Garden State - Reaction

Cute post-college angst movie about the dangers of medication and the risks of not being yourself.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

The Last Samurai - Reaction

Another fairly good epic action movie set in the nineteenth century (like Master and Commander). Tom Cruise does an okay acting job, but he's too inexpressive and I really don't feel the growth of his relationship with the Japanese woman. The level of detail and accuracy in Japanese architecture, weapons, clothing, etc. of the time is amazing. You can feel the big-budget-ness of this film throughout.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

In the Bedroom - Reaction

Disturbing. Mesmerizing. The story starts with being about a teenage son's relationship with a soon-to-be-divorced woman (with two children). It then twists in unexpected ways from there. Despite the movie's length, there are no extraneous scenes in it--I couldn't tear my eyes away. Makes one ponder death, murder, and the death penalty.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

Bad Education (La Mala Educacion) - Reaction

Story of religious school sexual abuse and how it changes the lives of two homosexuals as they grow. Does a very good storytelling job with parallel stories / timelines. Mesmerizing, perhaps because of the feeling of being disturbed and disquieted. All the same, made me too uncomfortable to truly enjoy.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

Travelers and Magicians - Reaction

Set near Tibet, the story of a man who is trying to get to America. The movie focuses on interpersonal relationships, both between the man and the people he meets on the way, and, via a parallel storyline told as a story throughout the film, between two brothers who want to switch places. There's a love triangle that results from an older couple and one brother. Interesting. The film's all about what people want and what they are satisfied with.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

Das Rad (Rocks) - Reaction

A short, entertaining animated film about rock creatures and their long-lived, slow-moving lives. Also about the rise and fall of mankind, and the transience of life.

The movie's home page. It's available for purchase at Amazon.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]

Master and Commander - Reaction

Seafaring war story. Very evocative of the eighteenth century and ship life in general. Drama and action. Good, but nothing special.

[I estimated the date I watched this movie.]