Party Girl (1995)

A film I had never heard of until the other day, starring Parker Posey is apparently a cult film. Cult film and Parker Posey I had to check it out. I have to say it was alright, Parker has some funny moments but overall I'd say it's a flat film. It's just the feel the film has. It's definitely low-budget, which is obvious in both script and shooting, but it does have a bit of the low-budget charm, just nothing that makes it stand out from every other low-budget film with charm.
The casts wardrobe made this film worth watching. Checking out styles from the mid-90s are hilarious, mostly because this is the style that is coming back right now...so watching it makes it feel I should be taking fashion notes. I think H&M must have watched this movie to get tips, ha.

Let's All Hate Toronto (2007)

This was a decent documentary about why all of Canada hates the city of Toronto and its people. I personally don't have too much of an outstanding beef with the place, but I found the concept to this film cute. It's pretty much a film you shouldn't take seriously because it pokes fun of itself through and through. I like how they gave my hometown Hamilton credit for hating Toronto the most vehemently, haha...Footage shot at Ivor Wynne stadium was hilarious and totally captures how a local North Hamiltonian behaves...don't be looking in my direction I'm more in the South-Western area :)
The majority of the film is about the protagonist going from coast to coast to learn about why Canadians hate Toronto, and to try and shed some light on their deriding sentiment.
The film doesn't try to be serious political or anything, if anything this film is just about the filmmakers enjoying their trip across Canada and connecting with people from different areas of our country and being silly at the same time. Hey, if I could find funding to do the same, I'd be there in a second.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

I really enjoyed this movie, it was a helluva roller coaster ride. Paul Greengrass really knows what he's doing when it come to the action/thriller genre. Every cut seemed to be flawless, and effortlessly assembled. Maybe if I speak even more in it's praise you'll think I'll bullshit? But it's true, this movie rocks out! Acting was intense too. Props to David Strathairn for being a kickass evil dude! Lady actresses seemed willowy with what they were given, the script totally could have given Julia Stiles at least one scene where she could pistol whip some CIA henchman, but no, her scenes demanded that she looks worried and longingly into Matt Damon's eyes, and then run frantically from her potential killer, what gives!
On an artistic note, I found the colouring very interesting. It comprised mostly blues, cold tones giving the film a very somber feel. Also I really loved the real locations that are used throughout the film. When Damon walks out of the Paris subway station toward the "Gare du Nord" it made me feel special that I had walked up those exact steps around 18 months ago (I totally have something in common with Matt Damon, sweet). Also shots of London were wicked, and make me excited for my upcoming trip there....at least I won't have a sniper looming behind my back, like somebody else.
All in all, I recommend this movie, because it's totally enjoyable, it's a popcorn movie for sure, but it's so thrilling that you'll feel more CIA savvy than before!

Juno (2007)

I rather enjoyed this film. The beginning half I found annoying with it's clever wit, but by the midway point the dialogue had settle into a more comfortable pace. Juno has a very indie feel to it, which felt very deliberate...I think in the not too future (possibly present) time these "indie" films can be studied for what they represent and portray. There's something predictable about these films. Last year's "indie gem" was Little Miss Sunshine. These are not bad films, but they're just as formulaic, and as more as released I wonder what's the point. Just as the Romantic Comedy genre was ruined by Britney Murphy, Kate Hudson etc, I think the Indie Film will eventually be on the edge of ruin if they keep churning out meatloaf like this.
I guess that was just a tip of the iceburg of my genre criticism, but to be fair Juno is a really enjoyable film. It's well acted, well written, and well directed. Special attention to Jennifer Garner for her role, I really believed her need for a baby. The soundtrack was very catchy, in the indie-genre (I'm-going-to-try-not-to-criticize this); I may buy this next week when it's released. A lot of people have been raving about Michael Cera's performance in this film. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's anything extraordinary or different from what he's already done.
Ah well, I say check out this film because you probably will enjoy it. I think I've become jaded because I've seen my share of indie films over the past few years.

Margot at the Wedding (2007)

Wow, this is one of those movies that is hard to wrap your head around. It was honestly the most melodrama I think I've experienced in a 90 minute stretch. I felt so unnerved by the end of it I pledged I would never act like that around my family. I'm thinking this is director Noah Baumbach's intention because he's no stranger to these situations in his films. It's hard to say I enjoyed this film because the characters are just so erratic and rude, but at the same time it shows such a truthful ugly side of humanity. The portrayals of the characters by the cast was beautifully done with special nods to Jennifer Jason Leigh and John Turturro (who, granted was only there for 5 minutes, but totally rocked it). Jack Black had an unconvincing crying scene, who my friend told me later that's how boy's cry (I still think it was bad acting). Also, aside from that, the only thing that bugged me was the unstable camera composition. I understand maybe Baumbach was trying to illustrate the family's unrest with a shaky cam, but I think it was used cheaply.
The film's ending was really open, in that I was interested to see how the character's resolved their melodrama. Up until the final minutes there was so much that wasn't explained about the actions of the characters. It's interesting how Baumbach uses this lack of information given to pull in the audience with suspense. The film is such a snapshot of these characters' lives that you never get a chance to understand fully their ideas and desires.
I guess I recommend this film if you are interested in a family melodrama case study. Beware feelings of anxiety that may come while watching it.

49th Parallel (1941)

This is one of those films that you've never heard of before but has a cast and director that ring a bell. It's funny when these kinds of films pop up because they're kind of fringe classics, i guess, because their not on any top movie lists. That being said 49th Parallel is a decently solid film, but understandable not an all-time classic. Directed by Michael Powell who's one of the greatest British directors and with a smart cast, including Laurence Olivier and Leslie Howard, it's almost a surprise this film doesn't get more recognition beyond the film elite. I think what holds this film back is it's too contemporary in it's time. The film takes place during World War II, right before the American's joined the Allies. My brief readings told me this film was made in efforts to convince the American's that they need to join the war. I find this ironic because the film takes place in Canada, and Americans don't share all the same values as Canadians.
Enjoyable scenes in the film: Laurence Olivier playing a French-Canadian fur-trapper was so funny. His accent was ridiculous, but he really got into which was awesome. Leslie Howard playing a Native Indian historian, not caring when the German's threaten to shoot him, but has a hissy fit when they destroy his paintings and literature, haha. Any scene where Canadians are portrayed as defenseless, yet rational human beings who offer any stranger food and lodging whenever they bump into the German's. Now I know we're supposed to be friendly, but I think that image of hospitality is probably pushing it.
Minor inconvenience, the plot dragged on at times, but overall it was a smooth pace.
What I found interesting about this film is that it's a British film portraying Canadian values. I don't think I've seen a film like this before, so it was kind of cool to see how another country sees us besides the awful misrepresentation made by any American films.
I say check out this film is the above subject matter paints your fancy.