Tom & Alissa

Last year I started doing “what we watched” capsule reviews, but I got bogged down and forgot about it after about a month and a half. We watched over 150 movies last year, so I think I’m justified; however, it had been a big hit, so I’m going to try and keep up this year.

The Lives of Others
A re-watch. One of the best films of the last few years.

The Page Turner
Wonderfully nerve-wracking film; think a French version of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Deborah Francois is fabulously blank.

Charlie Wilson’s War
See review here. We really enjoyed this film.

La Vie en Rose
It jumped around chronologically far too much, which made it confusing. Following two parallel tracks might have made for a stronger story. However, it is fabulously acted and really lovely to look at, and Marion Cotillard is sensational.

Also, Tom’s been working, so I’ve watched a couple of movies on my own (something I rarely do). Here they are:
Run, Fat Boy, Run
David Schwimmer’s directorial debut, which is a male-driven British romantic comedy starring Simon Pegg, Hank Azaria, and Thandie Newton. Not earth-shattering but still a lot of fun. My review will be in Paste.

Sleepwalking
A much less cheery film; Charlize Theron is great, but there’s some holes in the plot. I plan to review it when it gets closer to its release.

The Business of Being Born
Reviewed this for WORLD.

Chocolat
Somewhere I’d gotten the wrong idea about this film. Despite a handful of small flaws, it was lovely, sweet, well-told, and beautifully acted. An interesting parable on Pharaseeism, forgiveness, grace, being human, and joie de vivre.

U2 3D
I mentioned this here. If you’re a U2 fan, you’ll love it.

Tom has been watching a load of Westerns in his free time (from the silent era to more recent work), and maybe if you’re terribly lucky, he’ll share a few when he’s all Westerned-out.