Short Cuts

Short Cuts

Fine Line Features etc.

October 1, 1993

Dramedy
DVD
C-

An interesting cast (I've tagged everyone I recognized) but it feels unfocused, medfly-spraying aside.  This is based on the writings of Raymond Carver and directed by Robert Altman.

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom

Focus Features

June 29, 2012

Historical Comedy?

DVD
C

I really liked this in the theater, but my interest in Wes Anderson quirkiness has definitely faded in the past decade.  Still, I do like the setting and the costumes, and scattered lines, in the first quarter hour.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Focus Features

March 7, 2008

Historical Comedy
DVD
C-

I could see what they were going for here, but I just didn't think it worked.  This is based on the Winifred Watson novel and directed by Bharat Nalluri.

Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon

Sony Pictures Classics

March 7, 2003

Drama

DVD
C-

Lisa Cholodenko wrote and directed this about seven years before The Kids Are All Right, and again the concept is OK but the execution is wanting.

Friends with Money

Friends with Money

Sony Pictures

April 21, 2006

Dramedy
DVD
B-

This is one of those odd movies where I don't really like anyone in it but I find them interesting enough that I want to see what happens to them, and the ensemble does work well together.  (Except Joan Cusack, who's usually a scene-stealer, feels miscast.)  Nicole Holofcener wrote and directed.

Blood Simple

Blood Simple
Circle Films
January 18, 1985
Crime Drama
DVD
B-

On the one hand, I enjoyed this Coen Brothers premiere more than I expected, since it's not one of my usual genres.  On the other hand, I felt like there were maybe too many plot twists and possibly plot holes.  (Is Marty actually dead?)  The film is well shot and the small cast works well as individuals and as a group, and I did like the quirky sense of humor, like with the "Employees must wash their hands" sign.  I can see why the film got such acclaim, then and later, but it just didn't quite do it for me, and it was, well, bloody.