zodiac (2007)

david fincher continues to churn out his unique style of movie. this one isn't quite as good as his other efforts (se7en, fight club, the game) but the reality of the situation is gripping. the movie seems like its over two-thirds of the way through but then there's another hour or so of jake gyllenhaal running around being scared by would-be serial killers. it's strange that "the zodiac" actually ends up fucking most of his kills, as many of the victims are left alive. after the movie, i had to head over to the crime library to check out the real story.

thank goodness the movie was good as we spent $40 on tickets and parking -- we forgot to stamp our parking ticket and we got out of the movie at 2:30am, well past the closing time. damn me.

300 (2007)

i was psyched for this movie. ridiculously psyched. if you like spartans and violence, this highly stylized movie will set your neck hairs on tilt with its numerous "cool scenes." not much plot or exposition to speak of (in comparison to say, gladiator) and i would have wanted some trimming of the unnecssary "girl in wheatfields, i love you" scenes but hey, what can you do? some great moments, a few laugh out loud moments (not in a good way), but mostly, a cool movie i'd watch a few times over. go watch it in the theatre; what's the point otherwise?

i wish there was more insight and backstory into how the spartans lived. i'd recommend reading gates of fire, by steven pressfield -- which, sadly, probably has no chance of being made into a movie now.

pan's labyrinth (2006)

indeed, a "fairy tale for adults." don't bring your kids to watch this; it's no labyrinth. this film has been touted as one of the best movies of the year and that's about right. i can't say i even had one complaint about it aside from maybe having more scenes in the fantasy realm. but it's hard to complain when everything works together so well. i made a special effort to make sure i saw this on the big screen and i'm delighted i caught it. watching it on a rinky dink television wouldn't have done it justice.

ghost rider (2007)

there was a time nicolas cage was in good movies right? (his acting was always suspect, like an older keanu reeves) at least he tanked this superhero movie instead of starring as superman like he wanted. this is about the worst, most illogical, comic book movie i've ever seen. no thrills, spills, chills, or sense. eva mendes matched old nic for acting ineptitude but looked much better doing it.

this is what wes bentley has done to his promising career post-american beauty? he's the least menacing comic book villain ever. sheesh.

bridge to terabithia (2007)

to be fair, i was movie hopping and only saw half the movie. i walked out before all the fun stuff really started but i'm not sure i missed much. the weird voice used by the female lead, annasophia robb (who looks just like a young keira knightley), bothered me too much. and i felt i was a bit too old for the story. but i've heard good things about the film; which is nothing like chronicles of narnia -- in a good way.

here's an interesting article from slate about the movie: what bridge to terabithia still teaches us.