted on principles deduced from it." We failed in the South during Reconstruction, we failed in Afghanistan, and we'll fail in Iraq. As for the film, it's easy to write a smug bashing after the fact. Philip Seymour Hoffman is great. - T

I didn't mind this movie, but I think it was over my head. I never did figure out what in tarnation all the fighting in Afghanistan had to do with the Beach Boys. - A

Gran Torino

IMDB: Gran Torino

Source: Cinema

Date viewed: January 12, 2009

Ahh, Clint. Is there anyone tougher? If I make it to 78, I sure hope I'm in half the shape that he's in. (Of course, that would be slightly more likely if I were in half the shape today...). The movie is a bit simplistic, I thought, in some ways, but the leads are likable (the ones who are supposed to be sympathetic anyway) and overall, I liked it a lot. - T

Solid movie. Compelling story. Good characters. Clint Eastwood. Makes a good point without being too point-y about it. All pluses. On the other hand, it was perfectly set up for success, which takes a little away from the whole, but not much. I enjoyed it. - A

Wall-E

IMDB: Wall-E

Source: Netflix

Date viewed: January 7, 2009

You really can't help but like the main robot characters here, and I'm sure it's great for kids, but it's a bit heavy-handed in the ol' "moral" department for adults. - T

The folks at Disney and Pixar sure know cute. You couldn't help rooting for the little guy. I loved his work ethic! And, if you're willing to overlook the fact that vast numbers of overweight people, who have never worked a day in their lives, and are dropped on the face of a devastated, junk-covered, waterless, storm-ridden, all-but-barren planet are more than likely all going to die agonizing deaths, it's a real feel-good movie. - A

Tropic Thunder

IMDB: Tropic Thunder

Source: Neflix

Date viewed: January 2, 2009

The Vietnam version of Galaxy Quest, it is very funny in parts, but not truly great. Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise are reason enough to see it. - T

Well, this movie and I got off on the wrong foot - too much grossy grossness. But, although I couldn't laugh, I could appreciate many parts. Those who know me will understand that I liked the Kevin Sandusky character best. - A

Avenue Montaigne

IMDB: Avenue Montaigne

Source: Netflix

Date viewed: December 29, 2008

I loved it. - T

Très bien! - A