Movie Log: February

Feb. 8: Across The Universe

This was the first time I had watched it since the first time I watched it in the theaters. I liked it even better. It's the only musical I not only don't hate, but love. And that's because the songs actually drive the plot forward instead of just being filler. Plus, they're Beatles songs. Now, some people thought it was too corny or it wasn't true to the Beatles. Those people are dumb, gay, and not real Beatles fans. If you take the Beatles too seriously, you don't get them at all. It was the perfect blend of romance, youth, psychedlia, humor, and social relevance. I think it captures the Beatles essence in a way that a straight biopic never could, just like I'm Not There did with Dylan. If you haven't seen it, see it. And if you have seen it, see it again (I recommend getting in the right state of mind first).

Feb. 12: Valley Girl (NC)

Hilariously dated. The Clueless of the '80s. These were my initial thoughts upon beginning Valley Girl. Both are negative. And not because Clueless was bad, because it wasn't. It's the '80s part. Like virtually every comedy of the 1980s, this revolved around high school and relationships. That's it. If they ever try to make it about more, it never is. Bad music, disgusting hair and makeup, ugly girls, guys that dress how I remember my Dad dressing when I was a kid, and parents that are barely distinguishable in age from their kids. On top of that, the whole Valley Girl speak was uncomfortably forced and unnatural for the characters who were all awful actors. Even the Ragin' Cage(n) couldn't save this. I couldn't get over his buck teeth, the horrible excuse for a "punk scene" involving a bunch of kids in vests and khaki pants listening to New Romantic (parents beware), and I kept thinking I was watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape? the way Cage kept acting like a retard. No exaggeration. The bottom line America: this movie sucks. I couldn't watch it in one sitting, the whole 'wrong side of the tracks' deal barely works since Deborah Foreman's parents are ex-hippies who don't give a shit what she does, and despite help from my little green friend (that's weed), every 5 minutes I wanted to turn it off until I remembered that I had to watch it as per my resolution.
(Highlights: Nicholas Cage with hair, a prom full of Valley kids dancing to "Johnny Are You Queer?," and Deborah Foreman lookin' fine in a pre-American Apparel one-piece.)

Feb. 14: Jumper

Bad acting. Poor writing. Tons of plot holes. All in all, one of the coolest action movies I've seen. I went in knowing the acting would be awful, I left thinking it wasn't so bad in the context of the film. As for the writing, I'm sure the book was better (they always are; I would like to see how Gould describes the teleporting though), but frankly, I was so swept up in the effects and action scenes that I didn't realize how little it made sense until it was over. If you can put aside your inner movie snob (I mean film snob) and enjoy some cool SFX and some good old fashion bus surfing, I'd say go see it.

34 Nicholas Cage films left.