Carnage

— Just saw Polanski's "Carnage" and realized again what fantastic actresses Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet are. Christoph Waltz & John C. Reilly were amazing too. Too bad the play's not a little better so the movie wouldn't end with a fizzle, especially since it begs comparison to "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". Still worth watching every dark, mesmerizing moment.

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[2011. 80 min. Directed by Roman Polanski. Starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly.]

The Descendants

— I also saw "The Descendants" and have thought about it many times. Very interesting "comedy" and well worth seeing. Also the oldest audience I've seen since "About Schmidt".

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[2011. 115 min. Directed by Andrew Payne. Starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, and Patricia Hastie.]

War Horse

— "War Horse" was pleasant and well done but forgotten quickly.

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[2011. 146 min. Directed Steven Spielberg. Starring Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, and David Thewlis.]

My Week with Marilyn,
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,
Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, and
Young Adult

— This weekend I saw "My Week with Marilyn", "Sherlock Holmes...", "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)", and "Young Adult". Liked them in that order. First two a lot, third more than I expected since it was different than but as good as the Swedish version, and the fourth one not much except for Charlize Theron. All that and still had time for an enjoyable New Year’s Eve with a few friends.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

— Started watching "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" this morning and could tell it was wonderful, but I was unwilling to invest the time. Beautiful and fascinating, yes, but after a bit of the beauty, I was ready to just read a magazine article about the discovery. Maybe it's my mood because it really seems like something I'd like.

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[2010. 90 min. Directed Werner Herzog. Featuring Werner Herzog, Jean Clottes, and Julian Monney.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cave-of-forgotten-dreams-2011

Like Crazy

— Saw "Like Crazy" and kind of liked it. Understand the charm and went along for the ride, but I think I favor films with scripts.

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[2011. 90 min. Directed Drake Doremus. Starring Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, and Jennifer Lawrence.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/like-crazy-2011

Hugo

— Saw “Hugo 3D” yesterday and was pretty taken by it. The 3D Melies sections were particularly interesting and I think Scorsese’s love of cinema is downright endearing. Also saw “Beginners” and, although a bit slow, it was a good look at various loves and losses, and the place between the two. (Happy to see an occasional Jack Russell Terrier subtitle—always wanted to know what Eddie was thinking in Frazier!)

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[2011. 126 min. Directed Martin Scorsese. Starring Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Christopher Lee.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hugo-2011

Melancholia

— Caught "Melancholia" and can't believe I'm not suicidal. So many gorgeous, lush scenes, whether looking at a lavish wedding party or moonlight on forest foliage and soft skin. Something oddly uplifting about this gentle, beautiful, sad film about depression, anguish, and apocalypse. Well worth seeing.

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[2011. 136 min. Directed by Lars von Trier. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Kiefer Sutherland.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/melancholia-2011