What movies or shows the writers at CAI have just watched or want to recommend:
2009
August
- Son of Rambow (Mark)
- Factory Girl (Mark)
- Mad Men (seasons 1 & 2 – Mark)
July
- American Gangster (Mark)
June
- Away We Go (Elijah – I give this film a B+ for what it’s worth. I had very high expectations with writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida [and how romantic that a brilliant husband and wife writing team wrote a very personal film about love and family] and director Sam Mendes [American Beauty]. I didn’t expect much as far as acting goes and for the first third of the film very little acting seemed to occur, but as it rolled on the conversation and tone became far more profound and touching.)
- The Kite Runner (Mark) – Sad, but pretty good.
May
- Star Trek (Mark – great!)
- Cleopatra (Mark – the sets and stages are amazing in this. Old school Hollywood)
April
- Children of Paradise (Mark)
- Lolita (Mark)
March
- Sigur Ros: Heima (Mark)
- Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Mark)
February
- Sweeney Todd (Mark)
- Amazing Grace (Mark)
January
- Slumdog Millionaire (Elijah – A little bit of the standard Danny Boyle elitism, but overall a worthwhile film)
- The Fall (Mark – absolutely beautiful, but the story was not as amazing. [ELIJAH ADDS: Agreed.] Thought it would be better given Greg’s ranking)
- Bedtime Stories (Mark – took my nephew for his birthday. You should only watch this movie if you are taking your nephew to see it for his birthday)
- The Straight Story (Mark)
2008
December
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Mark – not good. Such an incredible collection of talent both in front and behind the screen… and can’t deliver at all)
- Four Christmases (Mark – not funny, even with Vince. The director, Seth Gordon, is somewhat redeemed by the greatness that is The King of Kong documentary)
- Remains of the Day (Mark)
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Mark – not bad, but much inferior to it’s predecessor, Elizabeth.)
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Mark – Excellent!)
November
- L.A. Confidential (Elijah)
- Quantum of Solace (Mark – I’m liking this new Bond. Series has been saved)
- Mad Men (Pete)
- The Grapes of Wrath (Mark)
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Mark – hilarious)
October
- Lawrence of Arabia (Mark)
- The Call of the Entrepeneur (Mark)
- W. (Elijah)
This page has the following sub pages.
Mark
Sgt. Grumbles
Elijah
Pete
Mark,
I recently saw a movie that blew me away and I recommended to Andy. It probably has moved up into my top 10. If you can deal with sub-titles I would strongly suggest you check it out (about 3 hours long). Les Infants de Paradis (Children of Paradise). I loved the themes and backdrop. I need to check out Lawrence of Arabia..it’s in my queue I think.
I’ve been wanting to watch Mad Men, Pete. Let me know what you thought.
I watched the Bee Movie, and really liked it, I am going to watch it with my grandkids soon.