Milk

Year: 2008

Why'd I Watch It?: I'd been meaning to since it came out.

What's It About?: The gay rights activism of Harvey Milk.

What'd I Think?: The casting was amazing. Sean Penn deserved that Oscar. It was fantastic and beautiful. Also, very encouraging. Oh, and a nice soundtrack.

Rating: 5 waffles

The Darjeeling Limited

Year: 2007

Why'd I Watch It?: I enjoy Wes Anderson and it was OnDemand for free.

What's It About?: Three brothers going on a train trip a year after their father died.

What'd I Think?: I like The Royal Tenenbaums better, but this was very similar and pretty good. The line delivery, as with most Wes Anderson films, was very good. India is really pretty.

Rating: 4 1/2 waffles

Lovely and Amazing

Year: 2001

Why'd I Watch It?: Another delayed part of 2010 Gyllenhaal Fest.

What's It About?: A mother and her three daughters and what a mundane mess all their lives are.

What'd I Think?: I thought it was going to be really bad. It wasn't. It was actually quite delightful. The cast was really good. The story was absurd while remaining realistic.

Rating: 4 waffles

Moonlight Mile

Year: 2002

Why'd I Watch It?: An extension of the 2010 Gyllenhaal Fest.

What's It About?: A guy living with his in-laws-to-be after his fiance is killed.

What'd I Think?: Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman were fantastic. Jake was exceedingly adorable. Overall, a compelling story that was well acted and only slightly depressing.

Rating: 4 1/2 waffles

Due Date

Year: 2010

Why'd I Watch It?: RDJ + free movie.

What's It About?: Two guys with totally different personalities making bad decisions while driving cross country.

What'd I Think?: I love seeing new comedies the first weekend when the theater is filled with people all laughing at the same time. This movie was delightful and hilarious, but I don't know how well some of it might hold up without the theater going experience. Still, I lol'd.

Rating: 4 1/2 waffles

Hawk the Slayer

Year: 1980

Why'd I Watch It?: Nate encouraged me.

What's It About?: A stereotypical D&D campaign.

What'd I Think?: Amazing in the "this is ridiculous 80s cheesy fantasy" way. If that's something you can enjoy, you will never be disappointed. Next time there needs to be a drinking game involved.

Rating: 5 waffles (by good cinema standards, probably a 2)

Never Let Me Go

Year: 2010

Why'd I Watch It?: Sarah wanted me to see it with her.

What's It About?: British kids in a depressing dystopia.

What'd I Think?: It was very good. Well acted. Really depressing and good story.

Rating: 4 1/2 waffles

CQ

Year: 2001

Why'd I Watch It?: Sarah and I picked it up at the used media store one afternoon.

What's It About?: A guy making a sci-fi movie in the 60s about the future.

What'd I Think?: Really odd, with a mixed up narrative that's not always clear (which if fine in certain instances, but really confusing in others). It really had the feel of a 60s film. I feel that maybe it would be better on a second viewing.

Rating: 3 1/2 waffles

Iron Maiden: Flight 666

Year: 2009

Why'd I Watch It?: It's essential viewing for Maiden fans.

What's It About?: The Somewhere Back in Time tour.

What'd I Think?: It was fun and cute, with a whole bunch of information about the band in there.

Rating: 5 waffles

Help!

Year: 1965

Why'd I Watch It?: It's The Beatles, why wouldn't I watch it?

What's It About?: Ringo's going to be a human sacrifice if he can't ditch the sacrificial ring stuck on his finger.

What'd I Think?: So much rendonkulous fun with a ton of good music. Also the line delivery is brilliant.

Rating: 5 waffles

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Year: 2010

Why'd I Watch It?: It looked potentially good and it was free.

What's It About?: A hipster trying to date another hipster, but first he has to fight her hipster exs with video game references.

What'd I Think?: It was tons of fun. Really. It's a movie the specifically caters to people around my age (23), it seems.

Rating: 5 waffles

After the Thin Man

Year: 1936

Why'd I Watch It?: My father encouraged my mom and me to watch something.

What's It About?: Mystery and quipping!

What'd I Think?: It was pretty funny, but also had a fairly interesting sleuth story too. Also, really young Jimmy Stewart.

Rating: 5 waffles

Dames

Year: 1934

Why'd I Watch It?: My dad wanted me to.

What's It About?: Putting on a musical show!

What'd I Think?: The first half is actual movie, the second half is the super strange, super elaborate, super choreographed musical performance. While the story is kind of run of the mill, it's pretty funny and the show itself is really impressive, changing to something new and neat every time you feel like maybe it's dragging on enough.

Rating: 4 1/2 waffles