To balance all the chaparoning of the crazy teenage party this weekend, Chad and I caught three movies this weekend.
First, you must see Borat (imdb 8.4/10.0). Know that it is completely and unabashedly over the top. I mean way over the top. Know that the police were called no less than 91 times during the course of filming. Know that you may never again see a man make another man yell uncle in Hebrew by smothering said man’s face with his naked ass. Know that Chad and I give Borat a whole-hearted A. It has been the top-grossing movie two weekends straight and just broke the record for making the most money for a movie opening in less than 1000 theaters. Go Ali G!
Then if you need a downer movie (does one ever??) you can check out Babel (imdb 7.8/10.0). By the same guy who directed 21 Grams (imdb 7.8/10.0), another movie about unbearable loss, Babel links three stories in Tunisia, Japan, and the States/Mexico. I give it a B, because the acting was solid, the cinematography pleasing, and the Japanese storyline original and tantalizing – but the whole fractured story line business is getting on my nerves. I liked 21 Grams (imdb 7.8/10.0) better, but it was even more depressing. Maybe I just like the Sean Penn/Naomi Watts combo more than the Brad Pitt/Cate Blanchett. Chad says Alejandro Gonzalea Inarritu‘s first film is his best – so Amores perros (imdb 8.1/10.0) is now on my list.
And another B – but on the opposite end of the spectrum because it is funny and light: Stranger Than Fiction (imdb 7.9/10.0) Actually, I give it a B + because I really enjoyed this film and I could watch it with my kid. It was no Talledega Knights, but Will Farell hits the spot. I think I may have to see everything he’s ever in from now on. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Jake, a.ka. Donnie Darko,’s sister) is extremely adorable as the love interest. Watch the trailer here.
