GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)

FILMS FROM THE 21st CENTURY

(Post 4 of 50)

Some quick takes on the most relatively recent listings from the
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list

Rare superhero entry from the 1001 list. Not the most well known entities of the Marvel superhero universe, but that's to the film advantage...It's hard to have preconceptions of characters you know nothing about! The story is interesting, the characters (especially Rocket Raccoon above and Michael Rooker as a refreshingly dense supervillain) are fun, but I'd basically like anything that includes a mix-tape of 70's tunes.

CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS (2010)

FILMS FROM THE 21st CENTURY

(Post 3 of 50)

Some quick takes on the most relatively recent listings from the
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list

I see two dramas going on in this Werner Herzog documentary about the 30,000 year old paintings neatly preserved in the Chauvet Cave if France. One drama is the journey through the cave itself as a sightseer to the past and seeing these people from so many years ago through their artistry and skill and thinking about how the human apple really has really not fallen that far away from the tree. The other drama is the limited access that the film crew is given to the caves which makes one feel how fragile and temporary both art and life is.

Recommended viewing, as is Herzog's other outdoorsy documentary, Grizzly Man.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (2014)

FILMS FROM THE 21st CENTURY

(Post 2 of 50)

Some quick takes on the most relatively recent listings from the
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list

My perception of Steven Hawking as the celebrity/genius astrophysicist whose body has been crippled my MLS is so strong that I had to do a double take when I saw there was going to be a movie about Stephen that seemed more of A Beautiful Mind type romance than an episode of Cosmos. But we really do learn more about what Hawking's early life than many of us knew before. Eddie Redmayne's depiction of Hawking first as the young budding genius and then as the older famous man ravaged by physical deterioration was truly Oscar worthy.

BIRDMAN (2014)

FILMS FROM THE 21st CENTURY

(Post 1 of 50)

Some quick takes on the most relatively recent listings from the
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list

Birdman is the story of an actor who made a name for himself playing a superhero, but has long wanted to shed that image and take on more serious acting roles. Or work he perceives as serious, like directing and starring in a Raymond Carver play. I found the whole thing fascinating and well done, but it's uncommericial nature made it a surprise best picture winner to me.

And it made me want to pick up some Raymond Carver.