bardiparty

my drycleaning lady didn’t recognize me the other day because i had a different colored laundry bag and a different boy with me.

here is a roundup of the 2010 theatrical releases I’ve seen so far, and my brief opinions on each.

THE GOOD

• “Un Prophète” (d. Jacques Audiard, France) - memorable, arresting, and realistic prison saga…I’d put it in the same category as “Gomorrah” and “The Wire” (which i’m through two seasons of)
• “Greenberg” (d. Noah Baumbach, USA) - surprisingly enjoyable return to form for Baumbach after the disaster of “Margot at the Wedding.”  Ben Stiller managed to ingest some pathos into a completely abhorrent character, and Greta Gerwig proved she could hold her own outside the realm of mumblecore.
• “Exit Thru The Gift Shop” (d. Banksy (?), UK/USA) - the most exciting and surprising film I’ve seen in years.  I went in not knowing much about the conceit of the film, and I’m glad I stayed so oblivious, as the turns the narrative takes about halfway through the documentary are brilliant.
• “Splice” (d. Vincenzo Natali, Canada) - bizarre and darkly comic little movie that hearkens back to the early work of David Cronenberg.  Certainly not for everyone, as evidenced by the disgusted reactions of fellow theatergoers at Union Square opening weekend.
• “Please Give” (d. Nicole Holofcener, USA) - the kind of movie Woody Allen should still be making.
• “Toy Story 3” (d. Lee Unkrich, USA) - while not as artistic nor as existential as Pixar’s past three releases, TS3 was still a deservedly emotional send off to a cast of characters I’d grown up with.
• “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” (d. Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg, USA) - fascinating, multifaceted portrait of a woman equal parts pathetic and inspiring
• “The Kids are All Right” (d. Lisa Cholodenko, USA) - stellar performances by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore round out a real and vibrant portrait of a modern american family.  Wickedly clever script, too.
• “Dogtooth” (d. Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece) - so far my favorite film of 2010.  Weird, disturbing, compelling, sensual, hilarious, horrifying.  You just need to see it for yourself.

THE BAD

• “Youth in Revolt” - so sick of Michael Cera.  Tried too hard to be “quirky,” as usual.
• “Police, Adjective” - I spent the entire time wiki-surfing on my blackberry
• “Shutter Island” - I felt as if I was being condescended to.  I’m not an idiot, and I expect more from thrillers
• “Remember Me” - RPattz on 9/11