“I want a git!”

“A Serious Man” is a dark, witty movie with a half-hearted dramatic story line–seriously.

This is another one of the movies that follows a modern family with all the bland, awkward, boring and terrible quirks that most families try to hide. The story develops around a family man, Larry Gopnik, who just isn’t getting life right. This man models a life when a person becomes a “complaint box.”

He is dealing with children who complain too much; his socially-awkward brother who lives in Larry’s bathroom; his wife wants a religious divorce to marry his best friend; and a neighbor who tries to move his property line.

On top of this, he is tormented by his other neighbor, who tans in the nude; a student that threatens his teacher career; his brother becomes a criminal; and he is required to host a funeral for his “best enemy.”

This movie is divided up by Larry visiting three rabbis, who each give different enlighten advice to fix his life. In his case, advice only adds confusion. This movie starts with the threat of possible tragedy and ends with another threat of  a possible tragedy.

This movie is not on Netflix or Vudo. If this movie sounds interesting to you, check your local video rental store.

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-MD

From Movies to Books

This week, I am side-stepping from my topic of over looked movie to talk about “The Hunger Games,” the movie and book series. “The Hunger Games” is the latest topic this week. There is the movie, the books, the crazy long lines and more boy heart-throbs that make girls scream in the movie theater. My interest was piqued so I picked up the book. The results: I gain an addiction. I highly suggest you do the same!

I usually do not read books that become movies because I would rather enjoy the movie than argue with myself how awful the director was because he didn’t add this part or “that girl shouldn’t be blonde!”

In less than a week, I am now almost done with the third volume of the The Hunger Games series. The book is not extra heavy on details so it is an easy read to keep you entertain for hours.

I wanted to talk about The Hunger Games because I usually missed out on great books like this one. I think to myself, “If there is a movie then I’ll just read something else.” Don’t make the mistake I almost did and decide not to read the books. There are many good books out there, just like movies, which are overlooked.

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-MD

the guard

“Did you know that my wife dressed me as a liberal?”

“Carnage” is an overlooked movie with four well-known stars Jodie Foster, John Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz. Based on a French play called “God of Carnage,” this movie is about two couples whose lives are intertwined because of a fight between their sons. In the background of the opening credits, you will see a boy hits another boy with a stick.

This movie is somewhere between civilize politeness and a release of insanity. The lesson learned in “Carnage” is how parents can act proper and welcoming, but that doesn’t mean they never act childish. This movie is entirely conversational dialogue but holds entertaining value through clever word choices.

As the movie goes on, slowly the characters begin to uncensored their feelings and thoughts. Although I do not have children, I know that parenting is complex. After watching “Carnage,”  I know this for a fact. This movie intellectual quotes and urban features. This movie is not on Netflix or Vudu yet.  I found this movie at my local video store.

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-MD

“When’s the Magic Date?”

Don’t let the title trick you or..scare you; “Marry Me” is a pleasing romance movie. It tells a story of a work-focused female social worker who meets an old soul Romeo. It is in the chick-flick genre but not one of the completely velvet smooth heartthrob or a romantic comedy that over tries to please the male tag-a-long audience.

It has the romantic quirks to make girls blush and feel a sense of innocent. Its fresh points here and there prevent it from becoming a super “lovey-dovey” movie. However, the motif of any love story is the classic love-triangle; and in this movie it should be called a “trifecta.”
There is the perfect Romeo type, the rich smooth-talking best friend playboy and the ex-boyfriend adventurer that returns with a humble cause and a proposal. Who will Rae Carter, played by Lucy Liu, choose?

Thinking she has run away from all of them, which one chases after her, and most importantly, who will catch her? I can’t blame her for wanting to run away, like one of her cases, to a place far from her starting point. I’m sure that everyone once in a while thinks about jet-setting; taking off to some wild adventure. Don’t you hate it?…I mean, don’t you hate how simple it is in movies? Only fantasy get the better deal but that is why we love movies.

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-MD

The East Dances into History

“Mao’s Last Dancer” is an inspiring historical drama.

But first off, I must reveal my only complaint about the movie. Being from Houston, I noticed several mistakes in the first few minutes of the movie. For some reason, the director uses multiple stereotypes of a cowboy for each character.

Besides during the rodeo, western hats are not commonly seen in Houston. Also the movie mention the Houston Oilers which is the football team that has not existed since the late ’90s. Yet in the next scene, the Houston Aquarium, which wasn’t built until 2003, is clearly spotted in the background. Not knowing about the Houston Aquarium, is like living on the beach and not knowing if there is a boardwalk near by.

These things were enough to distract me that I almost stopped watching the movie. I am glad I did not because I enjoyed learning about the struggles Li Cunxin faced in his lifetime. An interesting fact I discovered is this movie is the autobiography of Li Cunxin. (Li wrote the movie; he did not direct the movie.)

Li is world-famous dancer from the People’s Republic of China. He grew up in a large family in a poor village until he was picked to live in the capital to bring honor to China. As he begins to question to the rules of his homeland, he finds himself in an international dispute. There is several dance pieces throughout the movie. “Mao’s Last Dancer” can be found on Netflix for a limited time.

This is Movie Night Detective signing out!

-MD