Alone and Unobserved

My brother just got back from a two-year Mormon mission to Maceió, Brazil, so he has a lot of catching up to do. To help him recoup a small part of that time, I’ve complied the following helpful little list of all the movies that came out over the past two years that I watched and liked, arranged in reverse chronological order by release date. I don’t know what he’ll do with this list, especially since some of the suggested films might offend his sensibilities, but I thought it was worth the effort.

Some of the following films have appeared on this blog before; forgive me.

Casino Royale (PG-13)

The newest James Bond movie, and the best in, like, forever.

Stranger than Fiction (PG-13)

Will Farrell shines in this touching, low-key, funny movie. Who’da thunk? Also featuring great performances by Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Flushed Away (PG)

A British animated comedy set in London’s sewer system. Slugs sing, rats dance, and toads mime!

The Descent (R)

Six twentysomething women decide to explore a virgin cave system in the Appalachians and are trapped by a rockfall. Their troubles mount slowly–the rockfall, navigation difficulties, a broken leg . . . and then the horror begins. The scariest movie I have ever seen. Be warned.

Superman Returns (PG-13)

I didn’t really like the original Superman movies, so I put off watching this until it wasn’t in the theaters anymore. Don’t put it off. It really is very good.

Over the Hedge (PG)

An animated comedy, this one set in the suburbs. Bruce Willis is a fast-talking raccoon who introduces the other animals to the delights of suburban excess.

Slither (R)

A horror comedy. Lots of icky, mutated, slimy fun.

V for Vendetta (R)

A dark, dysutopian, but ultimately hopeful look at fascism, madness and revolution.

Nanny McPhee (PG)

Emma Thompson plays a frightfully ugly governess who pits her magical powers against the stubborn, anarchical wiles of a family of motherless children.

Brokeback Mountain (R)

One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Should have won Best Picture last year. Two cowboys meet during a temporary summer job and begin an enduring love affair that ultimately destroys their lives and the lives of their families.

Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic (Not Rated, but probably would have been rated at least R)

Sarah Silverman is hands-down the funniest woman on the planet. And also the filthiest, edgiest and craziest. But FUNNY!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (PG-13)

Not as good as Movie #3, but still better than the first two. Visually impressive, and with the best acting of any of them.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (R)

A twisty, convoluted noir detective thriller, set in present day L.A., about (and narrated by) a too-glib-for-his-own-good petty thief who has been cast as a detective in an upcoming film. Hilarious, profane, frightening, thrilling . . . everything a good noirish detective film should be!

MirrorMask (PG)

The story (by Neil Gaiman) will remind you of The Labyrinth, The Talisman, The Dark Crystal, Outside Over There, and a hundred other movies and books, but the star is the gorgeous visual style, half filmed and half animated (by long-time Gaiman collaborator, Dave McKean).

In Her Shoes (PG-13)

Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette play sisters who have a bitter falling out and cut off contact with each other. For each sister, however, this is a pivotal moment in her life, inducing her to find out who she really is, without her sister to act as a goad or a crutch.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (G)

A must-see. If you’ve ever seen any Wallace and Gromit, you’ll know why.

A History of Violence (R)

Viggo Mortensen plays the mild-mannered owner of a small-town diner. When two vicious murderers hold up the diner, his surprising talent for violence is suddenly revealed, leading everyone in the town–including his wife and children–to question everything they thought they knew about him.

Serenity (PG-13)

Based on the short-lived 2002 TV series Firefly, this is the story of the crew of the Serenity, a ragtag bunch of outlaws fleeing from the fascist Alliance. Funny, touching, action-packed and smart.

Just Like Heaven (PG-13)

A funny, fluffy but ultimately touching romantic comedy that attempts to break the mold and is at least partially successful.

This Divided State (Not Rated, probably would have been PG-13)

When Michael Moore was invited to Utah Valley State College, the conservative element in Orem, UT was up in arms. Which makes for a fascinating and entertaining documentary.

The Constant Gardener (R)

A disturbing look at the money and politics involved in pharmaceutical tests in Africa. Rachel Weisz won an Academy Award for her performance, but Ralph Fiennes carried the film as her bereaved, determined husband.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (R)

Steve Carell shines in this hilarious but smart comedy about a forty-year-old man who is still a virgin, but whose well-meaning friends are determined not to let him enjoy that status for long.

Junebug (R)

A year after he marries a successful gallery owner in Chicago, the son of a down-home Southern family brings his wife back to Winston-Salem to meet the folks. This deeply poignant, well-acted film avoids all the usual fish-out-of-water gags and homes in on the human moments in these peoples’ lives. Amy Adams was ROBBED of her Oscar by Rachel Weisz, by the way.

Murderball (R)

A rousing look at the sport of quad rugby, also known as murderball, where quadriplegics in specially modified wheelchairs ram into each other on a basketball court. Exciting, raw and captivating–and this is from someone who HATES sports films.

Sky High (PG)

A light, enjoyable movie about a high school just for superhero teenagers, and (of course) the villain they must defeat to save the day.

Heights (R)

Fantastically filmed, scored and acted, the story follows a group of New Yorkers for one full day, from dawn to dusk, and we watch how their lives change and intersect in surprising ways. One of my favorite films ever.

Mad Hot Ballroom (PG)

A documentary about a ballroom competition between middle schools in underprivileged areas of New York City. Very touching and hopeful.

Batman Begins (PG-13)

A triumphant reloading of the Batman tale, this film once again takes Bruce Wayne to his roots, showing how he became the Caped Crusader.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (PG-13)

Nonstop, high-energy fun is unleashed when a husband and wife each discover that the other is an undercover assassin, playing for the other team.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (PG)

Not as good as the books, but still lots of fun. And Alan Rickman as Marvin the Robot was an inspired choice.

Kung Fu Hustle (R)

A lazy Chinese ghetto suddenly becomes the center of a gang war in this giddy martial-arts spoof.

Sin City (R)

Frank Miller’s iconic graphic novels are recreated in vivid black and white, with judicious splashes of livid color, in this stunning adaptation. Visceral, grotesque violence vies with touching human moments as a fantastic cast of characters fights to determine the fate of fictitious Basin City.

Bad Education (NC-17)

Pedro Almodóvar is a genius, and he is in fine form in this convoluted little psychological puzzle. Told in retrospect by several different characters, the puzzle changes with each revelation, until you don’t know what is real, what is fantasy, and what is simply a clever, appealing lie.

Million Dollar Baby (R)

Won four Oscars in 2005–Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor–and it deserved every one of them. Another “sports movie” that transcended the genre in every way.

In Good Company (PG-13)

A middle-aged man is humiliated when he is demoted in favor of a brash, young new college graduate. A comedy, but also a deep, touching movie about learning, aging and family.