I realized yesterday how long it has been since I have seen a movie. Well, of course I saw Girlfight last week, but that was a screening, and if I don't pay $9.50 for it, it doesn't really count.

I went downtown to pick up the tripod and light for this weekend, and since I was right by the 19th St. I thought I'd check out Almost Famous. When I got there, though, it was past start time--I asked if the film itself had actually started, and was told yes, that I had missed a minute or perhaps two, so I said no thanks, and left.

I thought I heard the boxoffice guy sort of snort as I left, but if I had already missed a minute or two, then once I had gotten nachos and went to the bathroom, it would be five or six, and why am I justifying this to a snotty kid making obnoxious noises while sitting in a booth like a veal?

So I didn't.

So I went uptown to the Loews on 42nd and was in plenty of time. I know that they are talking about too many movie theatres having been built and all of these chains are in trouble, but it sure is handy to find a screening starting at the right time!

The film was absolutely terrific, I recommend it very highly. The thing that I love about it the most is that it takes place in the 70's, and it really feels and looks like a film that was made back then, meaning that it doesn't look like a period piece. The performers really look comfortable in the clothes and right with the hair and beards. It is obvious how important this all was to Cameron Crowe, and he didn't let anyone look like they were making a costume drama.

The performances were excellent across the board--Patrick Fugit as Cameron's alter-ego, William, was so real, he reminded me of all the boys in my grade-school, and it was very comfortable watching the story through his eyes. Kate Hudson is absolutely luminous, she is far more than just her mother's daughter, though she has her mother's smile. Frances McDormand made what could have been a one-note character beautifully layered. And Billy Crudup, who has had my heart since Jesus' Son, proves himself to be an extremely versatile actor, since I didn't see a bit of Fuckhead in his performance!

Cameron Crowe doesn't make movies often enough, but when he does, they are always just about perfect.

And now, at last, the long-absent Rate-a-Trailer™! I haven't done it in so long, that most of the ones that I was saving are for films that have already opened!

1. What Women Want

Mel Gibson discovering his feminine side. This looks fairly charming and funny, or possibly tiresome and trite. I tend to find the whole "men are like this and women are like this and ain't it a scream" thing kind of a bore, but it's by Nancy Meyers, who can be smarter than that, so it just might be worth seeing. Formula, but reasonably good.

2. Pay it Forward

Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment, there is no bad here. You know, as long as you ignore Helen Hunt's bony, drawn look, and appalling platinum perm. This is one of those trailers that tells the whole damn story, which is just a drag and a bore and really such a pity, but because of the actors, I'm there anyway.

3. Meet the Parents

Who knew that Robert DeNiro would, as he aged, become this comic character, this Wallace Beery character? This really does look awfully funny, a very wacky, In-Laws-sh comedy, and what with DeNiro and Ben Stiller and Blythe Danner. And Randy Newman did the music!

4. The Contender

I've seen this trailer a few times, and even though it seems as though Gary Oldman is overacting to beat the band, it works for the character that he is playing, Joan Allen is always a class act, and it's nice to see her play a real leading role, and Jeff Bridges is always solid. Looks like an interesting film.

5. The Legend of Bagger Vance

A much better trailer than the last one, all misty and soggy and soppy and made me want to clean my teeth. This one is more hard and solid, though it now tells the close to the entire damn story. I'm still no Matt Damon fan, but in might not be and floaty and twee as it looked before. Then again, it was still directed by Robert Redford, so there you go.

If you could go on the road with a band, who would it be?

And we're still talking about not being noticed, what surprises us about ourselves, icky stories, our most recent trip, the most spontaneous thing we've done lately, how we feel about medication, the one right way to do things, self-knowledge, running out of time, new movie recommendations, what we need to be happy, our offices, vocal tics, and bad movies we love.

Today's horoscope:
Practical matters take precedence over emotional. Pay attention to the bottom line and do what's necessary.

One year ago today:
"But you never put things in alphabetical order! I always...O my God, the Fourth Sign!"

* Yesterday / Index / This Month / Tomorrow *

E-Mail

Sexy 40's Dames by:
My New Best Friend Kristin!

This page was written by hand. My hand. Only pussies use HTML editors.
Last Updated Sun 24 September 22:59:09 2000