Ten DVDs I’ve bought but have not yet watched.
My favorite video store occasionally runs what I affectionately call “looting sales.” Usually, the banners proclaim FIVE DVDs FOR TWENTY DOLLARS!!
I mean, really: how can you NOT?!
My problem seems to be that my eyes are bigger than my stomach… no, wait.. oh, you know what I mean: I want the movies more than I have the time to actually sit down to watch them…
1. Babel. I bought this one on the recommendation of the reviews and the Oscar buzz it generated. WeedWoman borrowed it, watched it, and said it’s one that I’ll really enjoy, given how much of my life is wrapped up in working with communication.
2. Million Dollar Baby. I’m not a huge Hillary Swank fan, but I do love Morgan Freeman, and Clint Eastwood as a director works for me. This one got a lot of Oscar attention, and I’ve had it recommended to me by people whose movie advice I trust, but I’ve also been told that it will make me cry.
3. Tsotsi. I remember being fascinated by the trailer for this film, and bought it on those memories. I’m a big fan of great storytelling, and I’ve heard nothing but praise for the quality of narrative of this film.
4. Crash. Here’s another one I bought on the strength of its Oscar buzz. It’s not a happy movie, though - or so I’m told - and I want to be in the right frame of mind to watch it.
5. Notes on a Scandal. I actually texted Kizz from my cell phone while I was in the video store to ask her whether I should include this in the looting. Her response was something akin to “HELL, YES!!” This may be the first one I see from this list - I loved the preview and Kiz, whose opinion on such things I trust perhaps above all others, can’t speak highly enough about the performances by the two lead actresses. I may schedule myself a “do nothing” day during the inter-term break at TCC and settle in for a viewing.
6. Blood Diamond. I bought this one because I love Ed Zwick as a director and because I remember Mr. Chili’s twin saying that it was a really great film. I’ll have to get over my general disdain for Leonardo DiCaprio, though…
7. Children of Men. Another one bought for the Oscar buzz. I also asked the video guy which movie he’d recommend, and he blurted this one out without hesitation - the video guy is another one whose opinions I look to: I mean, really - who knows more about films than someone whose job it is to work with them? I also have a lot of suspicion that I could use the film as part of an English class unit that includes The Road: the feel of the preview for the movie made me think of McCarthy’s book.
8. Syriana. This one was bought on spec. - I’m only going on the strength of the reviews.
9. Hotel Rwanda. I LOVE Don Cheadle and would have bought this film just because he’s in it, but I also love rescuer stories. The rescuer stories of the Holocaust figure heavily into my lessons - I want my students to really understand that it is possible to stand up, even quietly, in the face of atrocities. We are all responsible for each other, and the more I can get that idea out there, the better I feel. This movie, though, is one that I’ll have to be in the right frame of mind to see, and I haven’t been in that frame just yet.
10. Children of Heaven. Technically, this film doesn’t belong on this list because I didn’t actually buy it - (and no; I didn’t steal it, either!) - it was given to me by my former intern mentor. She used it in her summer class at the local university and decided that I HAD to have it. It probably goes second on the priority list after Notes on a Scandal: I’m curious as to why TM thought of me when she saw the movie.
Happy Tuesday, Everyone!!
Most of those are on my list, too. Many of them sitting here waiting for me.
I did watch Syriana. Good, but not a “waste 2 hours” kind of movie. I should have been taking notes - it might have helped!
I heard Children of Men was so good.
And now, because of Kizz’s recommendation, I’ll add Notes On A Scandel to the pile.
1. I’ll be interested to hear what you think about this one. It REALLY rubbed me the wrong way.
2. I was expecting Vision Quest for adults when I went to see this. I was wrong. It’s quite moving in an entirely different way.
4. I really liked this when I saw it in the theatre but my companions found it very main stream manipulative so now I can’t decide where I stand on it other than thinking that Ludacris is actually a pretty good actor!
5. I still can’t rec this one strongly enough.
6, 7, 8. May I borrow them, please?
9. You know, it’s not a great movie, it’s a rather standard rescue story but it’s the story of a rescue I didn’t know anything about and that was important for me to learn. I was glad I saw it.
Five for $20?! Is that sale still going on? If so, can you email me and tell me where? Even Cookiemaker can’t blame me for dropping $4 a DVD…
Million Dollar Baby did not make me cry, and I cry at sentimental rubbish like Coke Commercials. So it isn’t sentimental rubbish. Good movie making is what it is.
I was very surprised at how much I took away from Crash. Lots to talk about on that one.
God, you do like movies that will rip your heart right out from your chest. I avoided most of these. I went to see Million Dollar Baby with a group. I couldn’t sleep that night.
And Children of Men has Clive Owen, so, YES!
Ok So - be forewarned - Million Dollar Baby - I’m a HUGE fan of tough chick movies… and I really loved this movie - until a certain point and then I was horrified!! No tears just utter shock that a movie could be so twisted!!
Blood Diamond - gruesomely real. IIt’ll make you ill first and then make you think. Its one of those movies that really gets in your head and hangs out for a few days. Very good. but don’t watch it while you eat.
So… ok, I totally enjoyed the # 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9. I did not like Million Dollar Baby… and the other two I have not seen. I’m interested in hearing your reviews!
~Allison
I didn’t like Million Dollar Baby at all, but I’d be interested to hear what you think of it.
Hotel Rwanda is totally devastating, but well done. I LOVE Notes on a Scandal — Cate Blanchett has to be one of the absolute best actresses working in hollywood these days.
Haven’t seen any of the others, though I really want to see both Children of Men and Children of Heaven. You should post reviews of them as you watch ‘em! I’m really strapped for money right now and can’t afford to rent mediocre films.