Robert Altman: The Middle Years

Movie Review: The Long Goodbye (1973)

Elliott Gould takes over the iconic role of Philip Marlowe in this Raymond Chandler story. Unlike Bogart's version, Gould plays Marlowe as more of a wisecracker not afraid to insult a gang of goons right to their faces. Marlowe is pulled into a mystery surrounding his friend's wife's murder. Marlowe is convinced he didn't do it but the mob and the police think otherwise. Also contains Schwarzenegger's first film role as a mob enforcer. 7/10

Movie Review: Nashville (1975)

One of Altman's best. A huge ensemble cast portrays country stars, music fans, political organizers and everyone in between. The music is great and all the actors sing their songs themselves. Kung-Fu's David Carradine is especially impressive on the stage. Lily Tomlin is equally impressive just sitting in the audience and watching. In fact, I think it's more difficult for an actor to perform by doing absolutely nothing and she just nails it. Her face and eyes tell more than any spoken lines could. It's amazing how Altman was able to weave all these different stories and characters together as he did. He'd use this formula again in films like Short Cuts, Gosford Park, and A Prairie Home Companion. 9/10

Movie Review: 3 Women (1977)

This is a movie I definitely need to watch again. There is a lot going on here and I didn't realize how many layers there were until it was nearly over. A fantastic movie about two women (Shelley Duvall & Sissy Spacek) who share jobs, an apartment, and sometimes seem to switch personalities too. A little bit like Altman's previous film Images, this one also considers the issue of personal identity. 8/10

Book Review: What to Expect the First Year - Murkoff, Eisenberg and Hathaway

Required reading for new parents. Great month-by-month information and tips.

Book Review: The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year - Armin A. Brott

Another valuable read, this is basically a slimmed down version of What to Expect, just for new fathers.

Strange Stories

Movie Review: October Sky (1999)

Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. I borrowed this video from one of the English teachers at my high school who had shown it in a few of his classes. It's a good film for students as it encourages them to strive for more, to 'reach for the stars' as it were. Jake Gyllenhaal is good in the lead role as an inquisitive high school student not content to follow his father into the mines for the rest of his life. I was also impressed by Chris Sherman, famous for playing the Terminator geek in the American Pie series but here becomes a regular bookworm-type geek. 7.5/10

Movie Review: Mysterious Skin (2004)

I really knew nothing about this movie going into it but was very impressed. Joseph Gordon-Levitt steals the show as a handsome and charming boy who ends up as a male prostitute. He shares a connection with another boy, a former classmate, who is convinced that alien abductions are the cause of his mysterious memory loss. The truth is far more disturbing. 'Chloe' from 24 has a small role as another abductee. A depressing film, but still one worth watching. 8/10

Movie Review: Sideways (2004)

A hilarious look at two middle-aged men on a tour of California's vineyards. Paul Giamatti is the struggling writer always looking for the next great bottle of wine. Thomas Haden Church is his soon-to-be-married buddy who is looking for his next great lay. They meet up with a pair of great women who seem perfect for them. So of course they are going to screw things up and boy do they. Very funny and touching, this movie also features Lost's Mr. Friendly, M.C. Gainey, in a hilarious scene that ends with him running naked through the streets. Must be seen to be believed. 9/10

Movie Review: Garden State (2004)

Written by, directed, and starring Zach Braff. I've never seen the TV series Scrubs so this movie was my introduction to Mr. Braff. What a performance he puts on here. Braff plays Andrew, a mildly successful actor who returns to his hometown after many years for his mother's funeral. He encounters his father, a psychiatrist, who has had Braff on medication for years. Andrew reunites with several old friends and a beautiful newcomer played by Natalie Portman, a 'real character' herself. This results in a wonderful new state of mind for Andrew as he begins to fully experience life. Fantastic performances by Peter Sarsgaard and Ian Holm, plus a super hip soundtrack, help this little gem of a movie. 7.5/10

Movie Review: White Noise (2005)

I was intrigued by the trailers for this so-called horror film. What a flop. Michael Keaton plays a grieving father who is convinced his dead wife, and some scary others, are communicating with him via the white noise his TV and radio pick up. Completely unbelievable and idiotic, this was very disappointing. Amazingly enough a sequel was made. Some posters at IMDB complain that the sequel has little to do with the original but I think that should be its main selling point. 4/10