Ida

Ida IMDb 

I couldn't go to sleep late Friday night/early Saturday morning due to lots of coffee.  Decided to watch this Polish movie.  It won Best Foreign at this year's Oscars.  I'm a sucker for Foreign movies.  So I had to.  I just had to.  Well, this one was okay.  I don't think it deserved the Oscar.  I liked it more than the previous movie I saw today (A Coffee in Berlin).  This is another coming of age drama in a way.  Ida is about to become a nun but before she does so, the church advises her to spend time with her long lost Aunt for a bit.  Ida meets her aunt who is the opposite (an atheist free spirited lady).  Ida learns that she's Jewish and her parents were killed during World War 2.  Ida and her aunt go on a trip to learn more about that and of course during that trip, Ida learns a few more things about the world.  The story was good but nothing special in my book.  Some unexpected stuff happens towards the end. 

This is another one that's at your own risk.  If you're like me, and love Foreign films, see this one but with low expectations.  I set the bar high because it won the Oscar.

A Coffee in Berlin

 A Coffee in Berlin IMDb

I did something crazy this Friday night.  I had two cups of strong coffee around 11:30pm and decided to watch this German movie.  Wired to the max.  The movie was okay.  I like the premise but felt flat in the third act.  I like that our main character has bad luck trying to get coffee throughout the movie.  Either they sold out on coffee, vending machine is broken, or some places just don't serve it.  The story is one of those artsy stories where we just follow this one guy who has no job or anything to his name but slowly he "grows up."  I would have wanted more lively scenes.  I seriously shouldn't have had all that coffee.  My heart was racing over this slow developing movie. 

I wouldn't recommend this.  There are other better "growing up" or coming of age movies out there. 

At your own risk.

Housebound

 Housebound IMDb

That was Fantastic!   Had a great time with this one.  Good balance of dark humor and horror.  This is from New Zealand and it was shown at Fantastic Fest last year (my favorite film festival of all time).  Lots of surprises and some good bloody moments.   Love that they make fun of the horror genre here just like Shaun of the Dead and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.  Love the idea too.  I wanted to see it at the festival but I didn't have that opportunity.   I'm sure this was a hit among genre fans.  Badass ending!  I fucking clapped and applauded real loud and it was 1:30 am.  I'm sure the neighbors love me.  They're used to it.  

This is on Netflix.  Must see.  I'm adding this to my To Buy List for sure. Now,  I'm going to try to sleep.  Keyword: Try.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

 The Tale of Princess Kaguya IMDb

An emotional wreck this thing created.  Left me a bit speechless.  It was beautiful but emotional.  No, I don't want to hype this up saying this is the most saddest thing I've seen.  No, there were lots of other films that made shed some tears.  This one almost came close.  What made it emotional was the concept itself.  The concept of life and death told in a very unique way.  Love the sounds on here.  This played at Fantastic Fest last year and won the Audience Award.  This was also nominated for Best Animation at this year's Oscars.  It is by Studio Ghibli.  I've only seen Spirited Away.  I need to check out the rest of the catalog.

A must see original Animation for sure.   Fair warning: it is 2 hours and 17 minutes long.

Annie Hall

 Annie Hall IMDb

It was Oscar weekend this past weekend and I wanted to watch a classic I haven't seen that's won Best Picture.  I went with one of Woody Allen's most famous films.  I'm beginning to respect Woody Allen as a director.  I would try to avoid him before but he's coming along for me.  I like that this isn't your typical romantic comedy.  It has its own style.  It definitely didn't have the usual romantic comedy ending.  Oops! Spoiler Alert.  It was pretty cool to see actually. Good experience.  I like that Allen interrupts in the middle of scenes to explain alternate realities and etc.  I like that we go back in forth between the past and the present.  Now, I don't think this is my favorite Woody Allen film but I thought it was pretty good.  I can see why lots of people love it.

Worth checking out on Netflix if you're one of the few that haven't seen it yet. A good double feature with "When Harry Meet Sally" for you romantics out there.

The Drop

The Drop IMDb 

Tom Hardy plays one subtle hardcore guy in this Gangster-ish movie.  It is set in Brooklyn.  I thought the movie was okay.  Not bad or special.  It entertained.  Lots of twists and some unpredictable moments but overall, it didn't feel too fresh.  I did like the realism in this movie.  Gangsters control certain bars and clubs.  The actual owners don't have a say unless they want to be killed.  This one is about a certain gangster controlled bar that gets robbed.  Tom Hardy plays a bartender and practically an assistant manager of this bar.  He knows the ins and outs.  He's a quiet character with a dark past.  James Gandolfini plays the manager of the bar.  He's got lots of problems of his own.  Anyways, the robbery turns into a conspiracy and a big mess.  There is no big payoff at the end but it's smooth like a shot of old whiskey.  Look at me writing comparisons.  That's enough for today. 

Worth the redbox rental.  I don't think it's worth buying.

Went with Brooklyn Lager with this one (even though Dos Equis is the beer that was referenced throughout the movie).

Hitchcock Thursday: Shadow of a Doubt

Shadow of a Doubt IMDb

Holy! Jesus! Fuck!  My second Hitchcock Thursday was badass.  This 1943 film holds up very good.  Suspense and smooth scenes.  This reminded me of Stoker (directed by Korean director Park Chan-wook).  Hell, I think both movies have "Uncle Charlie."  I love the dialogue here and the little moments.  Uncle Charlie makes a surprise visit to family in California.  His niece, also named Charlie, is happy about her uncle's visit.  After a while, she starts finding out secrets and who Uncle Charlie really is.  Tensions start between the two.  Again, pretty damn awesome for a 1943 film.  Enjoyed it to the fullest.

I would recommend this and if you're a movie collector, I say, this is worth buying.  Thank goodness for Hitchcock Thursday.  Until next time, stay safe and cover your necks.