Well...I did it!! Even with the first week of school keeping me kind of crazy busy, I managed to watch both a documentary and one of the films from the National Film Registry (as well as sneaking in two regular movies over the weekend as well...going to count them all darn it!)
So first we have the documentary. I didn't stray too far from my usual fare, I watched Michael Moore's Capitalism: a Love Story (2009), which I thought was interesting. I do like him. I know many people are not giant fans, but I think his movies are interesting, and usually entertaining. This one was a little more "bi-partisan" than the others, which I think was nice for a change, but at the same time, not really "edgy" enough for me either. I thought it was worth watching, none-the-less.
For my first National Film Registry film, I decided to go with something I haven't seen before (even though I didn't limit myself in my challenge to only new films...) and watched an interesting movie called David Holzman's Diary (1967) which was a faux documentary, done in Cinema Verite style. I found it actually very fascinating. It's not for everyone to be sure. But for me, aside from the fact that his apartment (or if it really was his apartment...the place that he "said" was his apartment) was on W. 71st street on the upper west side of NYC, which is where I love to stay more than anywhere else when I am in the city. I half expected a shot of "Big Nicks" on the corner....in any case, there were a few shots in the film that really had me captivated. One in particular where he films the entire night of whatever was on Television (commercials included) in a sort of frenzied fast forward/frame by frame shot. It was pretty darn cool. Another great scene was this sort of panning across (I am sure there is a real technical word for what he did here) a bunch of mostly elderly people either at a bus stop, or park benches...also incredibly cool. It could get a bit dull in places, but if you know going in that its not actually a documentary, it really is worth watching. I am glad I bothered with it. Not bad for my first choice!
Aside from the two challenge movies. I also saw My Week with Marilyn (2011) which I absolutely recommend if you have any interest in Marilyn Monroe at all. I thought it was a nice, if not somewhat quiet, little movie about a week in her life during the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl. I thought Michelle Williams (who if you remember from my posts last year....is NOT one of my all time favorites) was amazing in this movie. I thought she played Marilyn like I have never seen her played before, in a very honest and captivating way. And of course....the adorable Eddie Redmayne, well that might just be reason enough to see it.
Next I had an actual "date" with my husband and we saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) and I really really loved it. Now I should say that I have read the book and really enjoyed it, and attempted to watch the original film and did not enjoy what I saw. I plan to give it another try, because I have heard people say that they liked it better. I can't see that being my opinion. I thought Rooney Mara was incredible and I loved every second she was on screen. I won't give any spoilers away but lets just say I thought the casting was brilliant and as usual, David Fincher has made a spectacular film....I am starting to wonder if the man can do any wrong! I would actually watch it again, even though I know what happens. Totally worth it to watch the performances and the awesome soundtrack. Great stuff. Anyone see anything special this week??
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