Rushmore

Rushmore

Touchstone etc.

October 9, 1998

Dramedy

DVD
D+

I could kind of see what they were going for, but I didn't find it either funny or insightful.  Also, Wes Anderson's style appeals to me less over time, and he directed this, as well as co-wrote it with Owen Wilson.

I [Heart] Huckabees

I [Heart] Huckabees

Fox Searchlight Pictures

October 22, 2004

Comedy?

DVD
C-

I enjoyed this at the time, but now?  Shrug.  I didn't laugh and I didn't care about the Schwartzman character, and Lily and Dustin weren't enough to save it for me.  David O. Russell directed and co-wrote.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Buena Vista/ Touchstone, hence Disney

April 28, 2005

Sci-Fi, Comedy

DVD
C

I enjoyed this at the time and did end up watching the whole thing this time, but I do find it uneven and not as enjoyable as the '80s television series, or the books, not that I was a huge fan of either.  Some of the jokes fall flat, and Zaphod wears thin quickly, but the look is of course great and Stephen Fry's narration is almost worth the price of admission in itself (or this time the almost two hours of my extremely valuable time).  And, yes, this scores pretty high on the Harry Potter Cast graph.  Garth Jennings directed.

The Darjeeling Limited

The Darjeeling Limited 
Fox Searchlight
October 26, 2007
Dramedy
DVD
C-

Although I generally like Wes Anderson movies, I had the feeling as soon as Bill Murray was left at the station that I wouldn't be following this journey to the end.  The sets are of course good, but I just didn't care about the tale of three American brothers on a train in India.

Big Eyes

Big Eyes
Tim Burton Productions
December 25, 2014
Historical Drama
DVD
B

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski co-wrote and Tim Burton directed this biopic about the artist behind the kitschy but haunting Keane paintings, Margaret Keane, although her husband Walter insisted on taking credit.  I saw this movie at the time and was especially impressed with Adams's portrayal of Margaret, although this time I also "liked" Waltz as the charming but controlling Walter.  There are times that the movie feels like a horror movie, although Walter is not physically abusive, more psychologically.  Although I wasn't alive during most of the period that this film covers (roughly '58 to '68) the period details felt accurate from what I've seen in movies from that era.  I don't have any particular criticism of the movie, any explanation for why it's not higher than a B, other than it's a bit slow-moving at times, and a bit over the top at others.