DVD Roundup

Unexpected gems:

1) Rachel Getting Married. Knowing little about this movie, other than the title and the presence of Anne Hathaway, I expected - no, wanted - to hate it. Pop drivel, probably a chick flick, etc. As it turns out, it's wonderful, a slice-of-life film like the French seem to do so well, but with quasi-Dogme 95 aesthetics, i.e., hand-held camera, natural lighting, a sense of verite. Roger Ebert, who loved it, pointed out the film's obvious debt to Altman (for its handling of an ensemble cast), and I can sort of see that - but it lacks Altman's sometimes-grating overlapping dialogue. The film is infused with music, but in a naturalistic way - there is no soundtrack but for the noodling of the many wedding musicians (including Robyn Hitchcock!) who are omnipresent at the house in the days leading up to the wedding and their performances at the reception. And it makes for a wedding like no other, a wedding that I would love to be at.

The film was not universally received, however, as Netflix reviews will testify:

Horriable movie. Watched the first half hour. BORING!!!! No plot and slow. Only purchased because it won some kind of award.

I copied this review because it is SPOT ON!! PLEASE SKIP this movie...what a waste of time!! "If you enjoy watching unlikable characters in a dysfunctional family have uncomfortable conversations and fights in front of a hand-held camera, then this might be just the movie for you. You'll love it and you can tell your friends what a "raw", "honest", "intimate", "realistic" and "moving" portrayal of an ordinary American family this is. However, if you suspect that a movie like that would be depressing and endlessly tedious, then you are probably right and I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU SKIP THIS."

Also, it was panned by the the SF Chronicle. So, what do I know?

2) Milk. I didn't expect much more than a standard biopic, but it's nearly a flawless film, and Sean Penn's performance is mesmerizing beyond belief.

3) Let the Right One In. I've mentioned this film before, but it merits another kudo for its original take on the otherwise tired vampire-genre.

4) Mister Foe. Billy Elliot actor grows up to be a costume-and-makeup wearing voyeur, has Oedipal sex with two hot chicks.

5) Baby Mama. I was regularly disappointed by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on SNL - the worst Weekend Update anchors ever, in my opinion - so I was surprised by this film. It's really, really funny. Playing on HBO, lately.