the cheap seats with john and mindy: October 2008

Friday, October 31, 2008

Abigail Breslin knows what the hell she's talking about

Abi Hails Her Hollywood Idol Streep

I guess Abigail Breslin is smarter than a fifth grader, though her choice of starring in a movie with Cameron Diaz is slightly questionable. But she is doing some charity work, and is only 12 so I'll cut her some slack.

Eagle Eye: Intriguing until the culprit is revealed

Saw Eagle Eye a few weeks ago, since the trailer looked interesting, and I am beginning to become a bit of a Shia LaBeouf fan. The movie started off solidly, keeping a fast pace with pretty good action sequences and an engaging story line. Living in the Patriot Act era, the movie gave us an eerie look into a scenario where our every move is watched, everything said eavesdropped on. Who is behind this manipulation, and what is the eventual goal of their manipulation of poor Shia and Michelle Monaghan? The movie builds up the tension for the unveiling of the person behind the cell phone voice, and the revelation is extremely disappointing. After it is revealed, I realized I had already seen this film, when it was called I, Robot. SPOILER ALERT...

"Humans, stop hurting yourselves!" Although in this case it is not humans, but Americans that the artificially intelligent machine is worried about. Ahhh patriotism in its most twisted form. "We need to get rid of the president because his actions could lead to our ultimate destruction." Almost sounds like the plot of a John McCain political ad on Obama. But I digress...

On the acting part, LaBeouf and Monaghan give decent performances, though by the end of the movie I was pretty disgusted with the plot twist to even care. Meryl Streep I guess is more interested in realistic political dramas like Lions for Lambs.

I give this movie 2 and a half Meryls, fitting for half a good movie.


Thursday, October 30, 2008

A third Oscar? More proof that Meryl is the greatest actress of our generation.

Meryl Streep's Julia Child Too Good to Be Seen
http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=10693


I've decided to get this blog started right by emphasizing our blog's dedication to the Meryl Streep standard. Already amidst talk of another Oscar nom for the upcoming Doubt, now there appears to be another possible Oscar in Meryl's future. Though I'm disappointed in having to wait longer for Julia and Julia, it seems the wait may be worth it. Stay tuned for the upcoming review of Doubt, which is released on Dec 12th. I must say the trailer looks very good, and Hoffman and Adams are worthy of being in the great Meryl's acting presence IMO.