25th Hour

25th Hour

Touchstone etc.

December 16, 2002

Crime Drama

DVD
D

Pretty forgettable, except for the poor dog.  David Benioff adapted his own novel, and Spike Lee directed.

Ides of March

Ides of March

Sony Pictures Releasing

October 7, 2011

Drama

DVD
C-

A fictional presidential campaign that feels very flat and dated now.  Clooney not only stars but directed and co-wrote.

Doubt

Doubt
Disney [!]
December 25, 2008 [!]
Historical Drama
DVD
C

Streep is a strict and somewhat sinister nun, while Hoffman is cast against type as a kind priest.  And, yes, Disney Christmas movies have changed since the 20th century.  John Patrick Shanley directed and wrote the screenplay based on his award-winning stage play.

The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski
Working Title Films
March 6, 1998
Comedy
DVD
C

I gave this Coen Brothers movie a half hour because I just honestly didn't know how I felt about it.  I'd heard about it for years but I think that's part of why I hesitated to watch it, that it wouldn't live up to the the cult status.  I can see why people like it, and certainly I had high hopes with this cast.  The opening narration by Sam Elliott was fun, but I just couldn't connect with this particular form of quirkiness.  Note that it's technically a historical comedy, being set around the time of the Gulf War I, but that was also the '90s, so I'm tagging it as just comedy.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
THINKFilm
October 26, 2007
Crime Drama
DVD
C-

Three years after Lumet directed Tomei in the Alfie remake, he gives her a sex scene and a nude scene in just the first quarter hour.  So a C- rather than a D+ for this tale of two criminal brothers.  Note that the alphabet has given Ethan Hawke back to back entries for this blog.