Dave Chappell's Block Party

Marie Antoinette

Stranger Than Fiction

Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Wonderful, inventive film.

Match Point

Woody Allen. A simple, spare, and at times cold and brutal film.

Hot Fuzz

Babel

World Trade Center

Battle Royale I & II (and Manga)

Two Much

Directed by Fernando Trueba, based on a Donald E. Westlake novel, starring Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith and Daryl Hannah.

This light-hearted romantic comedy isn't what I'd normally watch, but I was interested in seeing more of Trueba's work. I did enjoy his directorial style, as well as the use of music, particularly Michel Camilo's compositions and performance during the ending credits.

The movie itself, about a guy who pretends to be his own twin brother so that he can have a relationship with a pair of sisters, had its moments, but overall wasn't what I was in the mood for. I could see it working for me at a different time.

Dying Of Laughter (Muertos de Risa)

Spain, Alex de la Iglesia.

Black comedy about two comedians who hate each other. What more can I say? Isn't that enough right there? Great film. Simple idea, but worth checking out. I really liked it.

Up Series (7-49)

Directed by Michael Apted, this longitudinal documentary follows a group of children from the age of 7 to 49 (so far), visiting them every seven years to see how their lives are progressing.

Begun as an examination of Britain's class system, especially the effects of differing qualities of education on the outcome of one's life, this series has blossomed into both an examination of life and of society. It's a moving time-capsule in which we can all see something of ourselves. It's a very gripping, intense experience, especially when seen in one go (though it took me several weeks to get through them all). Watching these individuals go through so many changes and challenges can be wearying, but also strangely energizing.

I'm looking forward to 56up.

Dance With The Devil (Perdita Durango)

Directed by Alex de la Iglesia, starring Rosie Perez and Javier Bardem, based on a Barry Gifford novel.

This is one strange, wacky film. Follow Perdita and Romeo as they rampage their way around the border of Mexico and the U.S., trafficking in drugs, dead bodies, fetuses and Santeria rituals. Full of brutal, horrific scenes, this is one twisted roller-coaster ride.

King Of Comedy

1983. Directed by Martin Scorsese, with Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis.

I've been wanting to watch this one for years. It was pretty good. I liked the kinetic Lewis being rather serious and dour, and the dour De Niro being wacky and crazy. It's well done, sometimes surreal, and pretty interesting.

Grindhouse

Rodriguez and Tarantino! Oh yeah.

I was looking forward to seeing this for a long time, and I wasn't disappointed. Rodriguez's zombie-fried flick "Planet Terror" and Tarantino's road-pulp "Death Proof" are two very different movies, but each delivers up tons of cheap and fast grindhouse thrills.

Just as satisfying were the trailers, both before and between these double features. "Thanksgiving" (directed by Eli Roth), "Don't" (by Edgar Wright), "Machete" (by Rodriguez) and "Werewolf Women of the S.S." (by Rob Zombie).

The whole aesthetic, from the scratched film to missing reels, felt right. It was a lot of fun to see with like minded friends, and I'm looking forward to buying the DVD when it comes out.

800 Bullets and El Crimen Ferpecto (The Ferpect Crime)

Both directed by Alex de la Iglesia.

These films cement my liking of Iglesia's work. 800 Bullets is a modern western, dealing with regret, sons and grandfathers, stuntmen, lies, booze, women, and, of course, the eponymous 800 bullets. It's a fantasy, as the body count is extremely low despite all the violence, but it's also sincere, fun, and entertaining.

The same can be said for Crimen Ferpecto, a fable of lust, blackmail, hate and murder set in a department store. Reminiscent in setting of the BBC TV show "Are You Being Served?" (which I enjoyed watching on PBS as a kid), the action takes place in the clothing departments of a large, upscale store, and devolves from there into a off-beat indictment of fashion, beauty, and obsessive love. The main character often narrates the action, and the whole shebang is, on the whole, extremely funny.

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono

Moving, simple tale of a shepherd who planted thousands of trees over several decades, resulting in a rebirth of the land and people who lived there.

This is a short story, very well written by a master craftsman. I read the Harvill Press edition illustrated with beautiful woodcuts.

La Comunidad (Common Wealth)

Spain, directed by Alex de la Iglesia.

How have I missed Iglesia's work for so long? The movie's mix of horror, comedy and great style is what I often enjoy the most when done well - and this one is.

A building full of neighbors all fighting over the money left hidden by one of the tenants who has just died, this flick is well worth checking out. I'm looking forward to seeing more of his work.

Zero Girl by Sam Kieth

Following the travails of a circle-obsessed girl and her romantic relationship with a school counselor, Kieth's hyperkinetic art and off-beat story-telling sensibilities are entertaining to witness but ultimately left me feeling little for the characters or their situations.

I've always liked Kieth's work and will continue to read him, but this story really didn't work for me on a narrative level. The art was, as usual, very interesting.

After The Snooter by Eddie Campbell

I've admired Campbell's work for years, from the Alex and Bacchus books through From Hell, and After the Snooter doesn't dissapoint.

Blatantly autobiographical, Snooter follows Campbell's life as he works to make his art, be a father and husband, and avoid too many sleepless nights haunted by thoughts of doom and destruction, personified by the Snooter, a strange insect that flits across the pages and narratives presented here.

Great art, humor and stories, as usual. As soon as I can afford to I'm buying a copy of this for myself.

Calle 54

Amazing, beautiful film about latin jazz. Short profiles of musicians are followed by wonderfully filmed performances. The music is exciting and moving, especially the piano players. Highly recommended for anyone interested in music, especially jazz.

It brought tears to my eyes.

Married Life (La Vida Conyugal)

Mexico, directed by Carlos Carerra (The Crime of Padre Amaro).

A bleak journey through a married life full of betrayal, indiscretions, and attempted murder. It has its moments, but overall it didn't do anything for me. It's well made and well acted, but not the kind of movie I'm really that interested in.