Friday, October 15, 2010

Double Feature: Red & Hereafter

Each Friday, we will offer up two movies that are scheduled to be released within the accompanying weekend. We know, we know. It’s hard to come across blogs who ever actually get movie talk right. That’s why we won’t say much. A trailer. A paragraph. And boom – all you need to know about what new movies you can take your beautiful object of affection to see this weekend. It's like going to the drive-in movie theater. Remember those? So much fun. Thank us later, not now.

Red

It's an odd week for movies, really. Both this and the below feature are two flicks I probably won't take the time to see in theaters unless if I find myself in a situation that says "Gee, I'd really like to go to the movies today," which is a notion I simply never have the time for these days. And even with that said, when both of these movies inevitably come in the mail through Netflix, I know I won't be excited. But there's something about both of these that I'm attracted to. For this first movie, I think it's safe to say I enjoy pretty much everyone involved here. It seems a bit cheesy, but that's what these sometimes-terrific actors seem to be aiming for more so these days than ever. Helen Miren is still getting it done. Like, really. Getting. It. Done. And we all love Morgan Freeman, right? This movie seems like the perfect fit...for a weekend sitting at home sick in January while the remote control is too far away to reach and change the channel from USA. A couple gags here. A few lines there. Can't fault these dudes for wanting a pay check.



Hereafter

This is a call to the 12 people who read this blog: Can you please, please, please explain to me what this movie is supposed to be about? I don't get it. If you know, please kindly take to the comments section with thoughts and information. I know this is a limited release this week, but it's about to go wide, and when it does, people will flock to it as though Matt Damon is starring in it and Clint Eastwood is directing it. Oh, wait. Why I'm skeptical: "Invictus" wasn't really that good, and not only does this feature the same star and the same 80-year-old director, but it also features the same behind-the-scenes crew. Why I'm curious: Matt Damn is simply lovely. He was on David Letterman's talk show earlier this week and was utterly charming. I can't think of a movie I've seen him in that I've hated. "The Informant!" and Invictus" are two that weren't all that good, but hate is not a word that's applicable. Another wait for DVD situation? Sure. That is, unless if one of you can tell me what the hell is going on here.

2 comments:

  1. When I first saw the trailer for Hereafter, I thought it came across something like What Dreams May Come. But without my beloved Robin Williams, and not as much of a tearjearker. I'll pass. I'm really not a Matt Damon fan though, either. I think Red will make our Netflix queue for certain. I can't imagine paying to see it in a theater, but it looks good for a post-kid bedtime flick.

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  2. Hereafter: Matt Damon can communicate with (or see?) the dead...presumably when in physical contact with someone close to the deceased or the event of death. He's given that up though...can't figure out why, but my guess is that it has to do with a woman. It almost always does. A French journalist almost dies in a natural disaster (flood), which, unsuprisingly, rocks her world a little bit. A young boy appears to have lost his best friend (bombed building? fire? some sort of un-natural disaster?) and doesn't know what to do with that. I'm guessing their stories collide and the woman and boy's need for answers forces Matt to deal with whatever he's got going on while helping them. I guess we'll see.
    In any case, I agree...Matt Damon is lovely.

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