Category: Movies

I watched two outstanding movies today: Hotel Rwanda and Psycho. Of the two, Hotel Rwanda had a far greater impact on me. I was blinking back tears at the end–I think the part of the story that really got to me was that it really happened. I can understand why it was nominated for so many awards.

I also enjoyed watching Psycho. I am quite a Hitchcock fan, but honestly, I was expecting more from the famed shower scene. Maybe I’ve just seen too many horror movie spoofs, but I just didn’t find it scary. No way it’s on my scariest movie moments of all time list. I especially liked reading the trivia about the movie’s production. Apparently, the blood is actually Bosco chocolate syrup. After it’s Seinfeld fame, I feel like going out and buying a bottle. And yes, Kroger is one of the few grocery chains that carries Bosco.

I’d recommend seeing both movies if you get the chance. VT students, the library has Hotel Rwanda on DVD and Psycho on VHS.

I saw Snakes on a Plane Saturday night. The movie was much better produced than expected, but what made the movie was the audience participation in the theater. There were some huge jumps in why things were happening in the movie (don’t think about it too much). It was also fun to see the movie that became an internet phenomenon. I do recommend seeing the movie, but it won’t be near as fun in a week or on video when you don’t have the audience participation.

Saw Talladega Nights Friday at the Starlite Drive In. Okay racecar movie (not as funny as I had hoped for a Will Ferrell Movie), but a fun one to see at the drive in, since it’s about racing.

Once again, I’m planning to go to the Starlite Drive-In this Friday night. It’s a fun way to see a movie on the cheap and is a great experience. Each person is $4. This week: Monster House. Show times are 8:45 and 10:20, so I’m thinking that we’ll leave around 9:15 and catch the 10:20 showing, hopefully with enough time to stop by the snack bar first.

Saw Cars at the Starlite Drive In tonight. Unfortunately, we missed the 9:00 showing (it filled up before we got in), but we came back for the 11 showing. Cars was a well done movie (both the story and technically). Seeing it in the 50s decor of the theater added to the movie experience. We were in the second row and other than a rattle in our speaker box, nothing could have been better. Sunroof open, 70 degrees, light breeze, stars in the sky overhead. And the price couldn’t be beat. $6 bought me a movie ticket, popcorn, and a large drink.

The screen was nice and large and the image quality just as good as the local multiplex. I’ll be back next time they have a movie I want to see that doesn’t need surround sound to satisfy me.  Good job Starlite team.  I hope you’re there in 51 more years.

Recently, I’ve seen two outstanding movies. Last weekend, I saw V for Vendetta. It was a very well done movie, and it’s probably my favorite so far for 2006. It had excellent artistic work–I especially liked the lighting design on V. It almost gave his mask emotions.

Tonight, I saw The Count of Monte Cristo. Another excellent movie that is an instant classic. Now I want to see the old movie and (eventually) read the book. Excellent cinematography over the last few days.

I just got back from an evening of fun. Went up to Adventure Park USA near Frederick, MD with some friends from The Gathering.

On the way back, some of us decided to make a detour to a theater and catch a showing of Batman Begins. The movie was excellent. In fact, I’d have to say that it’s the best movie I’ve seen so far in 2005. Why? Well, this movie convinced me that the bat suit is real. We have nearly all the technology needed to make the bat suit from the movie. The secial effects are outstanding, including the clouds of bats, which I assume were CG. There was enough suspense to keep me absorbed in the story, yet there were moments of light humor. Even as someone who hasn’t seen a Batman movie since around ’96, I enjoyed the back story of how Batman became Batman. I may have to go out and start watching the other Batman movies to see what I’ve been missing.