Quick, before it's gone!
I've been keeping the lines buzzing between my mailbox and Netflix headquarters, trying to get in as many movies as I can before my Christmas Break is officially over in one week. It's partially over this week, as the class I'm teaching at the other university starts tomorrow (am I ready? no). But next week, it's really over.
A quick recap of a few I liked:
Cold Mountain, 2003. I wasn't going to see this, because the previews looked dumb. But Chris borrowed it from our neighbor, and we both liked it. It was a lot better than we expected. Maybe with different expectations our vote would be different--I don't know. It has a distinctly epic quality to it. Strength is in the story and acting...not necessarly anything fantastic cinemagraphically, as far as I could tell. Though the shots of the North Carolina mountains were really great. It's definitely one of the loveliest places in this country. Warning: it's sad, so if you're in an emotionally sensitive physical state (like pregnant), I don't recommend it. It's not like a Must-See anyway, but it was good. I've decided I'm kind of off the Sad genre for awhile.
Love Actually, 2003. I saw this last year in the theatre and loved it then. I still love it! I really like movies that have several parallel stories going, which is how this movie is assembled. It is all full of big names, but that makes it fun. I originally wanted to see it because Colin Firth is in it, and he doesn't disappoint. What I appreciate about it is that it isn't nauseatingly sappy like some Christmas stories, and really--Christmas is only the setting for what is really several stories about love and relationships, handled very realistically. Good sprinkling of sad and funny moments.
In America, 2002. Finally got around to seeing this one. It's about an Irish family moving to Manhattan after a family tragedy. So the movie is basically about their life adjusting to living in America, as well as dealing with the sorrow they left behind. Frankly, Chris and I are kerflummoxed. We know we love the movie. It was an excellent movie. Last night we kept tossing adjectives back and forth trying to describe it and nothing would fit. It's happy and sad, but not what I would call bittersweet. It's funny and heartwrenching. It's uplifting and grim. Nothing works. Both Chris and I were sobbing during the whole last half-hour (and I know I was before then), but it had a good ending. It was really an incredible movie, but I don't know if I could watch it again until I'm a little more emotionally stable. Of the three movies briefly discussed today, it's the one I recommend the most.
Comments
I've really wanted to see In America since it was in the theaters, and I still haven't gotten around to it. I think this is the impetus; thanks for the recs! =)
Posted by: Erica | January 10, 2005 1:36 PM
Diber, I agree with you about Cold Mountain; great movie but it left me very depressed. I could not sleep the whole night, but wonderful acting and story telling. Loved Love Acutally, especially with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. I have not seen the last one, but have passed it several times in Blockbuster. B
Posted by: beth | January 10, 2005 1:43 PM
Our book club read Cold Mountain two summers ago and then we all went to see the movie in the theater last January. The movie wasn't as good as the book, but I really liked it. I thought Renee Zelwegger (sp?) did a great job as Ruby. She was exactly what I pictured Ruby to be like. Though in the book the main character (can't remember her name) had dark hair, so I had trouble with what's her name playing her. (I can NEVER remember actors/actresses names) I also saw In America. I thought that was the best movie I had seen in a while. I really like the way they communicated the real struggle the family had with losing their child. Though I think the title is misleading. The movie is more about losing a child and healing from that than moving to America. Being in America was only the backdrop, they could've been anywhere I think. Sad movie, but so good. I haven't seen Love Actually, maybe I'll go look at a trailer for it, you've intrigued me.
Posted by: michellew | January 10, 2005 6:01 PM
I agree with your takes on Cold Mountain and In America. I watched CM with my parents and, um, felt a wee bit uncomfortable during certain scenes. Still, I was drawn to the love (sealed only with one small kiss) between the two main characters. (Nicole Kidman, MichelleW.) Loved In America, though it was all I could do to keep my sobs to a low roar. I wanted to weep for everything sad in the world at one point. Beautiful film.
But Love Actually? UGH! I really didn't like this one. Besides the one fiercely objectionable storyline, I thought the others were poorly constructed. I did like many of the actors, especially Colin Firth and Emma Thompson. Emma, in particular, does a fabulous turn with her role.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 10, 2005 10:11 PM
I think CM was actually filmed somewhere in Eastern Europe...
Posted by: jeep | January 11, 2005 9:11 AM
Josh loved In America. I liked it. I loved Love Actually. Josh liked it. I wept through Cold Mountain. Josh hasn't seen it. Then I read the book. What a story and what characters. I was thoroughly impressed with the writing and it didn't harm that I had Jude Law in my mind everytime I read about Inman. :)
Posted by: Bryonie | January 12, 2005 4:15 PM