Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Mediapro etc.

August 15, 2008

Comedy?
DVD
D

Even though it's latter-day Woody Allen, I was willing to give it a shot.  It soon felt like a C-, but there's too much of a contrived situation, not to mention heavy-handed narration.

The Station Agent

The Station Agent

SenArt Films etc.

January 26, 2003

Dramedy

DVD
B-

Tom McCarthy wrote and directed this mostly dry, quiet character study of a group of very different people who connect, and don't.

Miracle

Miracle

Disney

February 6, 2004

Sports Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I like the period details and Patricia Clarkson is fun, but, well, it is a hockey movie.  Gavin O'Connor directed.  I tagged the politicians who appear in the opening montage.

Learning to Drive

Learning to Drive

Broad Green Pictures

September 9, 2014

Drama

DVD
D

I love some of Katha Pollitt's writing, but this movie based on one of her articles is depressing.  Isabel Coixet directed.

Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck

Warner Bros.

November 4, 2005

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I don't know if it's the influence of "reality TV" and documentaries or what, but modern historical dramas often have a flattening, distancing technique.  I saw it in The Front Runner (about Gary Hart) and I see it here in this story of Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy.  It's not just that this is in black & white, but some shots are through windows and from odd angles.  The acting, like in Chappaquiddick, is also distant, even in emotional scenes.  Anyway, I can see why this was so acclaimed, but it's not for me.  (The German Good Bye, Lenin, in contrast, makes us care about the characters while painlessly presenting then recent history.)  Clooney directed, co-wrote, and plays Fred Friendly.

The East

The East
Fox Searchlight
January 20, 2013
Drama
DVD
C-

Infiltrating an eco-terrorist group is easy if you dye your hair.  Zal Batmanglij directed and co-wrote.